>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WITH THIS REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

COMING UP, LAW ENFORCEMENT LEAVING SAN DIEGO, WHY RIVERSIDE COUNTY IS HAVING SUCCESS AND RECRUITING LOCAL COPS.

MEET A UKRAINIAN MOM AND HER TWO KIDS WHO HAVE FOUND A SAFE HAVEN AND SAN DIEGO.

HIGH GAS PRICES AND NO RELIABLE BUS SERVICE, STRUGGLE WITH THE COST OF GETTING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, IT'S NOT JUST MASKING AND OTHER RULES, SAN DIEGO IS GRANTING MY LENIENCY AS THEY INCH CLOSER TO THE MILESTONE OF 1 MILLION RELATED DEATHS.

NOW, THEY ARE BEING GRANTED VACCINE EXEMPTIONS.

>>> JESSE CONNOR IS ONE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, HE SAID DURING NEGOTIATIONS, EXEMPTIONS WOULD BE ALLOWED BUT DETAILS WEREN'T CLEAR AND THAT PUTS EMPLOYEES IN TOUGH SPOTS.

HE SAID NEWS ABOUT THE EXEMPTIONS IS ABOUT RELIEF.

>> THEY MIGHT BE OUT OF A JOB BECAUSE OF YOUR A FIREFIGHTER FOR 15 YEARS AND YOU HAVE A FAMILY AND CHILD RELYING ON YOU, AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE FACED WITH THE POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT LOSE YOUR CAREER, THAT IS INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL.

THEY ARE BEING NOTIFIED THERE EXEMPTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED, AND THERE ARE STILL SOME 200 PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING TO HEAR BACK.

>> I THINK IT'S A POSITIVE SIGN, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED.

HE WASN'T SURE UNTIL THIS WEEK THAT RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS WOULD BE ALLOWED AT ALL.

>> WE WENT IN SITUATIONS WHERE EMPLOYEES WERE TOLD TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS THE CITY WOULD NEVER CONSIDER SERIOUSLY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT PROMPTED THE CHANGE BUT IT IS WHAT THE CITY HEADED DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN ALL ALONG WAS TO ALLOW MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

GLORIA SAID IT HAS DRIVEN THE VACCINATION RATE UP.

>> WE WENT FROM 69% OVER 90%, OUR EMPLOYEES ARE SAFER.

>> THERE 30 FACING TERMINATION FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

>> I DON'T WANT TO LOSE AN EMPLOYEE OF THIS, I WANT THEM TO FOLLOW PROTOCOLS TO PROTECT THEM AND THEIR COWORKERS BUT THE TRUTH IS WE HAVE ALREADY LOST PEOPLE TO COVER 19.

THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS WILLING TO BE TESTED ONCE A WEEK OR FACE TERMINATION.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANDATES ARE WHILE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE SEEING A JUMP IN RESIGNATIONS.

KITTY ALPHARETTA WENT TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY WHERE MANY OF THOSE COPS ARE ENDING UP.

>> Reporter: THIS IS DEPUTY DARNELL CALHOUN, ONE OF SHERIFFS DEPARTMENTS NEW HIRES.

AND WHILE HE IS JUST MEETING SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE HAS NO RICKY.

HE COMES WITH THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM A DEPARTMENT THAT IS CONSIDERED TOP-NOTCH, THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> GLAD I CAN BE HERE.

>> Reporter: HE SAID, HE LOVED HIS COLLEAGUES IN SAN DIEGO AND IN THE CITY WELL, THEN THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE STARTED TO LEAVE DUE TO THE VACCINATION STATUS STUFF THAT I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO.

AT HER A HARD HAT ON MY STATION.

>> Reporter: IS VACCINATED HIMSELF BUT HE LEFT FOR SEVERAL REASONS INCLUDING LOW MORALE AND AN INCREASING WORKLOAD AND THAT, HE SAYS IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU'RE DOING AN ALREADY DANGEROUS JOB.

>> IT IS ROUGH, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I WISH ON ANYONE.

>> Reporter: SERGEANT WILSON IS PRESIDENT OF THE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.

>> THERE IS UNLIMITED OVERTIME BUT THEY ARE BURNED OUT AND A LOT OF POSITIONS ARE UNFILLED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE FOUR SHOULD HAVE 2000 OFFICERS BUT THEY ARE DOWN TO JUST 1700 AVAILABLE FOR PATROL THANKS TO A COMBINATION OF FIRE FACTORS INCLUDING RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS.

>> OFFICERS ARE HOT COMMODITIES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THIS IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON CRIME, SO FAR HOMICIDE RATES ARE UP 80% OF THE LAST YEAR.

>> OF NEVER SEEN RATES SKYROCKET THERE AS QUICKLY AS FAST.

NOT IN MY 15 YEARS AS A POLICE OFFICER.

A PRIORITY CALL LIKE A BURGLARY IN PROGRESS, VIOLENT ATTACK IN PROGRESS, FIGHT IN PROGRESS, THOSE RESPONSE TIMES ARE IN EXCESS OF 30 MINUTES TO GET AN OFFICER TO YOU.

>> I FEEL VERY BAD FOR THE OTHER AGENCY.

>> Reporter: RIVERSIDE SHERIFF SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT IS REAPING THE REWARDS OF OFFICERS LEAVING LARGEST CITY FORCES.

>> IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES, I HAVE A UNIFORM WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THIS YEAR THERE IS ALREADY MORE THAN 60 IN SOME STAGE OF THE HIRING PROCESS.

NEARLY 20 ARE FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY AGENCIES ALREADY TRAINED AND READY TO HIT THE STREETS.

>> WE ARE OVERWHELMED AT THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING WE ARE GETTING.

WE HAVE S.W.A.T.

TEAM MEMBERS, WE HAVE CANINES THAT ARE COMING OVER, AVIATION PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING OVER.

>> Reporter: THEY RIVERSIDE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DOES NOT MANDATE VACCINES BUT BIANCO SAID THE BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE RIGOROUS AND HE WANTS HIGHER OFFICERS WITH A HISTORY OF DISCIPLINARY ISSUES BUT SO FAR, THE ONES APPLYING ARE AS GOOD AS THEY GET.

>> THAT'S ALL WE ARE FINDING, STELLAR EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER AGENCIES THAT ARE LEAVING SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE MANDATE AT THEIR AGENCY AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE ARE GETTING A HUGE REWARD.

>> IS GLAD TO WORK CLOSER TO HOME BUT HE SAYS SAN DIEGO COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO KEEP OFFICERS AND ITS RANKS.

>> IF YOU BUMP EVERYONE'S PAY UP A LITTLE BIT MORE, PANTING THE RETIREMENT A LITTLE BIT MORE, THAT GOES A LONG WAY.

>> Reporter: UNION PRESIDENT, JARROD WILSON, HOPES A MORE COMPETITIVE CONTRACT WILL STOP THE HEMORRHAGING AND ATTRACT GOOD OFFICERS.

>> MANDATES ARE THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT PUSH PEOPLE OUT THE DOOR BUT WE HAVE VACCINATED OFFICERS LEAVING NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERPAID AND OVERWORKED.

>> Reporter: HE IS LOOKING TO HIRE 450 MORE DEPUTIES.

HAVE KPBS NEWS.

>>> A UKRAINIAN TEACHER AND HER KIDS ARE AMONG REFUGEES WHO MADE IT TO SAN DIEGO IN RECENT WEEKS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER, ANGIE PEREZ, TELLS US ABOUT THEIR ESCAPE AND HOW THEY ARE BEING CARED FOR BY THE GENEROSITY OF THE HOST FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS DISTANCE PLANNING TO THE EXTREME, OLGA SPEAKS FIVE LANGUAGES AND IS A TEACHER AND TRANSLATOR BACK IN HER HOMETOWN IN UKRAINE.

NOW, SHE IS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TO HURT SON USING INTERNET LESSONS AND WI-FI IN THIS CARMEL VALLEY KITCHEN.

>> WE DON'T GO TO ANY SCHOOL HERE, I WOULD LIKE MY CHILDREN TO GO TO SCHOOL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND ADAPT.

>> Reporter: SHE FLED UKRAINE WITH THREE CHILDREN, HER FATHER, BROTHER AND THEIR FAMILY.

THE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS MADE IT TO L.A.

WHILE OLGA AND HER KIDS MADE IT TO SAN DIEGO TRAVELING 6400 MILES, ANYTHING TO GET AWAY FROM THE WAR AND PRISON OF THEIR BASEMENT.

>> SOME BASEMENTS ARE EQUIPPED TO USE WI-FI AND INTERNET.

AND MAY BE SOME POSSIBILITIES TO LEARN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: HER FAMILY IS LIVING WITH CAROLYN AND ZACH O'NEILL AND THEIR FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE IN CARMEL VALLEY.

THEY ARE EMPTY-NESTERS WITH TWO GROWN CHILDREN AND EXTRA SPACE THEY WERE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH REFUGEES ON THE RUN TO SAFETY.

>> IT'S NICE HAVING THE LITTLE KIDS IN THE HOUSE, THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE A NORMAL ROUTINE FOR THEM AGAIN, BUT JUST TO BRING SOME NORMALCY.

>> EVERYONE WANTS TO HELP.

>> Reporter: OLGA'S OLDEST SON MAX IS 15 YEARS OLD, HE SPEAKS ENGLISH AND IS DOING HIS BEST TO ADAPT.

'S NINE-YEAR-OLD SISTER IS MISSING.

SHE WAS WITH HER FATHER AND DID NOT MAKE IT TO THE BORDER IN TIME.

>> TO MY FRIENDS, I'M UKRAINIAN BUT NOW I'M ON AN ADVENTURE AND MY FAMILY IS IN SAFETY.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDING IN UKRAINE, THERE IS HOPE AND JOY IN THE STORY, OLGA AND HER SON SAY THEY ARE THRILLED TO BE IN THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHETHER THEY HAVE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT.

THE FAMILY WILL STAY THE WITH THE O'NEILL'S TEMPORARILY, OLGA'S NEXT GOAL IS HER CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND SHE NEEDS TO FIND A JOB.

>> I HOPE EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.

WE WILL JUST PRAY.

>> Reporter: TO FAMILIES AND FAITH WILL HELP MAKE THIS HOME FOR NOW.

>>> OTHER REFUGEES ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE, THIS WEEK MARKED TWO YEARS SINCE ASYLUM WAS CUT DRASTICALLY DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

GUSTAVO MET WITH ACTIVISTS SAYING IT'S TIME FOR THOSE RESTRICTIONS TO END.

>> AND TITLE 42.

>> Reporter: TITLE 42 WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN MARCH 2020.

THAT ALLOWS OFFICIALS TO USE THE PANDEMIC AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR TURNING AWAY ASYLUM-SEEKERS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER BUT MOST OF THE RESTRICTIONS ALONG THE BORDER HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING FOR AN END TO TITLE 42 WHICH HAS KEPT THOUSANDS OF VULNERABLE MIGRANTS FROM GETTING A FAIR HEARING.

>> TODAY, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO UNLAWFULLY EXPEL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO DUE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: MORE RECENTLY, OFFICIALS HAVE EXEMPTED WAR REFUGEES FROM TITLE 42.

SHE SAYS MIGRANTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN DESERVE THE SAME EXCEPTION.

>> THERE IS BEEN A SYSTEMATIC BLOCKING OF BLACK AND BROWN ASYLUM-SEEKERS AT THE BORDER AND THAT IS THE ROOT OF TITLE 42.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TITLE 42 PERPETUATE STEREOTYPES THAT CERTAIN EMIGRANTS ARE PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

>> MORE THAN A YEAR OF THE BIDEN AND HARRIS ADMINISTRATION WE CONTINUE TO SEE THIS RACIST NOTION THAT BLACK AND BROWN IMMIGRANTS ARE BRINGING DISEASE ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: THE CONTINUATION IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FAILING TO FULFILL A CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO MAKE OUR SYSTEM MORE HUMANE.

>> REMEMBER, THAT IS PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE, TO RESTORE ASYLUM.

TO BRING BACK HUMANITY AND DIGNITY TO OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

WE DON'T SEE THAT.

>>> VOTES ARE BEING CAST FOR AN OPEN STATE ASSEMBLY SEAT IN SAN DIEGO'S MOST DIVERSE DISTRICT.

WE TALKED WITH THREE CANDIDATES WHO WANT TO REPRESENT PARTS OF THE SOUTH BAY AND SACRAMENTO.

>> Reporter: THE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT OPEN UP IN JANUARY WHEN LORENA GONZALES RESIGNED TO TAKE A JOB WITH THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION.

THREE CANDIDATES ARE IN THE RACE.

DAVID ALVAREZ AND GEORGETTE GOMEZ AND REPUBLICAN, LINCOLN PICARD.

>> I AM PROUD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF FORMER ASSEMBLYWOMAN , SOMEBODY THAT DAD A LOT OF WORK AND I DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A RETURN TO POLITICS, SHE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL AND RAN AN UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS IN 2020.

DURING THE RAIN, SHE WAS CRITICIZED FOR NOT REPORTING $100,000 OF INCOME ON HER TAX RETURNS AND THAT CRITICISM IS BEING MADE AGAIN.

>> IT WASN'T ME TRYING TO DO A RUNAROUND ON TAXES, IT WAS LITERALLY A MISTAKE BUT I FIXED IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE CURRENT ANTI-GOMEZ IS BEING PUSHED BY OIL, CHILD TRACKING AND INSURANCE COMPANIES SPENDING ONE OF HER OPPONENTS.

SHE SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE SOME OF THE KEY POINTS OF HER PLATFORM FOCUS ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INCOME INEQUALITY.

>> ADVANCES ON OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM, MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVEN SOME IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR NOW.

THAT IS WHERE MY COMMITMENT,.

'S PAYMENT CAMPAIGN AND FINANCE RECORDS HAS RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT GOMEZ MENTIONS AMONG OTHERS.

HE SAYS GOMEZ IS BEING SUPPORTED BY POLITICIANS WHO DON'T WANT THINGS TO CHANGE.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, HE TOLD KPBS, THEY ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN CONTROL HER.

IF SHE IS ELECTED, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

I RUN 100% POSITIVE CAMPAIGN BASED ON THE ISSUES.

LIKE GOMEZ, ALVAREZ IS A DEMOCRAT, A FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND A NATIVE.

>> PEOPLE FEEL LIKE SACRAMENTO FORGETS THEM, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EDUCATION GET IS A PRIORITY, THAT CRIME GETS ADDRESSED.

>> Reporter: LINCOLN PICARD IS THE THIRD CANDIDATE, A REPUBLICAN RUNNING IN A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT.

>> THE ODDS ARE AGAINST ME, BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A DISPARITY IN THE DEMOGRAPHICS IN OUR DISTRICT.

>> REPORTER:'S PLATFORM IS ON RENTING A COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA, EDUCATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT.

>> VOTERS OUT THERE SICK AND TIRED OF THE DEMOCRATIC RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH ARE DRIVING SO MANY BUSINESSES OUT OF ESTATE, TAKING JOBS WITH HIM.

>> Reporter: IF ONE CANDIDATE GETS 50% ONE OF THE VOTE, THEY WILL WIN THE SEAT OUT RIGHT BUT IF NO ONE DOES, THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF ON JUNE 7, THE SAME DAY AS A REGULAR ELECTION WHICH BEGINS IN DECEMBER AND COVERS A REDRAWN DISTRICT 80 THANKS TO THE LAST CENSUS.

THE SAME THREE ARE RUNNING IN THAT RACE TOO, HERE'S ON AGE.

>> EDUCATION, CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, THEY MATTER TO PEOPLE IN THE OLD AND NEW DISTRICT.

WE ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND IN JUNE, WE WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO TALK TO MORE PEOPLE.

>> IT'S ABOUT BUILDING, HELPING COMMUNITIES.

MAKING SURE THERE IS HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE, MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE CLEAN, BUT OUR JOBS AND OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS ROBUST.

>> IF YOU CARE ABOUT GAS TAXES, SCHOOL CHOICE, SECOND AMENDMENT, CORE VALUES THAT MAKE AMERICA WHAT IT IS, I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> Reporter: ILLEGALLY VOTING RUNS THROUGH APRIL 4th OR LETTERS CAN GO TO THE POLLS ON APRIL 5th.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK, SUPER MARKET WORKERS ARE VOTING ON WHETHER TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE.

>>> LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WATCHED CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR REAL-TIME LESSON IN U.S. HISTORY.

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S PROPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO HIGH GAS PRICES.

>>> PARENTS IN NORTH COUNTY ARE FEELING THE PINCH OF GAS PRICES ESPECIALLY IN PLACES WHERE NOT ALL SCHOOLS PROVIDE BUSES.

TONYA THORNE MET WITH PARENTS WHO SAY THE COST IS ADDING UP.

EVERY MORNING, FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS PACK INTO NATALIE'S CAR FOR A RIDE TO SCHOOL.

SHE DRIVES THEM TO CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE SCHOOL IN OCEANSIDE BECAUSE THE DISTRICT DOESN'T PROVIDE BUS TRANSPORTATION AND MANY PARENTS WORK EARLY.

>> I TOLD THE FAMILY, GIVE ME WHAT YOU CAN.

SOMETIMES THEY GIVE ME 20, 15, IT'S WHAT THEY CAN.

SINGLE MOMS, LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL CARPOOLING PARENTS ARE AS GENEROUS.

RISING GAS PRICES ARE FORCING CARPOOLERS TO CHARGE FAMILIES MORE FOR RIDES.

>> I HEARD A FAMILY PAYING $400 A MONTH FOR HER CHILDREN TO BE CARPOOLED.

>> Reporter: SHE RELIED ON A CARPOOLING PARENT TO GET HER DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS PAYING $50 PER WEEK BUT THE FEE BEGAN TURNING INTO A TIGHT BUDGET AND HER DAUGHTER NOW TAKES THE CITY BUS.

WHILE IT IS CHEAPER, HER DAUGHTER HAS TO BE UP AN HOUR EARLIER TO GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME.

PARENTS WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN, SOME THAT ATTEND DIFFERENT SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE THE CHOICE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MANY PARENTS THAT CAN AFFORD THE INCREASING CARPOOLING FEES ARE HAVING THEIR CHILDREN WALK TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

SOME SCHOOLS ARE MILES AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES, REQUIRING THE STUDENTS TO CHRIS BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND FREEWAY RAMPS.

SHE SAYS EVEN BIKESARE A GOOD CHOICE DUE TO THE MORNING RUSH- HOUR IN CHILDREN ARE AT RISK OF GETTING HIT.

WE REACHED OUT TO OCEANSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ASK ABOUT THE CURRENT TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS.

IN A STATEMENT, THEY SAID THEY ARE IN LINE WITH STATE REQUIREMENTS AND ONLY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR CERTAIN GROUPS OF STUDENTS, THOSE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, FOSTER STUDENTS OR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND DESIGNATED STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMP PENDLETON.

>>> MANY MY SAN DIEGO ANTS WILL HAVE A CHOICE ON THE TYPE OF ENERGY THEY USE.

KPBS METRO REPORTER, ANDREW BOWEN, AND EXPLAINS HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOUR BILL.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SIX CITIES PLUS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THAT SPEEDING UP THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

RIGHT NOW, THE AGENCY IS SERVING ABOUT 70,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES BUT THAT CUSTOMER BASE WILL INCREASE MORE THAN TENFOLD OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AS THE AGENCY ENROLLS HOMES IN ENCINITAS, CHULA VISTA, AND SAN DIEGO.

CUSTOMERS WON'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE EXCEPT FOR A LINE ITEM ON THEIR BILL.

>> WE ONLY CONTROL THE ELECTRICITY GENERATION PIECE, WHICH IS MAYBE A QUARTER OF YOUR BILL.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, MOST OF WHAT CUSTOMERS PAY ON THE ENERGY BILLS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICITY WHICH THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR BUT FOR GENERATING THE ELECTRICITY?

THE PIECE WE CONTROL, OUR RATES ARE ABOUT 2% CHEAPER THIS YEAR BUT THEY ARE ALSO ABOUT 19% CLEANER, SO THE POWER IS 50% RENEWABLE POWER.

>> THEY HAVE AN ONLINE TOOL WHERE YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH YOU MIGHT SAVE UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.

>> CLICK ON YOUR CHOICE OF THE TOP AND GO TO COMPARE SERVICE PLANS.

>> FOR ME, THE SAVINGS WAS ONLY ABOUT $.13 AND FOR ABOUT A DOLLAR MORE PER MONTH, AND CAN BOOST MY HOMES ELECTRICITY TO 100% RENEWABLE.

SHE GIVES ME THE SALES PITCH AND WINS ME OVER.

CUSTOMERS CAN COMPARE RATES AND BOOST THEIR HOMES ELECTRICITY TO 100% RENEWABLE ON THE AGENCY'S WEBSITE.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH AND THIS WEEK, KITTY ALVARADO MET WITH THOSE WHO ARE CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF AN EFFORT TO HELP WOMEN THRIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> WE ARE REVIVING THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

>> Reporter: ANNOUNCE THAT THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN WILL ONCE AGAIN BE LOOKING INTO WHAT WOMEN NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS SO THEY CAN THRIVE IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

GLORIA SAID, AS MUCH PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE, THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO.

>> DESPITE PROGRESS, WOMEN AND GIRLS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE AND EQUALITY IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSION WAS STARTED IN 1973 BUT HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN'S MUSEUM SAID SHE WAS PROUD TO HOST THE EVENT THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE.

SHE HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THIS COMMISSION.

>> START FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS, STRATEGIES, NOT JUST A LOT OF TALK BUT GETTING OUT THERE AND FIGURING OUT WHERE ARE WE STUCK AND THEN COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO KEEP WOMEN MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMEMBERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS COMMISSION BEING REBORN DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

SHE TOLD A PERSONAL STORY OF WHY THE COMMISSION IS STILL NEEDED.

>> WHEN I WAS RUNNING BACK IN 2018, I WALKED $8000 TO GET ELECTED.

ONE DORA KNOX, A MAN TOLD ME BUT CAN A WOMAN BE A CITY COUNCILMEMBER?

GUESS WHAT, A WOMAN CAN BE A CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND SHE CAN DO A PREGNANT TOO.

>> Reporter: ONE WOMAN WAS TOP OF MIND DURING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, JUDGE BRANCH JACKSON.

>> AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, I AM SO PROUD TO SEE WHERE SHE IS TODAY BUT SHE STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF A LOT OF WOMEN WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE HER TRYING TO OPEN DOORS AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

I THINK THAT COMMISSION SHOULD TRY TO OPEN MORE DOORS FOR ALL WOMEN.

>> Reporter: NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER THAT REPRESENTATION MATTERS, THE LATEST PIXAR MOVIE, AND WHY IT'S STRIKING A CHORD WITH FAMILIES DEALING WITH TYPE I DIABETES.

>> Reporter: IT'S A COMING OF AGE, A 13-YEAR-OLD CHINESE CANADIAN GIRL GOING THROUGH PUBERTY.

IT'S EARNING PRAISES FOR THE DEPICTIONS OF CHALLENGES OF CONTROLLING TEENAGE EMOTIONS AND OF CULTURAL AND GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES BUT HER PARENTS OF CHILDREN FOR TYPE I DIABETES, THERE ARE A FEW SCENES THAT RESONATE WITH THEM.

THEY NOTICE THE BLUE PATCH ON HER ARM, THE INTERNET DID.

THE INTERNET COMMUNITY SPECULATES IT'S A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE METER, SOME SAY IT'S THE EXACT TYPE THAT IS MADE BY DECKS CALM.

>> PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IT RIGHT AWAY, THAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE BENEFITS DECKS COMMAS GIVING PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS KATIE KENDALL, MARKETING MANAGER WHICH MAKES THE DEVICE THAT CONSTANTLY CHECKS A DIABETIC PERSON'S BLOOD SUGAR.

SHE HAS A SON LIVING WITH TYPE I DIABETES.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A KID LIVING WITH TYPE I, IT'S HARD TO FIND THAT REPRESENTATION AND FIND THAT MOMENT TO LET HIM KNOW, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE LIKE YOU.

>> THAT IS HOW SKYLER FRAZIER FELT WHEN SHE SAW THE MOVIE.

>> WHEN I FIRST THOUGHT, THEY DIDN'T.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN WATCHING THE MOVIE NONSTOP AND THEY NOTICED THE PATCH RIGHT AWAY.

>> SHE WAS NEWLY DIAGNOSED WHEN WE SAW THAT AND IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE HER FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> ANYTIME YOU HAVE A BROAD REPRESENTATION IN POP CULTURE, SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN SEE, THAT HELPS CHILDREN'S IDENTITY.

>> Reporter: SHE SPECIALIZES IN MAKING EDUCATION INCLUSIVE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND HEALTH CONDITIONS.

SHE SAYS, REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

>> IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES ON-SCREEN.

>> Reporter: THE INCLUSION OF DIABETIC CHARACTERS WAS INTENTIONAL BUT SINCE THE MOVIE WAS SET IN THE EARLY 2000'S, THE PATCH SHOWN AS AN INSULIN INFUSION SET IN 2006.

"TURNING RED" CAN BE STREAMED ON DISNEY+.

KPBS NEWS.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.