>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP IN THIS NEWSCAST, WORLD CUP STOPPER ARRIVES IN SAN DIEGO.

THE SAN DIEGO WAVE FC MAKE A SPLASH BY UNVEILING THEIR COLORFUL LOOK AND INTRODUCING THE TEAM USA LEGEND THEY WILL BUILD AROUND.

RESHUFFLING SAN DIEGO, A BIG DECISION IS MADE ON HOW OUR COUNCIL DISTRICTS WILL LOOK AHEAD.

WE TELL YOU WHICH COMMUNITIES WILL BE UNITED AND WHICH WILL BE SPLIT UP.

OH THE SLOW RECOVERY WITH IMPERIAL COUNTY.

KPBS TAKES YOU TO CALEXICO WHERE SHOPS IN THE BORDER TOWN ARE WAITING FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS TO RETURN.

OH WE START WITH A BIT OF A STEP BACK IN CALIFORNIA'S FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE ARE ASKED TO PUT THEIR MASKS BACK ON WHEN THEY GO TO AN INDOOR PUBLIC SPACE.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO EXPLAINS WHY THE MASK MANDATE IS BACK , AND HERE'S FROM THE UNION FROM RETAIL WORKERS OFTEN ASKED TO ENFORCE IT.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SHOPPERS ARE BUSY PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

NOW, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS IN PUBLIC PLACES REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

WE MIGHT BE DIVIDED ON MASKS BUT PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES ARE FRUSTRATED.

>> I AM SICK OF IT.

AT THIS POINT, IT IS LIKE WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

YOU KNOW?

LIKE I CAN TELL SOMEBODY MAKES ME DO IT BUT I WILL NOT DO THAT.

>> PEOPLE ARE DYING.

I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT.

IF THE MASKS HELP WITH THE SPREAD, EVERYBODY MUST DO IT TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

>> OUR MEMBERS ARE JUST AS FRUSTRATED WITH COVID-19 JUST AS EVERYBODY ELSE.

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.

THEY CANNOT WORK FROM HOME.

>> Reporter: GROCERY AND RETAIL EMPLOYEES ARE OFTEN PUT IN AWKWARD SITUATIONS HAVING TO ENFORCE MANDATES.

THIS IS A PROBLEM SAYS TODD WALTERS, PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL UNITED FOOD COMMERCIAL FOOD WORKERS UNION THAT INCLUDES 10,000 GROCERY STORE AND RETAIL WORKERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> WITH THE NEW MASK MANDATE, THEY ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH PEOPLE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY AND DO NOT WANT TO WEAR A MASK, YET I WORKERS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES TO SEE THOSE FOLKS WHEN THEY ARE ANGRY.

IT IS NOT THERE FOR.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS RETAIL WORKERS ARE HIT HARD BY THIS COVID-19 WAVE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS AND ABOUT FOUR MEMBERS HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

CASE NUMBERS ARE UP BY A THIRD AND THEY ARE BRINGING THAT HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IT IS REALLY REAL TO THEM.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT OUT ON THEM.

IF YOU ARE ASKED TO WEAR THE MASK, JUST PUT IT ON.

>> Reporter: OSHA, THAT REGULATES WORKPLACE SAFETY, WILL SOON DECIDE WHETHER TO IMPOSE FINES ON BUSINESSES THAT DO NOT ENFORCE THE ROLE.

KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS .

>> DESPITE SOME RESISTANCE TO MASKS AND VACCINES, SAN DIEGO IS A LEADER WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE GETTING ON BOARD.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN RECENTLY TALKED WITH LOCAL LEADERS INCLUDING THE COUNTY'S TOP DR. WILMA WILTON ABOUT THE PROGRESS MADE OVER THE PAST YEAR.

YOU CAN STREAM THAT INTERVIEW ANY TIME AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE .

OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY IS TELLING SOME OF ITS STUDENTS THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO GET BOOSTED IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY.

COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE RESIDENCE HOMES ARE IS A STUDENT-ATHLETE.

THE FOOTBALL TEAM IS ONE EXAMPLE OF COVID-19 EXPOSURE THE SEASON.

IT CAUSED MORE THAN A DOZEN PLAYERS TO MISS A RECENT GAME.

SDSU SAYS IT WILL PROVIDE GIFT CARDS AND OTHER PRIZES TO THOSE WHO UPDATE THEIR VACCINE RECORD BY JANUARY 18th.

IT IS A FAMILIAR STORY FOR BUSINESSES ALONG THE US-MEXICO BORDER AND FINANCIAL DEVASTATION DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND BORDER CLOSURES.

ONE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS TRYING TO HELP STORE OWNERS WILL RECOVER QUICKLY.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER RANHAUL TRAVELED TO CALEXICO, THE MAIN BORDER TOWN IN IMPERIAL COUNTY FOR THE STORY.

>> IT IS NOT 50%.

THIS IS 90% DOWN.. >> DOWNTOWN CALEXICO IS A STRING OF RETAIL STORES NORTH OF THE US-MEXICO BORDER.

THESE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY LOCAL FAMILIES.

THEY RELY HEAVILY ON CUSTOMERS COMING FROM MEXICALI.

SINCE BORDER CROSSING RESTRICTIONS WERE PUT IN PLACE, BUSINESS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SLOW.

THAT IS HOW DAVID, THE STORE OWNER OF CASA IMPORTS, DESCRIBES THIS PAST YEAR .

HE SAID LIFTING RIVET RESTRICTIONS ON NOVEMBER 8th HAS NOT BROUGHT BACK MANY OF HIS OLD CUSTOMERS.

>> MAKING ONE SALE WITH $10 OR $20, I USED TO DO $1000.

IN THE WORST DAY, I USED TO DO $500 AND I WOULD COMPLAIN.

I AM DOWN TO ONE SELL.

>> HE IS NOT EXAGGERATING.

HE KEEPS TRACK OF EVERY SINGLE ITEM HE SELLS .

>> I OPENED UP AT 8:00.

I OPENED UP AT 8:00 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, NO SALE.

>> Reporter: FROM THE PANDEMIC, SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUED AND AN INCREASE IN GAS PRICES, HE HAS TAKEN HIT AFTER HIT.

>> THIS IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN.

I HAVE BEEN HERE 10 YEARS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS A 70 TO 80% OF HIS CUSTOMERS COME FROM SOUTH OF THE BORDER IN MEXICALI.

HE BELIEVES LONG WAIT TIMES AND VACCINE REQUIREMENTS HAVE NOT ENTICED MANY TO CROSS THE BORDER AND SHOP LIKE THEY USED TO.

JUST A BLOCK DOWN IS FRANCISCO'S STORE.

WE WERE HOPING FOR MARSEILLES AND MORE PEOPLE TO COME, BUT WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PEOPLE WE WERE WAITING FOR, HE SAYS, ABOUT 80% OF HIS CLIENTS ARE ALSO FROM MEXICALI AND 20% ARE LOCAL SHOPPERS.

REGRETTABLY, LOCALS DO NOT SHOP HERE.

THE PEOPLE WHO COME HERE ARE PEOPLE FROM MEXICALI.

WE MAKE A LIVING FROM PEOPLE IN MEXICALI.

WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN CALEXICO, YOU CAN SEE STORES THAT HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> YOU WITH THE EMPTY PARKING LOTS OFTEN AND THAT'S HEARTBREAKING THAT THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO OWN THOSE TRYING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: BARRY SMITH DEAN IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW IMPERIAL VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN EL CENTRO.

THE CHAMBER OPENED IN SEPTEMBER, BUT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS.

THE REGIONAL CHAMBER COMBINED THE EL CENTRO AND WESTMORELAND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

UNITED AS ONE, THEY SAY THEY CAN MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

THEY ARE HOPING TO REACH NEIGHBORING CITIES LIKE CALEXICO.

>> NOW MORE THAN EVER, THE BUSINESSES NEED OUR SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: CALEXICO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHARLESTOWN DOWN DURING THE PANDEMIC LEAVING CALEXICO BUSINESSES TO FIND OUTSIDE HELP AND FEND FOR THEMSELVES.. >> WE WANT TO LAUNCH COMING INTO THE CHAMBER, LAUNCHING SOME INITIATIVES WHERE WE CAN WORK WITH THE BUSINESSES AND SAY SHOW US WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND LET US HELP YOU FIND WAYS YOU CAN REACH MORE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE REGIONAL CHAMBER REPRESENTS ABOUT 300 BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY.

SOME BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE BOTH OF THESE, THEY HAVE NOT SEEN ENOUGH LIKE THEY WANTED.

BEEN SAYS OVERALL, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE WITH TRAFFIC FLOW.

AS SOME BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED, OTHERS HAVE THRIVED.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SUCCESS STORIES THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN DO IS WE HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION, SALES ARE DOWN COMPARED TO PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS.

STORES SAW AN INCREASE IN FOOT TRAFFIC COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

DURING THANKSGIVING WEEK, VELTRAN DID NOT SEE MANY CUSTOMERS .

HE SAYS HE REMAINS HOPEFUL THAT THINGS WILL PICK UP DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

ALEXANDER RANHAUL, KPBS NEWS .

>> THIS STORY WAS MADE POSSIBLE FROM SUPPORT FROM THE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT.

>>> THE LAST WEEK OF FALL HAS FELT MORE LIKE WINTER.

A STORM EARLIER THIS WEEK BROKE SOME LOCAL RAINFALL RECORDS, AND THE NIGHTS HAVE SEEN TEMPERATURES DIP INTO THE 30s.

THIS IS A REMINDER OF HOW VULNERABLE PEOPLE CAN BE WHEN THEY ARE ON HOUSED.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN TELLS US ABOUT A NEW LOCAL SHELTER THAT WILL HELP.

>> JUST THINK, THERE ARE FOLKS RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEIR LIVES WILL CHANGE IN THIS FACILITY.

>> Reporter: THIS FROM A DEPARTMENT STORE OFF SPORTS ARENA BOULEVARD IS THE CITY'S NEWEST HOMELESS SHELTER.

IT HAS 44 BEDS AND DESIGNED TO HELP THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.. >> WE ARE LAUNCHING A NEW CATEGORY, A NEW PROGRAM AND EFFORT DESIGNED TO MEET A NEED NOT PRESENTLY MET.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER PARTED WITH CINDY YEAGER MAYOR TODD GLORIA TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.

>> THE CONDITIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE ON OUR STREETS.

NO ONE HERE IS HAPPY WITH CONDITIONS.

THAT IS WHY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE ARE FINDING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO GET MORE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: HOMELESSNESS IS BECOMING MORE VISIBLE IN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT AREA.

PLACES LIKE THIS BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE SHELTER AWARE THOSE SPECIALIZED TEAMS WILL COME TO BRING PEOPLE TO GET THEM HOUSING.

WITH ONLY 44 BEDS, OFFICIALS KNOW THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> THESE 44 BEDS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS PAYING FOR BUILDING AND OPERATING COST WHILE THE COUNTY IS OFFERING TREATMENT REFERENCE.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY HARM REDUCTION TEAMS.

>> THEY ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SPECIALISTS WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: GARCIA'S DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE COUNTY'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SHE SAYS THE SHELTER WILL OPERATE UNDER A HARM REDUCTION MODEL.

>> IF YOU ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, YOU ARE NOT PROJECTED FOR TREATMENT OR PROJECTED FOR SHELTER OR HOUSING.

>> Reporter: DAY TO DAY SHELTER OPERATIONS WILL BE RUN BY THE NONPROFIT PROJECT WHICH OVERSEES OTHER SHELTERS NEAR DOWNTOWN.

>> IT IS ALWAYS TO REVOLVING DOOR.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I HAVE BEEN HERE 11 OR 12 YEARS DOING THIS.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THE SAME PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: CARLOS, WITH THE PROJECT, SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL PEOPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICES HERE.

>> I CAN SEE IT DOING A LOT OF GOOD.

SINGLE BEDS SO THEY ARE NOT FIGHTING WITH THEIR BUGGIES AND SPACE WISE.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE A TURNAROUND TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED AND HOUSING.

>> Reporter: WHILE THERE IS MULTIYEAR FUNDING, THE SHELTER IS TEMPORARY AS THE PROPERTY IS PART OF THE MIDWAY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SUBSTANCE ABUSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS.

DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL AND OTHER OPIOIDS ARE INCREASINGLY THE MOST DANGEROUS TROUBLE SPOTS.

EDUCATION REPORTER M.G.

PEREZ TELLS US ABOUT THE COUNTY'S FIRST VIRTUAL SUMMIT TRYING TO REACH OUR TEENS .

>> IT IS STORYTELLING AT ITS BEST AND MOST DEVASTATING.

>> THIS IS MY FAVORITE WAY.

OH MY GOD.

>> Reporter: THIS DRUG OVERDOSE IS NOT REAL.

IT IS A PERFORMANCE BY THEATER STUDENTS HERE AT SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS.

THIS CAMPUS HOSTED THE FIRST EVER OPIOID SUMMIT, SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THEY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO STOPPING AN EPIDEMIC THAT IS KILLING AS MANY AS 1000 PEOPLE A YEAR.

MOST OF THAT IS FROM FENTANYL AND OTHER OPIOIDS.

>> IT IS A TRUE CRISIS.

IF WE DO NOT GET THAT INFORMATION TO THEM, WE CAN BE IN EVERY CORNER TRYING TO PROTECT THEM.. >> A FORMER HEAD BASKETBALL STAR IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW.

>> Reporter: THE SUMMIT WAS LIVE STREAMED TO HUNDREDS OF CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

STUDENTS HER THE PERFECT STORY A FORMER NBA STAR CHRIS ERIN.

HIS DRUG USE STARTED YOUNG FOR MEMBERS OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL TEAM.. >> OUT OF 15 KIDS, SEVEN OF US, SEVEN OF US ONLY.. >> WE PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THIS.

WITH OUR CHILDREN, WE WANT TO DRIVE THEM AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAY LOOK AT THAT PERSON.

THERE IS A PROGRESSION TO THIS.

>> Reporter: OPIOID ABUSE LED TO AT LEAST FOUR OVERDOSES FOR THIS GUY.

HE DIED FROM THEM DURING ONE OF THEM.

HE AND OTHERS SHARE THEIR STORIES FROM THE LIFESTREAM, INCLUDING THE YOUNG MAN WHO BECAME QUADRIPLEGIC AFTER AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES PICTURE, TOO.

>> I WAS GUILTY AT A YOUNG AGE.

YOU THINK IT IS COOL TO BE SEEN AT THE GUY WITH A BEER AT A PARTY.

>> Reporter: THE STATISTICS ARE DEVASTATING ENOUGH.

ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, IN 2020, 19 CHILDREN, UNDER THE AGE OF 18, DIED FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES.

THIS YEAR, THAT NUMBER IS 19.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS I LEFT TO GO.

>> I HOPE IF I HELPED ONE PERSON SAY, MAYBE I SHOULD NOT DO THAT TONIGHT OR SKIP THAT PARTY TONIGHT, I HOPE I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> SAN DIEGO IS A VERY BIG CULTURE.

I AM VERY AWARE OF THE CULTURE AROUND ME AND I HAVE AVOIDED THAT AT ALL COSTS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A MESSAGE EVERYONE SHOULD HERE.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS PICKS BACK HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG , STARTING WITH MORE FROM OUR SCHOOLS.

STARTING ON JANUARY 1st, CALIFORNIA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES MUST UPDATE THEIR RECORDS FOR STUDENTS WHO LEGALLY CHANGED THEIR NAMES.

I KNEW SOURCE REVISITS THE ZIP CODES STRUGGLING WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS, AND A STORY THAT CONTINUES TO GENERATE A LOT OF INTEREST.

AMITA SHARMA IS LOOK AT SURVEILLANCE TECH USED BY THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA IS ONE OF OUR TOP STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG .

>>> SAN DIEGO NOW KNOWS HOW IT'S COMMUNITIES WILL BE SPLIT UP BY COUNCIL DISTRICTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS NOT EVERYONE WILL BE PLEASED BY THE NEW MAP.

>> Reporter: THE NEW MAP UNITES SOME NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING CLERMONT AND RANCHO PIÑA SKEETERS INTO A SINGLE COUNCIL DISTRICT.

RIGHT NOW, THOSE ARE SPLIT BETWEEN TWO DISTRICTS.

THE MAP SPLITS UP OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO EVEN OUT EACH DISTRICT POPULATION.

MISSION VALLEY WILL STRADDLE THREE COUNTY DISTRICTS.

THREE DISTRICTS, TOM, SAID TRADE-OFFS WERE UNAVOIDABLE.

>> THE MISSION WAS NOT ABLE WITHOUT VIOLATING OTHER PRINCIPLES PERTAINING AN EQUAL POPULATION AND WAS NECESSARY SPLIT SOME COMMUNITIES INTO THE MAPPING PLAN.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST ON A SEVEN: TOCQUEVILLE.

THE TWO SAID THE COMMISSION'S REFUSAL TO COMMIT ONE COASTAL DISTRICT CAME AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE ELSE, ESPECIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

>> AS A RESULT, YOU ARE FORCED INTO MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS AND HITTING THOSE COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER RATHER THAN MAKING THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS IN THOSE HISTORICALLY ABANDONED COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: USD STUDENTS WERE UNHAPPY THAT THE CAMPUS WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN TWO DISTRICTS AFTER MONTHS OF CALLING FOR THE UNIVERSITY TO BE SEPARATED FROM LA JOLLA AND GROUPED WITH A MORE DIVERSE UNIVERSITY CITY.

THE FINAL MAP WAS DRAWN BASED ON 2020 CENSUS DATA.

THE NEXT REDISTRICTING PROCESS WILL NOT HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> IT HAS BEEN BUSY FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN SAN DIEGO INCLUDING A MAKEOVER FOR THE AIRPORT.

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL BROKE GROUND ON A REBUILD OF TERMINAL ONE.

IS THE WING OF THE AIRPORT THAT HOUSES SOUTHWEST, JETBLUE AND A FEW SMALL AIRLINES.

WORK WILL BE DONE IN PHASES WITH A RESERVATION OPENING IN 2028.

>>> A MAJOR ROAD PROJECT BY THE BORDER JUST REACHED THE FINISH LINE.

THE NEW CONNECTOR BRIDGES FROM STATE ROUTE 125 TO THE 905 AND 11 FREEWAYS ARE NOW OPEN.

THE BRIDGES WILL ALLOW VEHICLES TO AVOID PASSING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS.

>>> CALIFORNIA HAS THE LARGEST MARKETPLACE IN THE COUNTRY FOR SOLAR POWER.

ADDING PANELS TO A HOME IS A BIG INVESTMENT.

CHANGES TO HOW PEOPLE ARE REIMBURSED MIGHT BE ON THE WAY.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON EXPLAINS.

>> CITY HEIGHTS AND COURTYARD COTTAGE, I HAVE MY TANGERINES AND I HAVE MY AVOCADOS GOING.

>> Reporter: TESTY ABOUT THIS HOUSE IN THE LATE 1990S WHEN HE WAS STILL IN THE NAVY.

61-YEAR-OLD REMEMBERS HOW ELECTRICITY USED TO BE.

>> IT WAS ABOUT $22.00 A MONTH, WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST.

THAT WAS HOW ENERGY WAS IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: HIS ELECTRIC BILL CLIMBED OVER THE YEARS, TOPPING OUT AT ABOUT $280 A MONTH.

THAT IS WHY HE ADDED SOLAR ENERGY AND A NEW AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT.

>> IT IS SO QUIET AND THIS USES ABOUT THAT MUCH ENERGY.

WHY?

IT WILL HAVE A GAS BALL IN THE SKY.

THAT GIVES US ENERGY AND WARMTH AND GROSS TOMATOES.

>> Reporter: CUSTODY& HIS SOLAR SYSTEM SO THERE ARE NO UPFRONT COSTS.

THIS IS ONE OF MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION SOLAR ROOFTOP SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN CALIFORNIA.

NEARLY 50% OF THE REDUCTION COMES FROM SOLAR SYSTEMS LIKE THE ONE ON CASTILLE'S HOME.

THE ECONOMICS OF SOLAR COULD BE CHANGING SOON.

THE CURRENT STATE REGULATIONS, KNOWN AS NET ENERGY METERING, ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE THEY MOVED TO ROOFTOP SOLAR.

THEY SET THE COST OF ELECTRICITY SOLD BY RESIDENTS, AND INCLUDE A SMALL MONTHLY FEE FOR FIXED UTILITY COST.

THAT COULD BE CHANGING PICKS BACK 15 YEARS AGO, OUR ELECTRIC READS ARE WHAT THEY, ARE HALF OF WHAT THEY ARE TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL IS AMONG THOSE ASKING REGULATORS TO ROLL BACK THE SUBSIDY CURRENTLY PAVED TO ROOFTOP SOLAR OWNERS.

'S ORGANIZATION IS ADVOCATING CUTTING BACK HOW MUCH UTILITIES ARE REQUIRED, WITH ELECTRICITY GENERATED ON ROOFTOPS.

HE WANTS TO CHARGE A HEFTY MONTHLY CONDUCTION FEE BASED ON THE SIZE OF A SOLAR SYSTEM.

THE CHARGE COULD BE $40-$50 PER MONTH.

>> PEOPLE WILL STILL SAVE MONEY, BUT IT WILL BE LESS.

>> Reporter: FLAT MONTHLY FEES COULD MEAN THAT WILL TAKE SOLAR OWNERS TEND TO TO 12 TO 15 YEARS TO PAY OFF THEIR UPFRONT INVESTMENT TO PUT THE PANELS ON THEIR ROOFS.

TRAVERSES PAYBACK TIMES RIGHT NOW ARE EARLY ABOUT FOUR TO SIX YEARS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WILL STILL, FROM THE ESTIMATE, SAVE AROUND 50% OF YOUR BILL IF YOU DO THIS CORRECTLY WITH OUR EXPERT CHANGE AND CHARGE.

YOU WILL NOT SAVE CLOSE TO 100% BECAUSE CERTAIN FEES ARE FIXED FEES OR MAINTAINING THE GRID, THAT WE ALL DEPEND ON AND SOCIAL COST, THAT I MENTIONED, THAT ARE INDEPENDENT.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION IS CONSIDERING MORE THAN 70 PROPOSALS TO ADJUST THE NEXT ENERGY MEETING RULES.

THESE RANGE FROM CHANGING VERY LITTLE TO ONCE A CALL FOR CHEAP CONNECTION FEES AND SLASHING HOW MUCH UTILITIES ARE FORCED TO PAY TO BUY BACK ELECTRICITY FROM RESIDENTS.

SOLAR ADVOCATES SAY ELIMINATING THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS COULD CRASH DEMAND.

THAT ENDANGERS 60,000 CALIFORNIA JOBS.. >> THAT WILL MEAN LAYING OFF A MAJORITY OF THE WORKFORCE OR POTENTIALLY CLOSING THEIR DOORS.

>> Reporter: KARINA GONZALES WORKS FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS, A COMPANY ADVOCATING FOR NET ENERGY METERING.

SHE SAYS ROOFTOP SOLAR NEEDS TO BE ENCOURAGED BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL TO HELP MEET THE STATE'S CLEAN AIR GOALS.

>> LESS ROOFTOP SOLAR MEANS WE ARE USING MORE DIRTY ENERGY, WORSENING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND CONTRIBUTING TO CLIMATE RACISM, THAT IS IN KERN COUNTY, AND WHERE THERE IS FRACKING IN PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS.

WE THINK WHEN THERE IS A CLIMATE EMERGENCY, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE AWAY CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS FROM FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA'S INVESTMENT UTILITIES FILED THEIR PROPOSED REVISIONS MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC STEERS REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS TO SURROGATES, LIKE THE NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, OR THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK.

THE COMPANY DECLINED TO MAKE A INTERVIEW.

BOTH LAST SUMMER AND RECENT WEEKS, AN IMA STATEMENT SAYS THE ARK ENGAGED, "THEY ARE EAGER TO SEE EIGHT RESOLUTION THAT ALLOWS THE SOLAR INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND ADDRESSES EXISTING INEQUITIES."

THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL THEIR PLANS TO ADJUST NET ENERGY METERING SOON.

THAT PULMONARY PROPOSAL WOULD BE VETTED AND VOTED ON BY THE COMMISSIONERS EARLY NEXT YEAR.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE WORK OF DR. SEUSS IS EVERYWHERE, ESPECIALLY THE GRINCH AROUND CHRISTMAS.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE SHOWS US AN EXHIBIT IN SOLANA BEACH THAT HAS A SECRET SIDE OF THE FAMOUS SAN DIEGO AUTHOR.

>> THING ONE AND THING TWO, THE GRINCH AND THE CAT IN THE HAT, ALL WELL-KNOWN CHARACTERS FROM DR. SEUSS'S IMAGINATION, BUT NOT SO WELL KNOWN, HIS SECRET MIDNIGHT ART.

>> THE SECRET ART OF DR. SEUSS, THE MIDNIGHT PAINTINGS, WHICH IS WHAT NOBODY KNEW THAT HE WAS A FINE ARTIST WHILE HE WAS LIVING, SO THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED A SECRET ART.

IT IS NOT SO SECRET NOW.

>> Reporter: SHE IS THE GALLERY DIRECTOR AT EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIONS GALLERY IN SOLANA BEACH.

THIS IS WHERE THE ART OF DR. SEUSS COLLECTION WILL BE SHOWCASED UNTIL DECEMBER 31st.

VISITORS ARE GREETED BY THE INFAMOUS CAT IN THE HAT ARTWORK.

TURNED THE CORNER AND VISITORS GET TO SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF DR. SEUSS.

>> PEOPLE ALWAYS GO OH MY GOSH, I DID NOT KNOW HE WAS A PAINTER.

THIS DOES NOT LOOK LIKE DR. SEUSS.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE TOLD ME, I CAN SEE THAT A LITTLE.

SOME ARTISTS ARE FUNNY AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CATS.

>> Reporter: COLORFUL NEVER BEFORE SEEN PIECES OF WACKY AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPES SHOW DR. SEUSS'S ARTISTIC RANGE.

THE MEANING BEHIND THE ART IS NOT ALL THAT CLEAR.

>> MAYBE THERE WAS A CRAZY MAN PLAYING, OR LOOK AT ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS.

IT IS INTERESTING LIKE HIS IMAGINATION.

>> Reporter: THE ART DISPLAYED ARE NOT ORIGINALS.

THEY ARE LIMITED EDITION PRINTS.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST ACCOMPLISHED SOCCER STARS IS COMING TO SAN DIEGO.

MELISSA MAY CUT UP WITH WORLD CUP CHAMP ALEX MORGAN AT THE BIG REVEAL FOR SAN DIEGO WAYS FC.

>> OUR TIME TO STAND TOGETHER IS NOW, THE WAVE IS CALLING.

>> THE LEAGUE NEWEST EXPANSION TEAM, THE SAN DIEGO WAYS FC REVEALED THEIR COLORS TO THE PUBLIC.

AS THIS RISES, THIS FORMS A REQUEST WITH THE HORIZON.

>> COLORS OF THE SKY ARE VIBRANT AND PROUD OF OUR CULTURE.

THE COLORS OF THE SAND WE PLAY IN AND THE COMMON GROUND WE SHARE, COLORS THAT SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY OF OUR PACIFIC OCEAN.. >> SOCCER FOOTBALL IS EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY.

THE RICH TRADITION AND HISTORY OF SOCCER IS WHY I BELIEVE THIS TOWN WILL GO WITH OUR TEAM.

>> WAYS FC PRESIDENTIAL ELLIS DESCRIBES HOW THE TEAM NAME CAME TO BE.

>> MINIMUM TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THE CITY'S PRISTINE AND POWERFUL COASTLINE.

WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF BEING BOLD FULL IN THE SPORTS LANDSCAPE.

SOCCER IS NOT JUST A GAME, IT IS PART OF LIFE.

IT IS PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

GIRLS ARE NOT ONLY ENCOURAGED TO PLAY, BUT GIVEN THE PLATFORM TO THRIVE AND PERFORM.

>> CASEY STONY IS THE SAN DIEGO WAVE FC'S COACH.

SHE HOPES TO HAVE A SOCCER TEAM TO CHEER FOR AND INSPIRING YOUNG FEMALES TO PLAY SOCCER.

ONE LOCAL YOUTH PLAYER, MELANIE, IS ALREADY A FAN.

>> I'M EXCITED AND CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS TO KICK OFF AND CHEER FOR MY OWN LOCAL TEAM.

>> Reporter: SHE IS INSPIRED BY U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS AND SAN DIEGO WAVE FC'S RECENT SIGNINGS, ALEX MORGAN AND ABBY DEL KAMBER.. >> THEY ARE STRONG AND FIERCE WOMEN THAT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MANY GOOD THINGS, THAT'S WHY LOOK UP TO THEM.

THAT HAS HELPED WOMEN SOCCER GROW AND CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.

>> Reporter: BEING A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NATIVE, ALEX MORGAN IS EXCITED TO MAKE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO THE CLUB AND THE CITY.

>> I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT I LIVE IN.

NOT ONLY PLAYING ON THE FRONT AND INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION AND YOUNG GIRLS, BUT DIGGING INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BEING A PART OF WHY THESE GIRLS CONTINUE TO PLAY SOCCER.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO WAVE FC'S INAUGURAL SEASON KICKS OFF IN MAY.

THEY WILL TEMPORARILY PLAY AT USD STEREO STADIUM AND SNAPDRAGON IS THE PERMANENT HOME IN MISSION VALLEY, IS COMPLETED.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.