>>> ♪FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, I AM JOHN CARROLL.

COMING UP ELECTION COVERAGE INCLUDES THE BIGGEST CONTEST IN SAN DIEGO AS WE SPOKE -- FOCUS ON THE RACE FOR MAYOR.

WORKING AS A LIBRARIAN IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE AS WE TALK WITH ONE LOCAL LIBRARY AND ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO CENSOR SOME BOOKS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR DEMOCRACY LOCALLY.

>>> AND THERE ARE ANIMALS THAT HELP TO MAKE THE SAN DIEGO ZOO ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

ANTICIPATION GROWS FOR THE RETURN OF GIANT PANDAS.

THIS WEEK MARKED ONE MONTH SINCE DISASTER CAME TO SAN DIEGO WHEN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR SOAKED TO THE COUNTY.

BACK THEN, KPBS TALK TO A RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER WHO SUFFERED LOSSES.

I CHECKED TO SEE HOW RECOVERY IS GOING.

>> WE GO TO THE PLAYGROUND.

WE REALLY ENJOYED IT.

>> Reporter: JESSICA TALKS TO US ABOUT WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE IN HER SOUTH CRUST NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE APARTMENT WHERE SHE AND HER SON USED TO LEAVE -- LIVE IS YARDS FROM A CHANNEL.

THE WHOLE CHANNEL WAS SO OVERGROWN THEN THAT SHE THOUGHT IT WAS ALL SOMETHING AKIN TO A NATURE PRESERVE.

>> ANIMALS WOULD COME LIKE FROGS AND BUTTERFLIES.

>> Reporter: THOSE LOVELY MEMORIES WERE SHATTERED ON JANUARY 22nd WHEN THE SKIES OPENED UP.

KALEEK WAS VOLUNTEERING AT HER SON'S SCHOOL AND THE HEAVY RAIN CONCERNED HER SO SHE CALLED THE NEIGHBOR WHO FACETIMED WITH HER.

THE NEIGHBOR REVEALED REVEALED WAIST HIGH WATER IN HER APARTMENT.

LATER, THE DEVASTATION OF THAT DAY IS STILL RAW.

>> MOST PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THEIR HOMES CANNOT TALK ABOUT IT.

IT IS SO PAINFUL.

>> Reporter: NOW KALEEK SAYS SHE AND HER SON ARE LIVING IN A MOTEL PAID BY THE COUNTY BUT CAN ONLY STAY UNTIL EARLY MARCH.

>> I WAS IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL MILES AWAY NATALIE GAIL ARRIVED AT HER BUSINESS, NATIVE POPPY FLORAL GIFT HOUSE IN MISSION VALLEY.

THE SIGHT THAT GREETED HER WAS HARD TO COMPREHEND.

>> IT IS A GLASS FRONT DOOR AND I SAW THE WATER WAS HERE IN ALL OF OUR GIFTS PRODUCTS WERE FLOATING LIKE A FISH TANK.

>> Reporter: ONE MONTH LATER AND NATALIE GAIL STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAPPENED.

IT STARTED WITH WHAT NOW LOOKS TO BE A RATHER CALM CREEK.

THE WATER MADE ITS WAY UP AND OVER THAT WALL UP THROUGH THIS PART OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE FLORAL SHOP AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THERE WAS SO MUCH WATER AND IT WAS SO POWERFUL, THAT HE PICKED UP THAT FLOWER COOLER AND MOVED IT A COUPLE FEET.

IN THE WEEKS SINCE GIL AND HER TEAM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CLEAN UP THE WAREHOUSE, BUT HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

TWO DELIVERY VANS PARKED INSIDE WERE DESTROYED BUT SHE DOES SEE A SILVER LINING.

ONCE HER CUSTOMERS FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENED THEY STARTED PLACING PREORDERS GETTING GIL THE CASH HE NEEDED TO GET BACK TO SOMETHING APPROACHING NORMAL.

>> OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SUPPORTING US THROUGH THIS.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A TON OF HELP FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS OR INSURANCE.

>> Reporter: GILLS INSURANCE DID NOT COVER ANYTHING WITH THE LOSS OF HER DELIVERY VANS.

FOR KALEEK LIFE IS STILL UNCERTAIN.

SHE IS NOT SURE WHERE SHE AND HER YOUNG SON WILL GO AFTER THEY LEAVE THEIR TEMPORARY HOTEL BUT SHE IS OPTIMISTIC THE FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR PARTS OF SAN DIEGO WILL HELP.

AND LIKE A GIL SHE HAS FOUND THE SILVER LINING.

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC FOR THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE BECOME CLOSE.

WE HAVE THESE WHAT'S APP GROUP CHATS AND FACEBOOK CHATS.

ALL OF THEM HAVE 100 PEOPLE.

SO MANY PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED.

WE ARE ALL HELPING EACH OTHER OUT.

>> TWO SAN DIEGO INNS REFLECTING ON THE HORRORS OF JANUARY 22nd.

ONE MONTH LATER, CREDITING FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WITH HELPING THEM ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

AND THAT IS JUST ONE OF OUR STORIES THIS WEEK ON SAN DIEGO'S FLOOD RECOVERY.

ANOTHER IS MELISSA MEZA STORY ON THE FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION AND AN INTERVIEW WITH FEMA ON THE HELP THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

FIND IT ALL AT KPBS.ORG AND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW THE DISASTER WILL WEIGH ON VOTERS IN THE MARCH 5th BY MARY.

-- PRIMARY.

LEADERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH REPORTER KATIE-.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE AGREES THEY KNEW THE FLOOD WOULD HAPPEN.

THEY REPORTED THE STORM DRAINS FOR DECADES AND WERE IGNORED.

IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

NEWS PUBLISHER, FANNY MILLER, SAYS A LATINO COMMUNITY OFTEN BEARS NEGLECT AND SILENCE, BUT WITH WATERS ROSE AN ANGER SHE RARELY SEES.

>> I AM HAPPY THEY ARE MAD BECAUSE WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT AFFECTS YOU.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES THAT ANGER WILL DRIVE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS.

BUT THOSE MOST AFFECTED, LOW INCOME PEOPLE OF COLOR, FACE ADDED TO BARRIERS TO VOTING.

MILLER SAYS FIRST OR SECOND GENERATION IMMIGRANTS OFTEN DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS HERE.

THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO TO HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENED OR HOW.

API INITIATIVE LEADER JoANNE FIELDS SAID MANY INCLUDING FILIPINO AND CHINESE RESIDENTS, MOST PUBLIC INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THEIR PRIMARY LANGUAGE.

>> WHILE IT MAY NOT BE VISIBLE RIGHT AWAY OR IN THE COMMUNITY, WE ARE THEY ARE, BUT WE DO NOT COME OUT.

AND WE ARE NOT HARD TO REACH OR HARDLY REACH.

>> WE ARE HARDLY REACHED.

BACK -- >> Reporter: RETIRED EDUCATED NORMA COSTS US SAID THE FLOOD COMPLICATED THESE ISSUES.

>> THEY ARE ON SURVIVAL MODE.

>> THEY SAY IT IS CRUCIAL TO OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS, BUT IT IS HARD TO SEE HOW WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS LEFT TO VOTE.

KATIE HEISIN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S MAYOR IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR AND THE CROWDED FIELD IS HOPING TO UNSEAT HIM.

KPBS METRO REPORTER, ANDREW BOWEN, TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

>> Reporter: IN MY FIRST TERM AS MAYOR WE PASSED -- >> WE PASSED IT TO PACKAGES AND INCREASED HOUSING BEING BUILT.

WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

>> Reporter: THIS MAYOR -- THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS DOTTED WITH HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

HE SAYS TO MAKE SAN DIEGO MORE AFFORDABLE THE CITY NEEDS A LOT MORE HOUSING AND HE SAYS THE GROWTH HAPPENING IN NORTHPARK IS THANKS TO THE ZONING CHANGES HE CHAMPIONED AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER EIGHT YEARS AGO.

>> THIS SHOWS YOU HOW SLOW THIS PROCESS CAN BE.

THE PROMISES OF THESE PLANS AND THE IDEAS BEHIND THEM ACTUALLY RESULT IN WHICH WE ARE HOPING FOR.

IT'S ON HOMELESSNESS IS -- GLORIA SAYS HE HAS -- AND THE CAMPING BAN HE PASSED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL IS HELPING KEEP TENANTS OFF THE SIDEWALK.

>> IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THIS WORK.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ON THE SIDEWALK TODAY.

>> AND I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR BECAUSE WE NEED CHANGE.

I HAVE A 14-MONTH-OLD TODDLER AND IT IS JUST GETTING INCREASINGLY HARDER TO SURVIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: SHE IS AN ATTORNEY IN ONE OF GLORIA'S OPPONENTS.

HE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN 2018 AND THEN FOUNDED A NONPROFIT THAT FILES PUBLIC INTEREST LAWSUITS.

SHE SAYS GLORIA'S CAMPING BAN AND A SIMILAR PROHIBITION ON LIVING IN CARS ARE NOT HELPING THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.

>> I THINK THE CITY HAS MOVED PEOPLE FROM ONE PART OF THE CITY OUT OF EYESIGHT AND ONTO ASPHALT AND PARKING LOTS AND THAT IS NOT A SOLUTION.

WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHELTER, BUT I ALSO HAVE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT SHELTER BEDS AND EVEN TENSE ON THE STREET ARE NOT HOUSING.

>> Reporter: STRICTER REGULATIONS ON SHORT-TERM HOME RENTALS WOULD DELIVER HELP SAYS THE MAYOR.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY HOMES AND APARTMENTS THAT REMAIN VACANT FOR MOST OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROPERTIES AND WE HAVE NOT HAD THE POLITICAL WILL TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET A HANDLE ON IT.

THAT WILL FREE UP A LOT OF HOUSING.

>> WE WILL START FILLING THE CONVENTION CENTERS, HOTELS AND CAFES.

>> Reporter: LARRY TURNER IS A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND POLICE OFFICER.

>> ICR CITY IS NOT THE SAFE CITY IT SHOULD BE OR THE CLEAN CITY IT SHOULD BE.

NOT AS COMPASSIONATE AS IT SHOULD FOR THOSE LIVING ON THE STREET.

>> Reporter: I MET TURNER OUTSIDE THE EACH BARRACKS, A FORMER TRAINING FACILITY NEAR THE AIRPORT THAT MAYOR GLORIA WANTS TO CONVERT INTO A NEW HOMELESS SHELTER FOR UP TO 700 PEOPLE.

TURNER OPPOSES THAT PLAN.

>> IT WOULD GO TO THE FACT THAT IT WILL ONLY BE AROUND FOR A FEW YEARS.

I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING MORE PERMANENT AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE A BAD JOB FOR THREE YEARS THE OPTION TO USE EMERGENCY POWERS TO PUSH SOMETHING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: TURNER DECLINED TO NAME A SPECIFIC LOCATION WHERE HE WOULD PREFER A SHELTER, BUT HE SAYS THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.

>> THE CITY OWNS LAND AND CAN BUY MORE LAND.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.

I TALKED TO SOME FOLKS IN REAL ESTATE AND WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THESE PLACES.

>> Reporter: TWO ADDITIONAL CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT, JANE GLASSMAN AND DAN OSTROVSKY HAVE NOT RAISE SIGNIFICANT FUNDS AND HAVE A LIMITED CAMPAIGN PRESENCE.

THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS WILL COMPETE IN A RUNOFF ON NOVEMBER 5th.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT MARCH 5th PRIMARY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY CASTING THEIR VOTES.

IF YOU ARE STILL STUDYING THE ISSUES AND CANDIDATES CHECK OUT THE KPBS MOTOR HUB.

IT IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AND IS FILLED WITH IMPORTANT DETAILS ON THE ELECTION ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR KPBS COVERAGE.

>>> LIBRARY SYMBOLIZE DEMOCRATIC ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION.

THEY ARE ALSO INCREASINGLY TARGETED BY THOSE WHO WANT TO CENSOR CERTAIN CONTENT.

WE HAVE SEEN IT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HEARING SAN DIEGO.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE SPOKE TO A LOCAL LIBRARY AND WHO DOES HER PART TWO, -- TO COMBAT THOSE EFFORTS.

>> Reporter: A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE LINED UP OUTSIDE THIS LIBRARY ON A CHILLY MORNING LAST WEEK LOOK LIKE EAGER SHOPPERS ON BLACK FRIDAY.

>> GOOD MORNING!

>> Reporter: RANCHO PEÑA'S LIBRARIAN GREETS THEM WITH MASSED ENTHUSIASM.

THE 30 YEAR VETERAN OF LIBRARY STUDIED ART SWITCHED TO LIBRARY LANCES FOR GRAD SCHOOL AFTER SOME SELF DISCOVERY.

>> I LEARNED WHAT IS MEANINGFUL FOR ME IS TO HELP PEOPLE AND BEING IN A LIBRARY IS A WAY THAT I CAN HELP EVERY PERSON EVERY DAY FROM THE LITTLEST KID TO THE SENIORS AND EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN.

>> Reporter: PETERSON SAID LIBRARIES OFFER SO MUCH MORE THAN BOOKS.

EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM, RESUME BUILDING AND HELPING PEOPLE GET THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS AT A TIME OF PRAYING SOCIAL BONDS AND EPIDEMIC LONELINESS SHE KNOWS THAT LIBRARIES ARE ONE OF THE LAST SHARED SPACES OPEN TO EVERYONE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO COME HERE.

THE LIBRARY IS HERE FOR EVERYONE.

RICH OR POOR EDUCATED OR NOT WE DO NOT JUDGE.

WE DO NOT TELL YOU WHAT TO READ.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS SHOCKED LAST JUNE WHEN SHE GOT A RANSOM NOTE OF SORTS FROM TWO RANCHO PEÑA WOMEN OBJECTING TO A PRIDE MONTH DISPLAY.

>> I RECEIVED AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO MYSELF AND THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR SAYING THAT WE PROTEST THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL BEING ON DISPLAY AND WE HAVE CHECKED OUT THE MATERIALS AND WE WILL NOT RETURN THEM.

NOT UNTIL YOU REMOVE THE DISPLAY.

>> Reporter: THE WOMEN EVENTUALLY RETURN THE BOOK BUT NOT BEFORE MEDIA COVERAGE THAT OFF AN EFFORT TO COMPENSATE THE LIBRARY FOR THE THREAT.

>> MY PHONE RANG OFF THE HOOK.

I WAS ON THE PHONE FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH PEOPLE SAYING HOW SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED THEY WERE.

HOW BAD THEY FELT FOR US AS WELL THAT WE HAVE BEEN TARGETED WITH THIS TYPE OF SENTIMENT AND HOW COULD THEY SUPPORT US?

AND PEOPLE SENT BOOKS.

I HAD AMAZON PACKAGES PILED ON MY DESK.

THEY ASKED, CAN WE MAKE A DONATION?

CAN I GO BUY SOME BOOKS AT BARNES & NOBLE AND DROP THEM OFF TO REPLENISH YOUR DISPLAY?

>> Reporter: PETERSON SAID SHE LEARNED SUPPORT FOR LIBRARIES AND INCLUSIVITY IS FAR GREATER THAN FOR CENSORSHIP, BUT SAN DIEGO IS NOT IMMUNE TO PEOPLE TRYING TO CONTROL WHAT OTHERS READ.

MOST OF THE CHALLENGES ARE TWO BOOKS ON RACE AND LGBTQ TOPICS.

>> IT IS THE TWO ISSUES THAT WE JUST CANNOT GET AWAY FROM IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: ROBIN NORQUIST LEADS THE SAN DIEGO CITY LIBRARY SYSTEMS RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEE WHICH REVIEWS BOOK CHALLENGES.

>> PEOPLE ARE HAPPENING TO BE FRIGHTENING AND ARE TOLD TO BE SCARED OF THESE BOOKS AND THAT WE ARE TAKING THEM OUT TO PROTECT YOU.

>> THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IS RADICAL IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

>> JENNIFER JENKINS PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY EXPERIENCE.

>> PUBLIC LIBRARY BY ONE OF THE FEW PUBLICLY FUNDED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITIES WITH LITTLE TO NO BARRIERS AND NO COST.

AND THAT IN AND OF ITSELF TO HAVE THAT DEMOCRATIC APPROACH TO PROVIDING INFORMATION SO THAT YOU HAVE AN INFORMED CITIZENRY, INFORMED CONSTITUENCY IS I THINK THREATENING BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

>> Reporter: BACK IN RANCHO PEÑA THE LIBRARIAN SAYS LIBRARIES AND DEMOCRACY SHARE THE SAME VALUES.

>> MOST PEOPLE ARE TOLERANT SHE HOPES THE LIBRARY CAN HELP WITH THAT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE ARE AT THE CENTER OF THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION RECENTLY HELD HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MJ PEREZ VISITED THE EVENT THE SOME OF THE RESOURCES AND HARSH REALITY ON THE WAY.

>> Reporter: IT STARTED WITH A BANG.

SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT, BUT THIS IS A SIMULATION WITH A BASEBALL BAT SHOWING THE POWER OF BULLETS HITTING A CLASSROOM WINDOW.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE THE BULLET IS STOPPED IN A PIECE OF QUARTER INCH GLASS.

>> Reporter: STEVE JOHNSON IS A FORMER S.W.A.T.

OFFICER AND FOUNDER OF SAFE HAVEN DEFENSE, A COMPANY WITH A PATENTED LAMINATION TO STOP AN ACTIVE SHOOTER'S BULLET BEFORE THEY COULD HER CHILDREN IN CLASSROOMS.

THIS IS HIS LIFE MISSIONS NOW.

>> WE STARTED WITH $500 AND WE HAVE NOW ARMORED AROUND 3800 BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE.

>> Reporter: 3600 SUPERINTENDENTS AND OTHER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE HERE TO LEARN STRATEGIES AND HEAR SUCCESS STORIES FROM CAMPUSES IN EVERY STATE.

>> WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS BUT WE HAVE MORE TO DO.

>> Reporter: GUN VIOLENCE IS PERSONAL FOR MICHELLE WHO LOST HER SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER JOSEPHINE GRACE IN THE 2012 SANDY HOOK MASS SHOOTING.

SHE STARTED THE SAFE AND SOUND SCHOOLS ORGANIZATION TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY AND EVERYWHERE IN HONOR OF HER DAUGHTER.

>> WE WANT TO KEEP THE PLACE THAT SHE LOVED AVAILABLE TO ALL KIDS, EVERYBODY DESERVES TO BE SAFE AND SOUND, INCLUDING OUR TEACHERS OUR BUS DRIVERS AND OUR CAFETERIA STAFF.

EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN THAT BUILDING ALL DAY.

>> Reporter: REMEMBER EDUCATION IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT LEARNING AND THE WAY STUDENTS DO THAT IS CHANGING TOO, TECHNOLOGY IS THE KEY.

AMONG THE FUN AND GAMES THERE IS ALSO SUPPLEMENTAL VIRTUAL HELP FOR OVERWORKED TEACHERS.

PAPER IS A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES ONLINE TUTORS FOR AFTER SCHOOL AND DURING CLASS.

AN INVESTMENT FOR DISTRICTS AT NO COST TO FAMILIES.

>> WE WORK WITH THE DISTRICTS TO IDENTIFY WHAT ARE THE NEEDS?

SHOULD WE FOCUS ON LITERACY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR MATH SCORES IN ELEMENTARY?

WHAT AREAS DO THEY WANT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS?

>> Reporter: THOSE IMPROVEMENTS COULD ALSO SEE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

AI IS AT WORK TRYING TO IDENTIFY ACTIVE SHOOTERS BEFORE THEY DO HARM AND IT CAN BE USEFUL TO STUDENTS.

>> FOR YEARS WE HAVE ASKED OUR KIDS TO SOLVE EQUATIONS AND RIGHT NOW TECHNOLOGY CAN SOLVE THE EQUATION, WE HAVE TO TEACH OUR KIDS HOW TO WRITE THE RIGHT QUESTION.

>> Reporter: SUPERINTENDENT SAID THEY HOPE THEY FIND A LOT OF ANSWERS HERE.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S MIGRANT WELCOME CENTER CLOSED THIS WEEK.

NOW THE QUESTION IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVED?

NORTH COUNTY REPORTER JACOB BAER SAYS ANSWERS ARE TOUGH TO FIND.

>> Reporter: IT HAS JUST BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE THE ORGANIZATION RUNNING THE MIGRANT WORKING CENTER SAID IT WAS CLOSING DOWN.

THAT DECISION IS MAKING SOME PEOPLE NERVOUS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LED THE EFFORT TO SERVE THE MIGRANTS BEFORE THE CENTER OPENED BACK IN OCTOBER.

LIKE SALVADOR RAMON THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE.

>> DEFINITELY GAVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF HEARTBURN, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF EFFORT AND IT TOOK A TOLL ON ALL OF THE RESOURCES AND ALL OF THE PROVIDERS OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE OCEANSIDE TRANSIT CENTER WAS ONE OF THE FIGHTS WERE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DROPTOP MIGRANTS.

-- DROPPED OFF MIGRANTS.

>> AVERAGE HUNDRED A DAY.

LAST FALL WAS NOT TOP, EVERY DAY , NO BREAKS OR TIME OFF.

>> Reporter: RAMON SAYS CBP HAD A MEETING.

THEY SAY DROP-OFFS COULD START AGAIN.

>> THE IDEA OF HAVING TO RELY ON THEM AGAIN AND HOPING THAT THEY RESPOND IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN BECAUSE IT WAS A LOT.

IT TOOK A LOT OUT OF THEM.

IT TOOK A LOT OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THERE IS JUST ALREADY A NEED FOR RESOURCES WITHIN OUR RESIDENCE.

SO, HAVING TO RESPOND, I THINK IT IS A HUGE SETBACK.

>> Reporter: THE NORTH COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER WAS ONE OF THE NONPROFITS THAT PROVIDED RESOURCES FOR MIGRANTS AT THE OCEANSIDE TRANSIT CENTER LAST FALL.

>> IT WAS INTENSE BECAUSE ALTHOUGH IT WAS HARD TO COMMUNICATE WITH ORDER PATROL -- BORDER PATROL AND UNDERSTANDING HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE COMING AND WHEN.

>> Reporter: THIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THIS ORGANIZATION CANNOT BE HELD TO THE SAME DEGREE.

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO EVALUATE WHAT WE CAN DO, BUT IT CANNOT BE ANYTHING CLOSE TO WHAT WE DID MONTHS AGO.

>> Reporter: INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES WAS ANOTHER LEADER IN THE NORTH COUNTY EFFORT.

THEY DECLINED INTERVIEW BUT IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT "THE RESOURCES WERE STRETCHED THIN BEFORE AND AS THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS INCREASE, THEY CANNOT MEET THE NEED."

RAMON SAYS THEY ARE PREPARING A RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK WITHIN NORTH COUNTY AHEAD OF THE CLOSURE.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

THERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

>>> THOMAS FUDGE REPORTS ON HOW THE BODY ENCOURAGES OBESITY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REVERSE THE PROCESS.

COREY SUZUKI HAS A LOOK AT THE RESIGNATION OF ANDREA COTTA AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL PRIMARY IN CHULA VISTA.

AND ANDREW DYER REPORTS ON THE LATEST NAVY EXPEDITIONARY FEE- BASED TO BE COMMISSIONED IN CORONADO.

THIS NEXT STORY IS ONE THAT'S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NOT JUST FROM OUR AUDIENCE BUT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO VISIT THE ZOO.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON SAID THE POPULAR BEARS HAVE A WARM WELCOME.

♪ >> THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ANTICIPATION FOR THE RETURN OF THE BLACK AND WHITE BEARS.

>> ALL, WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THEM.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM.

I THINK HE IS AS EXCITED.

>> THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL TO SEE.

THEY LIKE TO PLAY.

♪ >> Reporter: SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA TOLD THE NEWS IT WAS A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT BECAUSE LOCAL LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE PANDAS BACK TO AMERICA'S FINEST CITY.

THE FIRST HINT THIS WAS HAPPENING CAME IN NOVEMBER WHEN XI JINPING PUBLICLY SPOKE ABOUT THE IDEA.

CHINA COULD BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO THOUGHTFULLY DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

>> THEY LOVE THE GIANT PANDAS IN CHINA AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONNECT ON.

IT CAN HELP IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO WILDLIFE OFFICIALS SAY A PAIR OF THAT ANIMALS WILL ALLOW STAFF TO CONTINUE TO BREED, RESEARCH AND CARE FOR THE BEARS.

IT HAS BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE THE LAST PANDAS IN SAN DIEGO WENT BACK TO CHINA.

THE ZOO HOSTED GIANT PANDAS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

>> WE DO HAVE A VERY LARGE HISTORY WORKING WITH PANDAS.

THREE DECADES AND COUNTING!

AND WHEN WE RETURNED OUR PANDAS BACK TO CHINA WE DID NOT SEVER OUR RELATIONSHIPS OR START -- STOP WORKING ON GIANT PANDAS.

WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR PARTNERS IN CHINA.

>> Reporter: IS YOU IS IN LINE TO GET A PAIR OF FEMALE PANDAS AND A PAIR OF MALE PANDAS.

ONE IS A DESCENDENT OF FORMER RESIDENT PANDAS OF THE ZOO.

ONE OF THEM GAVE BIRTH TO SIX CUPS IN HER TIME THERE.

OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING ON PAPERWORK TO COMPLETE THE TRANSFER, INCLUDING A PURPLE OR -- PAPER FROM THE U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.

>>> NOW FOR ANOTHER ANIMAL STORY.

IF YOU THINK BUGS ARE ONLY PAST TO BE EXTERMINATED, THINK AGAIN, KPBS ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER SHOWS US HOW INSECTS ARE FINDING A PLACE IN THE CULINARY WORLD.

>> Reporter: THE EDIBLE INSECT AMBASSADOR OF BROOKLYN BUGS.

>> I DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED AS AN INSECT CHEF BECAUSE CHEFS CAN BE VERY SECRETIVE AND I BELIEVE IN ORDER FOR US TO CREATE THE CHANGE AND NORMALIZE EDIBLE INSECTS THAT WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN BE INCLUSIVE, BUILD COMMUNITY, SPEAK TO POLICYMAKERS AND UNIVERSITIES AND REALLY BE A CONDUIT FOR SHARING AND INCLUSIVITY.

>> Reporter: HE IS PREPARING A BUG BANQUET AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY TODAY.

>> THIS HERE IS CRICKET POWDER.

CRICKETS ARE CONSIDERED THE GATEWAY BUG.

>> Reporter: HE WILL SERVE THAT GATEWAY BUG IN ZUCCHINI AND FRENCH CHEESE.

>> PEOPLE SAY WHAT IS THAT?

THAT HAS BUGS?

AND I SAY YES, AND THEY EAT IT AND THEY HAVE A LOOK OF ALMOST DISAPPOINTMENT.

IT TASTES LIKE FOOD.

IT'S LIKE BINGO, YOU GOT IT.

AND THEY ALMOST WANT OR EXPECT IT TO TASTE DISGUSTING BECAUSE OF THE BUG AND THEN AFTER THEY TRY IT AND REALIZE JUST HOW DELICIOUS IT IS.

THEY OFTEN REALLY WOULD LIKE TO WHAT THEY ARE EATING AND THEY ARE VERY LIKELY TO WANT TO TRY SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE INSIDE MAYBE WORK UP TO EATING A SCORPION.

>> Reporter: SCORPION KIMCHI WILL BE ON THE MENU FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE THE HOLE IN.

GUESTS -- THE WHOLE INSECTS.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO PUT THEM ALL IN THERE.

JUST KIDDING.

WE LEAVE THE SCORPION INTACT WE THINK THERE IS SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL ABOUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SOME THING LIKE THIS KNOWING THAT IT IS SAFE TO EAT, BUT SEEING LIKE THIS STINGER ON THE SCORPION, I THINK IT IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

>> Reporter: UNIT WILL BE SERVING THIS ON FRIDAY AT NOON.

HE AND FOOD SCIENTISTS WILL BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS EDIBLE BUGS AS WELL AS NUTRITIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.

BESS ACKER MONDO, KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M JOHN CARROLL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

♪