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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, COMING UP THE END OF FRIENDSHIP PARK.

A NEW BORDER WALL IS SET TO WIPE OUT THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING PLACE, NORTH COUNTY'S FOOD DESERT, THE CLOSURE OF A SUPERMARKET IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD MAKES IT THAT MUCH HARDER FOR RESIDENTS TO FIND HEALTHY OPTIONS.

AND CELEBRATING SPIDER-MAN IN SAN DIEGO, SEE THE ATTRIBUTE TO THE SUPERHERO AS COMIC-CON GETS READY TO MAKE ITS BIG RETURN.

>>> THIS MONTH WILL BRING SOME OF THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR TO SAN DIEGO, JOHN CARROLL CAUGHT UP WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SAY THE CITY IS READY TO KEEP THE CROWDS SAFE.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO REASONS TO BE WORRIED OVER THE COMING WEEKS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN TAKE ITS PICK.

FRESH IN EVERYONE'S MIND, THE BRUTAL AND DEADLY ATTACK ON THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE IN HIGHLAND PARK ILLINOIS.

AND IN JUNE, PRIDE MONTH, A NUMBER OF DISTURBING INCIDENTS, INCLUDING WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SIZABLE PLANNED ATTACK ON THE PRIDE ATTACK IN COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO, STOPPED BY POLICE.

IN THE SHADOW OF HILLCREST AND THE MASSIVE PRIDE FLAG, A NOTICE OF REASSURANCE FROM THE SAN DIEGO POLICE, LIEUTENANT JONATHAN LOW TALKING ABOUT SECURITY PREPARATIONS FOR SAN DIEGO PRIDE NEXT WEEK AND COMIC-CON A WEEK LATER.

>> WE WILL HAVE UNIFORMED OFFICERS AND NONUNIFORMED OFFICERS IN THE CROWD.

ALWAYS WATCHING OVER THE PARADE ROUTE, THE FESTIVAL AND THE ASSOCIATED PARTIES AROUND HILLCREST, THE SAME GOES FOR COMIC-CON AS WELL.

>> Reporter: IN THE CASE OF PRIDE, SAN DIEGO POLICE ARE GETTING SOME EXTRA HELP FROM THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

THE OWNER SITS ON THE ASSOCIATION BOARD, HE SAYS HE AND HIS FELLOW HILLCREST BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE BEEN TALKING RECENTLY ABOUT HOW TO MAKE SURE SECURITY THIS YEAR IS TIGHTER THAN EVER.

>> OUR EXITS ARE CLEAR AND PROPERLY LIT.

OUR SECURITY STAFF IS ON POINT, WE HAVE EXTRA SECURITY GUARDS THAT ARE TRAINED.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND OBVIOUSLY MORE SO ON PRIDE WEEKEND.

>> Reporter: SECURITY AT BIG EVENTS CAME UP THIS WEEK WHEN HE SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA APPEARED ON KPBS MIDDAY ADDITION.

>> IT IS FRUSTRATING TO HAVE THIS THREAT OF VIOLENCE IMPACTING THIS EVENT.

>> Reporter: BUT TODD GLORIA SAYS THAT HE IS CONFIDENT IN A LAW-ENFORCEMENT ABILITY TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> I HAVE FAITH IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

>> Reporter: EVEN WITH ALL OF THE REASSURING WORDS, THERE IS THAT NAGGING REALITY, THAT A PERSON WITH A GUN, DETERMINED TO CAUSE MAYHEM AND VIOLENCE CAN.

THAT IS WHY THE WORDS THAT CAME INTO OUR LEXICON AFTER 9/11, STILL RING TRUE TODAY.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ACTIVISTS ARE ANGERED OVER THE APPARENT YOU PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE SEPARATED BY THE BORDER CAN MEET FACE-TO-FACE.

KPBS PORTER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS IS TELLING US WHY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO REBUILD THE BORDER WALL AT THE EXPENSE OF FRIENDSHIP PARK.

>> Reporter: THIS LATER ANNOUNCEMENT, LATER ANNOUNCED TO THE COMPLETE DESECRATION OF THIS HISTORIC LOCATION.

A LONGTIME ADVOCATE FOR FRIENDSHIP PARK, HE SAYS REPLACING THE EXISTING FENCE WITH 230 FEET WALLS WOULD DESTROY ANY UNITY IN THE SPACE.

MENTIONED PARK IS LOCATED IN A COASTAL BORDERLANDS NEAR THE BEACH AND IT HAS BECOME HOLLOW GROUND FIRST FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN, SEPARATED BY THE BORDER.

THEY USE THIS AS A GATHERING SPACE WHERE THEY CAN SEE AND TALK TO EACH OTHER BUT PLANS FOR THE NEW WALL DO NOT INCLUDE DATES OR ANY SPACE FOR FAMILIES TO SEE EACH OTHER.

HE IS SHOCKED BY THE PLANS, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN RAN ON A CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO STOP THE BORDER WALL.

>> AND THAT IS REALLY DISAPPOINTING, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THERE WAS THIS PROMISE THAT THINGS WERE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT, AND THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY MORE WALLS.

>> Reporter: THE PARK HAS BEEN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2020 AND IT WAS INITIALLY CLOSED BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN BUT BORDER PROTECTION HAS TO REOPEN IT, CITING STAFFING ISSUES, THE PARK SAYS, THAT FAMILIES HELPING TO REVISIT AND REUNITE WITH LOVED ONES, HE HAS HAD TO BREAK THE FAMILIES TRAVELING FROM AS FAR AWAY AS SEATTLE.

>> EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS IT IS A TRAGEDY AND IT BREAKS OUR HEARTS.

ROMAN CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION CONFIRMED THEIR PLANS TO READ LOCATE BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND DIRECTLY TO QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC ACCESS IN THE FUTURE.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE WEEK STARTED WITH INDEPENDENCE AND SAN DIEGANS WERE NOT IN A MOOD TO CELEBRATE.

ABORTION-RIGHTS SUPPORTERS, USED FOURTH OF JULY AS A DAY OF PROTEST.

>> Reporter: IT IS A FAMILIAR CHANT, AND A VERY FAMILIAR FIGHT, FOR THOSE WOMEN WHO REMEMBER A TIME BEFORE THE 1973 SUPREME COURT RULING ON ROE V. WADE, THAT LEGALIZED ABORTION.

>> I MEAN IT WAS A BATTLE AND IT WAS IN WASHINGTON, IT WAS ON THE STREET, IT WAS CONSTANT, SITTING WITH LEGISLATORS.

AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

50 YEARS LATER DOING THE SAME THING.

IT IS RIDICULOUS.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS WANTED A PLACE TO BE ANGRY AND HURT TODAY.

MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE.

THE PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION SAN DIEGO TOOK THE LEAD IN ORGANIZING THIS EVENT IN BALBOA PARK.

THEY PLACED THE BLAME FOR RECENT INJUSTICE ON CORPORATIONS, AND PEOPLE IN POWER.

>> ABORTION-RIGHTS, THE ATTACK ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS, POLICE BRUTALITY, AND ENDLESS WARS, THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL OF THOSE THINGS IS CAPITALISM.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL OF THE PROTESTERS SUPPORT SOCIALISM, THEY COME WITH OTHER BELIEFS AND BACKGROUNDS.

BUT THEY ARE UNITED IN DEMANDING THE TRUTH.

INCLUDING THEIR OWN PERSONAL STORIES, THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS.

>> SO I MADE AN EXTREMELY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY AND PAINFUL JOINTS AND IT WAS MY CHOICE, TO TAKE A PILL THAT TERMINATED THE PREGNANCY.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZERS CALL THIS A PROTEST, A RALLY AND A MARCH.

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

THEY DO NOT CALL IT A CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AN ONLINE MOVEMENT FLOODED SOCIAL MEDIA.

WITH THE MESSAGE THAT THE FOURTH OF JULY WAS CANCELED.

DUE TO A LACK OF INDEPENDENCE FOR WOMEN.

ALISHA SHAW, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN'S MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA, HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, IT IS NOT MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY ANYWAY, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF MEANINGFUL PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME BACK THEN.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE DAY WILL COME IN THE DAY WILL GO.

AND WE WILL STILL BE LOOKING FOR WAYS WHERE WE CAN GALVANIZE AND FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: SOME SAY THIS GOOD FIGHT IS FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> OBVIOUSLY, THIS ANTIABORTION THING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES AND THE COMBINATION HAS BEEN WITH THE LIARS ON THE SUPREME COURT.

AND WE MUST MAKE SOME CHANGES HERE, WE MUST BAND TOGETHER, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN.

MIKE DUNN IS A MESSAGE THAT THESE PROTESTERS HOPE WAS HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THINK OF THE NEAREST GROCERY STORE TO YOUR HOME, IF IT WERE TO CLOSE DOWN, HOW WOULD IT IMPACT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

KPBS TANIA THORNE TAKES A LOOK AT HOW AVON'S CLOSING OF DOORS THAT MAKE IT HARD FOR SOME TO ACCESS FRESH AND HEALTHY FOOD.

>> Reporter: THEY USED TO GET THE GROCERIES FROM BOSTON VISTA, IT WAS LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM THEIR HOUSE, BUT THAT VONS IS NOW CLOSED AND BOARDED UP .

>> BEING ABLE TO HAVE A GROCERY STORE THAT IS VERY CLOSE AND ACCESSIBLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO US.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE FEELING REALLY THE STRONG EFFECTS OF NOW BEING FORCED TO DRIVE A CONSIDERABLE WAY, TO GET FRESH FOOD.

>> Reporter: AVALOS SAYS THAT THE CLOSURE DOESN'T COME AS A SURPRISE BECAUSE WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE SHOPPING CENTER STARTED TO FEEL UNSAFE.

>> THERE WERE MANY TIMES I WOULD GET OUT OF MY CAR AND BE ACCOSTED.

AND -- AND I STOPPED GOING THERE COMPLETELY AT NIGHT.

I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE VONS CENTER AT NIGHT FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS, IT SIMPLY DOES NOT FEEL SAFE.

I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO ALSO FREQUENTED THAT SHOPPING CENTER ARE USED TO FREQUENT THAT SHOPPING CENTER FELT THE SAME WAY.

>> Reporter: KPBS REQUESTED AN INTERVIEW TO ASK FOR A REASON FOR THE CLOSURE BUT THE COMPANY DID NOT RESPOND BUT WE TALKED TO SOME EMPLOYEES WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE REPORTED OUT OF FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS.

SOME THINK THE DOORS CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED HOMELESS IN THE AREA.

ANDY STORE WAS DEALING WITH IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

OTHERS TOLD US IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND THE STORE NOT MAKING A PROFIT.

NO MATTER THE REASON, THE CLOSURE ADDS TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF EMPTY STORES IN THE SHOPPING CENTER.

AVALOS THINKS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS NEGLECTED THIS PART OF THE CITY WHILE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS DOWNTOWN.

>> THEY HAVE MOVED MOUNTAINS TO BRING IN NEW STORES AND GREAT RESTAURANTS AND BREWERIES AND IT HASN'T NECESSARILY BEEN BAD, BUT WE CAN'T FOCUS ON ONE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THEN TURN OUR BACK ON ANOTHER PART.

>> Reporter: AVALOS SAYS THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A CAR AND BE ABLE TO DRIVE FURTHER.

BUT SHE KNOWS NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT PRIVILEGE.

SPIEGEL >> PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY THAT CAN TAKE THEM REGULARLY TO THE GROCERY STORE.

AND EVEN WHEN THEY VONS HERE, ONE OF THE SADDEST THINGS THAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE -- THIS I SAW EVERY DAY -- OUR POOR PEOPLE CARRYING GROCERIES.

SOMETIMES IN THE HOT SUN, SOMETIMES IN THE RAIN.

>> Reporter: 76-YEAR-OLD ALEXIS WHITE DOES NOT OWN A CAR, BUT SHE HAS A MOTORIZED SCOOTER.

>> SO I GET IN IT AND RIDE OVER AND BRING THE STUFF BACK.

>> Reporter: WHITE LIVES IN A SENIOR COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STREET FROM VONS.

SHE AND MANY OF HER NEIGHBORS RELIED ON IT.

>> IT IS MAKING IT HARD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I NEVER KNEW THAT I WOULD MISS IT.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE CLOSURE OF VONS, SHE HAS MADE THE JOURNEY TO WINCO AT OCEANSIDE WHERE SHE THINKS GROCERIES ARE AFFORDABLY PRICED.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO VISIT THE CHEAPER START AND I GUESS IT'S NOT TOO FAR, I CAN TAKE THE BUS OVER OR THE TRAIN.

FROM A CITY COUNCILMEMBER SAYS THAT FOOD SECURITY IS AN ISSUE FOR MANY RESIDENTS AND THE LOSS OF A GROCERY STORE MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.

>> IT IS REALLY HEARTBREAKING.

I JUST, I FEAR THAT THE QUALITY OF NUTRITION IS GOING TO BE GOING DOWN.

BECAUSE WHAT IS MOST ACCESSIBLE THEIR, IS YOU GO TO CVS, OR 7/11.

YOU WILL NOT GET THE NUTRITIONAL OR DIETARY NEEDS FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP WITHOUT HEALTH CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: CONTRERAS SAYS THAT CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO DISCUSS SAFETY CONCERNS AND HOW TO GET THE NEARBY RESIDENTS ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD.

>> WE CANNOT SURVIVE OFF OF FAST FOOD, WE CANNOT SURVIVE OFF OF CONVENIENCE FOOD.

WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, AND WE NEED REAL FOOD TO GROW.

AND WE NEED A SAFE PLACE TO BE ABLE TO SHOP.

SO, WITH VONS LEAVING, IT REALLY GIVES ME A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT SHOPPING CENTER.

>> Reporter: THE CITY HAS NO INFORMATION ON WHAT IS TAKING ITS PLACE BECAUSE IT IS A PRIVATE SALE.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR STORIES ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> CONCERNS OVER A NEW VARIANT OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

IT SPREADS AT A RAPID RATE, >>> THE EMBASSY ISSUES A SECURITY ALERT.

>>> AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO SAYS THERE IS A STRANGE ODOR IN SOME LOCAL TAP WATER IT IS NOT HARMFUL AND ONLY TEMPORARY.

>>> KPBS HAS REPORTED ON SOME EFFORTS BY EMPLOYEES TO REFUSE VACCINATIONS AND IT TURNS OUT THAT TESTING IS ALSO BEING CHALLENGED ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER HAS AN UPDATE ON THOSE AT RISK OF BEING FIRED.

>> Reporter: THE CITY HAS CONFIRMED IT HAS ISSUED ADVANCED NOTICE OF TERMINATION LETTERS TO AT LEAST THREE DOZEN EMPLOYEES AND HALF OF THEM IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

KPBS OBTAINED THE LETTER TEMPLATES TO A PUBLIC RECORD.

THE LETTERS SAY THE EMPLOYEE'S REFUSAL TO TAKE COVID TESTS AMOUNTS TO INSUBORDINATION, OR SERIOUS BREACH OF DISCIPLINE.

BUT THE LETTERS ARE JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE CITY DISMISSAL PROCESS FOR THE WORKERS.

IT SAYS, CITY SPOKESPERSON, NICOLE DARLENE.

>> EMPLOYEES WERE GRANTED AN EXEMPTION, ARE REQUIRED TO DO THE WEEKLY TESTING.

THERE ARE SEVERAL EMPLOYEES IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THAT WEEKLY TESTING ACCOMMODATION.

SO THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WILL BE ISSUED AND ADVANCED NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

AND THEY WILL BE AFFORDED ALL OF THEIR DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS TO REPRESENTATION.

SO THE CITY HAS ISSUED, ALREADY, ADVANCED NOTICE OF TERMINATION LETTERS TO APPROXIMATELY TWO DOZEN EMPLOYEES AND OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THAT WEEKLY TESTING ACCOMMODATION.

THOSE EMPLOYEES HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFORDED THEIR DUE PROCESS RIGHTS AND RIGHTS TO REPRESENTATION.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO APPROVED THE VAST MAJORITY OF REQUEST TO SKIP THE COVID VACCINE FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS BUT WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THOSE EMPLOYEES THEN SUBMIT TO REGULAR TESTING.

ABOUT 10% OF EMPLOYEES, MOST OF THEM POLICE, ALSO INSISTED THAT TESTING VIOLATES THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

THEY SAID THEIR CHRISTIAN BELIEFS INSTRUCT THEM NOT TO USE TESTING SWABS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN ETHYLENE OXIDE.

THE CHEMICAL IS A KNOWN CARCINOGEN, BUT IT IS NOT ACTUALLY PRESENT ON THE SWABS.

IT IS USED AS A GAS TO STERILIZE THEM.

MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXPERTS SAY THAT THE EMPLOYEES CLAIMS ARE GROUNDLESS.

KPBS ASKED TODD GLORIA FOR HIS RESPONSE TO THE CLAIMS.

HE SAYS -- >> I THINK WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PATIENT WITH THESE FOLKS.

WE HAVE WORKED ON THIS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE AT AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE.

SO TO THE EXTENT THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN BE CONTINUED TO WORK, THAT IS NOT IDEAL, BUT WE OF COURSE WILL FOLLOW OUR DUE PROCESS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND HOPE AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE, THAT THEY WILL COME INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> Reporter: EMPLOYEES CAN APPEAL AND THEN GO THROUGH WHAT IS CALLED A HEARING.

AFTER THAT, IF THE CITY STILL DECIDES TO FIRE THE EMPLOYEE, HE OR SHE WOULD GET A NOTICE OF TERMINATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEAD.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A RECRUITS DEATH WHILE TRAINING TO BE A NAVY SEAL IS RAISING NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WEEK BOOT CAMP.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTED STEVE WALSH SAYS AN AUTOPSY RELEASED BY THE FAMILY SHOWED INADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE.

>> Reporter: REGINA MULLINS SAYS THAT SHE TRUSTED THE SEALS WITH HER SONS KYLE'S LIFE AND THEY FAILED HIM.

>> YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO RESERVOIRS, AND THEY ARE DOING IT TO THEIR OWN ATHLETIC, YOUNG, BRIGHT MEN THAT ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY, THEY ARE TORTURING THEM.

IT IS NOT TRAINING.

>> Reporter: MULLINS HAD PLAYED FOOTBALL, HE DIED FEBRUARY 4th, HOURS AFTER FINISHING WEEK.

THE ENDURANCE TEST AS PART OF A NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT SEAL BASIC TRAINING.

THE AUTOPSY CONFIRMS HER SON WAS LEFT ALONE IN THE BARRACKS WITH OTHER CANDIDATES WHO IT ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF BEING SICK.

KYLE MOLIN WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE ON THE BARRACKS FLOOR AFTER ANOTHER CANDIDATE CALLED FOR MEDICAL HELP FOR HIMSELF.

>> SEVERE PNEUMONIA, THERE IS NO REASON WHY A 24-YEAR-OLD SHADDAI OF SEVERE PNEUMONIA, AND HE WAS NOT TREATED.

THEY KNEW THAT HE HAD IT.

>> Reporter: HE WAS FOUND WITH HIS OWN BLOOD AND MUCUS.

THE AUTOPSY REVEALED KYLE MOLIN DIED OF STREPTOCOCCUS A TYPE OF PNEUMONIA ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH MILITARY BASES.

REGINA MOLIN IS A REGISTERED NURSE, SHE SAID HER SON WAS STRUGGLING TO BREATHE WHEN HE CALLED HER A FEW HOURS BEFORE HE DIED.

>> YOU ALL KNEW THAT MY SON WAS AND THE MEDICAL TEAM AND THE INSTRUCTORS, THE LIEUTENANT, THE COMMANDER HAD TO HAVE KNOWN SEEING THE GUY SPITTING UP BLOOD.

THEY SENT THE MEDICAL TEAM HOME AND THEY LET HIM DIE.

>> Reporter: WEEK HAS BEEN ON VIRTUALLY CHANGED SINCE THE 1970S, FOR NEARLY A WEEK, CANDIDATES ARE SUBMERGED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN, FORCED TO CONTINUALLY SWIM OR MARCH WITH BOATS ON THEIR BACK AND GET LITTLE SLEEP, BY THE END, THEY WERE HALLUCINATING, REGINA MOLIN SAYS THAT HER SON WERE TOLD HE COULD GET MEDICAL HELP IF HE COULD RING A BELL THREE TIMES BUT THAT WAS ALSO THE SIGNAL THAT HE WANTED TO GIVE UP.

>> IT IS WHERE YOU HAVE TO RING A BELL AND THEN THEY WILL GIVE YOU MEDICAL AND RINGING THE BELL IS QUITTING.

>> THAT IS A GAME THAT THE INSTRUCTORS PLAY THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT THEY SAY STUFF LIKE THAT, IT IS NOT ABSOLUTE, IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE THAT THEY MEANT IT.

>> ROBERT ADAMS IS A MEDICAL DOCTOR AND A FORMER SEAL, HE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT WEEK, ADAM SAYS THAT MEDICAL TEAMS ARE THERE TO MONITOR CANDIDATES DURING THE EXERCISE.

>> OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE FOLLOWED SEAL TRAINING AS A PHYSICIAN LOOKING BACK AND SEEING REPORTS THAT PNEUMONIA IS USUALLY AND SOMEONE PULLED OUT OF WEEK AND TOLD HE CAN'T GO ON.

AND THEY ARE SCREAMING, PLEASE DON'T POOL ME.

>> Reporter: IF THEY DON'T CONTINUE, CANDIDATES OTHER LEAVE OR THEY CAN BE ENROLLED TO TRY AGAIN WITH ANOTHER CLASS.

KYLE MOLIN HAD ALREADY BEEN ROLLED BACK ONCE.

REGINA MOLIN SAYS THAT THE SEALS TOLD HER THAT INSTRUCTORS LIKE KYLE AND HE PUSHED HIM TO FINISH THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

BUT SHE SAYS CANDIDATES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY CAN DO IT.

>> THEY PROBABLY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IT IS AND DELIRIOUS.

HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THEM TO TAKE AND MAKE THAT DECISION KNOWING WHAT THEIR MEDICAL CONDITION IS?

>> Reporter: TO TALK ABOUT TRAINING LIKE YOU FIGHT, WEEK IS A TRAINING OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ENDURANCE, INSTRUCTORS TRY TO PUSH CANDIDATES PAST WHAT THEY THINK ARE THERE LIMITS.

JEFF BUTLER IS A FORMER SEAL.

>> THE GOAL OF IT IS, TO BEAT OUT PEOPLE THAT AREN'T GOING TO HAVE THE MENTAL FORTITUDE, TO NOT QUIT.

I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE, GUYS WILL GO UNTIL THEY HAVE LIFE-THREATENING PNEUMONIA.

>> Reporter: BUTLER'S FATHER WAS ALSO A SEAL, WHILE WARFARE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

WEEK HASN'T.

>> IS A RITUAL TO GETS TO SEE WHO CAN BE A PART OF THE ORGANIZATION.

I'M SURE THAT'S HOW THEY SEE IT.

THERE ARE SOME GATEKEEPERS WHO ARE KEEPING IT THE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS HOW INSTRUCTORS OFTEN THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THEY TOLD CONGRESS IN MAY THAT AFTER KYLE MOLIN AND HIS DEATH, THE MEDICAL STAFF HAD AVAILABLE, INSTEAD OF JUST ON CALL AFTER WEEK.

THE MOTHER SAYS THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

SHE SAYS, THEY NEED AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATION.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> 3-D TECHNOLOGY BEING USED IN SAN DIEGO'S HELPING DOCTORS IMPROVE THEIR CRAFT.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SHOWS US HOW IT WORKS IN THE OPERATING ROOM.

>> Reporter: SHOULDER SURGERIES AT SCRIPPS HEALTH ARE TAKING ON A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION.

>> BRING IT INTO THE OPERATING ROOM, IT HAS BEEN AN INTEREST FOR A WHILE NOW.

>> Reporter: ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, IS THE FIRST DOCTOR TO USE A MIXED REALITY SYSTEM FOR SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERIES.

IT IS NOT VIRTUAL-REALITY, BECAUSE DOCTORS CAN STILL SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING, SURGEONS WEAR A HEADSET WITH SPECIAL EYEGLASSES, THEY SHOW HOLOGRAPHIC SURGERY MODELS IN THREE DIMENSIONS.

TO THE DOCTOR, THE IMAGES LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ALMOST SUSPENDED UP IN THE AIR.

>> THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN MANIPULATE THOSE HOLOGRAMS AND THEY LOOK A LITTLE FUNNY AND IT IS VOICE COMMANDED, VISUAL COMMAND WITH YOUR FINGERS.

BUT I CAN DRAG THAT OVER, ALMOST AS IF IT WOULD BE A PIECE OF ART THAT YOU ARE REPLICATING.

>> Reporter: TO CREATE THE HOLOGRAM MODEL, PATIENTS HAVE TO GO UNDER A CT SCAN.

PRECISION IS KEY WHEN IT COMES TO SHOULDER PROCEDURES.

AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE A DIGITAL REFERENCE RIGHT IN HIS EYE LINE HELPS WITH COMPLICATED OPERATIONS.

>> SHOULDER REPLACEMENT IS A GAME OF MILLIMETERS.

AND, YOU KNOW TO BE OFF BY JUST A LITTLE BIT COULD HAVE SEVERE IMPLICATIONS.

SO FOR US TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS AND MAKE IT PERFECT EACH TIME, I THINK IT IS A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT TO PATIENTS HERE.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK HE COMPLETED HIS FIRST SHOULDER IMPLANT USING THIS NEW MIXED REALITY SYSTEM.

HE SAID THE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT A FAD, AND IT IS ALL GEARED IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT HOW SURGERY HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, WE HAVE ROBOTS IN THE OPERATING ROOM, WE ARE NOW BRINGING MIXED REALITY HEADSETS IN THE OPERATING ROOM, OUR IMPLANTS ARE GETTING BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE MIXED REALITY SYSTEM WAS CREATED BY THE MEDICAL SUPPLIER STRIKER A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THAT THIS FOCUS TECHNOLOGY IS ON SHOULDER SURGERIES BUT OTHER COMPANIES HAVE USED SIMILAR VERSIONS FOR SPINE AND HIP PROCEDURES.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE, WE ALSO LIVE STREAM EVENING EDITION, THAT IS TONIGHT AT 5:00.

>>> AFTER MISSING TWO YEARS, COMIC-CON RETURNS IN FULL FORCE TO THE CONVENTION CENTER THIS MONTH.

ALREADY WE ARE SEEING POP-UPS, AND WE ARE TAKEN TO THE COMIC- CON MUSEUM IN BALBOA PARK.

>> Reporter: THE ICONIC MARVEL SUPERHERO WILL BE FOREVER INGRAINED IN OUR POP-CULTURE CONSCIOUSNESS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY STUMBLED INTO, I THINK IS WHEN THEY TOOK THE CONCEPT AS A TEENAGER, WHICH WAS A RELATIVELY NEW CONCEPT, IN SOCIOLOGICAL TERMS.

AND DECIDED THAT THEY COULD TURN A SUPERHERO INTO AN ALLEGORY FOR THAT PAIN OF BEING A TEENAGER.

AND I THINK THAT HAS PERSISTED THROUGH MANY VERSIONS OF SPIDER- MAN AND HE REMAINS THE SUPERHERO THAT IS RELATABLE TO THE DEGREE THAT HE'S MISUNDERSTOOD AND INSECURE.

AND HE TRIES TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT IT ISN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZED THAT HE HAS DONE SO.

THERE IS NO REWARD FOR BEING SPIDER-MAN AND HE CONTINUES TO DO IT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE EMPATHIZE WITH HIM AND RESPOND TO THAT.

>> HE WAS KIND OF A KID, AND I KIND OF FELT LIKE EVEN THEN, I RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS A RELATABLE CHARACTER.

I WANTED TO BE SPIDER-MAN I WANTED TO PUT ON THAT SUIT AND SWING AROUND THE CITY.

>> YOU CAN RELATE AND ADMIRE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLIMB UP WALLS AND SWING OVER THE CITY AND SHOOT WEBS OUT OF YOUR HANDS.

THERE IS SOMETHING JUST REALLY INNATELY AMAZING ABOUT SPIDER- MAN.

>> Reporter:, CON MUSEUM GOES BEYOND AMAZING WITH A NEW EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE POPULAR WEB SINGER.

THE EXHIBIT WAS CALCULATED BY BEN SAUNDERS AND PATRICK REED.

>> WE HAVE 60 YEARS OF POP CULTURAL MATERIAL TO DRAW UPON.

MUCH EVERY AVAILABLE MEDIA PLATFORM.

>> WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS ABOUT THE INNATE POWER OF THE MUSEUM MEDIUM TO TELL STORIES.

IT IS BASED AROUND HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, OBJECTS, ORIGINAL, ARE ART.

PROPS, WE ALSO USED ALL SORTS OF MODERN TECHNIQUES.

LIGHTING, PROJECTIONS, HIGH- DEFINITION DIGITAL CANVASES, TO TELL THE STORY AND A MORE KINETIC WAY.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES TELLING THAT STORY INVOLVES PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN TO LOOK AT THE CREATIVE PROCESS THROUGH THE ORIGINAL ART THAT WAS USED TO CREATE THE COMIC BOOKS.

>> THE PRODUCTION ART IS WHAT WE INTENDED FOR DISPLAY WITH A HAND-DRAWN ORIGINAL FROM WHICH THEY HOLD FRANCHISE COMES FROM.

AND OR OF THOSE OBJECTS, KNOWING THAT IT STARTED WITH THE WORK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A PENCIL AND A PIECE OF THE BOARD.

I FIND THAT PHENOMENALLY MOVING.

THOSE ARE THE PIECES I ALWAYS WANT TO STOP IN FRONT OF AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH.

>> Reporter: VISITORS MAY ALSO BE DRAWN TO THE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY LIFE- SIZED STATUES.

>> I AM STANDING BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PIECES AND WE HAVE NEVER BROUGHT HIM TO LIVE.

THIS IS A ONE TO ONE, THIS IS EXACTLY HOW BIG HE WOULD BE.

>> Reporter: SPIDER-MAN ALSO REPRESENTS ANOTHER AMAZING THING, ANYONE OF US, INCLUDING A PAGE IT COULD BE HIM.

>> SOME OF THAT COMES BACK INTO THAT KEY IDEA OF DESIGN.

A MASK THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE PHASE.

THAT WAS A VERY UNUSUAL DESIGN FOR THE 60s BUT IT ALLOWED PEOPLE TO BE IMAGINATIVE AND ENGAGING.

>> IT IS A CHARACTER, THAT IS A BLANK MASK, YOU CANNOT SEE ANY FACIAL FEATURES SO IT COULD BE ANYONE.

HE'S LIKE US BUT HE HAS THIS EXTRAORDINARY ELEMENT ON TOP OF IT.

SOME OF THE GENIUS OF STAN LEE IN CREATING THE CHARACTER WAS NOT ANYBODY COULD BE UNDER THAT MASK.

IT COULD BE ANY ONE OF US REGARDLESS OF COLOR, CREED, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, IT COULD BE ANY OF US.

>> Reporter: AND ANY OF US CAN LEARN FROM PETER PARKER ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO BE AND STAND UP FOR ANY WORLD WHERE THINGS NOT ONLY GO WRONG, BUT OFTEN ARE WRONG.

>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BUILT INTO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE SINCE THE 1960S.

IN PARTICULAR, ON THE SEVENTH POSITION AGAINST BIGOTRY AND RACISM.

THAT WAS AN ABSOLUTELY SINCERELY HELD BELIEF, WHICH HE WANTED TO INJECT INTO THE STORY MATERIAL.

AT LEAST FROM THE MID-60s ONWARD.

>> WHATEVER LIFE HOLDS FOR ME, WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

MY, ROBERT WE ALL BE, IF THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, IN POSITIONS OF POWER, WHO UNDERSTOOD WITH SOME RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH THAT ROLE.

IT IS A GOOD MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: SPIDER-MAN BEYOND AMAZING REMINDS OF OF THAT MESSAGE.

IT WILL ALSO MAKE YOUR SPIDEY SENSES TINGLE WITH ITS MARVELOUS LOOK AT AN ICONIC CHARACTER.

REBECCA MONDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE HOPING THAT YOU ENJOY DOES LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.