>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FOR THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, A RAISE FOR MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS.

WE WILL HEAR FROM THOSE WHO STAND TO BENEFIT AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO BALANCE THE ADDED COSTS.

>>> THE OCEAN BEACH PIER HAS TAKEN A BEATING.

SEE THE DAMAGE DONE BY HUGE WAYS OF THE CITY EVALUATE WHAT TO DO WITH THE AGING STRUCTURE.

>>> AND THE SAN DIEGO ZOO PUT ON A SHOW AT THIS YEAR'S ROSE PARADE.

GET THE STORY BEHIND THE FLOAT THAT WAS CROWNED BEST OF SHOW.

>>> WE START WITH A DIFFERENT SIDE OF IMMIGRATION.

THOSE WHO COME TO THE U.S. TO ADVANCE THEIR EDUCATION INCLUDE SOME POSTDOCTORAL STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO WHO MIGHT SOON BE FORCED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ MET WITH THOSE WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND WORRY THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE SEPARATED.

>> Reporter: JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM BEING FORCED OUT OF THE U.S. WITH THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF LEAVING FAMILY BEHIND.

>> IT FEELS VERY CHALLENGING TO LIVE SEPARATELY FROM MY HUSBAND.

AND WE LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH.

>> WE HAVE A 30 DAYS GRACE PERIOD.

WITHIN 30 DAYS I HAVE TO LEAVE THIS COUNTRY.

HAVING A NEWBORN BABY, WITHOUT A PASSPORT, WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.

HOW I AM GOING TO TAKE MY BABY BACK, ARE WE GOING TO BE SEPARATED?

>> ON A STUDENT VISA FROM CHINA.

AND HAS A VISITOR EXCHANGE VISA.

BOTH ARE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY AS LONG AS THEY ARE EMPLOYED IN THEIR POSTDOCTORAL JOBS AND ECONOMIC ACADEMIC RESEARCH AT UC SANDINO.

BOTH SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TERMINATED, BUT AS MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMIC WORKERS UNION THEY BELIEVE THEIR CONTRACTS REQUIRE AT LEAST A TWO-YEAR ASSIGNMENT.

SHE HAS ONLY BEEN A RESEARCHER AT THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY FOR A YEAR.

SHE WAS TOLD THERE IS NO MORE FUNDING FOR HER POSITION, SOMETHING SHE SAYS IS NOT TRUE.

>> I WAS INFORMED THERE ARE STILL 4-5 MONTHS OF FUNDING LEFT.

BUT MY SUPERVISOR REFUSED TO USE IT TO RENEW MY CONTRACT OR TO GIVE ME A TEMPORARY POSITION, SO I CAN HAVE SOME TIME OR GRACE PERIOD TO FIND MY NEXT POSITION.

>> Reporter: HER HUSBAND IS ALSO ON A STUDENT VISA FINISHING UP A PHD PROGRAM NEXT SUMMER.

SHE WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO CHINA IF SHE DOES NOT GET HER JOB BACK, WHILE HE REMAINS.

BUT THEY BOTH WILL HAVE TO LEAVE STUDENT HOUSING BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

HE HAS A TWO-MONTH-OLD BABY GIRL WITH HIS WIFE.

THE COUPLE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME IN INDIA, BUT THE INFANT IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN WITHOUT A PASSPORT OR TRAVEL VISA.

HE WAS TOLD HE WAS OUT OF A JOB WELL ON PATERNITY LEAVE.

>> THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN ME AND MY BOSS OR WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

FIRST THING, TRANSPARENCY IS NOT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION HAS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER THE FATE OF ACADEMIC WORKERS, BUT POST DOCTORAL SCHOLARS ARE UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF THEIR PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, KNOWN AS PIS.

WHAT THEY SAY GOES, AND THE UNIVERSITY FOLLOWS WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS.

THERE ARE AT LEAST THREE OTHER INTERNATIONAL POSTDOC SCHOLARS FACING DEPORTATION, TOO.

IN DECEMBER UNION MEMBERS PROTESTED OUTSIDE THE UC SAN DIEGO MOORES CANCER CENTER WHERE HE IS A CANCER RESEARCH CENTER IN A THREE-TIME CANCER SURVIVOR HIMSELF.

>> IT IS OUR VIEW THAT THE UNIVERSITY REALLY DOES NOT WANT US TO IMPLEMENT THIS CONTRACT THAT THEY SIGNED.

AND SO OUR POSITION IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY WORKER GETS THEIR RIGHTS THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO UC SAN DIEGO ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMENT ON THE TERMINATIONS.

A SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO US TODAY.

THEY DID NOT.

LEAVING THESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS AND THEIR FAMILIES WONDERING WHAT THE NEW YEAR WILL BRING.

>>> A CHANGE IS COMING TO THE WAY THE MILITARY HANDLES ALLEGATIONS OF MAJOR CRIMES.

MILITARY COMMANDERS USED TWO DECIDE WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD.

NOW THOSE CASES WILL BE REVIEWED BY A NEWLY ESTABLISHED SPECIAL COUNSEL'S OFFICE.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS ALLEGATIONS OF MISMANAGEMENT LED TO THE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST SERVICEMEMBERS FOR 14 DIFFERENT MAJOR FELONIES WILL NOW BE UP TO SPECIALLY TRAINED INDEPENDENT MILITARY PROSECUTORS INSTEAD OF UNIT COMMANDERS, A CHANGE YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WRITTEN INTO LAW BY CONGRESS IN 2021.

ON THURSDAY, EACH MILITARY BRANCH OPENED THEIR OWN OFFICES OF SPECIAL TRIAL COUNSEL, STAFFED WITH TRAINED MILITARY PROSECUTORS IN BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN SUPPORT STAFF.

CRITICS SAY COMMANDERS HAD TOO LITTLE LEGAL TRAINING, AND IN SOME CASES TOO MUCH BIAS TO MAKE THEIR CHARGING DECISIONS, THEY SAY COULD HAVE PREVENTED VICTIMS FROM COMING FORWARD.

JOHN KEYNES SPENT THREE DECADES IN THE NAVY AS A JUDGE AND WAS THE REGIONAL ADVISER TO THE NAVY AND SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS WILL HE SUPPORTS THE CHANGE, IT IS NOT BECAUSE HE THINGS COMMANDERS WERE INTERFERING ON BEHALF OF THE KEY SERVICEMEMBERS.

>> I NEVER EXPERIENCED A COMMANDER WHO MADE A DECISION TO PROTECT SOMEBODY WHO HAD BEEN ACCUSED AND LIKELY COMMITTED ONE OF THESE TERRIBLE CRIMES.

>> NOT EVERYONE SHARES THAT EXPERIENCE.

IN 2021, VETERAN WOMEN AND VICTIMS ADVOCATES TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF GETTING JUSTICE WHEN REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THAT TESTIMONY IN PART LED TO THIS CHANGE.

IN A STATEMENT THURSDAY, DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN SAID THE CHANGE AIMS AT STRENGTHENING ACCOUNT ABILITY AND INCREASING THE TRUST SERVICEMEMBERS HAVE IN THE SYSTEM.

ONE OF THE NAVY'S TWO PRIMARY OFFICES IS IN THE SAN DIEGO, AND THE MARINES HAVE ESTABLISHED OFFICES IN THEIR FLEET CONCENTRATION AREAS LIKE CAMP PENDLETON.

PENTAGON DATA SHOWED THAT SINCE 2010 RATES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INCREASED AND THE NUMBER OF CASES AT TRIAL DECREASED.

KING IS NOW IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN SAN DIEGO, REPRESENTING SERVICEMEMBERS CHARGED WITH VARIOUS CRIMES INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT.

HE SAYS TOO OFTEN COMMANDERS WITHOUT LEGAL EXPERTISE AND UNWINNABLE CASES TO COURT- MARTIAL, AND THE CHANGE SHOULD FIX THAT.

>> I WOULD BET ON IT THAT YOU WILL FIND THE PROSECUTIONS ARE GOING TO DROP NOT JUST A LITTLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY, AND CONVICTIONS ARE GOING TO GO UP.

>> Reporter: NEW SPECIAL COUNSEL OFFICES WILL ALSO INDEPENDENTLY HANDLE OTHER FELONIES, RANGING FROM STALKING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO MANSLAUGHTER AND MURDER.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS .

>>> NO MATTER WHERE YOU WORK IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, IF YOU MAKE MINIMUM WAGE YOU GOT A RAISE AT THE START OF THE YEAR.

JACOB AYER LOOKS AT THE IMPACT ON WORKERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS, WITH AN EVEN LARGER RAISE FOR FAST FOOD WORKERS ON THE HORIZON.

>> Reporter: AS OF JANUARY 1st, THE HOURLY MINIMUM WAGE ROSE TO $16.85 IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO INTO $16 AND THE REST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND CALIFORNIA.

IT IS A MODEST RACE COMPARED TO LAST YEARS.

IN BOTH CASES, WAGES ARE UP NEARLY $.50.

BUT ANY RACE AFFECTS BUSINESS.

HE IS LOOKING INTO ROBOT ARMS TO MAKE DRINKS, AND FEWER EMPLOYEE HOURS.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A BIG IMPACT, AND WE ARE REQUIRED TO RESTRUCTURE, RETRAIN.

>> Reporter: ON APRIL 1st, A FAR MORE IMPACTFUL WAY CHECK WILL TAKE PLACE, BOOSTING THE HOURLY PAY OF CALIFORNIA'S FAST FOOD WORKERS TO $20 AN HOUR.

FOR OCEANSIDE RESIDENT LUCIO JUAREZ IT IS GREAT NEWS.

SHE CURRENTLY WORKS FOR MINIMUM WAGE IN THE FLOWER INDUSTRY.

DEAN OF THE UC SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF GLOBAL POLICY AND STRATEGY SAYS THE UPCOMING FAST FOOD RAISES COULD HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS ON OTHER INDUSTRIES AND CONSUMER PRICES.

>> IS NOT CLEAR THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO DO A MINIMUM WAGE BY INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY FOR FAST FOOD, WHERE YOU COULD END UP PULLING PEOPLE OUT OF MORE NECESSARY INDUSTRIES LIKE HEALTH CARE OR AGRICULTURE OR SANITARY SERVICES.

>> Reporter: BUSINESS OWNER IS PLANNING FOR THE RIPPLE EFFECT ALREADY.

HE SAYS BUSINESSES LIKE HIS OWN WILL FEEL THE PINCH AS HE PLANS TO RAISE WAGES AND STAY COMPETITIVE.

>> THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY $20, BUT SMALL BUSINESSES, I MEAN, IF THEY CAN DO THE SAME JOB WHOM I GOING TO PAY 16 OR $18 TO MAKE A BURGER?

>> Reporter: THE WAGE HIKE APPLIES TO ALL FAST FOOD CHAINS WITH 16 OR MORE LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE.

JACOB AYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MINIMUM WAGE IS JUST ONE OF MANY LAWS THAT TOOK EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st.

THE LATEST KPBS ROUNDTABLE DIVES INTO SOME OF THE OTHERS.

YOU CAN LISTEN AT KPBS.ORG AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCAST.

>>> TO MAKE MONEY YOU CUSTOMERS.

BUT THAT IS BEEN HARD TO COME BY LATELY FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER.

THE REOPENING OF A BORDER CROSSING THAT BUSINESSES SAY IS CRUCIAL TO THEIR SUCCESS.

>> EXCELLENT USED TO START ON THE RIGHT TRACK THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS OF THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

PART OF HER JOB IS TO HELP BUSINESSES NAVIGATE THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER, SO SHE IS EXTREMELY AWARE OF THE IMPACT OF LONGER WAIT TIMES AND TEMPORARY CLOSURES.

THEY COST BUSINESSES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.

>> IS MUCH AS WE WANT TO SAY THAT OUR STRATEGIC LOCATION IS KEY TO OUR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS, THAT WHOLE SPEECH RELIES ON EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: BEING CLOSE TO TIJUANA AND ITS MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE GIVE SAN DIEGO A MAJOR ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE, BUT THAT ADVANTAGE IS SQUANDERED WHEN LONG WAIT TIMES TURN A 20 MINUTE CAR RIDE INTO A FOUR HOUR COMMUTE.

>> WE REMAIN WORKING TO GET WHERE WE WANT TO BE, WHICH IS ALL OPERATING AT FULL POTENTIAL, LANES FULLY STAFFED SO THAT WE CAN OPERATE TO OUR BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE FULL POTENTIAL.

>> SHE SAYS THIS IMPACTS EVERYTHING, FROM TRUCKS DELIVERING GOODS TO EMPLOYEES TRYING TO GET TO WORK ON TIME.

SENATE SEDRO WAS JUST ONE OF FOUR CLOSED IN DECEMBER.

TWO OTHERS WERE IN ARIZONA AND ONE WAS IN TEXAS.

THE AGENCY SAYS THESE CLOSURES WERE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH AN INFLUX OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION.

IN A STATEMENT, CDP SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE BORDER SECURITY.

PEDWEST WILL REOPEN BUT ONLY FOR LIMITED HOURS.

PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED ACROSS NORTH INTO SAN DIEGO BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 2:00 P.M., AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO CROSS OUT INTO TIJUANA BETWEEN 3:00 AND 11:00 P.M. SAN DIEGO'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS HAPPY ABOUT THIS PARTIAL REOPENING, BUT THEY WANT MORE.

THEY WANT BORDER TRAFFIC TO BE BACK IN FULL SWING, WHICH MEANS HAVING THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT IT.

PEDWEST HAS NOT BEEN FULLY REOPENED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK.

A LOCAL REFUGEE HAS CHAMPIONED A SAN DIEGO URBAN FARM FOR YEARS.

NOW A NONPROFIT IS THREATENING TO EVICT HER.

>>> A TAX INCREASE IN LGBTQ PLUS YOUTH PROTECTIONS ARE AMONG CALIFORNIA'S NEW LAWS FOR 2024.

>>> AND THE SAN DIEGO FLOAT TOP PRIZE OF THE ROSE PARADE.

THAT STORY A LITTLE BIT LATER.

>>> HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST DROP THIS WEEK WAS AT THE BEACH.

THE OB PIER IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY DUE TO HUGE WAVES THE BETTER THE COAST LAST WEEKEND.

MELISSA MAE WENT TO THE BEACH TO SEE THE DAMAGE.

>> Reporter: THE OCEAN BEACH PIER HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE OCTOBER DUE TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS.

THEN THIS WEEKENDS WAVES KNOCKOFF RAILINGS AND ONE OF THE PIER'S STRUCTURAL PILINGS.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TO BE PRIORITY.

WITH THE DAMAGE WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST WEEKEND, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE RIGHT DECISION WAS MADE.

BECAUSE THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO POTENTIALLY REPLACE THE PIER, AND IS ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN THE PROCESS.

CITY OF SAN DIEGO SPOKESPERSON JOSE SAYS THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE IN APRIL.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE WAITING FOR CONSULTANTS TO COME BACK IN A FEW MONTHS WITH THE RESULTS FROM THOSE MEETINGS AND WITHOUT INPUT ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY RECOMMENDS AND WHAT THE CONSULTANTS THINK WE CAN DO TO REPLACE IT AND KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY.

>> Reporter: MATTHEW MARTINEZ IS ONE OF THE CONSULTANTS THE CITY IS WORKING WITH, BUT HE ALSO HAS A PERSONAL CONNECTION.

HE REMEMBERS WHEN IT OPENED IN 1966.

>> I DID CATCH MY FIRST FISH, IT WAS ABOUT A 10 INCH YELLOWFIN CROAKER, AND I WAS VERY PROUD OF THAT, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT I TOOK IT TO BED AND SLEPT WITH IT UNDER MY PILLOW.

MY MOTHER WAS NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: NOW MARTINEZ IS A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WITH MOFFATT AND NICHOL, THE FIRM BROUGHT ON BY THE CITY TO ASSESS THE PIER.

>> IT IS SEEN BETTER DAYS.

WE HAVE DONE INSPECTION, LABORATORY TESTING ON THE CONCRETE.

AND REALLY MADE THE DETERMINATION THAT IT IS BETTER TO REPLACE THE PIER AS OPPOSED TO CONTINUALLY PUTTING BAND- AIDS ON IT THAT WILL MAYBE BE GOOD FOR A YEAR OR TWO.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ WAS IN THE PROCESS OF POSTING A NEW SIGN ABOUT THE OCEAN BEACH PIER RENEWAL PROJECT, AND DESCRIBES THE PIER'S STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS.

>> WHEN REINFORCING STEEL IS EMBEDDED IN CONCRETE, THE CONCRETE IS NOT A SOLID MATERIAL.

IT IS ACTUALLY BORIS.

AND IN THIS KIND OF ENVIRONMENT, YOU GET CHLORIDE IONS, SALT FROM THE SEAWATER, AND OVER TIME IT MAKES ITS WAY INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CONCRETE.

IT INTERACTS WITH THE REINFORCING STEEL, AND IT BEGINS TO RUST.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ SAYS THE RUST CAUSES THE METAL TO SWELL AND FORCES THE CONCRETE TO BREAK OFF.

>> BOTH THE SUPERSTRUCTURE AND THE SUBSTRUCTURE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS REALLY NATURAL PROCESS OF DEGRADATION IN WHAT IS A VERY DIFFICULT MARINE ENVIRONMENT.

WIND, SALT, WATER, THINGS THAT ARE THE ENEMIES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE.

>> Reporter: FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED RENEWAL, WHAT PEOPLE NEED REALIZES THESE THINGS DON'T LAST FOREVER.

IN THE PROCESS FOR REPLACEMENT IS SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IT >> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THE PIER WILL BE CLOSE TO THE REST OF THE STORM SEASON, AND THE EARLIEST IT COULD BE OPEN IS LATE FEBRUARY.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FROM TOO MUCH WATER TO MAKING SURE SAN DIEGO HAS ENOUGH IN THE YEARS TO COME.

A NEW PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE MIRAMAR RESERVOIR WILL GIVE THE CITY WATER SUPPLY A MAJOR BOOST.

SHOWING US THE BIGGEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE CAPITAL PROJECT IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE PIPELINE YOU SEE FLOATING IN THE WATER IS ONE END OF AN EIGHT MILE CONDUIT THAT WILL CONNECT THE CITY WASTEWATER RECYCLING PLANT TO MIRAMAR RESERVOIR IN NORTH SAN DIEGO.

LATER THIS WEEK THIS PART OF THE PIPELINE WILL BE UNDER 100 FEET OF WATER.

>> WE ARE GETTING READY TO INSTALL IN APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE BRANCH PIPELINE THAT WILL BE SUNK IN PLACE TO ALLOW US TO DISTRIBUTE PURIFIED WATER EVENLY WITHIN THE MIRAMAR RESERVE.

>> THOUGH THE PIPELINE IS BEING ABOVE GROUND, THE WORK ON IT WILL CONTINUE ONCE IT IS UNDERWATER.

>> WE HAVE DIVERS, AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME THERE WILL BE FIVE DIVERSE.

THE MAJORITY OF THEM WILL BE INSTALLING, HANDLING THE COUPLING INSTALLING PROCESS.

AND THERE WILL BE A DIVER THAT IS DOING INSPECTIONS FOR QUALITY CONTROL.

>> Reporter: THE COST OF PHASE ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S PURE WATER TREATMENT PROJECT IS ABOUT $1.5 BILLION.

PHASE ONE WILL BE COMPLETE LATER THIS DECADE, AND IT WILL PRODUCE 30 MILLION ADDITIONAL GALLONS A DAY FOR THE CITY.

RICHARD FERNANDEZ IS A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER WHO OVERSEES THE PIPELINE PROJECT.

HE SAYS CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS REQUIRE RECYCLED WASTEWATER TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED INDIRECT POTABLE REUSE, MEETING TREATING THE WASTEWATER AND STORING IT IN A RESERVOIR AND TREATING IT AGAIN BEFORE IT FLOWS THROUGH YOUR TAP.

>> RATHER THAN DOING A DIRECT POTABLE REUSE, WE ARE DOING INDIRECT POTABLE REUSE WHICH IS AN ADDED STEP FOR SAFETY IN CASE ANYTHING DOES GO WRONG AT ANY ONE OF THOSE STEPS.

THERE IS SOME DISCONTINUITY BETWEEN THEM SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT SAFELY AND BE A LITTLE MORE CONSERVATIVE WITH THE APPROACH.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE IN THE COUNTY THAT IS RECYCLING WASTEWATER.

IN 2022, FOUR EAST COUNTY WATER AGENCIES GROUNDWATER FOR PURIFICATION PLANT.

IT WILL PRODUCE ABOUT A THIRD OF THOSE AGENCIES DAILY WATER SUPPLY.

OCEANSIDE HAS ALREADY BEGUN SUPPLYING RESIDENTS WITH PURIFIED RECYCLED WATER.

AT 3 MILLION GALLONS A DAY.

SAN DIEGO'S RECYCLING PLANT WILL BE BY FAR THE BIGGEST AND MOST PRODUCTIVE LOCALLY.

FERNANDEZ SAYS THE CITY NEEDS ITS OWN LOCALLY CONTROLLED WATER SOURCE.

>> LIVING HERE, KIND OF THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THERE REALLY IS NO WATER LOCALLY AVAILABLE.

SO THIS PROJECT PROVIDES A WAY FOR SAN DIEGO TO PROVIDE A SAFE, RELIABLE, LOCALLY SOURCED DRINKING WATER, SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO SPEAR WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM WILL BE OPERATIONAL IN PROVIDING WATER TO RESIDENTS BY 2026.

THEY SAY WILL BE A FULL CAPACITY PROVIDING NEARLY HALF THE CITY WATER NEEDS BY 2035.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALL OF OUR STORIES ARE AVAILABLE ON KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IT IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW CONTENT IS POSTED.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW WRAPPED UP THIS WEEK AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

THE MOOD WAS ELECTRIC AND SO WERE A LOT OF THE CARS.

THOMAS FUDGE STOPPED BY TO SEE HOW EV'S ARE BECOMING A BIGGER PART OF THE ANNUAL EVENT.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU SPEAK OF AN AMERICAN SPORTS CAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF?

>> AN AMERICAN ICON, RIGHT?

CORVETTE.

ALMOST 70 YEARS.

IN FACT, THIS IS A LITTLE OVER 70 YEARS OF CORVETTE.

NOW WE HAVE ADDED ELECTRIC TO IT.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF AUTOMAKERS SHOWING OFF THEIR LATEST ELECTRIC MODELS.

EVERY BRAND OF THE AUTO SHOW HAS AN ELECTRIC CAR AND PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE AMONG VARIOUS KINDS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> OKAY, HERE IS A HYBRID.

HERE IS A PLUG-IN HYBRID.

HERE IS A FULL ELECTRIC.

THEY MIGHT ALL LOOK THE SAME.

YOU HAVE TO KIND OF INTERVIEW YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO SEE WHAT WE WANT THIS CAR TO BE?

>> Reporter: SOME OF THESE CARS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DEALER YET.

THERE ARE SOME PROTOTYPES.

YOU CANNOT BUY A CAR AT THE AUTO SHOW, BUT YOU CAN SHOP, OF COURSE.

I ASKED CHARLIE NELSON WHAT BROUGHT HIM TO THE AUTO SHOW.

>> A CAR BROUGHT ME HERE.

>> I REPHRASE THE QUESTION.

WHY DID HE COME TO THE AUTO SHOW?

>> MY WIFE IS IN THE MARKET FOR A PLUG-IN HYBRID, SO THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE ALL OF THEM IN ONE PLACE.

MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE ELECTRIC, BUT WE ARE IN A TRANSITION IN OUR SOCIETY TO ELECTRIC AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: AT THE SAN DIEGO AUTO SHOW, TOYOTA HAS ITS OWN SPACE, CHEVY HAS A SPACE, AND THERE IS ALSO A SPACE DEVOTED TO ELECTRIC CARS CALLED ELECTRIC AVENUE.

DAVID CROW IS ONE OF THE ELECTRIC AVENUE EXPERTS.

HE SAYS HIS ENGINEERING BACKGROUND MADE HIM DEVOTED TO ELECTRIC CARS.

>> THERE'S ONLY A FEW MOVING PARTS AND THE ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN OF AN ELECTRIC CAR.

THERE ARE A LOT LESS THINGS TO GO WRONG.

IT IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

>> Reporter: BUT NOT ALL THE PEOPLE COMING TO THE AUTO SHOW ARE ELECTRIC CAR CONVERTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RANGE OF THE VEHICLE, HOW FAR IT CAN GO ON ONE CHARGE.

AS TO RANGE, CROW SAYS -- >> MOST EVERY CAR YOU SEE HERE HAS A RANGE OF AT LEAST 200 MILES.

>> HE SAYS YES, THERE ARE AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CARS LIKE THE NISSAN LEAF AND CHEVY BOLT SELLING IN THE HIGH 20s AND LOW 30,000S.

BUT WON CUSTOMERS AT HIS PREFERENCE FOR ELECTRIC CARS IS PRETTY SIMPLE.

>> I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF GIVING MONEY TO THE INDUSTRY THAT PROMOTES GLOBAL WARMING.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW RUNS THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE BROUGHT HOME THE TOP TROPHY FOR MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOAT AT THE ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA.

MORE OF THIS YEAR'S ENTRY AND HOW IT IS HELPING THE MISSION TO PROTECT WILDLIFE.

>> Reporter: IT BEGAN WITH A ROAR 107 YEARS AGO, WHEN THE SAN DIEGO ZOO FOR STARTED TEXTING AND PRESERVING WILD ANIMALS.

THE SAN DIEGO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE ENTERED THIS 55 FOOT FLOAT IN THE ROSE PARADE, FEATURING FLOWERED REPLICAS OF SOME OF ITS CURRENT SUPERSTARS, LIKE KAREN THE 32-YEAR-OLD GREAT APE THAT SURVIVED OPEN-HEART SURGERY , AND CHINOOK, THE ORPHANED POLAR BEAR.

>> I LIKE THIS PULLER CAUSES IS FLUFFY >> THEY MET THE REAL CHINOOK THIS MORNING AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

THEY CAME ALL THE WAY FROM CHICAGO FOR A CHANCE TO BE ENTERTAINED AND EDUCATED.

>> I LIKE HOW THERE ARE A TON OF ANIMALS AND YOU ACTUALLY GET TO EXPERIENCE AND BE AROUND ANIMALS THAT YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T SEE EVEN IF YOU LOOKED REALLY HARD.

>> Reporter: POLAR BEARS AND LIONS AND ORANGUTANS LIVE IN HABITATS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE VISITORS AND TO TEACH THEM HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE THESE ANIMALS.

>> IT'S GREAT TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THE CONSERVATION.

WE LEARNED ABOUT DIFFERENT GENETIC TECHNIQUES THAT ARE BEING USED HERE AT THE SAFARI PARK AND AT THE ZOO.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO ZOO AND THE WILD ANIMAL PARK PROVIDED CLASSROOM TO THE WORLD.

TOGETHER WITH IN PERSON VISITS AND ONLINE PROGRAMS, THEY CONNECT WITH 1 BILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR.

THAT IS AN OVER 150 COUNTRIES.

THAT MEANS MUCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE THAT TUNED INTO THE ROSE PARADE MONDAY COULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW YEAR.

THE FLOAT MADE WITH EVERYTHING FROM GOLDEN BAMBOO TO EUCALYPTUS LEAVES, MOSS, AND SEAWEED ONE OF THE SWEEPSTAKES TROPHY FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATION.

>> THE WORLD IS CHANGING THESE DAYS.

ME READING A BOOK IN THE PAST IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT NOW.

ALL SORTS OF WAYS FOR KIDS TO GET INTEGRATED AND INVOLVED IN CONSERVATION.

EVERY CORNER AROUND THE PARK AND ZOO IS AN ADVENTURE.

>> NOW AN AWARD-WINNING ADVENTURE.

>>> IF ONE OF YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS IS TO SEE MORE MOVIES IN 2024, WE HAVE YOU COVERED.

HERE ARE REVIEWS OF HERS FROM SOME NOT MAINSTREAM FILMS TO START THE NEW YEAR.

>> Reporter: AND ALL OF THE STRANGERS, ANDREW SCOTT PLAYS ADAM, A SOLITARY SOUL.

THEN ONE NIGHT, HARRY SHOWS UP AND THE TWO MEN FALL INTO A RELATIONSHIP, IN PART BECAUSE THEY MIRROR EACH OTHER'S PAIN AND LONELINESS.

VERY STRANGELY AS ADAM RETURNS TO HIS FAMILY HOME AND SEES HIS PARENTS AS THEY WERE BEFORE THEY DIED.

ALL OF US STRANGERS IS A FILM ABOUT MEMORY AND ABOUT TRYING TO GO BACK TO RE-EXAMINE THE PAST AND REDEFINE KEY RELATIONSHIPS.

THE FILM MAINTAINS A MYSTERIOUS TONE, SO YOU QUESTION WHAT MIGHT BE REAL OR IMAGINED.

ALL OF US STRANGERS IS A MELANCHOLY, BITTERSWEET, AND BEAUTIFUL FILM ABOUT GRIEF, LOSS, AND TRYING TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS.

AMERICAN FICTION JUGGLES AN ANGRY SATIRE ON THE LITERARY ESTABLISHMENT WITH A FAMILY DRAMA.

IT FITS IN IMPRESSIVELY WITH A LADDER BUT COMES UP SHORT ON THE SATIRE.

THE FILM GOES FOR PREDICTABLE LOW HANGING FRUIT RATHER THAN INSIGHTFUL AND SAVAGE SATIRE.

THERE IS SOME SHARP WRITING, AND JEFFREY WRIGHT AS ALWAYS IS FLAWLESS.

THE FILM DOES ENOUGH WELL TO MAKE ME FRUSTRATED THAT THE END RESULT WAS NOT BETTER.

FROM THE MOMENT I FALL COWBOYS GO AMERICA I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE FINNISH FILMMAKER.

HIS STYLE IS TERMINALLY DEADPAN IN A WAY THAT MAY TURN SOME PEOPLE OFF.

BUT IF YOU'RE WILLING TO STEP INTO HIS WORLD ON HIS TERMS YOU WILL DISCOVER AN ENDURING WEIRDNESS AND A GALLERY OF DELIGHTFUL CHARACTERS, AS WELL AS A SHARP AND INSIGHTFUL EYES CRITIQUING THE MODERN WORLD.

FALLEN LEAVES IS THE LOOPY TAKE ON AROUND, AS A PAIR OF HELSINKI RESIDENTS CROSS PATHS.

BUT FATE OR PERHAPS SITCOM CRUELTY KEEPS THROWING OBSTACLES IN THEIR WAY.

FALLEN LEAVES IS UNIQUE IN EVERY SENSE, AND I HOPE I CAN CONVINCE SOME VIEWERS TO KICKOFF 2024 BY TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.