>>> I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE CRISIS IN OUR CHILDCARE SYSTEM, WHY THE PEOPLE WE TRUST TO CARE FOR OUR YOUNGEST KIDS SO OVER PAID AND UNDER WORKED AND PUTTING FACE ON THE PANDEMIC A.LOCAL NAVY SAILOR IS AMONG THE WORST CASES OF COVID- 19 HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

AND TAX PLAYERS VERSES THE NFL.

THE LAWSUIT THAT DEMANDS PAY BACK FOR THE CHARGERS LEAVING TOWN.

FIRST, WE START WITH A STORY TOUCHING COMMUNITIES ON BOTH SIDES OH IT WAS BORDER.

KITTY TELLS US ABOUT THE JOURNALISTS MURDERED IN TIJUANA.

>> [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Reporter: THIS IS A JOURNALIST IN 2019 PLEADING WITH THE MEXICAN PRESIDENT FOR HELP BECAUSE SHE FEARED FOR HER LIFE.

ON SUNDAY SHE WAS GUNNED DOWN OUTSIDE HER HOME IN TIJUANA.

SHE'S THE SECOND MURDERED IN THE BORDER CITY IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

ONE WAS SHOT AND KILLED OUTSIDE OF HIS HOME ON JANUARY 17th.

I REALLY WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT MY COUNTRY, MY CITY IS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: A BORDER REGIONAL JOURNALIST FOR OVER 20 YEARS WERE THEIR FRIEND.

SHE'S DEVASTATED OVER THEIR DEATH.

SHE SAYS REPORTERS IN THE REGION ARE FEELING VERY VULNERABLE.

>> I FEEL HELPLESS WITH WHAT HAPPENED.

WE DON'T FEEL SEIAD VALLEY IN TIJUANA.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID MALDONADO HAD JUST ATTENDED THE FUNERAL OF THEIR FRIEND AND THE DEATH HIT SO CLOSE TO HOME.

REPORTER THERE IS HAVE TO NAVIGATE WHAT NO REPORTER SHOULD.

>> WE HAVE TO COVER AND FIELD AT THE SAME TIME SO IT'S NOT EASY.

>> Reporter: NATALIE IS WITH A COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALIST, AN ORGANIZATION FOR REPORTERS.

SHE SAYS MALDONADO IS THE THIRD JOURNALIST TO BE MURDERED IN MEXICO THIS MONTH.

>> ALMOST A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION, BUT EXHAUSTION.

ARE SHE SAY THERE IS IS NO POLITICAL WILL TO PROTECT REPORTERS AND HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE EVEN WHEN REPORTERS ASK FOR HELP.

CPJ HAS DOCUMENTED AND IS INVESTIGATING 18 IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> THAT'S AN AVERAGE OF ONE EVERY SIX WEEKS.

THAT THE A HORRIFYING STATISTIC AND IT CANNOT CONTINUE.

WE'LL LOSE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THERE.

ARE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE NEWS DESERT.

ARE WHILE SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES WILL CARRY ON THE WORK, THEY CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER THE OBVIOUS.

>> WE WONDER WHO COULD BE THE NEXT ONE.

>> GROWING UP IN FOSTER CARE CAN BRING A LOT OF INSTABILITY FOR LOCAL KIDS AND THAT'S WHY MANY FOUGHT TO KEEP OPEN A LOCAL CAMPUS THAT COMBINE AS STABLE HOME AND EDUCATION.

TANYA UPDATES US ON THE FUTURE OF THE ACADEMY.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS ARE CELEBRATING AFTER THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

>> THIS ESSENTIALLY IS A BIG VICTORY CONSIDERING A YEAR AGO IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE WE'D BE ABLE TO STAY OPEN AND KEEP IT OPEN PAST SIX MONTHS.

WE NOW HAVE GONE TO ANOTHER LEVEL OF INSURING IT IS OPEN INDEFINITELY.

ARE SHANE HARRIS WITH THE PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE ADVOCATES HAS HELPED TO KEEP THE FOSTER CAMPUS OPEN.

LAST YEAR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA INFORMED THE FACILITY THAT THE PROGRAM COULD WOMAN TO AN END BECAUSE OF A FEDERAL LAW THAT DISCOURAGES FUNDING IN THE FACILITIES.

THE PLAN APPROVED BY THE SUPERVISORS WOULD TRANSITION INTO A MULTIUSE CAMPUS.

TUESDAY'S VOTE IS ONLY THE BEGINNING FOR THE FUTURE OF SPA.

>> THE FUTURE IS THAT IT LICENSE PLATE CONTINUE TO SERVE, FOSTER YOUTH IN THE SYSTEM.

PART OF THE VISION THAT THE BOARD OFSUPERVISORS ARE LOOKING AT IS THE EXPANSION.

>> Reporter: THE ADD MY WILL CONTINUE SERVING FOSTER YOUTH, BUT THEY'RE NOT CELEBRATING JUST YET.

>> THEY'RE PROBABLY ANXIOUS AND CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR NEW ALTERNATIVES INCORPORATED.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE REPURPOSINGS OF A NEWLY MULTIPURPOSED FACILITY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MRP.

THAT MEANS THEY DON'T HAVE GUARANTEED JOBS.

ARE THEY HAVE BEEN MANAGEING THE ACADEMY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THEY'LL SOLICIT BIDS FOR NEW MANAGEMENT.

SERVICES THAT BOARD CHAIRMAN FLESH I SAYS HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND.

SERVE MORE KIDS IN MORE WAYS AND TRULY CONTINUE A GREAT LEGACY OF WHAT IT WAS MEANT IN AN EN HANCEED WAY.

>> FOR KIDS WHO ARE TOO YOUNG FOR SCHOOL DAYCARE SUSPECT OFTEN THE ONLY OPTION FOR PARENTS.

THAT MEANS SENDING THEM TO THE PROVIDERS THAT ARE OVERWORKED AND UNDER PAID.

CLARA LOOKS AT HOWE THE PANDEMIC ONLY MADE THINGS WORSE.

>> EARNING COLLEGE DEGREE TAKINGS YEARS OF HARD WORK.

>> Reporter: IN MAY 2021 ALLIE HAD JUST GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN CHILD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND WENT LOOKING FOR A FIRST JOB.

.

SHE WAS HIRED IMMEDIATELY.

HER COLLEGE EDUCATION DID LITTLE TO PREPARE HER FOR WHAT SHE WAS WALKING IN TO.

>> WITH WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW I AM KEEPING 12 KID TOGETHER.

ARE SIX MONTHS INTO THE JOB ALLIE AND HER CLASSROOM OF TODDLERS ARE LEFT WITH A ROTATING CAST OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

ALLIE DOESN'T WANT TO REVEAL HER FULL NAME OR THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL TO PROTECT HER JOB.

>> WE PUT NAME TAGS ON THE KIDS SO THEY CAN REFER TO THE KIDS BY NAME.

>> Reporter: SOME TIMES THE SUBS CALL IN SICK OR DON'T SHOW UP.

I'VE NOTICED HOW ATTACHED THEY ARE TO ME AND WHEN OTHER SUBS IS COME IN IT'S LIKE STRANGER DANGER.

>> Reporter: CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE DEALING WITH A MASSIVE JOB SHORTAGE THERE.

ARE MORE THAN 2030 LOCAL CHILDCARE OPENINGS ON LOCAL WEBSITES AND SOME ARE OFFERING SIGN-ON BONUSES.

THEY CAN'T FIND QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO HIRE.

THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE THAN THE GENERAL LABOR SHORTAGE TREND.

CHILDCARE PROVIDERS HAVE TO COMPETE WITH RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS FOR WORKERS.

THOSE OTHER SECTORS CAN RAISE STARTING WAGINGS.

PLUS, PEOPLE ARE STILL WORRIED ABOUT CATCHING COVID FROM UNVACCINATED TODDLERS.

>> WE'RE ASKING SO MUCH FOR $12 AN HOUR WHEN YOU CAN BE PACKING MORE AT MCDONALD'S OR, YOU KNOW, STARBUCKS OR TARGET.

KATELYN IS WITH THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF CHILDCARE EMPLOYMENT AT UC BERKELEY.

>> IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FAMILYS HAVE ACCESS TO THE SERVICES, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A GOOD JOB THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: ON AVERAGE, CALIFORNIA PRESCHOOL TEACHERS MAKE LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS MAKE AND MORE THAN A THIRD OF CHILDCARE WORKERS LIVE BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE.

RAISING PAY FOR THE WORKERS MAY SEEM LIKE AN EASY SOLUTION, BUT THERE IS A DOMINO EFFECT.

FIRST OFF, STATE REGULATIONS REQUIRE CHILDCARE CENTERS TO HAVE ONE TEACHER FOR EVERY FOUR INFANTS AND ONE FOR EVERY SIX TODDLERS WHICH MEAN AS LOT OF STAFF.

SO IF THEY PAY MORE THEY'D HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RAISE RATES FOR PARENTS.

I CAN'T CONTINUE TO ASK PARENTS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET HIGHER WEEKLY RATES.

>> Reporter: HOLLY WEBER OWNS MAGIC HOUR DAYCARE.

>> IT'S RUNNING A FINE LINE BETWEEN PARENTS COMING OUT AND GOING BACK TO WORK BECAUSE THE CHILDCARE EXPENSES ARE SO HIGH.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO APPLY TO JOBS WHERE YOU'RE NOT BEING RECOGNIZED.

>> Reporter: BREANNA MENDOZA GRADUATED FROM SDSU WITH AN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT DEGREE, BUT SHE'S LOOKING AT JOBS WHERE SHE'D WORK ONE ON ONE WITH CHILDREN IN CRISIS WHICH PAYS $21 TO $22 AN HOUR.

>> I WOULD BE SLEDDING IN THE CLASSROOM WHETHER I WOULD BE CHANGING DIAPERS, FEEDING BABIES, IT WASN'T JUST CHILD HAIR.

IT WAS LIKE SWEEPING, HOUSEWORK, LAUNDRY.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ALLIE, WHO IS SOLO TEACHING AT A LOCAL PRESCHOOL IS TRYING TO HOLD ON, BUT ISN'T SURE HOW LONG SHE WANTS TO CONTINUE.

CONSIDERING I'M DOING THE JOB OF TWO TEACHERS RIGHT NOW, MINIMUM WAGE IS REALLY DISCOURAGING.

>> SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG ARE ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MAKING N95 MASKINGS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM.

WE HAVE A STORY LETTING YOU NO E HOW TO GET THEM FOR FREE.

>> CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE VACCINATIONS AT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> THIS STORY ON A LOCAL SAILOR TEALING WITH ONE OF THE WORST CASES FOR THE NAVY.

>> Reporter: BRIAN DENNY IS ON LIFE SUPPORT IN SAN DIEGO AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN DECEMBER.

>> ILL CALL IT A TORNADO.

I FEEL LIKE THE ANALOGY OF A TORNADO IS FITTING.

IT PICKS SOMEBODY UP, TAKES ONE HOUSE OFF THE BLOCK AND LEAVES THE REST.

>> Reporter: IT'S PLAGUEED THE NAVY, SPREADING RAPIDLY IN THE CLOSE CONFINES OF THE SHIP.

OF THE ROUGHLY 11,000 CURRENT CASES, ONLY FIVE ARE HOSPITALIZED.

DENNY IS AMONG THE MOST SERIOUS.

THE 29-YEAR-OLD TECHNICIAN WAS STATIONED AT CORONADO.

HE HAS A TWO-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

>> AS SOON AS HE WAS PLACED ON THE VENT SHE HAD A HARD TIME.

SHE WOULD ASK ME TO CALL HIM AND I HAD TO EXPLAIN THAT WE CAN'T AND SHE'S TWO YEARS OLD GOING ON 20.

SHE'S SMART AND UNDERSTANDS NOW THAT SHE'LL TELL YOU THAT DADDY IS AT THE DOCTOR AND HE'S SLEEPING, GETTING BETTER.

ARE THE FAMILY WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRANSFERRING TO AN AIR FORCE BASE IN OKLAHOMA WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

THEIR FURNITURE IS ALREADY PACKED THEY'RE STAYING WITH FAMILY COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO THE HOSPITAL FROM A HUNDRED MILES AWAY.

WE WANT PRAYERS AND IF THIS BRINGS ONE MORE PRAYER I KNOW HE'D APPRECIATE IT AND SO WOULD OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FAMILY OF ONE SAILOR THE MESSAGE IS THE PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER.

>> KPBS RECENTLY GOT SPECIAL ACCESS FOR THE FACE TO FACE [ INAUDIBLE ] WE LOOK AT THE MOMENTS OF PROGRESS AND SET BACKS THAT MAKE UP THE DELICATE WORK.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE SPOTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIRST IS G STREET AND 17th.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST STOP OF THE DAY FOR THE CITY'S LATEST HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM A.HANDFUL OF PEOPLE IN HARD HATS CARRIED SNACK PAKS AND IPADS TO REACH OUT.

THEY MADE A HOLE IN A FENCE TO GET TO AN EN CAMPMENT THAT SITS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE.

>> HOMELESS OUTREACH, IS ANYONE HOME.

>> Reporter: THE MAKESHIFT TENTS ARE PITCHED HERE, ALL ARE HOMES BELONGING TO SOMEONE A.PAIR OF STAFFERS VISIT EACH TENT HOPING SOMEONE IS HOME AND READY TO RECEIVE HELP.

KAREN GARDNER IS A CASE MANAGER AND SAYS THIS IS THEIR THIRD TIME VISITING THIS ENCAMPMENT.

>> THIS AREA IN ITSELF IS A BIT SHELTER RESISTANT.

BUT WE TRY TO COME IN AND WE JUST CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK WITH THEM.

ARE ONE HOMELESS MAN ACCEPT ADD SNACK PAK, BUT WAS NOT READY TO GO TO A SHELTER.

TODAY'S NO COULD BE TOMORROW'S YES.

SHE SAYS THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY CONTINUALLY ENGAGE WITH INDIVIDUALS LIVING ON THE STREET AND THEY BUILD A RAPOPORT WITH THEM UNTIL THEY'RE WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP.

>> 80 TO 85% OF THE PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED.

THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.

ARE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS HELPING TO LEAD THE EFFORT TO HELP THE PEOPLE LIVING ALONG THE STATE'S FREEWAY.

IT'S THE FIRST AGREEMENT OF THIS KIND IN THE STATE AND PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S CALIFORNIA COMEBACK PLAN.

CALTRANS HOPES TO CLEAR THESE DANGEROUS AREAS WHERE THE HOMELESS ARE CAMPING OUT.

THEY DON'T JUST WANT TO CLEAR PEOPLE OUT, BUT TO HELP.

>> WE VALUE THEM.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP THEM IN ANY ASPECT >> Reporter: FOR SOME EN CAMPMENTS IT MAY TAKE WEEKS BEHAVIOR THE INDIVIDUALS ACCEPT HELP.

MORE THAN A HUNDRED HAVE ACCEPTED HELP INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTING WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

ONLY 11 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN SHELTERS.

GARDNER SAYS IT CAN BE DISAPPOINTING WHEN A PERSON DOESN'T WANT TO ACCEPT HELP.

>> THEY HAVE TO BE READY.

>> Reporter: KATHRYN WAS CAMPING IN A CANYON ALONG THE 805 SOUTH.

AFTER A DECADE OF LIVING ON AND OFF THE STREETS SHE WAS READY FOR STABILITY.

I'M DOING IT FOR MY DAUGHTER.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS TWO PUPS SHE WAS NOT WILLING TO LEAVE BEHIND.

FORTUNATELY, SHE FOUND A SHELTER THAT TOOK ALL THREE OF THEM IN.

>> IT HAPPENED AT THE LAST MOMENT.

THEY WERE SAYING THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SPOT, BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE THEY DID.

SHE WALKS HER DOGS EVERY MORNING AND VISITS HER FRIEND.

SHE SAYS THE TRANSITION HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

>> I'M DETERMINED AND I'M WORTH IT AND MY FAMILY IS WORTH IT.

>> Reporter: GARDNER SAYS SEEING PEOPLE LIKE KATHRYN MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> BEING ABLE TO SEE HER AND GET THE FOLLOW-UP FROM HER MAKES ALL THE -- MABELS THIS JOB EVEN BETTER.

MAKES THE STORIES COME TO FRUITION AND IT ENCOURAGES US TO KEEP GOING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY WILL EVALUATE THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS RATE IN JUNE AND DECIDE IF THE CONTRACT WILL BE EXTENDED.

>> KPBS METRO REPORTER SPENT THE WEEK LOOKING AT EFFORTS TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CARS.

WE HAVE TWO OF THE STORIES FROM CLAIREMONT TO AN UPDATE ON HOW PEOPLE ARE USING MAJOR PROJECT >> Reporter: THE THREE AND A HALF ACRE SITE HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR 156 APARTMENTS AND MORE.

THE SITE'S NEW OWNER, ZEPHYR, IS AIMING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE DENSITY AND BUILD 350 APARTMENTS.

THAT'S GREAT NEWS TO MATTHEW OF THE NON-PROFIT CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN.

>> IT'S GETTING PEOPLE CLOSER TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUT BIKING AND WALKING AND ENJOYING THE HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE WITH MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

THAT'S CLIMATE SAFE.

YOU KNOW, WE REALLY NEED TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT AND BY BUILDING MORE HOMES NEAR TRANSIT WE'LL BE ABLE TO MEET THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN GOALLESS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PLANS ARE LIKELY TO SPARK OPPOSITION FROM NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE SOUGHT TO LIMIT THE DENSITY AND HEIGHT OF DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE NEW TROLLEY STATIONS.

THE 11-MILE EXTENSION OF BLUE LINE CONNECTS CLAREMONT TO UC SD, DOWNTOWN, THE SAFE BAY AND BORDER.

>> PLANS LIKE THE ONE ON 30th STREET AND NORTH PARK WILL ENTICE MORE RESIDENTS TO BIKE INSTEAD OF DRIVE.

THE BIKE COUNTERS WERE SWITCHED ON LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AND HAVE LOGGED MORE THAN 1700 TRIPS.

THE BICYCLE COALITION SAYS THE DATA IS DEBUNKING THE MYTH THAT BIKE LANES ARE WASTED BECAUSE NO SOMEONE USING THEM.

>> AS WE BUILD UP THE NETWORK AND BUILD MORE OF THE HIGH FALL TI FACILITIES, WE'RE CERTAIN MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL START RIDING AND WE CAN MEASURE THE PROGRESS.

WE CAN MATICK IK THE CORRECTIONS ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: THEY PLAN ON INSTALLING MORE BIKE COUNTERS BUT HAVE NOT SETTLED ON SPECIFIC LOCATIONS.

>> IT'S BIG WEEKEND FOR FOOTBALL, BUT HERE IN SAN DIEGO THE REAL MATCHUP MIGHT BE COMING SOON TO A COURTROOM.

MATT TELLS US ABOUT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NFL FIVE YEARS AFTER THE CHARGERS LEFT TOWN.

>> Reporter: FORMER SAN DIEGO CITY ATTORNEY IS LEADING THE EFFORT TO SUE THE NFL AND ITS 32 TEAMS AILING THAT THE LEAGUE VIOLATED ITS OWN RELOCATION RULES IN ALLOWING THE CHARGERS TO MOVE TO LOS ANGELES.

>> THEY GAVE THE IMPRESSION THEY WOULD STAY.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER CITY ATTORNEY SAYS FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS THE STIPULATE SPENT MILLIONS IN SUBSIDIES AND STADIUM UPGRADES BUT WHEN THE CHARGERS LEFT IT WAS THE NFL WHO RECEIVEED THE MORE THAN $6 MILLION PAY OUT.

>> THE CHARGERS LEAVE AND PAY ALL THE OTHER TEAMS, BUT NOT TO SAN DIEGO.

THOSE TEAMS WERE UNJUSTLY ENRICHED.

THEY GOT SOMETHING FOR ALLOWING THE CHARGERS TO LEAVE THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO THIS.

LAWSUIT SEEKS TO CORRECT THAT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS FILED ON RUTH HENDRICKS WHO OWNS THE HUDDLE RESTAURANT.

>> WE THANK EVERYBODY THAT COMES IN HERE.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH HER IN 2020.

THEY'RE CONFIDENT IN THE SUIT POINT TO A RECENT MULTI MILLION DOLLARS SETTLEMENT THAT THE NFL MADE WITH THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS WITH THE RAMS RELOCATION.

>> IF ST. LOUIS IS GOOD ENOUGH TO RECOVER $790 MILLION, SAN DIEGO IS GOOD ENOUGH TO RECOVER THEIR LOSSES AS WELL.

>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE SUIT, BUT THE MAYOR AND CITY ATTORNEY ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT SUEING THE NFL IS A COSTLY AND UPHILL BATTLE, BUT WITH TAXPAYERS IN LINE TOBIN FIT, THEY'RE HOPEFUL FOR SUCCESS.

PART OF THE UPHILL BATTLE INCLUDES LIABILITY WAIVERS SIGNED BY THE CITY IN THE EARLY 2000s BUT THE ATTORNEYS ARGUE IT WAS NOT VALID THEN.

>> HOW CAN YOU WAIVE SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU DON'T KNOW?

>> THERE THE A COURT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR EARLY JULY.

>> A LOCAL MOVIE THEATRE THAT HAD TO MOVE AND REBUILD DURING PANDEMIC IS FINALLY REOPENING.

BETH TELLS US ABOUT THE PREVIEW WEEKEND FOR DIGITAL GYM CINEMA.

>> Reporter: DURING PANDEMIC THE THEATRE LOST THE LEASE, BUT FOUND A NEW HOME AT UC SAN DIEGO'S MARKET AND PARK EXTENSION FACILITY.

LAST JUNE I HAD TO WEAR A HARD HAT TO VISIT THE SITE AND COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE WHEN FINISHED.

THE MANAGER REVEALED THIS WEEK THE DIFFERENCE A FEW MONTHS CAN MAKE.

>> WE'RE IN THE NEW DIGITAL GYM CINEMA.

WE'RE IN THE EAST VILLAGE, CLOSER TO THE TROLLEY STATEMENT, SAME CONTENT, DIFFERENT SETTING.

ARE THAT INCLUDES A NEW PROJECTION, BERT SOUND, MORE SEAT, BIGGER SCREEN, A FULL FLEDGED CONCESSION STAND AND MORE LOBBY SPACE.

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SHARE THE SPACE AND IT'S BEEN ASTOUNDING TO SEE THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE IN JUST A MATTER OF MONTHS.

WE'RE READY TO SCREEN MOVIES.

>> Reporter: THE CINEMA IS READY, BUT NOT THE ENTIRE BUILDING.

>> THERE IS A GRAND STAIRCASE BEING WORKED ON.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN SLOWED BY VARIOUS SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

THE NEW PROJECTOR BARELY ARRIVED FOR THE PREVIEW OPENING THIS WEEKEND.

>> AT SOME POINT YOU JUST STOP OBSESSING OVER THE LITTLE DETAILS AND FOCUS ONCOMING ONE PLAN B'S AND C'S AND D'S.

>> Reporter: THE SEATS YOU MAY BE SITTING IN MAY BE CHANGED BEFORE THE OFFICIAL OPENING, BUT FOR THIS WEEKEND THEY'RE EXCITED THAT THE CINEMA IS READY TO ASSUME THE ROLE OF SUNDANCE FESTIVAL.

>> SUNDANCE IS FULLY VIRTUAL NOW SO THE SATELLITE SCREENS IS THE ONLY ONES.

>> Reporter: THE BIG DAY FOR THE CINEMA THIS WEEK END IS SAD.

>> WE'LL DO A SMALL RECEPTION OUTSIDE, PHOTO BOOTH, RED CARPET.

WE'LL TRY TO CREATE A FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE AT THE NEW VENUE.

THE FILM MAKERS LOVE STREAMING THEIR FILMS IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCES AND THEY WANT THE IN- PERSON RESPONSE.

>> THEY LOVE THE COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE OF SHARING THE FILMS IN PERSON AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SCREENING SIRENS WITH THE FILM MAKERS ON HAND.

THE DOCUMENTARY LOOKS TO THE FIRST FEMALE ALL METAL BAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> THE RESPONSE TO THE FILM SCREENINGINGS HAS BEEN LARGELY POSITIVE AND WE SOLD QUITE A BIT OF TICKETS FOR THE WEEKEND.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE STILL TICKETS FOR HIS FAVORITE, THE BRAZILIAN FILM LOOK TO A LOWER MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY AND THE YOUNG ERSAN WHO DREAMS OF BEING AN ASTRO PHYSICIST.

>> THE FILM TOUCHED ME WITH HOW WHEN THINGS DON'T GO RIGHT THERE IS STILL A PATH FORWARD.

IT LEFT ME FEELING REALLY HOPEFUL AND CARING ABOUT THIS FAMILY.

>> Reporter: AND IF WATCHING FILMS INSIDE A CINEMA, EVEN WITH MASKS IS NOT FOR YOU, THERE WILL BE OUTDOOR SCREENINGS IN THE ADJACENT COURTYARD.

>> IT WILL GIVE AN IDEA OF THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PRODUCE HERE.

>> Reporter: I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE REBIRTH OF THE MICROCINEMA CENTI SPENT YEARS PROGRAMMING AT THE OLD CINEMA.

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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.