♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM "NEWS THIS WEEK," THIS WEEK.

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

COMING UP, A PROFILE ON LOCAL I.C.E.

WATCHERS.

WE WILL MEET SOME OF THE VOLUNTEERS WHO SAY THEY FEEL COMPELLED TO BEAR WITNESS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT SAN DIEGO'S FEDERAL BUILDING.

THE OCEANSIDE FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS THIS WEEKEND.

NOW IN ITS 15th YEAR, ORGANIZERS TELL US WHY DOCUMENTARIES ARE HEAVILY FEATURED IN THEIR LINEUP.

>>> AND SOLAR POWER IS AN EMERGING FORCE IN CAR TECHNOLOGY.

SEE HOW A COMPANY BASED IN THE NORTH COUNTY IS TRYING TO APPEAL TO EVERYDAY DRIVERS.

THERE A TRANSPORTATION IS ALSO HOW WE WILL START THIS NEWSCAST WITH THE KPBS INVESTIGATION ON HOW FARE EVASION IS AFFECTING THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.

THE AGENCY SAYS MORE PEOPLE ARE SIMPLY CHOOSING NOT TO PAY.

KPBS REPORTER ELAINE ALFARO SAYS THE TREND COINCIDES WITH THE DISTRICTS HANDS-OFF ENFORCEMENT POLICY.

>> ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN JANUARY, DOUG GILLINGHAM AND DANA FRIEHAUF JUMPED OFF THE COUNTY BOUND IN ULSTER.

THEY WERE HEADING BACK TO SOLANA BEACH AFTER A LONG DAY OF BIKE RIDING.

THEY WOULD GLADLY PAY THE $6.50 FARE FOR THEIR TRAIN RIDE HOME.

>> I LIKE SUPPORTING MASS TRANSIT.

IT IS A PUBLIC BENEFIT.

>> Reporter: THESE DAYS, RIDERS LIKE GILLINGHAM AND OTHERS WHO PAY THEIR FARES ON THE COASTER AND SPRINTER HAVE SUDDENLY DECREASED.

SINCE 2023 ABOUT A THIRD OF COASTER RIDERS HAD MORE THAN HALF OF SPRINTER RIDERS WERE FARE EVADERS.

ACCORDING TO ANALYSIS OF NORTH COUNTY RIDERSHIP DATA.

THIS IS A STARK CHANGE FROM JUST A DECADE AGO.

SHAWN DONAGHY IS THE TRANSIT DISTRICT'S CEO.

HE ACKNOWLEDGES THEY ARE BEHIND THE CURVE IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.

>> WHEN WE DON'T HAVE SYSTEMS SET UP LIKE BART DOES OR NEW YORK TRANSIT WHERE YOU TAP TO GET INTO THE AREA TO MAKE SURE THE FAIR IS VALID, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR EMPLOYEES TO MANAGE THAT.

>> HE LARGELY BLAMES AN EROSION OF BASIC CIVIC VALUES FOR THE SURGING FARE EVASION RATES.

>> THERE WAS A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP BY THE RIDERS TO PAY THAT FARE .

THE TEMPERATURE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT ON WHAT PEOPLE FEEL COMPELLED TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH.

REMARK >> Reporter: REGARDLESS OF THE REASON WHY, THE IMPACT ON THE DISTRICT IS SIGNIFICANT.

IT LOST UPWARDS OF $4.4 MILLION FROM FARE EVASION LAST YEAR.

>> IT DOES SOUND LIKE IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUT OF CONTROL.

I THINK THAT IS THE BIG THING AND THEY ARE LOSING A LOT OF MONEY.

>> THAT IS PHILIP PLOTCH, A RESEARCHER AND FELLOW AT THE ENO CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION, A WASHINGTON, D.C.

THINK TANK.

FARE REVENUES COVER LESS THAN 8% OF THE DISTRICT'S OPERATING COSTS IN THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR.

THAT IS DOWN FROM 22% A DECADE AGO.

IF THIS DOWNWARD TREND CONTINUES, THE DISTRICT MIGHT HAVE TO CUT BACK ON SERVICE TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WROTE IT STRAINS IN THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

PLOTCH SAYS TRANSIT AGENCIES NATIONWIDE ARE SUFFERING FROM SHRINKING REVENUE FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC.

>> FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE TRANSIT SYSTEMS THAT ARE STILL OPERATING BECAUSE OF THE GENEROSITY OF THE TAXPAYERS.

>> Reporter: IN NORTH COUNTY, THE DRASTIC DROP IN FARE REVENUES COINCIDES WITH A HANDS-OFF FARE APPROACH THE DISTRICT HAS ESTABLISHED IN RECENT YEARS.

DONAGHY CALLS IT AN INFORMED NOT ENFORCE POLICY.

>> IF SOMEONE CHOOSES TO NOT PAY THAT FARE , WE DO NOT INTERVENE AT THAT MOMENT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEE.

>> THIS APPROACH CONTRASTS WITH AN EARLIER ERA WHEN THE DISTRICT PACKED DOWN ON FARE EVASION AND WROTE CITATIONS.

FARE EVASION DROPPED TO LESS THAN 2% ON THE COASTER AND SPRINTER IN 2011 ACCORDING TO AN AGENCY DOCUMENT UNCOVERED BY KPBS.

HOWEVER, A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HOW ENFORCEMENT IMPACTS FARE EVASION IS NOT POSSIBLE.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE AGENCY COULD NOT PRODUCE RECORDS PRIOR TO 21 AND DONAGHY ACKNOWLEDGED THE REVENUE LOSSES FROM FARE EVASION IMPACTS OPERATIONS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE LOSING OUT ON POTENTIAL EXPANSION BY NOT HAVING THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

>> Reporter: THE DONAGHY SAYS THE DISTRICT'S HANDS ARE TIED.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COLLECTING FARE AND MANAGING PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT ALSO WRECKING SURE OUR EMPLOYEES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED OR HARASSED.

>> Reporter: PLOTCH BELIEVES THAT FARE EVASION CHALLENGES COULD BE COMBATED WITH A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION, ENGINEERING, AND ENFORCEMENT.

HE POINTS TO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM IN SAN DIEGO, WHICH INCREASED ENFORCEMENT LAST YEAR.

THE UNION TRIBUNE REPORTED THAT THE AGENCY'S FARE REVENUE INCREASED BY A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH.

>> SO GETTING MORE INSPECTORS OUT THERE NOT ONLY IS RAISING REVENUE BUT IT IS MAKING IT SAFER FOR PASSENGERS.

AND THAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO INCREASE PASSENGER REVENUE EVEN MORE.

>> Reporter: IN NORTH COUNTY, THE DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING SURVEYS TO DETERMINE IF FARES SHOULD INCREASE IN ORDER TO COMBAT EXPECTED BUDGET SHORTAGES IN THE FUTURE.

ELAINE ALFARO, "NEWS THIS WEEK," KPBS NEWS.

>> SCOTT RODD CONTRIBUTED RESEARCH AND REPORTING TO THE STORY.

PART TWO OF REPORTING FOCUSES ON THE RISING NUMBER OF ASSAULTS ON THE DISTRICT'S TRAINS AND BUSES.

YOU CAN FIND THAT ON OUR WEBSITE AND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS INVESTIGATIONS TEAM , YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS AT KPBS.ORG.

OR MESSAGE THEM ON OUR SECURE SIGNAL LINE AT THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN, 619-594-8177.

>>> IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE I.C.E.

AGENTS BEGAN ARRESTING PEOPLE AT IMMIGRATION COURT HEARINGS.

VOLUNTEERS ARE DOCUMENTING THE UNPRECEDENTED ACTIONS IN SEVERAL WAYS.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SAYS THE ADVOCATES REMAIN COMMITTED DESPITE THE EVER INCREASING FEAR AND TENSION FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

>> Reporter: EVERY SHIFT BEGINS WITH A PRAYER.

>> GOD, HERE WE ARE TODAY, GRATEFUL TO BE SERVANTS OF LOVE AND COMPASSION.

GRATEFUL TO BE YOUR WITNESS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS REVEREND KATHLEEN OWENS, A RETIRED MINISTER.

>> MAY YOU OPEN OUR HEARTS SO THAT WE MAY STAY SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THOSE WHO ARE CHECKING IN, WHO HAVE HEARINGS, WHO ARE INFIRM.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ONE OF DOZENS OF VOLUNTEERS OBSERVING IMMIGRATION COURTS IN SAN DIEGO.

THE GROUP MEETS REGULARLY OUTSIDE THE DOWNTOWN FEDERAL COURTHOUSE.

THEY INTRODUCED THEMSELVES TO IMMIGRANTS GOING TO THE PROCESS, OFFER PRAYERS AND RESOURCES, AND DOCUMENT ANY ARRESTS.

THEY DO NOT OBSTRUCT OR EVEN TOUCH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

REVEREND OWENS SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ENCOUNTERS SHE WILL NEVER FORGET.

LIKE THE FAMILY WITH A NEWBORN CHILD IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, OR I.C.E.

AGENTS, ARRESTED LAST YEAR.

>> SAYING PRAYERS.

OFFERING A PEACEFUL PRESENCE.

WHEN THE INNER ROOM DOOR TO THE INTERVIEW ROOM OPENED AND THE FATHER PUSHING THE STROLLER RUSHED OUT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAW A MASKED ICE AGENT WALKED TO THE ELEVATOR AND HOLD THE DOOR OPEN, WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO COME OUT.

>> AND THIS YOUNG WOMAN IN HANDCUFFS CRYING IS LED FROM THE INTERVIEW ROOM ACROSS THE HALL INTO THE ELEVATOR.

>> Reporter: IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT OWENS DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH THE FAMILY.

>> AND THE HARDEST PART IS, WE DON'T KNOW HER NAME, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, AND IT LIVES WITH ME.

THAT BABY'S CRYING AS DAD WAS PUSHING THE BABY DOWN THE HALL.

AND THE WOMAN CRYING AS SHE WAS LED AWAY.

>> Reporter: LAST SPRING, SAN DIEGO WAS AMONG THE FIRST CITIES NATIONWIDE WHERE I.C.E.

AGENTS BEGAN ARRESTING PEOPLE AT THEIR IMMIGRATION COURT HEARINGS.

WITHIN DAYS, VOLUNTEERS ARE SHOWING UP TO OFFER HELP AND SUPPORT.

THEY CAPTURED SOME OF THE FIRST COURTHOUSE ARRESTS ON VIDEO, SHOWING MASKED FEDERAL AGENTS LINING THE COURTHOUSE HALLWAY, DETAINING PEOPLE AS THEY LEFT COURT ROOMS.

DESPITE ALL THE RHETORIC FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARRESTED AT IMMIGRATION COURT DO NOT HAVE A VIOLENT CRIMINAL RECORD.

THEY ARE IN FACT FOLLOWING THE LAW, SHOWING UP TO THE COURT HEARINGS, HONORING THEIR SCHEDULED CHECK IN WITH ICE, ATTENDING GREEN CARD INTERVIEWS.

REVEREND PAGE HUBERT IS ANOTHER VOLUNTEER.

>> THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T REALIZE HOW SWEEPING THE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN AND THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY FOLKS WHO WOULD SEEM LIKE ORDINARY FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THINGS BY THE BOOK.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE SHE SAYS I.C.E.

HAS TAKEN STEPS TO BLOCK VOLUNTEERS FROM SEEING WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO FILM AT THE COURTHOUSE HALLWAY, WHICH BREAKS A LONG-HELD NORM IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

SIGNS PROHIBIT LOITERING.

IMMIGRATION JUDGES BAR ENTRY IN THEIR COURTROOMS.

THE CRACKDOWNS COINCIDE WITH INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE RHETORIC COMING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THAT PORTRAYS VOLUNTEERS AND OBSERVERS AS OUTSIDE AGITATORS OR EVEN DOMESTIC TERRORISTS.

HUBERT SAYS THE VOLUNTEERS HERE THAT TENSION HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> WE KNOW WHO WE ARE.

WE KNOW WE ARE CITIZENS.

WE KNOW WE ARE CLERGY AND LAY PEOPLE HERE CALLED BY GOD TO BE LOVED IN THIS PLACE.

AND WE PRAY FOR EVERYONE IN THIS BUILDING.

>> Reporter: AND ALL OF IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON VOLUNTEERS.

ONE OF THEM, MARY, ASKED KPBS NOT TO SHARE HER LAST NAME OR SHOW HER FACE.

>> IT IS VERY SCARY FOR US.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SOME VOLUNTEERS HAVE STOPPED COMING.

THEY ARE AFRAID OF BEING HARASSED BY SECURITY OR ARRESTED BY I.C.E.. IF THE SITUATION WERE NOT SO TENSE, MARY SAYS SHE WOULD LAUGH OFF THE THOUGHT OF HER FELLOW VOLUNTEERS BEING LABELED DOMESTIC TERRORISTS.

MOST OF THEM ARE RETIRED WOMEN WHO GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY.

>> THE PEOPLE HERE ARE AMAZING THAT VOLUNTEER FOR THIS WORK.

WE SEE THE INJUSTICE AND THE PAIN AND SUFFERING.

UNNECESSARY SUFFERING THAT IS HAPPENING.

AND WE CANNOT SIT AT HOME AND WATCH IT UNFOLD.

>> Reporter: MARY SAYS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL CALLED ON BY GOD TO BE A WITNESS AND HELP THOSE IN NEED.

GUSTAVO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NATIONAL NURSES UNION HELD A DAY OF ACTION ACROSS EIGHT STATES THIS WEEK TO PROTEST IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

THREE OF THOSE PROTESTS WERE HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

JACOB AERE SAYS THE NURSES ARE CALLING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS.

>> I.C.E.

IS NOT WELCOME HERE.

>> Reporter: PROTESTERS WITH NATIONAL NURSES UNITED TOGETHER TODAY TO DEMAND CONGRESS STOP FUNDING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AND CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL.

>> ABOLISH I.C.E.

>> Reporter: THE NURSES UNION STAGE PROTEST AT THE UC SAN DIEGO HILLCREST AND LA JOLLA MEDICAL CENTERS AND POLYMER MEDICAL CENTER POWER.

>> KIND OF DOING A SIMILAR EVENT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY TRYING TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR PATIENTS AGAINST I.C.E.

>> THEY WANT TO ABOLISH I.C.E.

FOR WHAT THEY SAY IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PATIENTS IN COMMUNITIES.

KENDALL HARGROVE SAYS I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT HAS RAMPED UP AND TACTICS HAVE BECOME MORE BRAZEN.

>> I.C.E.

IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW PATIENTS ARE AFRAID TO SEEK CARE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: HARGROVE SAYS SHE HAS NOT SEEN I.C.E.

ENTER HER HOSPITAL FACILITY BUT UNION MEMBERS IN THE COUNTY HAVE REPORTED I.C.E.

INSIDE AND AROUND MEDICAL FACILITIES.

>> YOU BEGIN TO ASK , SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER WINDOW EXPLODES WITH GLASS EVERYWHERE.

>> Reporter: PROTESTERS SAY THEY WANT CLEAR PROTOCOLS FOR HOSPITALS TO REINFORCE SENATE BILL 81.

THAT PROHIBITS HOSPITALS FROM SHARING PATIENTS' IMMIGRATION STATUS WITH I.C.E.

AGENTS UNLESS THERE IS A JUDICIAL WARRANT.

IN A STATEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAID THE I.C.E.

DOES NOT CONDUCT ENFORCEMENT AT HOSPITALS , PERIOD.

WE WOULD ONLY GO INTO A HOSPITAL IF THERE WERE AN ACTIVE DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

THERE YOU SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

>>> SCRIPPS RESEARCH SCIENTISTS REDESIGN FENTANYL IN SEARCH OF SAFER PAIN RELIEF.

211 SAN DIEGO HELPS PEOPLE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS.

>>> SAN DIEGO PREPARES TO LOWER SPEED LIMITS ON MORE THAN 20% OF ITS ROADWAY NETWORK.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, THE OCEANSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES ITS 15th YEAR.

SATURDAY'S KICKOFF INCLUDES A DAY OF SURF FILMS AT THE BROOKS THEATER.

KPBS CINEMA JUNKIE HAS A PREVIEW AND SAYS THIS YEAR BRINGS SOME NEW CHALLENGES FOR THE FESTIVAL.

>> Reporter: THE OCEANSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATING ITS 15th YEAR.

IT BEING A SMALL FESTIVAL WEREN'T CHALLENGING ENOUGH, THIS YEAR IT IS HOME BASE, THE BROOKS THEATER, IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, SAYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> THEY ARE EXPANDING.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BEING COMPLETE AND JUST HAVING A WONDERFUL, BETTER PLACE TO PRESENT SOME OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THEY ARE DOING.

WE'VE GOT OUR KICKOFF NIGHT AND DAY IS SURF SATURDAY ON FEBRUARY 21st AT THE BROOKS THEATER.

AND THEN WE WILL MOVE OVER TO THE STARR THEATER WEDNESDAY THE 25th THROUGH SATURDAY THE 28th.

>> Reporter: WALKS AWAY FROM THE BROOKS AND EASY TO SPOT WITH ITS GORGEOUS VINTAGE MARQUIS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STARR.

AMAZING THEATER WITH OVER 400 SEATS.

BIG, BEAUTIFUL STAGE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO TRYING THAT OUT WITH THE WHOLE BODY OF THE FILM FESTIVAL.

>> Reporter: THE FESTIVAL OPENS WITH ITS SIGNATURE SURF PROGRAMMING, WHICH TAKES VIEWERS FROM SURFING IN TAIWAN TO A SURF MUSICAL.

THEN IT MOVES TO THE STARR, WHERE AUDIENCES CAN SEE A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY, A STORY ABOUT LESBIAN BIRDS AND A SCI-FI TALE ABOUT RENTING OUT YOUR BODY.

>> WELCOME TO TENANCY.

TURN YOUR TIME AND MONEY.

>> WE OFFER OUR GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEMPORARILY USE ANOTHER PERSON'S BODY.

>> Reporter: THE STARR WILL ALSO HOST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CARLY STARR BRULLO-NILES' ANNUAL ONE-ON-ONE FILMMAKER TALK.

THIS YEAR IT IS WITH CATHERINE HARDWICK.

>> CATHERINE HARDWICK AND I WORKED TOGETHER ON THREE DIFFERENT FILMS, SO I REACHED OUT TO HER, AND SHE IS JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY ARTIST.

SHE IS JUST GOING TO GO THROUGH HER PROCESS, REALLY, OF HOW SHE MAKES A FILM AND HOW SHE DEVELOPS IT.

>> Reporter: FOR THE DOCUMENTARY, DESERT ANGEL, AUDIENCES WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FILMMAKER VINCENT DELUCA DISCUSSED HIS PROCESS.

>> HE FOLLOWED A VERY EMOTIONAL STORY ABOUT RAFAEL, WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AS AN IMMIGRANT 40 YEARS AGO.

HE LEGALIZED HIMSELF AND THEN HE STARTED ON A PATH TO HELP THE NEW IMMIGRANTS INTO SAFETY.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR WHILE THE FEATURE FILMS HAPPEN TO BE DOCUMENTARIES.

>> I THINK WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR REALLY THOUGHTFUL SUBJECTS.

SO THEY LEND THEMSELVES TO DOCUMENTARIES.

>> Reporter: NILES ADDS THE FESTIVAL NEVER PROGRAMS A SPECIFIC GENRE OR THEME IN MIND.

>> WE DON'T SET THE THEME BECAUSE IT IS SET BY THE FILM MAKERS THAT SUBMIT, AND THOSE FILMS OFTEN TELL A STORY OF HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING IN THE WORLD THAT YEAR.

>> Reporter: BUT PLENTY OF NARRATIVE STORIES CAN STILL BE FOUND IN THE SHORTS LOCKS.

>> WE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT IN OUR PROGRAMMING.

STERLING ANNO AND I WORKED VERY HARD ON PUTTING TOGETHER BLOCKS THAT REALLY FLOW TOGETHER .

EVERY YEAR CARLY AND I GO THROUGH TITLES WITHIN THE MULTITUDES OF HUNDREDS, AND IT IS ABOUT A SIX MONTH PROCESS TO GO THROUGH SO MANY FILMS, EVEN WITH PROGRAMMERS THAT WORK WITH US.

>> Reporter: CODIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING STERLING ANNO.

>> IT IS AN ARDUOUS PROCESS BUT ALSO A VERY REWARDING ONE.

>> Reporter: SEEING ALL THE STORIES THAT COME OUT IN THE ZEITGEIST ANY GIVEN YEAR.

YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT THE PRIMARY TALKING POINTS OF THE WORLD ARE.

>> Reporter: AND OCEANSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WANTS TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR FILMMAKERS TO BE HEARD, ESPECIALLY NOW.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE WORLD AT THIS POINT TO SUPPORT FILM AND THE ARTS.

I THINK IT IS KIND OF A DIFFERENT CLIMATE NOW THAT WE ARE IN IN OUR LIVES, AND I THINK THAT THE ARTS SAVE AND THEY MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER, AND IT'S AMAZING AND AN HONOR FOR US TO HELP RUN THIS FILM FESTIVAL.

>> Reporter: THE OCEANSIDE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT SUPPORTING THE ARTS AND MAKING THINGS BETTER THROUGH FILM.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR MANY FAMILIES WITH KIDS, AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND SUMMER CAMP ARE UNAFFORDABLE .

FOR OUR NEXT INSTALLMENT OF SAN DIEGO, KPBS REPORTER SHARES HOW ONE FAMILY KEEPS COSTS UNDER CONTROL.

>> Reporter: RESIDENT STEPHANIE ROMERO HAS FOUR KIDS RANGING FROM AGE 5 TO AGE 12.

WHEN HER OLDEST, ISABELLA, WANTED TO TRY BALLET, SHE SHOPPED AROUND.

>> THE AFFORDABILITY AND PRICING LED ME TO THE REC CENTERS.

>> Reporter: DANCE CLASSES AT CITY OF SAN DIEGO REC CENTER ARE ABOUT HALF THE COSTS OF OTHER DANCE CLASSES.

THEY OFFER SPORTS, CAMPS, TEAM CENTERS, AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

THOSE PROGRAMS ARE EITHER FREE OR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE OF MANY OTHER PROVIDERS.

THAT INCLUDES SUMMER CAMP, WHICH CAN COST FAMILIES HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER WEEK PER CHILD.

>> I KNOW THAT I HAVE ENROLLED TWO OF MY BOYS IN SUMMER CAMPS AT THE REC CENTER THAT WERE $50 A WEEK.

>> Reporter: THE REC CENTER'S CAMPS, WITH ANOTHER PERK -- FIELD TRIPS.

>> THE FIELD TRIP SAID THEY WERE GOING TO WEAR SOMETHING I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE THE BUDGET FOR TO TAKE MY WHOLE ENTIRE FAMILY.

OTHERWISE -- I THINK IT IS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD COST THE ROMERO FAMILY $360 FOR EVERYONE TO GO TO THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

TO GO TO THE PLUNGE, IT WOULD COST $80.

ANOTHER FAVORITE SUMMER CAMP PROVIDER FOR THE ROMEROS HAS BEEN THE NEW SJOGREN'S MUSEUM DOWNTOWN.

WITHOUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS THE MUSEUM OFFERS, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN OPTION FOR THE FAMILY.

>> TO SEND FOUR CHILDREN TO CAMP FOR ONE WEEK BECAUSE I'M WORKING, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN $2000.

THAT IS INSANE.

SORRY.

I DON'T WANT TO TEAR DOWN.

I DON'T EVEN MAKE THAT IN, LIKE, A PAYCHECK YOU KNOW?

>> Reporter: SHE HAS ALSO TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THE DISCOVERY AND GO PROGRAM OFFERS FREE PASSES TO PLACES LIKE THE MUSEUM OF US AND SKATEWORLD.

FINDING THESE OPPORTUNITIES TAKES TIME.

FOR ROMERO, IT HAS BEEN WORTH IT.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO.

IT IS HARD TO STAY ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.

BUT IT HELPS ME.

MAYBE ONE DAY IS A REC CENTER EVENT.

MAYBE THE NEXT DAY WE ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE READING CHALLENGE.

MAYBE WE ARE JUST TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SKATEWORLD PASSES.

>> Reporter: THEIR LATEST DISCOVERY , THE LIBRARY OFFERS ROSETTA STONE LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR FREE.

IT WOULD HAVE COST $10 A MONTH FOR A PAID SUBSEQUENT.

FOR MORE STORIES ON HOW SAN DIEGO FAMILIES ARE SAVING MONEY, VISIT KPBS.ORG /PRICE OF SAN DIEGO.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THREE ENERGY COMPANIES WITH PLANS TO EXTRACT LITHIUM FROM DEEP BENEATH THE SALTON SEA IS SHIFTING FOCUS TO GENERATING POWER FOR AI DATA CENTERS.

KPBS REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS IT IS A SIGN OF THE CHALLENGES THAT IMPERIAL COUNTY'S EMERGING LITHIUM INDUSTRY IS FACING.

>> ONE OF THE ENERGY COMPANIES THAT HAS BEEN RACING TO EXTRACT LITHIUM IS CHANGING COURSE TO FOCUS ON GENERATING POWER FOR AI DATA CENTERS.

I HAVE BEEN COMING THIS PART OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS NOW.

AFTER READING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, I WAS LEFT WITH QUESTIONS.

WHERE DID THIS DECISION COME FROM AND WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF THE BIG ENERGY RUSH HAPPENING AROUND SALTON SEA, THE COMPANY IS CALIFORNIA- BASED CONTROLLED THERMAL RESOURCES.

FOR YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE THREE MAJOR ENERGY FIRMS TRYING TO SET UP OPERATION TO EXTRACT LITHIUM FROM DEEP UNDERNEATH THE SALTON SEA.

LITHIUM IS A KEY COMPONENT OF ELECTRIC CARS AND OTHER BATTERY TECHNOLOGY.

MANY HAVE HOPES THIS EMERGING INDUSTRY CAN BRING A RUSH OF GOOD JOBS AND PROSPERITY TO THE REGION, ESPECIALLY FOR A COUNTY THAT HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN CALIFORNIA.

CTR SAYS THEY ARE SHIFTING FOCUS TO PRODUCING ENERGY FOR LARGE-SCALE DATA CENTERS, WHICH POWER AI CENTERS LIKE CHATGPT.

USES NATURALLY OCCURRING UNDERGROUND HEAT TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY.

THEY SAID THEY EVENTUALLY WANT TO OFFER 600 MEGAWATTS, ENOUGH TO POWER AROUND 500,000 HOMES IN THE U.S.

>> THERE IS JUST MASSIVE DEMAND FOR POWER.

SO WE WOULD BE CRAZY NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GAME GETTING BACK TO TIMING.

>> Reporter: ON ONE LEVEL THIS IS ACTUALLY SMALLER CHANGE THAN IT SOUNDS LIKE.

ENERGY PRODUCTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE PLAN FOR CTR.

THAT IS BECAUSE THEY NEED GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY TO GET TO THOSE UNDERGROUND LITHIUM RESERVES.

BUT THIS NEW FOCUS ON POWERING DATA CENTERS IS ONE OF THE CLEAREST INDICATORS YET OF THE CHALLENGES THAT IMPERIAL COUNTY'S EMERGING LITHIUM INDUSTRY IS FACING.

>> THE LITHIUM MARKET IS NOT AS PROMISING AS IT WAS THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: CHRIS OIFF IS A PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT UC SANTA CRUZ.

HE SAYS ONE BIG REASON FOR THIS IS THAT REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS AND DID A TAX CREDIT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES LAST YEAR, WHICH HAD BEEN BOOSTING SALES AND DEMAND FOR BATTERIES.

OTHER STATES LIKE NEVADA AND ARKANSAS HAVE MOVED MORE QUICKLY THAN CALIFORNIA TO RAMP UP THEIR OWN LITHIUM PRODUCTION EFFORTS.

CTR IS ALSO FACING AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT OVER ITS LITHIUM OPERATION.

>> I THINK CTR IN REALIZING THE CHANGES OF THE LITHIUM MARKET AND SEEING THIS GROWING MARKET IN ELECTRICITY DEMAND IS REALIZING MAYBE WE SHOULD EMPHASIZE A BIT MORE WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF THE BUSINESS PLAN, WHICH IS ENERGY PRODUCTION.

>> Reporter: CTR'S PLAN TO FOCUS ON ENERGY FOR DATA CENTERS IS RAISING CONCERNS FOR SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

IMPERIAL VALLEY EQUITY AND JUSTICE COALITION.

SHE SAYS DATA CENTERS WON'T BRING THE SAME KIND OF JOBS AND PROSPERITY.

>> IT IS A GATEWAY.

THIS ENERGY CONFLICT OPENS THE DOOR TO MORE DATA CENTERS IN LITHIUM VALLEY.

THESE ARE NOT THE LONG TERM HIGH ROAD JOBS WE WERE PROMISED.

>> Reporter: CTR SAYS THEY ARE STILL PLANNING TO CONTINUE BUILDING THEIR CTR LITHIUM OPERATIONS TOO.

>> NOTHING IS CHANGING.

ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS SEPARATE POWER FROM MINERALS.

>> Reporter: BENNER SINKS THE LITHIUM INDUSTRY COULD BRING IT.

OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN LIKE MANUFACTURING.

>> AND THAT IS POSSIBLE, BUT IT REQUIRES PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE REGION WITH A LONG-TERM TIMEFRAME.

NOT SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW IT IS HARD TO SAY WHERE POWERING DATA CENTERS FALLS ON THAT LIST.

>> ONCE AGAIN, THAT WAS KORI SUZUKI REPORTING.

>>> CARLSBAD BASED APP TERRA MOTORS IS READY TO BRING ITS SOLAR POWERED CAR INTO MASS PRODUCTION.

AS KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, YOU COULD COMMUTE FROM HOME TO WORK AND BACK WITHOUT RECHARGING THE CAR.

>> WORKERS ARE SANDING, POLISHING, AND PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THESE PRODUCTION VEHICLES.

>> THEY ARE REALLY MEANT TO PROVE OUT OUR ASSEMBLY LINE AND PROVE OUT THE INITIAL DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE.

>> Reporter: IF THE CAR LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE JETSONS, CEO CHRIS ANTHONY SAYS THERE IS A REASON FOR IT.

>> YOU SEE OUR VEHICLE.

LOOKS MUCH MORE LIKE A FISH THAN A BOX.

THAT IS BECAUSE OUR FIRST PRINCIPLE IS, MAKE IT SUPER AERODYNAMIC.

MAKE IT LIGHTWEIGHT.

YOU DO THAT YOU GET SOMETHING WITH GREAT EFFICIENCY.

>> Reporter: IT IS MEANT TO GLIDE THROUGH THE AIR LIKE A FISH THROUGH WATER.

IT WAS STARTED SEVEN YEARS AGO WITH A SIMPLE CONCEPT.

>> HOW DO YOU EAT THE MOST ENERGY PER MILE OUT OF A VEHICLE?

HOW WOULD YOU GET 200 MILES PER GALLON?

>> Reporter: ANTHONY SAYS THE APTERA GETS THE EQUIVALENT OF 350 MILES PER GALLON.

IT HAS BEEN THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR .

IT IS NOW READY FOR MASS PRODUCTION.

>> WE HAVE ALMOST 15,000 ORDERS FOR THE APTERA.

WE ARE WORKING TO GET THE VEHICLE IN PRODUCTION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND DELIVER AS MANY OF THOSE ORDERS AS WE CAN AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: FOR THEY CAN, THESE FUTURISTIC -LOOKING CARS WILL BE PUT TO THE TEST LITERALLY.

>> THEY WILL GO THROUGH CRASH TESTING AND DURABILITY.

>> Reporter: A THREE WHEELED TWO SEATER CAR, THE APTERA IS NOT MEANT TO BE A FAMILY CAR.

THE TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC IS SOMEONE WHO IS AN ACTIVE PROFESSIONAL.

>> A COUPLE MOUNTAIN BIKES.

SURFBOARD.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY CAMP IN THE BACK.

IT IS A REALLY USABLE SHAPE FOR EVERYDAY DRIVING, BUT IT SHOULD FEEL LIKE YOUR NORMAL EV.

>> Reporter: THE CAR GETS UP TO 400 MILES PER CHARGE AND WITH A SOLAR PANEL ROOF AND DASHBOARD, ANTHONY SAYS YOU MAY NEVER NEED TO CHARGE IT FOR EVERYDAY CITY DRIVING.

>> EVERY TIME IT IS IN THE SUN, IT CATCHES THOSE PHOTONS, TURNS THEM INTO ELECTRONS AND CHARGES YOUR HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK SO YOU CAN DRIVE ANY TIME IT IS IN THE SUN.

>> Reporter: THE APTERA IS COMPARABLE TO AN ENTRY-LEVEL TESLA BUT WITH ONE BIG ADVANTAGE.

>> IT IS TECHNICALLY CLASSIFIED AS A MOTORCYCLE IN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE WE WILL BE THE ONLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT GETS FREE HOV ACCESS.

YOU CAN DRIVE IN THE HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANE AND YOU GET TO PAY MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE INSTEAD OF CAR INSURANCE.

>> Reporter: THE COMPANY IS ALSO WORKING ON A CHEAPER MODEL WITH A SHORTER RANGE.

THAT IS EXPECTED TO COME OUT NEXT YEAR.

IN CARLSBAD, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS "NEWS THIS WEEK."

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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