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

WE BEGIN WITH TWO MAJOR ISSUES, THE PANDEMIC AND THE ECONOMY AND STRONG ASSURANCES BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM THAT ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC IS STILL HERE, OUR STATE IS ROARING BACK.

HE SAYS CALIFORNIA IS EVEN LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER BUDGET SURPLUS.

HERE'S KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN.

>> WE ARE WORLD BEATING IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> Reporter: SPEAKING AT THE SUMMIT, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS THE GOLDEN STATE HAS CREATED THE MOST JOBS IN THE NATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

>> DOMINATING IN EVERY CATEGORY.

FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES, THE MOST INFLUENTIAL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: MU SOM SAYS THAT COMBINED WITH AN ALMOST $80 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS HAS CALIFORNIA WELL POSITIONED TO RECOVER, AND WITH NEW BUDGET PROPOSALS COMING SOON, NEWSOM SAYS THE OUTLOOK IS BRIGHT SDMRCHTH YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GOOD NEWS COMING SOON, NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET SURPLUS AS WELL.

THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THINGS UNPRECEDENTED IN CALIFORNIA'S HISTORY, INVEST IN YOU.

>> Reporter: HIGHER TAX REBATES, MONEY FOR CHILD CARE AND ROUNDS OF PANDEMIC RELIEF DOLLARS, INCLUDING STIMULUS CHECKS.

NEWSOM SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, HOMELESSNESS, EQUITY AND ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE ARE AT A POINT OF REAL ABUNDANCE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

OUR ABILITY TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN CAPITAL.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO POTENTIALLY SEEING MORE DOLLARS COMING TO THE REGION.

>> YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK FAMILIES THAT CAN'T FIND CHILD CARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE INVEST THOSE FUNDS IN REAL WAY THAT IS IMPACT WORKING CLASS FOLKS OUT THERE NOT SEEING THE BENEFITS OF THIS ROARING ECONOMY.

WE KNOW THIS RECESSION U WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNEVEN IN HISTORY.

BILLIONAIRES DID GREAT.

WORKING CLASS FOLKS DID NOT.

>> Reporter: SOMETHING THAT COULD SLOW THE ECONOMY'S GROWTH, NEWSOM IS WARNING OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF COVID-19 CASES AND ASKING PEOPLE TO REMAIN VIGILANT.

>> WINTER IS COMING.

I MEAN, COVID IS NOT TAKING THE WINTER OFF.

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND OUR ECONOMY LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE IS ALSO GETTING A MUCH NEEDED BOOST NOW THAT THE BOARD SER BACK OPEN AFTER 20 MONTHS OF COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, NONESSENTIAL TRAVELERS CAN FINALLY CROSS OVER.

AS KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SHOWS US, THIS IS PARTICULARLY WELCOME NEWS TO SAN US DROE BUSINESSES.

>> SAN DIEGO'S COVID RECOVER I HAVE IS IN FULL SWING.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN PACKED ON WEEKENDS AND TOURISTS ARE COMING BACK TO HOTELS.

HERE IT'S BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY.

SURE, THE STATE COVID PROTOCOLS WERE LIFTED, BUT NOT THE ONE THAT MATTERS MOST -- CROSS BORDER TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS STILL KEPT TIJUANA SHOPPERS AWAY.

JASON WELLS IS THE CEO OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

HE HAS A FUNNY WAY OF EXPLAINING WHAT THEY'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH.

>> THIS IS HOW I EXPLAIN IT.

IT'S AS IF THE GOVERNOR HAD TOLD LITTLE ITALY, YOU COULD RE-OPEN, GO BACK TO YOUR NORMAL LIVES AND, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN SHOP AND EAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO LIVE THERE.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE SURVIVED, AND WE BARELY HAVE.

>> Reporter: THE RESTRICTIONS, HE SAYS, ARE INHERENTLY UNFAIR.

THEY PROTECT LARGE CORPORATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF LARGE BUSINESSES.

THAT'S BECAUSE TRUCKERS AND WORKERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CROSS NO PROBLEM, BUT SHOPPERS HAVEN'T.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IN BINATIONAL COMMUNITIES, THAT'S WHAT WE DEPEND ON FOR OUR LIVING AND QUALITY LIFE,LY SAY, BECAUSE OF OUR FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS COULD OR COULD NOT CROSS.

>> Reporter: THIS COUNCILWOMAN AGREES.

SHE REPRESENTS THEM AND SEES THIS AS AN EQUITY ISSUE.

>> BORDER COMMUNITIES HAVE LONG BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE CLOSURE OF THE PORT OF ENTRY, THE BIGGEST PORT OF ENTRY CROSSING OF THE WORLD.

BORDER CLOSURES DEVASTATED THE SMALL BUSINESSES HERE, DEPLETED THE REGIONAL ECONOMY IN SAN DIEGO AND WEAKENED THE TOURISM INDUSTRY'S ABILITY TO MAKE A COMEBACK.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPORTS THAT SINCE 2020, $1 BILLION IN RETAIL SALES HAVE BEEN LOST.

OVER 2,000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS.

AND OVER 200 BUSINESSES HAD TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY HERE.

>> Reporter: OLIVIA CAMPOS OWNS CAROLINE'S SHOES.

WHEN THE BORDER OPENED MONDAY, SHE OPENED AN HOUR EARLY AND PUT GOODIE BAGS TOGETHER FOR CUSTOMERS SHE HANT SEEN IN 20 MONTHS.

ON DAY ONE, THE BORDER RE-OPENING DIDN'T LIVE UP TO THE HYPE.

WE EXPECTED TO SEE MORE PEOPLE, SHE SAYS.

ONE THEORY BEHIND THE LOW NUMBERS IS LONG BORDER WAIT TIMES, OR AT LEAST THE FEAR OF THEM.

IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR PEOPLE TO WALK ACROSS THE BORDER ON MONDAY MORNING, BUT CUSTOMS AND BOARD BROTHER TEXT TOLD THE PUBLIC TO EXPECT LONGER WAIT TIMES BECAUSE OF THE RE-OPENING, SO MAYBE PEOPLE STAID HOME MONDAY TO SEE HOW THINGS PLAYED OUT.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS FOR THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

EVEN WITH ONGOING CONCERNS OVER BORDER WAIT TIMES, RE-OPENING THE BORDER IS A NET POSITIVE, SHE SAYS.

>> EVEN WITH THE BORDER WAIT TIMES, THIS IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO RECONNECT WITH THEIR CONSUMER BASE, RECONNECT WITH THEIR PROSPECTIVE WORKERS, TOURISM INJECTED INTO THE ECONOMY.

>> WE'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THAT DAY.

A GREAT DAY FOR TIJUANA, FOR SAN DIEGO, LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR RE-OPENING.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA.

HE JOINED DOZENS OF POLITICIANS AND POLITICAL LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BOARDER TO CELEBRATE THE RE-OPENING.

THEY SPENT MONTHS TRYING TO CONVINCE WASHINGTON, D.C., TO LIFT THE BAN.

ONE RAY OF HOPE FROM THIS WHOLE ORDEAL IS LOCAL LEADERS HAVE A ROAD MAP OF HOW TO GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CARE ABOUT BORDER ISSUES.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE TODAY SHOULD BE A TEMPLATE GOING FORWARD TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THIS BORDER REGENE.

FOR LAST FIVE PLUS YEARS, IT SEEMS THE BORDER IS SOMETHING BAD.

EVERYONE UP HERE KNOWS THE BORDER IS AN ASSET.

IN TIJUANA, AND SAN DIEGO, BAA JA AND BAA JA, CALIFORNIA.

IT GIVES US AN EDGE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, IT IMPROVES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, IT MAKES US A BETTER REGION.

>> Reporter: GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN A MOVE TO GET THE ECONOMY MOVING EVEN MORE, CALLS ARE GOING OUT FOR MORE TRUCKERS.

A SHORTAGE IS HELPING KEEP THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION FROM CLEARING UP.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL LOOKS AT WHAT LOCAL DRIVING SCHOOLS ARE DOING TO MEET DEMAND.

>> BRAKES IN.

LITTLE BLOW ON THE HORN THERE, MAKE SURE NOBODY'S HANGING OUT.

IT'S ALL CLEAR.

>> Reporter: ANDRE IS A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR IN MISSION VALLEY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TEACH HIM HOW TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF UP SHIFTING.

WE WON'T WORRY ABOUT DOWN SHIFTING TOO MUCH INSIDE HERE.

>> Reporter: A YEAR AGO, THIS JOB WASN'T IN HIS PLANS.

BUT THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND HE SAW THE NEED FOR HIS EXPERTISE.

>> I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO RETIRE.

I DID RETIRE, AND THEN I SEE THIS AD, AND I'M THINKING, WAIT A MINUTE, I GOT 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE, AND I'M THINKING, MAN, YOU SITTING HERE WASTING IT.

WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

GO TALK TO THEM.

>> Reporter: CAREERS IN TRUCKING HAVE LONG BEEN A PATH FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS WHO DON'T HAVE COLLEGE DEGREES, BUT IT'S A GRUELLING JOB THAT DOESN'T ATTRACT MANY YOUNGER WORKERS.

AND NOW A WAVE OF RETIREMENTS 1 WASHINGS OVER THE INDUSTRY, LEAVING FIRMS IN DESPERATE STRAITS.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, THE INDUSTRY IS SHORT 80,000 DRIVERS.

THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE BY 2030 IF MAJOR PROGRESS ISN'T MADE.

PHILLIP HARRIS IS A RETIRED TRUCKER AND NOW THE ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR AT UNITED.

HE SAY IT'S A SHORTAGE THAT HAS ACCUMULATED OVER TO THE YEARS, BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE THE SITUATION WORSE.

>> COVID CAME OUT, THE GUYS THAT WERE GOING TO RETIRE IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS JUST SAID WE'RE DONE.

AND THEN DMVs WERE CLOSED, SO THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO LICENSE NEW DRIVERS, WHICH TAKES ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO GET THE GOOD TRAINING.

>> Reporter: THE NEED HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

THE ATA ESTIMATES THAT 72% OF THE NATION'S FREIGHT GETS MOVED BY TRUCKERS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN POSTING EVERYWHERE.

>> Reporter: FROM BILLBOARDS TO CRAIGSLIST TO RECRUITING AT DIESEL GAS STATIONS, ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ SAYS HE'S TRIED EVERY AVENUE TO LOOK FOR NEW HIRES.

>> DOWN HERE IN SAN DIEGO, IN CALIFORNIA ESPECIALLY, SDWROEBLT ENOUGH DRIVERS.

THE DRIVER THAT IS ALREADY HAVE THEIR PERMITS, THEIR LICENSE, THEY ARE WORKING FOR BIG COMPANIES.

THEY ARE PAYING A LOT BETTER WAGES THAN OTHER COMPANIES ARE, SO THEY ARE NOT LEAVING THEIR COMPANIES TO GO AND WORK FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> Reporter: HE'S INCREASED PAY, BUT AS HE RAISES THE BAR, OTHER COMPANIES DO THE SAME.

>> PAY IS GOING UP.

WE HAVE ONE MAJOR COMPANY THAT LAST YEAR WAS PAYING IN THE $20 RANGE.

THEY NOW ARE PAYING THEIR CLASS A DRIVERS $25 AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: GARY SMITH IS THE PLACEMENT INSTRUCTOR FOR UNITED.

HE SAYS COMPANIES ARE NOW WILLING TO HIRE DRIVERS WITH NO EXPERIENCE, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A LICENSE.

THAT USED TO BE UNHEARD OF.

RODRIGUEZ SAYS HE CAN'T BE CHOOSY.

RIGHT NOW HE HAS 1,000 TRAILERS ON HIS LOT WAITING TO BE PICKED UP.

AND COMPANY IS NOW LOOKING TO MEXICO FOR HELP.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A LOT OF LAWYERS, LAW FIRMS, TO VERIFY THEY CAN HELP US TO DO ANY PROCESS SO WE CAN GIVE MEXICAN DRIVERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK DOWN HERE.

>> BRAKES.

FLASHES OF STEEL ON, RELEASE THE FEET.

>> Reporter: AS COMPANIES SCRAMBLE TO FILL DRIVER'S SEAT, UNITED TRUCKING SCHOOL IS DOING ITS PART TO FILL THE NEED.

>> WE TAKE THEM FROM ALMOST GROUND ZERO AND TEACH THEM ALL THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO BECOME PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS EARN THEIR CLASS A AND CLASS B COMMERCIAL DRIVING LICENSE AND ARE HELPED WITH JOB PLACEMENT.

THE NEWS OF THE DRIVER SHORTAGE AND HIGHER PAY APPEARS TO BE HAVING AN EFFECT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, UNITED HAS A WAIT LIST OF STUDENTS LOOKING TO JOIN THE PROGRAM, AND APPLICANTS ARE COMING FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.

>> WE'VE BEEN VERY INUNDATED WITH STUDENTS.

STUDENTS ARE JUST -- WE'RE BOOKED OUT UNTIL JANUARY.

>> Reporter: GRAY IS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM, BUT IT'S NOT HIS FIRST TIME GETTING HIS CDL.

HE LEFT TRUCKING A FEW YEARS BACK WHEN HIS DAUGHTER WAS BORN BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE HOME MORE.

BUT WITH INCENTIVES INCREASING FOR DRIVER, HE'S READY TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW FOR TRUCK DRIVERS.

LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING INTO OTHER CAREERS, MORE CORPORATE, WHITE COLLAR.

THEY'RE LEAVING THE BLUE COLLAR JOBS BEHIND, AND THESE COMPANIES NEED BODIES IN THE SEATS.

>> Reporter: YET THE TRUCKER LIFESTYLE ISN'T FOR EVERYONE.

HARRIS SAYS HE'S VERY BLUNT WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO ENROLL.

>> I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, YOU CAN.

YOUR SHIFTING'S GETTING REALLY GOOD LATELY.

ALL OF THAT'S BEEN, YEAH, IT'S REALLY COMING THROUGH.

MUSCLE MEMORY.

>> Reporter: AS FOR WESSON, HE'S JUST GRATEFUL HE GETS TO CONTRIBUTE TO TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRIVERS.

>> I THINK WE CAN GET THERE TOGETHER.

KEEP AMERICA MOVING, SO TO SPEAK, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE BACKED UP.

AND IT'S BAD.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER SHORTAGE INVOLVES TEACHERS.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF APPLICANTS FOR HUNDREDS OF B JOBS, AND NOW IT'S PUTTING OUT THE HELP WANTED SIGN WITH FINANCIAL INCENTIVES.

MORE NOW FROM PEREZ.

>> SIT, SIT.

GOOD BOY.

SIT.

>> Reporter: JENNY KINGSTON IS A DEDICATED MOTHER WHO LOVES HER FUR BABIES AND THE FOUR CHILDREN SHE AND HER HUSBAND BRIAN HAVE RAISED.

EACH KINGSTON KID ADOPTED A DO DOG FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR EDUCATION AS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

JENNY IS ALSO A SUBSTITUTE PARAEDUCATOR WITH THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SHE TAUGHT HER OWN CHILDREN AND GE GOTH THEM THROUGH COVID DISTANCE LEARNING AND IS NOW READY TO APPLY FOR A PERMANENT POSITION TO HELP OTHERS.

>> I TEND TO WANT TO CONNECT WITH A GROUP OF KIDS FOR A LENGTHIER PERIOD OF TIME, SO I CAN SEE THE GROWTH, SO I CAN SEE WHERE THEY'RE STRUGGLING AND WHERE THEY NEED SOME MORE HELP.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS NOW AGGRESSIVELY SEEKING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS TO FILL TEACHING AND SUPPORT JOBS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIRES A SPECIAL SKILL SET, AND THE DISTRICT IS OFFERING A $4,000 SIGNING BONUS FOR TEACHERS THEY HIRE.

THERE ARE ALSO BENEFITS FOR SUPPORT STAFF.

>> WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE THE BEST.

WE ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW HOW SERIOUS WE ARE ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: BY THE WAY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS STILL LOOKING FOR A SUPERINTENDENT TOO.

HR OFFICIALS SAY THE DOOR IS ALWAYS TAUPE NEW APPLICANTS, BUT THE SPECIAL FINANCIAL INCENTIVES ARE AVAILABLE NOW.

AND THROUGH MARCH 15, 2022, JENNY KINGSTON IS NOT ONLY A POTENTIAL APPLICANT, SHE CONTINUES TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THOSE SHE LOVES AND THE STUDENTS SHE WANTS TO HELP THE DISTRICT SUPPORT.

HER INVITATION IS CLEAR -- >> YOU CAN LEARN THE TOOLS.

YOU CAN LEARN THE TECHNIQUES TO ASSIST A CHILD.

BUT THE CORE OF IT IS THAT YOU HAVE TO FEEL A PASSION OR A DRIVE TO WANT TO HELP KIDS LEARN.

>> Reporter: HELP WANTED AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME VACCINATION DEADLINES ARE COMING UP FOR SAN DIEGO STUDENTS.

SO SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS ROLLED OUT A VACCINE BUS TO GET -- TO HELP KIDS GET THE COVID-19 SHOT.

THE BUS WILL STOP AT FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK.

THE DEADLINE FOR A FIRST DOSE IS NOVEMBER 29th, AND THE SECOND HAS TO BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 20th.

WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN NOW ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES, THIS IS A GOOD FINAL TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AT KPBS.ORG.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON VACCINE LOCATIONS AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING ON THE PANDEMIC.

FROM THE HOME PAGE, FIND THE DROP DOWN NEXT TO THE NEWS SECTION AND CLICK TRACKING COVID-19.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING SHORTDAGES, BUT IT'S NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF COVID OR VACCINE MANDATES.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO TELLS US THE ISSUE IS MORE COMPLICATED.

>> Reporter: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SAN DIEGO, AND THE FIRE CREW AT STATION ONE ARE STARTING THEIR DAY.

WHILE EVERYTHING LOOKS NORMAL -- >> WE'VE GOT AN EXHAUSTED WORK FORCE.

AND SO YES, WE'RE SEEING LESS AND LESS PEOPLE SIGN UP AND VOLUNTARILY WANT TO TAKE OVERTIME SHIFTS.

AND SO SOMETIMES THOSE SIT EMPTY.

>> Reporter: BACK AT SAN DIEGO FIE AND RESCUE HEADQUARTERS, THE CHIEF SAYS IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE DEPARTMENT'S 50 STATIONS FULLY STAFFED.

>> WE'VE HAD STAFFING CHALLENGES BEFORE, BUT TYPICALLY IT'S BEEN DURING VERY BUSY FIRE SEASONS WHEN WE'VE DEPLOYED 40, 50, 60 FOLKS OUT ON APPARATUS DURING THOSE FIRES.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY OUT ON THOSE FIRES RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE STAFFING SHORTAGE HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN A BROWN OUT OF A STATION THIS YEAR.

>> THE ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT FOR US TO SHUT DOWN A FIRST RESPONDER UNIT.

WE TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE JUST DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH BODY THAT IS WE COULD EVEN HOLD AND REQUIRE THAT THEY STAY AT WORK.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS COVID ISN'T THE ONLY REASON THIS IS HAPPENING.

>> WE'RE ALSO SEEING A COMBINATION OF RETIREMENTS AND SOME FOLKS LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT FOR EITHER OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR A CHANGE OF CAREER.

>> Reporter: BUT IT SURE HASN'T HELPED, AND THE CITY'S VACCINE MANDATE DEADLINE IS LOOMING, ABOUT 12% OF HIS DEPARTMENT IS UNVACCINATED.

>> AS WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, INEVITABLY, WE WILL HAVE SOME PERSONNEL THAT DON'T MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS, AND THERE'LL BE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS TO BE MADE.

>> Reporter: BUT HE'S ALSO SEEING A SHARP DECREASE IN APPLICANTS.

THEY USED TO GET ABOUT 4,000 A YEAR, NOW THEY GET ABOUT 13,00.

>> IT'S NOT A SHORTAGE OF CANDIDATES.

AS CPF WE MAINTAIN AN ELIGIBILITY HIRING LIST THAT HAS OVER 3,000 CANDIDATES ON IT TODAY.

>> Reporter: BRIAN RICE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE'S FIREFIGHTER UNION.

HE SAYS THIS CRISIS HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> WE'VE BEEN SEEING STAFFING SHORTAGES FOR YEARS.

IS COVID TO BLAME?

NO.

IS THE WILDFIRE SEASON TO BLAME?

NO.

DO THEY PLAY A ROLE IN IT?

YES, BUT TO ME THE BLAME FALLS SQUARELY ON CITIES, COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AS EMPLOYERS FOR FAILING TO HIRE THE ADEQUATE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: RICE SAYS FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO STOP RELYING ON SEASONAL FIREFIGHTERS, INMATE CREWS AND OVERTIME.

MEANWHILE, THE CHIEF SAYS THEY WILL MEET THEIR STAFFING GOAL BY 2023.

KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO DRAW THE LINES.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS GETTING CLOSER TO A NEW MAP OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS FACING THE CITY'S REDISTRICTING COMMISSION IS WHAT TO DO WITH UC SAN DIEGO.

A NUMBER OF STUDENTS HERE SAY THEY WANT TO BE SEPARATED FROM LA JOLLA AND DRAWN INTO A DISTRICT WITH UNIVERSITY CITY, SORRENTO VALLEY AND MIRA MESA.

THEY SAY THEY SHARE COMMON INTERESTS WITH THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> PEOPLE DRAWING LINES CANNOT INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY CREATE MAP THAT IS DILUTE THE VOTING POWER OF MINORITY.

>> Reporter: ONE OF MORE THAN 30 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT THIS MAP OF COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

THEY SAY IT SATISFIES A NUMBER OF CONCERNS, REUNITING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE CURRENTLY SPLIT INTO TWO OR MORE DISTRICTS AND CREATING MORE DISTRICTS THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> FOUR OF OUR NINE DISTRICTS ARE MAJORITY PEOPLE OF COLOR, YOU COMBINE BLACK, ASIAN AND LATINX VOTERS.

AND WITH ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS BEING ABOUT 50/50, SO AS OUR REGION CONTINUES TO GROW MORE AND MORE DIVERSE, WE EXPECT THAT THAT DISTRICT WOULD ACTUALLY GO UP OVER THE 50% MARK, WHICH WOULD GIVE US FIVE DIFFERENT MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICTS.

>> Reporter: THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION LAST NIGHT ASKED FOR A DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNITY-DRAWN MAP PLUS THIS MAP, DRAWN BY THE COMMISSION'S CHAIR.

IT WOULD KEEP THE DISTRICTS A LOT CLOSER TO HOW THEY LOOK NOW, BUT NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE CLAREMONT AND RANCHO WOULD NOT BE UNITED INTO ONE DISTRICT, LIKE MANY RESIDENTS THERE WANT.

THE COMMISSIONER OF POINT LOMA SAYS THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD DILUTE THE VOTING POWER OF COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

>> I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE COLLABORATION MAP DISENFRANCHISES HUNDREDS OFS OF PEOPLE FROM DISTRICTS ONE AND TWO AND SEVEN AND FIVE AND PULL TOGETHER NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST.

BUT I'LL LOOK AT ALL THE MAPS IN A FAIR LIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE DISAGREES.

>> COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DISENFRANCHISED EVERY SINGLE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

SO MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR THOSE WHITE AFFLUENT VOTERS ON THE COAST TO ALSO, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SHARE THAT BURDEN A LITTLE BIT MORE FAIRLY OF ALL OF THE CHANGE THAT IS COME ABOUT IN REDISTRICTING.

>> Reporter: THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WILL MEET AGAIN ON SATURDAY AND TRY TO STRIKE A COMPROMISE.

AFTER THAT MEETING, IT WILL HOLD AT LEAST FIVE MORE MEETINGS TO GET MORE INPUT BEFORE SETTLING ON A FINAL MAP IN MID-DECEMBER.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANY OF THE STORIES IN THIS NEWSCAST ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

OTHERS INCLUDE A REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA HEALTH OFFICIALS THAT ALL ADULTS CAN GET A COVID VACCINE BOOSTER, NOT JUST THOSE THE CDC LISTED.

AN INTERVIEW FROM KPBS MIDDAY EDITION ABOUT THE RISE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS STATEWIDE AND THE POTENTIAL FAR WINTER SPIKE IN CORONAVIRUS CASES.

AND SAN DIEGO SUPERVISORS APPROVE POLICY CHANGES TO LIMIT DISRUPTIVE AND INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT AT MEETINGS.

>>> COUNTY SUPERVISORS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES DEALING WITH TROUBLE AT THEIR PUBLIC MEETS.

THIS WEEK THE POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTED TO HOLD THE NEXT MEETING VIRTUALLY.

AS KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO EXPLAINS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FROM ANTI-COVID MANDATES PROTESTERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NO ORDINARY VOTE FOR A SCHOOL BOARD.

>> DUE TO THE CONTINUAL IMMINENT RISK TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS OF STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD APPROVE CONDUCTING THE REGULAR SCHEDULE MEETING ON NOVEMBER 18, 2021 ONLINE VIA VIRTUAL VIDEO CONFERENCING.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO HOLD THEIR NEXT MEETING ONLINE BECAUSE THEY FELT SO UNSAFE.

>> THE PROTESTERS HAVE ALSO VISITED BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S HOME IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS TO PERSONALLY DELIVER STACKS OF MANIFESTO DOCUMENTS.

BOARD MEMBERS ARE RECEIVING DEATH THREATS TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING, SUPERINTENDENT DR. MARION PHELPS DESCRIBED HOW PROTESTERS HAVE TERRORIZED SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON DISTRICT PROPERTY AND THEIR HOMES.

>> HOURS PRIOR TO OUR OCTOBER 14th BOARD MEETING, PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED BY THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, REFUSING TO LEAVE THE BUILDING AFTER DOORS ARE LOCKED, REFUSING TO WEAR MASKS AND LEAVE THE BUILDING AFTER IT WAS OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

>> Reporter: STUDENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WINNIE WAS AT THAT MEETING.

>> IN THAT MOMENT IT WAS DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE THAT A PUBLIC MEETING WAS BEING STOPPED BASED ON A RIOT AGAINST MASK MANDATES.

IN THE MOMENT, I THINK I WAS ALMOST IN SHOCK THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN OUR LOCAL DISTRICT.

AND YOU KNOW, WE WERE THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE BEING TARGETED.

>> Reporter: AND HAS ALSO BEEN RECEIVING THREATS.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN HARROWING AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCING THESE THINGS, ESPECIALLY SERVING IN SUCH A PUBLIC ROLE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID MEETINGS SHOULD BE HELD ONLINE IN LIGHT OF THOSE INCIDENTS AND ANOTHER ON MONDAY.

>> FOR ME IT'S DEFINITELY SADDENING TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO DO SO FOR OUR PERSONAL SAFETY.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE TIME BEING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE MERELY FOLLOWING THE STATE'S PUBLIC SAFETY GUIDELINES.

KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PADRE SHORTSTOP FERNANDO TATIS JR. HAS RACKED UP ANOTHER SILVER SLUGGER AWARD, GIVEN THE BEST HITTERS IN BASEBALL AND HE'S WON IT TWICE IN TWO YEARS.

FORMER PADRES TONY BEGIN AND BENITO SANTIAGO ALSO WON MULTIPLE SILVER SLUGGERS.

TATIS IS A FINALIST FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER.

THAT AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK.

>>> AN HISTORIC EVENT AND NOW A GROUP OF STUDENTS AT MIRA MESA WILL BE THERE FRONT AND CENTER.

THE ANNUAL ROSE PARADE.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER PEREZ ON THIS SPECIAL INVITATION.

>> Reporter: IT'S OFFICIAL -- >> THE MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL AND THE SAPPHIRE BAND -- THE 2022 ROSE PARADE.

>> Reporter: ROSES ARE RED, AND SO IS THE JACKET OF DR. ROBERT MILLER, PRESIDENT OF THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE.

HE CAME TO DELIVER THE NEWS IN PERSON AND GIVE THE 225 MEMBERS OF MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL'S MARCHING BAND AND COLOR GUARD A PEP TALK.

THIS COMING JANUARY 1st, THE SAPPHIRE SOUND WILL APPEAR IN THE 133rd ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA.

THEY WILL BE SEEN BY AN ESTIMATED TELEVISION AND ONLINE AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 75 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.

IT'S AN HONOR THAT ONLY GOES TO 16 MARCHING BANDS EVERY YEAR, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

>> MIRA MESA IS AN ABSOLUTE SYMBOL OF THE BEST OF QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE SAPPHIRE SOUND WAS SUPPOSED TO MARCH IN THE ROSE PARADE JANUARY 1, 2021.

COVID KILLED THAT, BUT NOT FOR GOOD.

THEY'RE BACK AND READY TO STEP INTO THE LIGHT.

INTO THE LIGHT IS THE MARCHING BAND'S FOOTBALL HALFTIME SHOW THEME THIS SEASON.

EACH MEMBER IS COMMITTED TO BRING LIGHT, HOPE AND THEIR TALENT TO THE PERFORMANCE IN PASADENA AND BEYOND.

>> AS A MUSICIAN, WE WORK HARD DAY AND NIGHT TRAINING OUR BODIES, TRAINING OUR LUNGS, TRAINING OUR FINGERS TO WITHSTAND FIVE MILES OF MARCHING.

>> YOU CAN LOOK ACROSS THE ROOM AND SEE YOUR FRIEND AND REACT WHEN THE MUSIC'S GOOD.

IT'S SO MUCH EASIER TO BLEND AND BALANCE WITH EACH OTHER.

YOU MISS OUT A LOT ON ZOOM.

>> WHAT'S UP, MIRA MESA?

>> Reporter: THE BAND HAS PLENTY OF SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING THE INTERIM SAN DIEGO SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WHO ADMITTED HE HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART FOR THIS SCHOOL.

>> OUR FOCUS IN OUR DISTRICT IS ABOUT DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND EQUITY.

AND THIS SCHOOL AND THIS COMMUNITY IS ABOUT ALL OF THEM.

>> Reporter: THAT'S MUSIC TO THE EARS AND HOPE FOR THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS WHO WILL BE LISTENING AND WATCHING NEW YEAR'S DAY.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

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