>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

IM MAYA TRABULSI.

AFTER A YEAR OF MYSTERY, ONE OF THE MANY DEATHS AT LOCAL JAILS IS NOW BEING QUESTIONED AS A POSSIBLE HOMICIDE.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING NOW ABOUT THE CASE?

>>> IT IS PART OF THE SOUNDTRACK OF A VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD OR A PUBLIC NUISANCE?

ONE CITY DEBATES IF THERE IS A PLACE FOR BACKYARD SKI RAMS.

>>> WHAT WERE THOSE BIG BOOMS WE HEARD IN SAN DIEGO RECENTLY?

A SOUND EXPERT EXPLAINS WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON WITH OUR LOCAL MILITARY.

>>> FIRST, WE WAIT AND SEE IF THE SUPREME COURT WILL ALLOW A BIG PART OF OUR COUNTRY TO GET A BREAK ON THEIR STUDENT LOANS.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER WENT TO SDSU AS A PLAN TO FORGIVE SOME DEBTS HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

>> Reporter: ANNIE CHOI IS SERVING UP COPY AT THE BCB CAFE ON THE CAMPUS OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY BURKETT IS HER PART-TIME JOB WELL SHE CARRIES A COURSELOAD OF 22 UNITS THIS SEMESTER, WORKING ON A BUSINESS DEGREE.

SHE ADMITS SHE IS STRESSED ABOUT FINANCES AND STUDENT LOANS, COMING FROM A MIDDLE- CLASS ORANGE COUNTY FAMILY.

>> IT IS AN AWKWARD SPACE BETWEEN LOWER AND UPPER.

I DON'T GET AS MUCH AID AS I NEED AND AM WORKING A MINIMUM WAGE JOB THAT DOES NOT PROVIDE AS MUCH AS I NEED.

>> Reporter: THIS SPRING SEMESTER, SHE PAID $4000 IN TUITION AND IS PAYING $2000 A MONTH IN RENT, LIKE MANY OTHER STUDENTS HERE AT SDSU, SHE RELIES ON FINANCIAL AID AND LOANS AND LIKE MANY OF THESE STUDENTS, SHE IS ALSO QUALIFIED FOR THE FIGHT AND LOAN FORGIVENESS, UP TO $20,000.

>> I PAY TAXES AND I FEEL LIKE THAT SHOULD GO TOWARD MY STUDENT LOANS, AND IF THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO HELP US OUT, I THINK HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO.

>> Reporter: RONNIE AND JANNIE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED ON THEIR COLLEGE JUNIOR STUDIES, LOOKING TO BECOME THE FIRST IN THEIR FAMILY TO BECOME SOMEONE WHO ATTENDS COLLEGE.

THEY JOIN THEIR CLASSMATES IN TAKING A TOUR OF SAN DIEGO STATE, BOTH HAVE BIG PLANS FOR THEIR CAREERS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON BABIES AFTER THEY ARE BORN.

>> I WAS LOOKING AT MEDICAL TECHNICIAN OR ANESTHESIOLOGIST.

>> Reporter: THAT COULD EVENTUALLY COST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TUITION, ONCE THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.

FOR NOW, THEY WANT THE SUPREME COURT TO HEAR THEIR ARGUMENTS.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO GO TO SCHOOL TO DO SOMETHING IN LIFE WHERE YOU WANT TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> I TELL THEM TO THINK MORE ABOUT WHAT THE STUDENTS MIGHT BE DEALING WITH IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES.

EVERYONE HAS A DIFFERENT STORY AND ARE GOING TO DIFFERENT STRUGGLES.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HAS SUPPORTED THE BIDEN FORGIVENESS PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING, FOR STUDENTS IN NEED AT ALL ITS CAMPUSES.

IN AN ONLINE STATEMENT, CSU INTERIM CHANCELLOR JULIAN SAID WITH EVEN LESS DEBT, THE STUDENTS IN OUR RECENT ALUMNI WILL BE BETTER POSITIONED TO STRENGTHEN THE CALIFORNIA WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS THEY PURSUE THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DREAMS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL LEADERS TO ADVANCE THIS EFFORT.

AND, ANNIE CHOI WILL CONTINUE WORKING PART-TIME AT THE CAFE, HOPING THIS FEDERAL LEADERS ARE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE TO HELP HER.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SIMPLY GETTING THROUGH SCHOOL THESE DAYS IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE EXPERIENCE OF PAST GENERATIONS.

CHICK OF AIR SHOWS US HOW TECH IS CHANGING EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS.

>> Reporter: PICTURE AN ONLINE TECHNOLOGY THAT WITH A LITTLE HUMAN PROMPTING CAN WRITE, CODE, CREATE IMAGES AND AUDIO, AND EVEN MAKE VIDEOS ALMOST AS GOOD AS WE CAN.

THAT IS NOW A REALITY.

>> AI REFERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS THAT CAN PERFORM TASKS THAT USUALLY REQUIRE HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO PROFESSOR ANNA EXPLAINS HOW ONE OF THEM WORKS.

>> YOU SAY, HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

AND, CHAT GPT PRODUCES A PROBABILITY FOR MANY DIFFERENT RESPONSES AND THEN PICKS BASICALLY THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY RESPONSE AND THAT IS WHAT IT SPITS OUT.

>> HELLO, AS AN AI LANGUAGE MODEL I DO NOT HAVE EMOTIONS LIKE HUMANS DO BUT I AM FUNCTIONING WELL AND READY TO ASSIST YOU.

>> Reporter: CHAT GPT IS THE MOST FAMOUS VERSION OF GENERATIVE AI, IT HAS ONLY BEEN OUT SINCE NOVEMBER BUT ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100 MILLION USERS INCLUDING MANY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> I WOULD SAY STUDENTS WHO ARE ACTIVELY USING IT AT LEAST, MAYBE FOR ONE ASSIGNMENT A WEEK, IT IS PROBABLY LESS THAN A HALF.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN SAYS MANY STUDENTS WILL NOT ADMIT TO USING THE AI TOOL BECAUSE THEY FEEL GUILTY OR ARE UNSURE IF IT WILL GET THEM IN TROUBLE.

IN FACT, UC SAN DIEGO SENT OUT A LETTER TO THE STUDENTS ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SYSTEMS.

>> BASICALLY THEY SAID, IF THE PROFESSOR ISN'T EXPLICITLY ALLOWING IT, IT IS CONSIDERED CHEATING.

>> Reporter: SOME PROFESSORS HAVE KEPT IT AND WHILE OTHERS HAVE GIVEN IT A PARTIAL OR FULL GREENLIGHT.

WELL THE SYSTEMS CAN SOUND CONVINCINGLY HUMAN, THEY ARE NOT PERFECT.

>> IT IS NOT NECESSARILY HELPFUL TO BE AFRAID OF AI.

>> THE MODEL CAN GIVE FALSE ANSWERS, CAN GIVE ANSWERS THAT THEY ACTUALLY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO GIVE, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN TRAINED TO NOT GIVE HARMFUL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

BUT, YOU CAN TRICK THEM DEPENDING ON HOW YOU USE THEM.

>> Reporter: AI CAN ALSO BE MISUSED.

>> Reporter: AI IS ALSO CAUSING A STIR IN THE ART WORLD.

SOME LOCAL ARTISTS APPLY THE TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR WORK BUT THERE IS CONTROVERSY OVER THE WAY THE SYSTEMS ARE USED.

>> THEY ARE TRAINED OFTEN TIMES ON THE WORK OF ARTISTS OR WRITERS WHO ARE NOT BEING CREDITED OR COMPENSATED FOR THAT WORK.

AND SO TO ME, THAT IS A CONCERN WITH HOW THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS MIGHT IMPACT THE ARTS COMMUNITY BROADLY SPEAKING.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOME LOCAL ARTISTS ARE GENERATING AI TO HELP CREATE DIGITAL IMAGES AND PHYSICAL PAINTINGS, THE WORKS OFTEN QUESTION THE ETHICS OF THE FAST-GROWING TECHNOLOGY.

>> WHO IS REPRESENTED, WHO IS NOT, WHO IS MADE MORE OR LESS VISIBLE BY THEM, SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOITATION, THE MORE AND MORE THAT WE USE THESE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THEY COMPARE THE CURRENT QUALITY OF THE WRITING TO A TALENTED SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL BUT HE SAID THAT NOTABLY CANNOT DO CITATIONS JUST YET.

STILL, ITS USE GOES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

>> FOR COLLEGE OBLIGATION ESSAYS, FOR APPLICATIONS THAT GRADUATE SCHOOLS, JOB APPLICATIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS, WRITING SAMPLES FOR A CREATIVE JOB, THIS THING HAS INFINITE USES.

>> Reporter: RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR GENERATIVE AI WILL BE KEY AS THE TECHNOLOGY IS HERE TO STAY, BUT SHE DID WANT TO CLARIFY ONE THING, TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WARY OR SCARED ABOUT THE SO FAR UNREGULATED TECHNOLOGY.

>> I DO NOT THINK WE AS A SOCIETY NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT GENERAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT THIS POINT.

I THINK WE ARE STILL A LONG WAYS OFF FROM THAT.

>> Reporter: WELL UC SAN DIEGO WARNS AGAINST USING AI, THEY SEE IT AS A TOOL RATHER THAN CHEATING, PLUS HE SAYS THERE IS PRESSURE TO INCREASE GENERATIVE AI OR RISK FALLING BEHIND.

>> I DON'T USE IT TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS BUT CERTAINLY WHEN I HAVE HAD WRITERS BLOCK OR WHEN I NEED INSPIRATION ON THE TOPIC, IT IS TOO TEMPTING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY COULD IMPACT MANY FIELDS IN SAN DIEGO OVER THE COMING YEARS, SUCH AS BUSINESS, SCIENCE, HEALTHCARE, AND EVEN THE MEDIA.

BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR, CHAT GPT DID NOT HELP ME WHY THIS STORY AND FOR NOW I AM HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN HAVE STORIES LIKE JACOBS SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOBILE DEVICE, OUR FUTURE REPORTING DAILY HEADLINES IN THE CALENDAR ARE SOME OF THE CONTENT WE OFFER, YOU CAN SIGN UP ANY TIME AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> IT TOOK NEARLY A YEAR FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO UPDATE US ON ONE OF THE MANY IN CUSTODY DEATHS INSIDE ITS JAILS AND THERE ARE EVEN MORE QUESTIONS NOW INTO WHY AND HOW IT HAPPENED.

>>> 46-YEAR-OLD LONNIE WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN HIS CELL AT THE SAN DIEGO CENTRAL JAIL ON MARCH 17th OF LAST YEAR.

HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE DIED.

THE INITIAL REPORT IN 2022 DID NOT GIVE A CAUSE OF DEATH BUT DID DESCRIBE THE NATIONAL CITY RESIDENT AS A REPEAT OFFENDER BUT HAD TO BE SUPERVISED.

NOW, NEARLY A YEAR LATER, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT SAYS HE SUFFERED FROM SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH HAD PNEUMONIA, MALNUTRITION, DEHYDRATION, AND COVID.

HIS DEATH HAS BEEN DECLARED A HOMICIDE.

>> THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, THE DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER IS NOT GOING TO THE SOMETHING IS A HOMICIDE IF SHE IS NOT CONVINCED THAT IT IS HANDS DOWN.

>> Reporter: PAUL PARKER IS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE COUNTY CITIZENS LINES OR CEMENT REVIEW BOARD, HE USED TO BE A MEDICAL HIM AND OR AND INVESTIGATOR, HE SAYS THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT MADE LIGHTLY.

>> EXTERNAL FACTORS PLAYED A ROLE IN THE DEATH, THAT IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO AND THAT IS JUST HOW IT HAPPENED, SOMEONE HAD A DUTY TO PROVIDE CARE AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THIS CASE.

IF WE HAD JURISDICTION OVER THE MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS, THAT WE WOULD GET THE FULL PICTURE OF THE DEATH THAT ARE OCCURRING.

>> Reporter: THE AUTOPSY REPORT SAYS RUPERT HAD A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND REFUSED TREATMENT AND CARE MULTIPLE TIMES.

HE WAS ONE OF NEARLY 2 DOZEN PEOPLE WHO DIED IN CUSTODY OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR.

SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ SAYS SHE RAN ON THE PLATFORM OF IMPROVING CONDITIONS INSIDE THE JAIL AND ON TRANSPARENCY, SHE SAYS SHE IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE REPORT WHEN HER OFFICE RECEIVED IT BUT MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HER IS THE VICTIM'S FAMILY.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO SAY MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY, HIS LOVED ONES AND ANYONE WHO REALLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS DEATH.

>> Reporter: NEXT, SHE SAYS IF INDEED THIS IS A HOMICIDE IN THE INVESTIGATION SHE STARTED LAST YEAR THAT HAS YET TO BE COMPLETED WILL FIND THAT TOO.

>> OUR HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION UNIT WILL FINISH THEIR INVESTIGATION AND SUBMITTED TO THE ATTORNEY FOR REVIEW.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS ABOUT 10% OF THE JAIL'S POPULATION NEED MEDICAL DECISIONS MADE FOR THEM BUT THEY CANNOT LEGALLY DO THAT.

>> WE NEED TO DEVELOP NEW WAYS OF HELPING THESE FOLKS, SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS ON THEIR BEHALF TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ SAYS SHE IS COMMITTED TO PASSION AND CARE FOR EVERYONE IN CUSTODY AND FEELS THAT A SEPARATE FACILITY FOR INMATES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WOULD BE THE SOLUTION.

THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A CONSULTANT TO SEE IF THAT CAN BE POSSIBLE.

KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PAST THREE YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC HAS BURNED OUT FRONT LINE STAFF AND IN ONE CASE BURNED THROUGH FINANCES, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CENTRAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

IMPERIAL COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT IN CALIFORNIA BY COVID-19, HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN UPDATES US ON THE PLAN TO GET THIS ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE BACK ON TRACK.

>> Reporter: THIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IS IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS, THIS WEEK IT'S BOARD APPROVED A PLAN TO HAVE UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH TAKE OVER DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT YEAR.

>> IF THE VALLEY LOST THEIR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THAT REGION.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH CEO PATTY MASON SAYS HER TEAM HAS PARTNERED WITH THE IMPERIAL COUNTY HOSPITAL SINCE 2015, THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH CRITICAL CARE AND RUNNING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

SHE SAYS THEY FELT A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO MORE AND MAKE SURE THE REGION'S LARGEST HOSPITAL DOES NOT SHUT ITS DOORS.

>> THAT IS OUR CONCERN WAS THAT IF WE COULD NOT CREATE SOME BREATHING ROOM TO GET TO SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE LONG- TERM, THAT THE HOSPITAL WOULD BE AT RISK OF CLOSING.

>> Reporter: IT IS ONE OF JUST TWO HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTY, ITS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS THERE HAS BEEN FINANCIAL ISSUES BREWING.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE POOREST COUNTIES IN THE NATION AND REIMBURSEMENT, IT IS MOSTLY MEDI-CAL AND MEDICARE.

SO, ESSENTIALLY THE HOSPITAL, EVERY TIME WE ADMIT A PATIENT WE ARE ACTUALLY LOSING MONEY AT L CENTRAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

>> Reporter: CAL CENTRAL REGIONAL CAN CONTINUE BORROWING MONEY WITH THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF FINANCIAL STABILITY.

ONE IDEA IS COMBINING THE HOSPITAL WITH THE COUNTY'S OTHER MEDICAL CENTER, PIONEERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A PLAN FOR IMPERIAL VALLEY AND, THEN IT NEEDS TO HAVE BOTH HOSPITALS INVOLVED IN DOING SHARED SERVICES AND EACH HOSPITAL CONCENTRATING ON WHAT IT CAN DO BEST INSTEAD OF DUPLICATION.

>> Reporter: COMBINING HEALTH SYSTEMS COULD MEAN THE CREATION OF A NEW COUNTYWIDE HEALTHCARE DISTRICT WHICH WOULD USE TAXES TO HELP COVER EXPENSES.

THE MAYOR SAYS THERE IS A STUDY UNDERWAY TO SEE EXACTLY HOW THAT WOULD WORK AND IT WOULD REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL.

IMPERIAL COUNTY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE EITHER OF THEIR HOSPITALS.

>> WE ARE IN A VERY RURAL AREA WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE HOSPITAL IN YUMA, ARIZONA WHICH WAS BE 60 MILES AWAY IN THE PALM SPRINGS HOTEL AREA WHICH IS ANOTHER 70 MILES AWAY AND THEN ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT THE SAN DIEGO AREA, THAT IS 110 MILES AWAY.

>> Reporter: EL CENTRO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER CLOSED ITS LABOR AND DELIVERY DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR, UNDER THE PLAN, UCSD HEALTH WOULD RUN THE HOSPITAL UNTIL A LONG-TERM SOLUTION IS PUT IN PLACE, SOMETHING THAT COULD TAKE UP TO 18 MONTHS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

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

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LOUD WINDOW RATTLING BOOMS WE HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST FEW DAYS?

WE WILL HAVE THAT ONE FOR YOU A BIT LATER.

ALSO, THE WEATHER.

CR TRIP TO THIS OUTDOOR SCHOOL FOR A REAR DAY IN THE SNOW FOR SIXTH-GRADERS, AND NEIGHBORS FEUD OVER BACKYARD SKATEBOARD RAMPS, HERE IS ALEXANDER TO TELL US WHY THE CITY IS GETTING INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WANT THIS IN YOUR BACKYARD AND VISTA EXPECT TO SHELL OUT SOME BIG BUCKS FOR A PERMIT, THE VISTA CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY APPROVED AN UPDATE TO THE CITY'S CODE.

IT REQUIRES RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO BUILD A SKATEBOARD RAMP IN THEIR BACKYARD TO APPLY FOR MINOR USE PERMITS.

THAT PERMIT WILL COST NEARLY $3400, IT WILL ALSO SPECIFY THE TIMES THE RAMPS COULD BE USED.

THE DEPUTY MAYOR SAYS SHE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE UPDATED CODE TO GIVE NEIGHBORS PEACE OF MIND.

>> HAVING TO GO THROUGH A MINOR USE PERMIT ALLOWS THE CITY TO CHECK FOR CONFORMITY, TO CHECK FOR THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

>> Reporter: THIS ALL STARTS BECAUSE NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS MAN'S RAMP IN HIS BACKYARD, HE HAS HAD IT FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS WITHOUT A PROBLEM, UNTIL SOME NEW NEIGHBORS LIVED IN.

>> WE ALWAYS TRY TO ACCOMMODATE TO NOT INTERRUPT THEM TO DO ANYTHING TO THEIR YARDS OR NOISE WISE, AND FOR SOME REASON IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, IT JUST SLIPPED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: OTHER NEIGHBORS SAY THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN BUBBLING UP FOR YEARS.

TOM HAS LIVED HERE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, HE HAS ASKED THAT HIS FACE NOT BE SHOWN ON CAMERA.

>> I SUBMITTED EVIDENCE TO THE CITY VISTA SHOWING ME IN BACK OF THE CAMERA IN MY YARD THERE IN THE SUMMER AND I AM HOLDING THE DECIBEL METER LIKE THIS SO PEOPLE CAN READ IT AND I HAVE MY FACE ON CAMERA, AND OUTSIDE IT WAS MORE THAN 70 DECIBELS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT 70 DECIBELS SOUNDS LIKE.

SOME NEIGHBORS SAY THE NOISE DOES NOT BOTHER THEM.

>> THEY USE IT SPORADICALLY, MAYBE A FEW TIMES A DAY, IT NEVER GOES ON FOR AN HOUR OR HOURS.

>> Reporter: THE VISTA CITY COUNCIL HAD MUCH RATHER NEIGHBORS SETTLE DISPUTES A BOOK AMONG THEMSELVES BUT THE ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED SHORTCOMINGS IN THE CITY CODES.

WE ARE NOT JUST LOOKING AT THIS INSTANCE BUT WHAT THIS INSTANCE CAN BECOME IN THE FUTURE.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE A PROLIFERATION OF SKATE RAMPS?

HOW IS THAT GOING TO EFFECT OUR RESIDENTS HERE?

>> Reporter: THE ORDINANCE REALLY ONLY APPLIES TO BACKYARD RAMPS THAT ARE SIX FEET TALL OR MORE SUCH AS THIS ONE.

IT WILL GO INTO EFFECT NEXT MONTH.

IN VISTA, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS.ORG NEWS.

>>> ANDREA IS A SYMPHONY MUSICIAN BUT THAT DID NOT SATISFY HER CREATIVITY SO SHE STARTED MAKING SCULPTURES FROM THINGS SHE FOUND, NOW HER HOBBY HAS BECOME A SECOND CAREER AND SHE IS ONE OF THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTED ARTISTS AT A STUDIO DOOR IN HILLCREST.

BETH CREATED THIS VIDEO PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST.

>> I AM MORRIS LEE MOSTLY SOURCE FROM FLEA MARKETS.

I NEVER KNOW WHAT I WILL FIND THERE.

I LIKE SOMETHING THAT GENERALLY LOOKS OLD, UNUSUAL, HAS A LOTS OF CHARACTER AND SHAPE TO IT, MOVEMENT, BUT I ALSO HAVE A LOTS OF FRIENDS THAT GIVE ME STUFF.

IT IS LIKE, ONLY ME, WOULD GET A DELIVERY BACKSTAGE OF DOLL PARTS AT A CONCERT.

I HAVE A HEARTY BACKGROUND IN HORROR.

I GUESS SOMETHING ABOUT DOLLS I JUST GRAVITATE TOWARD, I CAN'T QUITE EXPLAIN IT, I JUST FIND THEM INTRIGUING.

I HAVE LEARNED THAT RUBBER IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH, I CANNOT USE BLOWTORCHES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ON IT, IF I REALLY WANT TO PAINT SOMETHING, SCULPT ON TOP OF IT, PUT IT IN THE OVEN AND BAKE IT WITH POLYMER CLAY, THEN IT NEEDS TO BE PORCELAIN.

WHEN I DO PIECES, SOMETIMES I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO DO RIGHT AWAY LIKE IN THE CASE OF THIS TYPEWRITER.

I FOUND THIS TYPEWRITER AT THE SWAP MEET.

I INSTANTLY KNEW I WANTED TO DO SOME KIND OF AN ALTAR SO THAT PIECE CAME TOGETHER REALLY QUICKLY.

I ALSO WAS REFERENCING AND THINKING OF THIS DOLL SHOW CALLED WAY OUT AND THIS EPISODE WAS CALLED SIDESHOW, I BELIEVE.

>> AND THERE SHE IS!

BEAUTIFUL CASSANDRA!

AT LEAST SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL UNTIL SHE LOST HER HEAD.

>> SHE IS 100% A HUMAN BODY IN A DRESS AND SHE HAS CHAINED TO AN ELECTRIC CHAIR AND HAS THIS GIANT LIGHTBULB FOR A HEAD.

THAT IMAGE REALLY STUCK WITH ME.

SOME OTHER PIECES LIKE THIS HERE, I SAT ON THAT FOR PROBABLY TWO YEARS, AND THEN I RANDOMLY HAD AN OLD TRUMPET AND I DECIDED THEY NEEDED TO BE MARRIED, THAT THEY WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER.

SOMETIMES IT IS INSTANT AND SOMETIMES THINGS SIT IN THE STUDIO FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

THERE IS A MOMENT THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHERE I SEE, THOUGH THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY DISPARATE ITEMS, THEY LOOK LIKE THEY JUST BELONG TOGETHER.

I AM NOT JUST FORCING TWO ITEMS TOGETHER AND ATTACKING THEM TOGETHER, BUT THAT THEY LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG TOGETHER.

BUT SOMETIMES IT TAKES A COUPLE YEARS, SOMETIMES I AM STUCK WITH THAT PIECE, I HAVE THIS FAN THAT I JUST FOUND, I THINK THAT IS JUST A WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE, AND I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH IT YET.

THE FACT THAT I AM HAVING TO FORCE IT SO MUCH TELLS ME I NEED TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO COME ALONG AND THEN I WILL HAVE THAT AWFUL MOMENT.

HERE IS MY LITTLE TINY ART ROOM BUT IT SERVES ME.

THERE ARE USUALLY DOLL PARTS LAYING EVERYWHERE.

VARIOUS DISEMBODIED TOYS AND HEADS AND WHATNOT.

I GUESS IT IS KIND OF UNOFFICIALLY THE MORGUE.

THIS PIECE I JUST STARTED WORKING ON ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THIS IS ANOTHER THING I SAT ON, I FORGOT I EVEN HAVE THIS, THIS LAB COUNTER, I LIKE OLD ANALOG TYPE OF STUFF.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF THINGS THAT HAVE NO FUNCTION OR MAKE NO SENSE, LIKE GOLDBERG DEVICES SOMETIMES, HOW IT IS THE MOST COMPLICATED MACHINE FOR THE MOST MENIAL TASK.

PEOPLE ASK, WHERE DO YOU GET ALL OF YOUR IDEAS?

I GET THEM FROM EVERYTHING AROUND ME.

I JUST LIKE TO HAVE WEIRD THINGS SURROUNDING ME.

I LIKE THINGS THAT HAVE HUMOR IN THEM, IRONY.

I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE THINK I HAVE A DARK ACIDIC OR THAT IT IS A LITTLE CREEPY AND THAT IS FINE, IF WHAT PEOPLE GET OUT OF IT IS THAT, BUT FOR ME THAT IS USUALLY JUST KIND OF WHAT I FIND HUMOROUS OR BEAUTIFUL, I HAVE A DARK SINCE OF HUMOR, I JUST TEND TO GRAVITATE TOWARDS THINGS THAT.

I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FUNNY.

>> THAT STORY WAS PUT TOGETHER BY ARTS REPORTER BETH, YOU CAN STREAM OUR CONTENT ANY TIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE AND THAT IS WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> SAN DIEGO WANTS TO REACH NET ZERO EMISSIONS IN A YEAR, THAT WOULD MEAN A BIG CHANGE TO THE WAY ALL OF US LIVE AND GET AROUND BUT IS IT ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN?

JACOB HAS A STATUS CHECK ON WHERE THINGS STAND.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S PLAN INCLUDES SIX STRATEGIES TO REACH THE NET ZERO GOAL FROM CUTTING NATURAL GAS EMISSIONS FROM BUILDINGS ACROSS THE CITY AND PROVIDING PUBLIC ACCESS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY TO IMPROVING TRANSIT OPTIONS THAT DON'T INVOLVE CARS AND WASTE REDUCTION, THE PLAN ALSO CALLS FOR RESTORING GREEN SPACES AND PURSUING FURTHER TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT TO IMPROVE THE CLIMATE.

>> WE ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE PLAN IS FINALLY OUT, IT STILL MEETS IMPORTANT DEADLINES AND BENCHMARKS AS WELL AS COSTS FOR MANY OF THESE ACTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN IS SUING THE CITY OVER IT LACK OF CLIMATE ACTION DEADLINE, BRENDA GARCIA IS A RESEARCHER WITH THE GROUP AND SO SPECIFIC STEPS IN THE PLAN ARE CRUCIAL.

>> IS ACTUALLY COMMITTED NOT ONLY TO FIGHTING THE CLIMATE CRISIS BUT TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SOME OF THOSE PRESSING NEEDS INCLUDE ADDRESSING POLLUTION AND THE IMPACTS OF MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

THIS PERSON PUSHES BACK ON THE NOTION AND DOES NOT PROVIDE DETAIL.

>> Reporter: THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN BECOMES VERY SPECIFIC BREAK YOU GET TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THOSE LOFTY GOALS AND MAKE THEM REAL.

>> Reporter: GARCIA SAYS THE CITY NEEDS HARD DEADLINES AND FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT ITS CLAIM IT GOALS.

>> THE COST WILL BE MUCH HIGHER THAN WHATEVER THE PLAN ENDS UP COSTING THE CITY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HAS ALREADY ADDED ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO ITS FLEET, PULLED OUT ORGANIC WASTE RECYCLING AND TRANSITIONS CITY ACCOUNTS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WILL CONTINUE TO BE UPDATED AND HE HOPES OTHER COMMUNITIES WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

>> WHEN INNOVATION OCCURS, YOU WANT TO IMMEDIATELY FIT THAT INTO OUR PLANS SO WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT, WHEN WE FIND ROADBLOCKS THAT WILL SLOW THINGS DOWN WE NEED TO BE DYNAMIC AND BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT AS WELL.

THIS DOCUMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE REFINED.

>> Reporter: THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ON MARCH 9th.

HER ORGANIZATIONAL BE RALLYING AT CITY HALL THAT DAY TO MAKE SURE TANGIBLE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO MEET SAN DIEGO'S 2035 NET ZERO GOAL.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THUNDEROUS BLOOMS HAVE BEEN HEARD AND FELT ACROSS SAN DIEGO, WELL MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE NOT CONFIRMED IF THEY WERE INVOLVED, THE LOCAL AERODYNAMICS EXPERT OFFERS ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION.

>> THERE IS A VERY DEFINED LINE OF SHOCKWAVE.

YOU HEAR IT MUCH MORE CLEARLY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A PROFESSOR AT SAN DIEGO STATE HE USES A SUPERSONIC WIND TUNNEL TO TEST THE AERODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF AIRCRAFT.

SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT ARE LIKELY SUSPECTS WHENEVER SHOCK WAVES ARE HEARD AND FELT ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

A JET FLYING FASTER THAN SOUND WILL DRAG A CONE OF DISTURBED AIR BEHIND IT WHICH IS ONE REASON PEOPLE FROM NORTH COUNTY TO THE SOUTH BAY MIGHT EXPERIENCE THE SAME INTENSITY OF SHOCK VERSUS THE LOCALIZED EXPLOSIONS OFTEN HEARD FROM CAMP PENDLETON.

>> IT IS JUST AN EXPLOSION, IF IT IS AN AIRPLANE, THEN IT IS THE SAME STRENGTH BUT WILL BE A NARROW LINE WHEN THE AIRPLANE GOES THROUGH.

IF YOU FOLLOW ALL THE AIRPLANE FLIGHT PATHS.

>> Reporter: MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY EXPLANATION FOR THE BOOMS HEARD FRIDAY OR MONDAY ALTHOUGH MARINE CORPS OFFICIALS SAID ROUTINE FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE CONDUCTED DAILY.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, THANKS FOR JOINING US.