>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

>>> PRIDE FESTIVALS ARE SEEING THEIR INSURANCE COSTS SKYROCKET AS THREATS OF PROTESTS AND VIOLENCE CONTINUE TO GROW.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR LOCAL EVENTS.

>>> RENTING IN AMERICA'S FINEST CITY IS NOW MORE EXPENSIVE THAN SAN FRANCISCO.

>>> A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MAKEOVER.

WE ARE GETTING A TOUR OF THE NEWLY REOPENED LAFAYETTE HOTEL IN NORTHPARK .

>>> WE BEGIN WITH THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY, A SUMMER HEAT WAVE IS SWEEPING THROUGH SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THERE IS A HIGH HEAT RISK WARNING FOR INLAND AREAS.

TEMPERATURES ARE FORECASTED UP TO 120 DEGREES IN THE DESERTS THIS WEEKEND.

WE SAW WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING TO KEEP THEIR COOL.

>> THE CRAZY SUNSHINE AND HEAT, IT IS VERY NICE.

>> Reporter: THE POOL AT THE YMCA IS ONE PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS ARE FINDING SOME RELIEF.

>> TOMORROW MY SON WANTS TO COME WITH HIS SISTER HERE TO PLAY IN THE WATER.

WE ARE JUST GOING TO KEEP COMING HERE EVERY DAY.

I AM THINKING OF GOING TO MORE WATER PARKS.

>> Reporter: THE POOL AREA IS FREE FOR MEMBERS.

IT COSTS FOUR DOLLARS FOR SENTI RESIDENTS AND FOUR DOLLARS FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE AREA.

>> PRETTY MUCH UP TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK I WOULD SAY.

>> Reporter: THIS RESIDENT SAYS HE HAS LIVED IN OKLAHOMA WHERE IT GETS HOTTER BUT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES HERE ARE STILL UNCOMFORTABLE.

AREAS LIKE JULIAN, ALPINE, RAMONA AND EL CAJON ARE EXPECTED TO BE 100 DEGREES THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

COASTAL AREAS WILL BE COOLER, BUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS SOME RECORDS COULD BE TIED OR BROKEN.

>> TODAY IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE A SECOND DAY OF THE HEAT WAVE.

IT STARTED WITH JULY, SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER TWO MONTHS TO COOLDOWN.

WE ARE TRYING TO STAY COOL AND GET THE SWIMMING LESSONS AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE KIDS.

>> Reporter: FORECASTERS SAY IT WILL ONLY GET HOTTER AS WE MOVE INTO THE WEEKEND WITH THE WARMEST BEING SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

HERE IT IS ABOUT MIDDAY.

IT IS ABOUT 95 DEGREES.

IT IS PRETTY WARM IF YOU CANNOT TELL.

THE STEPS BEHIND ME IN THE LIBRARY, MUCH COOLER.

>> IT FEELS A LOT COOLER AND NICER.

>> HE WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF ONE OF THE BIG COOL ZONES.

THERE ARE ABOUT 100 IN THE REGION.

THERE MOSTLY AT LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

IT IS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO TO ESCAPE DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES.

SOME LOCATIONS WILL HAVE EXTENDED HOURS.

HE SAYS THESE SPACES ARE IMPORTANT FOR SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES.

>> SENIORS NEED A PLACE TO GO TO STAY COOL BECAUSE THEY CAN HAVE HEART ATTACKS.

>> Reporter: STAYING HYDRATED AND AVOIDING STRENUOUS ACTIVITY DURING THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE DAY CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF HEAT -RELATED ILLNESS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

>>> 300,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND SAN DIEGO PRIDE THIS WEEKEND.

EVENTS CELEBRATING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ARE TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AMID GROWING THREATS OF VIOLENCE AND AN INCREASINGLY CHARGED POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

ONE WAY THAT IS IMPACTING THE BOTTOM LINES, SKYROCKETING INSURANCE COSTS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO PRIDE WE KICKED OFF WITH A CELEBRATION OFTO WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO ARE NON-BINARY AND GENDER NONCONFORMING.

LIVE BANDS STRUTTED THE STAGE AND FOOD TRUCKS SERVED UP VEGAN DISHES AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CHECKED OUT BOOTHS SET UP BY VENDORS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

>> THE VIBE OF SHE-FEST IS VERY MUCH CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> THERE IS THE ENTERTAINMENT FACTOR, THE COMMUNITY BUILDING FACTOR, AND THE EDUCATIONAL FACTOR.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATION IN SAN DIEGO, BUT BEHIND THE SCENES, THE GOOD VIBES ARE TEMPERED BY A GROWING CONCERN.

SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO PRIDE.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT HERE, NOT JUST IN SAN DIEGO, BUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, IS A RISE IN ANTI-TRAN42 SENTIMENT.

>> Reporter: HERE ARE EXAMPLES, HATE CRIMES BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN CALIFORNIA INCREASED NEARLY 30% LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

INCIDENTS AGAINST NONCONFORMING PEOPLE JUMPED BY 54%.

FAR RIGHT GROUPS HAVE ORGANIZED IN-PERSON CONFRONTATIONS AT DRAG EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND JUST LAST MONTH, POLICE ARRESTED A MAN FOR AN ALLEGED BOMB THREAT.

ALL OF THIS HAS GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF INSURANCE PROVIDERS.

>> I'M HEARING FROM PRIDES FROM LA, SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK, AND A TON OF THE SMALLER ONES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT THE RISE IN INSURANCE FEES IS UNTENABLE.

>> Reporter: IT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY LARGE EVENT.

IT COVERS LIABILITIES LIKE IF SOMEONE SUES AFTER TRIPPING OVER A CURB, OR IF THERE IS A MASS SHOOTING.

SAN DIEGO PRIDE TYPICALLY PURCHASES AN EXTRA LAYER OF INSURANCE TO COVER ANY MAJOR INCIDENTS.

LAST YEAR THE COVERAGE COST THEM ABOUT $10,000.

THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO LOPEZ, IT WOULD HAVE COST -- >> $300,000.

YOU CANNOT BUDGET FOR THAT.

HOW COULD I BUDGET FOR THAT?

>> PRIDE EVENTS ARE BEING SCRUTINIZED IN UNPRECEDENTED WAYS.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR UNDERWRITER AT CALIPH INSURANCE.

THE COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN COVERAGE FOR LARGE OUTDOOR EVENTS INCLUDING DOZENS OF PRIDE FESTIVALS NATIONWIDE.

HE SAYS THAT INSURANCE COSTS ARE GOING UP FOR ALL CONCERTS AND FESTIVALS.

ATTENDEES ARE MORE LIKELY TO FILE LAWSUITS OVER MINOR INCIDENTS, INSURANCE MARKETS ARE OVERBURDENED IN GENERAL DUE TO A RISE IN COSTLY CLAIMS TIED TO THINGS LIKE HURRICANES AND WILDFIRES.

AND THERE IS THE GROWING THREAT OF MASS CASUALTY EVENTS, LIKE A SHOOTING.

THAT IS A PARTICULAR CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO PRIDE FESTIVALS.

>> INSURERS ARE TERRIFIED BY LARGE EVENTS, AND ESPECIALLY ONES THAT COULD BE DEEMED A LITTLE MORE RISKY WHEN IT COMES TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE OR PERCEIVED VIOLENCE AND THREATS.

>> Reporter: THESE BALLOONING COSTS ARC CAUSING TOUGH BUSINESS DECISIONS FOR LGBTQ+ ORGANIZATIONS.

SAN DIEGO PRIDE WENT WITH A MORE BASIC INSURANCE PLAN BECAUSE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON EXTRA INSURANCE WOULD HAVE MEANT PULLING FUNDING FROM OTHER ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS.

BUT THAT MEANS THEY MAY BE ON THE HOOK FINANCIALLY IF A MAJOR INCIDENT HAPPENS.

SACRAMENTO'S PRIDE FESTIVAL HAD TO RAISE ITS TICKET PRICES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DECADES, IN PART BECAUSE THE EVENT INSURANCE MORE THAN DOUBLED IN RECENT YEARS.

>> WE GOT TO A PLACE WHERE WE CANNOT JUST SUPPLEMENT ALL THE ADDITIONAL COSTS WITH MORE SPONSORSHIP OR MORE BEVERAGE SALES.

WE HAD TO RAISE THE TICKET PRICES.

>> Reporter: HE IS CEO OF THE SACRAMENTO LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH ORGANIZES SACRAMENTO PRIDE.

HE SAYS SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE THEIR TOP CONCERN, BUT HE FEARS INCREASED ENTRY FEES COULD MAKE THE PRIDE FESTIVAL LESS ACCESSIBLE AT A TIME WHEN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY NEEDS IT MOST.

>>> OF COURSE, IT IS EXPENSIVE TO LIVE HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

THERE IS NO SURPRISE THERE.

ANY REPORT HAS A BIG SURPRISE WHEN IT COMES TO RENTING A PLACE HERE.

JOHN CARROLL EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: AMERICA'S FINEST CITY FEATURE SOME OF AMERICA'S HIGHEST PRICES FOR HOMES.

A NEW REPORT REVEALS SAN DIEGO IS NOW AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES TO RENT.

THE HEADLINE FROM THE NEW REPORT, AVERAGE RENTS HERE HAVE NOW SURPASSED SAN FRANCISCO.

THE SENIOR ECONOMIST SAYS IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>> HIGHER POPULATION GROWTH CREATES NEW DEMAND FOR HOUSING, AND A TIGHT LABOR MARKET TENDS TO RESULT IN HIGHER RENTS.

>> Reporter: BUT HIGHER THAN SAN FRANCISCO?

RENTS THERE WERE NEARLY 30% HIGHER THAN SAN DIEGO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND HE SAYS THE PANDEMIC DEFINITELY PLAYED A ROLE IN THE RENT REVERSAL.

>> YOU SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVING SAN FRANCISCO WHO HAD, YOU KNOW, THE ABILITY TO WORK REMOTELY.

SO YOU HAD THIS PANDEMIC SHOCK, THIS EFFECT OF PEOPLE LEAVING SAN FRANCISCO TO MOVE TO MORE AFFORDABLE AREAS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS NOW THE THIRD MOST EXPENSIVE RENTAL MARKET IN THE COUNTRY, ALTHOUGH NOT BY MUCH.

THE AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT HERE IS NOW $3175.

THAT IS JUST SEVEN MORE DOLLARS PER MONTH THEN THE CITY BY THE BAY.

>> RENT GROWTH IN SAN DIEGO PEAKED AT 19% IN JUNE 2022 AND IT IS NOW DOWN TO 5.3%, WHEN COMPARED TO A PEAK OF 10% IN SAN FRANCISCO.

>> Reporter: WHERE IS RENT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN HERE?

SAN JOSE COMES IN SECOND.

PERHAPS NO SURPRISE, IT COSTS MORE TO RENT IN NEW YORK CITY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THESE UNITED STATES.

AS FOR CALIFORNIA, HE SAYS RENT AND HOME PRICES WILL ONLY FALL SO MUCH UNLESS WE BUILD MORE HOUSING.

>> IT IS CLEAR PEOPLE STILL LOVE CALIFORNIA AND WANT TO LIVE HERE.

NEW CONSTRUCTION HAS TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP THE SLACK.

>> Reporter: LOOKING AHEAD, THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS WHEN IT COMES TO RENT.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO INCH DOWNWARD AS WE GET INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

BUT WHEN IT IS AS EXPENSIVE AS IT IS TO LIVE HERE, THAT IS A COLD COMFORT.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE WAS SOLD TO A HEDGE FUND GROUP.

KITTY ALVARADO SPOKE TO SOME OF THE PAPERS FORMER EMPLOYEES ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE NEWSPAPER STAFF AND THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: A SAN DIEGO INSTITUTION HAS BEEN SOLD AGAIN.

>> IT HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE DAY TO BE HONEST.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST STUNNED.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER UNION TRIBUNE REPORTER, JERRY McCORMICK, SAID NEWS OF THE SALE HIT THEM HARD.

THEY FOUND OUT VIA EMAIL.

>> IMAGINE PUTTING YOUR HEART AND SOUL INTO A PROJECT, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST HAVING THAT RIPPED AWAY FROM YOU.

IT IS A SCARY FEELING.

>> Reporter: HE IS ALSO A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS.

HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE FIRSTHAND.

HE WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING AT THE UT IN 2009.

>> YOU ARE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY AND THE SUCKER FACES YOU HAVE MADE AND THEN THEY DECIDE YOUR SERVICES ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT DOCTOR PAT SOON-SHIONG, WHO ALSO BOUGHT THE LA TIMES, SOLD THE PAPER TO ALDEN GLOBAL CAPITAL, THE HEDGE FUND GROUP BUYING PAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS COMPANY IS KNOWN FOR GUTTING NEWSPAPERS, AND SO THE PEOPLE OF SAN DIEGO SHOULD BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE UNION TRIBUNE RIGHT NOW.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE HEARD MIGHT HAPPEN FOR A LONG TIME.

TO SEE IT HAPPEN, IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE IS HEARTBROKEN FOR HER FORMER COLLEAGUES.

>> IT IS PRETTY HARD NEWS TO TAKE.

>> Reporter: LESS REPORTERS MEANS LESS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND FEWER VOICES THAT WILL BE HEARD.

SHE AND THOSE WHO WORK THERE FEAR MOST FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY BEYOND ANYTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GOING TO THIS CAREER BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THEY WANT TO SHARE WHAT IS GOING ON.

THEY WANT TO REPORT IT, SO YOU KNOW, REALLY THE LOSER HERE IS GOING TO BE THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SHE GOT EMOTIONAL WHEN SHE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THE PAPER IN THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE MEAN TO HER.

>> I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAUGHT ME HOW TO DO JOURNALISM THERE AT THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE.

YOU KNOW, I HOPE THAT EVERYTHING TURNS OUT FOR THE BEST.

>> Reporter: SHE ADVISES REPORTERS TO REACH OUT TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE RESOURCES TO HELP.

HE ADDS THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE TIME TO REINVENT THEMSELVES.

SOMETHING THEY AND EVERY JOURNALIST WILL NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE FAST CHANGING WORLD OF JOURNALISM.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK'S KPBS ROUNDTABLE DIGS INTO THE SALE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM.

YOU CAN LISTEN ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> THE SALE WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK OVER AT KPBS.ORG.

ANOTHER WAS A LOOK AT HOW AND WHY INSURANCE IS NOW MORE DIFFICULT TO GET IN CALIFORNIA.

IT IS NOT JUST HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE ANYMORE.

ALSO WE CHECKED IN WITH THE TIJUANA ALL-STAR TEAM AFTER THEY WON THE MEXICAN NATIONAL TITLE GAME THAT EARNED THEM A SPOT IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES.

>>> A LOT OF OUR ONLINE READERS ALSO CHECK OUT THE STORY ABOUT A MASSIVE NATURAL GAS BILL.

A COLDER THAN NORMAL WINTER AND LOW GAS SUPPLIES GENERATED RECORD HIGH PRICES THIS PAST WINTER.

ERIC ANDERSON SAYS FEW SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS GOT THE SURPRISE THAT CAME FOR ONE NORTH COUNTY RESIDENT.

>> Reporter: WHEN 88-YEAR-OLD JACK BABBITT OPENED HIS GAS BILL AT THE END OF JANUARY, HE WAS STUNNED.

THE CHARGE, $1282.53.

>> I THOUGHT THERE MUST BE A MISTAKE.

>> Reporter: HE IS JACK BABBITT'S GRANDSON.

>> SOMEBODY TYPED IN SOMETHING WRONG.

THERE IS JUST A MISTAKE.

AND WE WILL GET IT CORRECTED AND THAT WILL BE FINE.

>> Reporter: JACK BABBITT IS A MILITARY THAT AND A WIDOWER.

HE LIVES ALONE IN FALLBROOK VALLEY OFF OF INTERSTATE 15.

HIS TRAILER HAS A TYPICAL LINEUP OF GAS POWERED APPLIANCES, A GAS STOVE, HOT WATER HEATER, FURNACE, AND A GAS CLOSE DRIER.

THE ONE THING HE DOES NOT HAVE IS A SMART METER.

>> BECAUSE OF THE TOPOGRAPHY AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED, THEY DO NOT ENJOY THE ABILITY TO HAVE A RADIO SIGNAL THAT SENDS THEIR ACTUAL -- WHAT THEY USE FOR GAS ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS.

>> Reporter: A SDG&E EMPLOYEE HAS TO COME OUT AND TAKE A READING TO GET A MEASUREMENT OF THE GAS USE.

THEY SAY THAT THEY DO THAT EVERY OTHER MONTH AND USE ESTIMATES IN BETWEEN.

HIS BILLS INDICATE THAT DID NOT HAPPEN FOR NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE HUGE BILL LANDED.

AND THEN THE SDG&E BILL SAID HE USED NEARLY 5 TIMES THE AVERAGE HOMES NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION IN JANUARY.

>> I'M GOING TO HAVE A LOOK AT THESE PRIOR BILLS AND SEE WHAT I CAN LEARN ABOUT HOW THIS HAPPENED.

WHEN I TALK TO OR WHEN I LOOKED AT THEM, I REALIZED THEY WERE MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN I IMAGINED.

AND THEN I STARTED NOTICING THIS BUSINESS OF THE ESTIMATIONS OF USE.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, JACK BABBITT WAS BILLED ABOUT $200.

THE CHARGES WERE ESTIMATES, WHICH WERE ALMOST ALL LESS THAN $30 PER MONTH.

SDG&E SAYS THAT IS NOT EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> THE BILL SAYS THERE WERE NINE ESTIMATES IN A ROW, BUT IN REALITY, WE WENT TO THE HOME SEVERAL DAYS AFTER WE SENT HIM THE BILL AND THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.

SO WHILE THE BILL IDENTIFIED AN ESTIMATE, IN REALITY, TRUTHFULLY, WE MISSED ONE ESTIMATE, AND THAT WAS IN NOVEMBER.

>> Reporter: WHEN AN ACTUAL READING WAS TAKEN, GAS USE WAS SHARPLY HIGHER, MEANING THE MONTHLY ESTIMATES WERE WOEFULLY LOW AND HE GOT HIT EVEN HARDER BY THE COST OF GAS.

SDG&E CUSTOMERS PAY $5.11.

THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE DECEMBER PRICE, WHICH THE UTILITY HAD ALREADY WARNED WOULD BE EXPENSIVE.

>> THAT IS ACTUALLY UNIMAGINABLE HOW ANYBODY COULD RACK UP A HILL LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: DAN WOODWORTH IS A CONSUMER ADVOCATE .

HE SAYS THAT HE HAS SEEN OTHER CASES WHERE ESTIMATED READINGS LED TO OVERSIZED BILLS.

>> THEY HAVE TO GO OUT AND VIEW THE ACTUAL METER.

AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT EVERY TWO MONTHS.

THE STORIES THAT SDG&E HAS BEEN TELLING US IS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PERSONNEL TO GO OUT AND DO THAT BUT THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO TRAIN PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN GET PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT IT MEANS A CUSTOMER CAN END UP PAYING ABOVE BASELINE RATES.

UTILITY CHARGES MORE WHEN CUSTOMERS USE MORE AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE CONSERVATION.

>> IT ALWAYS HAS A VERY ANXIETY AROUSING EFFECT ON THE CUSTOMER TO GET A BILL OUT OF THE BLUE SO LARGE.

>> Reporter: RISING GAS BILLS IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO JANUARY COULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING SIGN THAT EVERYTHING WAS NOT OKAY.

THE MALFUNCTIONING HEATING DUCT DISCOVERED AFTER THAT BIG JANUARY BILL LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNUSUALLY HIGH GAS CONSUMPTION.

THAT STOKED FRUSTRATION ABOUT THE LONG RUN OF ESTIMATED BILLS.

>> IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SYSTEM, YOU WILL DETECT IT SOONER, SO YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH JUST ESTIMATING THESE THINGS MONTH AFTER MONTH AFTER MONTH.

>> Reporter: ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS SPOKE WITH SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC ABOUT JACK BABBITT'S SITUATION.

YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

OR YOU CAN WATCH IT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIRES SAN DIEGO TO OFFER SAM LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR ALL OF ITS PROGRAMS.

WE ATTENDED ONE SWIMMING LESSON TO SEE THE IMPACT.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, CLAIRE MONTHS IS LOUD, WITH SHRIEKS, SPLASHING, AND ADULTS EXERCISING PATIENCE.

RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT TO THIS NINE-YEAR-OLD IT MIGHT SOUND SOMETHING LIKE THIS -- SHE WAS BORN WITHOUT CERTAIN CELLS IN HER EARS THAT ARE NEEDED TO HEAR.

ATTACHED AT THE BACK OF HER NECK IS A CLEAR IMPLANT.

IT ALLOWS HER TO HEAR SOME SOUND, LIKE WHEN HER SWIMMING COACH CALLS.

HER SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER COMMUNICATES WHAT HER COACH IS EXPLAINING.

SOMETIMES POINTING TO HER COACH WHO DEMONSTRATES KICKS WITH HIS ARMS.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO WE TRIED TO GIVE HER SWIM LESSONS THROUGH A REGULAR PROGRAM THAT THE HEARING WORLD USES AND SHE CANNOT CATCH ON.

>> Reporter: INTERPRETER SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF THE CITY'S PROGRAMS BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THEY EXIST.

>> WE DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS AVAILABLE AND WE WERE TRYING TO DO SWIM LESSONS FOR THE PUBLIC.

WE WERE NOT GETTING ANYWHERE UNTIL HER DEATH FRIENDS MOM TOLD US THAT WE COULD ASK FOR AN INTERPRETER.

>> Reporter: THEIR HOPING TO EXPAND OFFERINGS.

>> IF THERE WAS MORE, A VARIETY OF SPORTS THAT THEY WOULD OFFER THE INTERPRETER TWO, I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT.

>> Reporter: SHE PRACTICES TAE KWON DO, WHICH IS NOT YET OFFERED BY THE CITY.

SHE ALSO PLAYS VOLLEYBALL.

>> FOR THE DEAF KIDS TO BE ABLE TO BE ON A TEAM AND INTERACT WITH HEARING CHILDREN, I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND THEY CAN BE ON A TEAM AND AS GOOD AS THE OTHER TEAMMATES.

>> Reporter: SHE WANTED BELLA TO BE A STRONG SWIMMER FOR SAFETY.

>> SHE FEELS MUCH MORE CONFIDENT IN THE WATER AND NOW SHE IS NOT AFRAID TO GO INTO THE OCEAN BY HERSELF.

SHE IS WILLING TO JUMP IN WHERE BEFORE SHE WOULD JUST HOLD ONTO THE EDGE.

AND THEN I FEEL THAT SENSE OF ABILITY AND CONFIDENCE HAS EXPANDED ITSELF INTO SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLERBLADING.

IT HAS BEEN A BOOST.

>> Reporter: BROWN SAYS THAT NEW CONFIDENCE EMPOWERED HER TO APPROACH PEOPLE AND MAKE FRIENDS TOO.

>> SHE IS INCLUDED MORE WITH THE OTHER KIDS AT THE PLAYGROUND.

>> Reporter: FOR HER INTERPRETER, IT IS ABOUT BASIC EQUITY.

>> IT IS PART OF LIFE.

IT IS SOMETHING A KID WANTS TO DO.

>> Reporter: IT IS EVEN MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD FOR BELLA.

WHILE HE INTERPRETS, SHE SIGNS HER REASONS FOR SWIMMING.

>> BECAUSE I NEED TO LEARN.

AND EXERCISE MY LEGS AND BECOME SMART.

I LIKE THE SWIMMING, I JUST LOVE IT.

>>> SCHOOL IS STILL IN SESSION FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SUMMER CLASSES.

FOR SOME, THE CURRICULUM IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

WE HAVE MORE ON A METAPHYSICAL MISSION TO MARS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE -- >> Reporter: GETTING OFF THE GROUND IS THE FIRST STRETCH OF THE MILLIONS OF MILES IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE IT TO MARS.

THESE ARE NOT REAL ROCKETS, ALTHOUGH THEIR FAILURE BRINGS SOME VERY REAL FEELINGS.

>> WHEN IT CRASHED, WE SAW THAT THE PART OF THIS WAS BURNED.

>> Reporter: THIS 12-YEAR-OLD AND HIS CLASSMATE KNOW THE AGONY OF DEFEAT WHEN IT COMES TO ROCKET SCIENCE.

>> I'M PRETTY SURE THAT WE USED THE ELMER GLUE AND WE SHOULD HAVE USED THE HOT GLUE SINCE IT WAS STRONGER.

>> Reporter: THIS TEAM IS ONE OF DOZENS MADE UP OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS SPENDING FIVE WEEKS IN SUMMER SCHOOL.

THE LESSONS ARE EMBEDDED IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH, WITH FOCUS ON PLANNING A SUPPLY MISSION TO A COLONY ON MARS.

>> WHAT I HAVE HEARD IS IT IS DRY LIKE A DESERT.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS TO BE A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER.

HE IS THINKING ABOUT HOW THAT WOULD WORK WAY OUT THERE.

>> IT WOULD BE WEIRD BECAUSE OF THE GRAVITY AND THE BALL WOULD GO EVERYWHERE WHEN YOU KICK IT.

>> WHEN WE ARE CREATING OUR GAME WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE THIS SPACESHIP MOVE.

>> Reporter: SPACESHIPS AND ROCKETS ARE CRITICAL.

THESE STUDENTS ARE USING A VIDEOGAME TO DESIGNED THEIRS, WHICH GETS YOU INTO OUTER SPACE MUCH EASIER AND SAFER TOO.

>> FOR ME, THE THOUGHT OF GOING INTO SPACE IS SCARY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO RESEARCH MANY THINGS IN SPACE LIKE PLANETS AND BLACK HOLES AND STUFF.

>> VIDEO GAMES ARE A GREAT WAY TO ENGAGE STUDENTS WHO DID NOT PUT A LOT INTO SCHOOL AND EVEN THOSE KIDS, WHEN VIDEOGAMES ARE ON THE TABLE, THEY START GETTING INTO IT.

>> IT WILL NOT ALWAYS COME OUT AS PLANNED, BUT THAT IS HOW YOU HAVE TRIALS AND LEARN BETTER SO NEXT TIME IT WILL BE EASIER.

>> Reporter: FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THEM AFTER LEARNING THEIR LESSON.

>> WE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT PERFECTLY.

WE ARE GOING TO GLUE IT CORRECTLY AND WE ARE GOING TO LAUNCH IT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

>>> THE HISTORIC LAFAYETTE HOTEL IN NORTHPARK REOPENED AFTER CLOSING FOR MAJOR RENOVATIONS LAST OCTOBER.

MELISSA SHOWS US ALL OF THE UPGRADES TO THIS LANDMARK.

>> Reporter: FROM THE OUTSIDE THE LAFAYETTE HOTEL AND CLUB MAINTAINS ITS TALL WHITE COLUMNS.

>> WE WERE INTENTIONAL ABOUT RESPECTING THE HISTORY AND WHAT IT DOES FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE LOCAL CULTURE.

>> Reporter: BUT AS SOON AS YOU STEP INSIDE -- >> WE WORK WITH THOUSANDS OF DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS TO REALLY BRING THE BEAUTY TO THIS PLACE.

>> Reporter: THE COST OF THIS REMODEL?

$31 MILLION.

>> THE IDEA THAT YOU WANT TO COME INTO A SPACE AND ACTUALLY BE ALMOST VISUALLY STIMULATED WHEREVER YOU SEE.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING FOR THE LAFAYETTE.

>> SOME OF IT IS NEW AGE BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WANT TO ELEVATE THE COMMUNITY AND BRING SOMETHING REALLY COOL TO NORTH PARK.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE FIRST HOTEL OWNED AND DEVELOPED BY CH PRODUCTS, THE HOSPITALITY GROUP KNOWN FOR ITS ICONIC RESTAURANTS.

>> WE HAVE DONE REALLY WELL IN THE RESTAURANT SPACE AND ALL THE SPACES ARE VERY ECLECTIC AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF OPULENCE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE RESTAURANT SPACE IS THAT IT GIVES BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

LAFAYETTE, BEING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR ALMOST 77 YEARS, THIS RIGHT HERE FELT LIKE IT WAS HOME FOR US.

>> Reporter: THE LOBBY BAR IS THE EPICENTER OF THE BAR, CITY BETWEEN A 24 HOUR DINER, RETAIL SHOP, AND OF COURSE THE HISTORIC POOL.

>> WE RESTORED THE POOL AND DID THE TILING.

WE DO NOT TOUCH IT TOO MUCH BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE VERY INSTRUMENTAL FOCAL POINTS OF THE PROPERTY.

THIS POOL WAS DESIGNED BY THE VERY FIRST TARZAN AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE KEPT A LITTLE OF HIS SPIRIT IN THE POOL AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE POOLS FEATURE AN ECLECTIC MIX OF STYLES.

WILLIS DESCRIBES THE THEME OF THE HOTEL.

>> IT IS COMMUNITY.

I WOULD SAY THAT IS THE THING.

WHEN WE CREATE SPACES, PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A PLACE THAT GIVES THEM A LITTLE ESCAPISM, BUT IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE THINKING OF STAYING HERE, ROOM RATES START AT $299 PER NIGHT.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.