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

COMING UP KEEPING THE SHELVES STOCKED WITH BLACK FRIDAY A WEEK WAY WE CHECK IN ON A LOCAL TOY STORE DEALING WITH THE ONGOING SUPPLY ISSUES GANG FOR SAN DIEGO'S VETERANS .

THE RESOURCE AND OIL OPEN AND THE WORK BEING DONE TO MAKE THE VA MORE WELCOMING FOR WOMEN WHO SERVED.

>>> MORE ACCESS TO COVID 19 BOOSTER VACCINE .

AN UPDATE ON THE LOCAL ROLLOUT THIS WEEK.

>> FIRST THE VERDICT IN THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE CASE THIS WEEK IS ABOUT MORE THAN ONE CASE IN WISCONSIN.

THIS PART OF THE DISCUSSION ABOUT AMERICA'S HISTORY AND HOW DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE TREATED UNDER THE LAW.

SAN DIEGO IS NO EXCEPTION EVEN FOR THINGS AS MUNDANE AS BUYING A HOME.

THE SPECIAL THREE PART SERIES CHRISTINE EXAMINES HOW RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS SHAPE THE LIST IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: EVER SINCE 2013 WHEN MICHAEL BOUGHT HIS HOME HE HAS BEEN A FIXTURE AT HIS BLOCK PARTIES AND HAPPY HOURS.

BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT REMINDS HIM THAT, AS A BLACK MAN HE DID NOT ALWAYS BELONG.

LIKE THE TIME AN OLDER NEIGHBOR MISTOOK HIM AS THE GARDENER .

>> I WAS TALKING AND I WAS GOING TO REFILL A DRINK BUT AN OLDER WOMAN, I WISH I KNEW WHO SHE WAS, SHE SAYS OH ARE YOU ONE OF THE GARDENERS?

TO WHY WOULD A GARDENER BE A HAPPY HOUR.

>> Reporter: YEARS LATER WHEN READING OVER THE 1950 DEED OF HIS RANCH-STYLE HOUSE HE FIGURED OUT WHY HIS OLDER NEIGHBOR MIGHT'VE SAID SUCH A THING.

THE DEED INCLUDED A RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANT.

>> SHALL EVER BE LEFT UPON OR OCCUPIED BY ANY PERSON OTHER THAN OF THE CAUCASIAN RACE PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT PERSON IS NOT OF THE CAUCASIAN RACE BE KEPT THERE AND BY A CAUCASIAN STRICTLY IN THE CAPACITY OF SERVANTS OR EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN THE SERVICES OF EACH OCCUPANT OR IN THE CARE OF SAID PREMISES FOR SAID OCCUPANT GARDENER.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS HIRED HELP IS ALL HE COULD OF BEEN IN THIS HOME.

RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS WERE LEGAL DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO DEEDS AND SUBDIVISIONS IN ENTIRE DEVELOPMENTS.

>> EVEN AS EARLY AS 1927 THEY WERE ON THREE QUARTERS OF THE NEW HOMES IN AMERICA AND ABOUT HALF OF ALL HOMES SO THEY SPREAD VERY QUICKLY AND BECAME DOMINANT WAY OF LIMITING WHO COULD LIVE WHERE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS GINA AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPECIALIST.

HE SAYS REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND DEVELOPERS CREATED AND ENFORCED RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE HOUSING COVENANTS ACROSS THE NATION.

>> THEY CREATED A WHOLE SYSTEM INCLUDING ALL THE OTHER BROKERS IN THE CITY AND THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE CERTAIN A CITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD REMAIN ALL WHITE .

>> SAN DIEGO WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS NATIONAL TREND .

A SAMPLE OF DEEDS FROM 1910 TO 1950 FOUND EVERY SINGLE ONE HAD A RACIAL RESTRICTION MAKE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SAN DIEGO PROPERTIES FROM THE EARLY 20th CENTURY ALL ALLUDE TO THIS RESTRICTION ONE FROM 1910 FOR LOTS IN INSPIRATION.

SAYS THE AREA HAS THE NECESSARY RESTRICTIONS AND IS PLANNED AND PROTECTED FOR PARTICULAR PEOPLE.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHITE AND AFFLUENT.

BLACK, ASIAN, LATINO AND JEWISH SAN DIEGO LINES OR ALL BUT LOCKED OUT OF THE CITY'S SIGNATURE NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE LA JOLLA AND MISSION VALLEY.

INSTEAD PURPOSELY SEGREGATED INTO SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOODS BACK IN 1948 THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN THE LEGALITY OF RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS BUT, AS WE SEE WITH DUES HOME, THEY CONTINUED INTO THE 50s.

AS THE PATTERNS OF RACIAL SEGREGATION THAT THEY IN CONCERT WITH REDLINING AND SONY CREATED PATTERNS THAT CONTINUE TO SHAPE SAN DIEGO TODAY.

IT IS NOT HARD TO SEE SAYS DENISE.

RESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS.

>> WHETHER YOU ARE AFRICAN- AMERICAN, HISPANIC OR WHITE WE STILL USE THE INTERSTATE 8 AS THE DIVIDING MARK.

SO SOUTH OF THE EIGHT YOU EXPECT ONE THING AND NORTH OF THE EIGHT YOU EXPECT SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS MORE SEGREGATED TODAY THAN IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT UC BERKELEY STUDY.

MUCH OF THE SEGREGATION IS STILL MARKED BY INTERSTATE 8 WITH MORE WHITE COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTH BANK AS A BLACK WOMAN FROM SAN DIEGO HER ONLY GRANDFATHER WAS IMPACTED BY HAVING DISCRIMINATION THAT CONTINUED LONG AFTER RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS BECAME ILLEGAL.

>> I ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM TELLING US THAT HE LIKED THE HOUSE RIGHT OUTSIDE AND MISSION VALLEY ON TOP OF THE HILL AND HE WAS TOLD HE COULD NOT PURCHASE THERE.

SO, WHAT WITH THE HOME AND MISSION VALLEY BE WORTH THAT I COULD HAVE INHERITED COMPARED TO THE HOME THAT THEY STEERED HIM TO BUY OAK PARK?

>>> TODAY HOMEOWNERSHIP CREATES A BIGGER WEALTH FOR BLACK FAMILIES THAN WHITE FAMILIES PICKED UP SCADUTO PERSON ONLY 30% OF BLACK SAN DIEGO LINES ON THEIR HOME COMPARED TO 60% OF WHITE PEOPLE.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EVOLUTION AS TO THE IMPACTS OF SOME OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PAST THAT KIND OF DETERMINE WHERE YOUR SOCIOECONOMIC POSITION IS TODAY.

>> Reporter: IT'S WHY MICHAEL WANTS MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS BACK HIS GRANDFATHERS COULD NOT A BOT THAT HOME PARK >> WE ARE STILL A LONG WAY FROM UNDERSTANDING LET ALONE UNDOING THE GENERATIONAL HARM THESE PRACTICES HAVE CAUSED.

KBS NEWS.

>> THIS SERIES AS PART OF A COLLABORATION WITH NPR AND OUR INVESTIGATIVE NEWS PARTNER PACKET INCLUDES THE RACIALLY RESTRICTIVE PAST OF ONE OF OUR MOST AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES IN NORTH.

>>> ASCETICAL FAMILY IS AMONG THOSE SUING THE STATE TO PROTECT SOME STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER M.G.

PEREZ EXPLAINS THE CASE AND HOW IT IS TIED TO RETURNING TO CLASSROOMS DURING THE PANDEMIC >> Reporter: 16-YEAR-OLD ETHAN IS A HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE, AND AVID VIDEO GAME PLAYER, SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAMPION AND A MUSICIAN.

HE IS ALSO LIVING WITH EXTREMELY RARE FLOATING HARBOR SYNDROME .

A DIAGNOSIS THAT CAUSES HIM TO BE MEDICALLY FRAGILE .

>> HE HAS HAD 23 SURGERIES, HEART ATTACK, YES CEREBRAL PALSY .

HE HAS GOT A LOT GOING ON.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ETHAN'S MOTHER AND STRONGEST ADVOCATE .

>> HIS FATHER AND YOUNGER SISTER ARE HIS DEVOTED SUPPORTERS TO TO MAKE THE WRESTLES ARMONK 15 CALIFORNIA FAMILIES SUING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR DISCRIMINATION BY DENYING ETHAN AND THE OTHER CHILDREN AT HOME LEARNING WITH THEIR FULL SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES.

>> EVERY PARENT WANTS THEIR CHILD TO BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND HAVE AN EDUCATION.

SO, HE ALSO DESERVES WHY EVERY OTHER CHILD IS RECEIVING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: IN JULY THE STATE LEGISLATOR PASSED AB 130 WHICH BECAME THE NEW LAW TO PERSONALIZE A PERSON LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BECK THAT LEFT STUDENTS WHO WERE MEDICALLY FRAGILE WITHOUT A VIABLE DISTANCE-LEARNING OPTION AND SUPPORT.

ETHAN HAS BEEN STUCK AT HOME WITH NO SUPPORT LIKE HE USED TO HAVE HIS FRESHMAN YEAR TO RESUME CLASSES.

ETHAN IS A STUDENT HERE AT PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL.

HE HAS NEVER ACTUALLY ATTENDED ANY IN-PERSON CLASSES TAKE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT PART OF THE LAWSUIT AND IS THE DISTRICT'S POLICY TO NEVER COMMENT ON PENDING LEGAL ACTION.

THE FAMILIES ARE NOT SUING SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY ARE SUING THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AB 130 IS A STATE LAW.

THE DEPARTMENT RELEASED A STATEMENT THAT SAYS IN PART THE CDE IS CONSIDERING TO WORK OVERTIME ON THIS ISSUES AND TO ENSURE ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

AS WE HAVE THIS DATA BEFORE VULNERABLE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ACCURATELY IMPACTED BY THE COMMON 90 PANDEMIC AND WORKING TO MEDICATE THOSE IMPACTS HAS BEEN A TOP CONCERN OF CALIFORNIA'S EDUCATION COMMUNITY SINCE THE VIRUS WAS FIRST DETECTED IN OUR STATE.

>> IT DISCRIMINATES ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY SO WHAT WE WOULD LIKE IS EQUAL ACCESS TO SAFE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter: ROBERT REPRESENTS THE FAMILIES IN THIS CASE WERE GRANTED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER REQUIRING IMMEDIATE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.

A JUDGE WILL REVIEW THE CASE DECEMBER 2nd AND THE DECISION COULD IMPACT CHILDREN WHO ARE MEDICALLY FRAGILE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

THAT COULD AT THE TITLE OF HERO TO THIS YOUNG MAN'S LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PATIL, 19 RESPONSE INCLUDES BOOSTER SHOTS.

ALL ADULTS ARE ELIGIBLE.

THIS WEEK KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN STOP BY A VACCINATION SITE IN THE SOUTH BAY.

>> I CAME FROM IMA DURING THE BOOSTER.

>>> HE CAME TO GET HIS BOOSTER SHOT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE AS PROTECTIVE AS POSSIBLE.

>> I'M A RETIRED DOCTOR AND A REAL FIRM BELIEVER IN VACCINATION SO I MADE MY OWN DECISION.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET A BOOSTER SHOT MAKE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF YOU NEED AN APPOINTMENT AHEAD OF TIME.

ALSO OFFICIALS TELL US THEY WILL BE CHECKING TO MAKE SURE IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST SIX MONTHS SINCE YOUR ORIGINAL DOSE WAS PICKED >> Reporter: BOOSTER SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 18 WITH NO REQUIREMENT TO HAVE UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR WORK IN A HIGH RISK LETTING WE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE SAID THEY WERE WAITING BUT FOLLOWING RECENT VACCINE A PRO APPROVAL FOR AGES FIVE TO 11 THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS GETTING THEIR VACCINATIONS.

>> THEY WERE GIVING VACCINES HERE .

SO I GAVE IT A SHOT TO THE SHOT .

>> MR. DELGADO BROUGHT HIS FIVE AND 11-YEAR-OLD KIDS FOR THEIR FIRST SERIES OF VACCINATION SPEC >> IN MEXICO THEY ARE STILL NOT VACCINATING CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE SAY GETTING IT WAS A FAIRLY PAINLESS PROCESS .

>> VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD .

BUT THE APPOINTMENT ONLINE AND CAME HERE.

>> Reporter: THE CDC RECOMMENDS BOOSTER FOR ANYONE OVER 65, THOSE WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF THOSE WORKING IN HIGH RISK SITUATIONS.

>>> ACCESS AND EQUITY ARE TWO WORDS ON LOCAL VETERANS CARE.

WE HAVE TWO STORIES INCLUDING ALEXANDRA LEWIS LOOK AT A NEW OUTPATIENT CENTER .

FIRST, HERE IS KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH ON EFFORTS TO MAKE THE VA MORE WELCOMING TO WOMEN.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN JENNIFER WAS 25 YEARS OLD WHEN THE ARMY NURSE WAS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2013 WHILE SERVING WITH SPECIAL FORCES BUT SHE MAY BECOME ONLY THE THIRD WOMAN TO HAVE A VA FACILITY RENEGED IN HER HONOR.

KAREN, AN ARMY VETERAN CHAIRED A PANEL TO RENAME THE SAN DIEGO VA PERKS >> THE INCREDIBLE CONSISTENCY OF HER CHARACTER FROM VERY EARLY ON.

IT IS LIKE SHE DEVELOPED HER CHARACTER VERY EARLY AND SHE MAINTAINED A CREW THAT CHARACTER THROUGHOUT.

>> Reporter: MARINO GREW UP IN LOGAN HAS BUT SHE DID NOT COME FROM A MILITARY FAMILY.

THE COMMITTEE INTERVIEWED FORMER TEACHERS, FAMILY AND HER JR. ROTC INSTRUCTOR .

>> SHE TOOK ON CHALLENGES, SHE EXCELLED IN WHAT SHE DID AND I GUESS HER DEDICATION TO SERVING OTHERS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT HER LIFE, HER VERY SHORT LIFE.

>> Reporter: ROUGHLY 40% OF THE MILITARY ARE WOMEN BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS FEEL WELCOME AT VA FACILITIES .

A VA STUDY RECOMMENDED A LONG LIST OF CHANGES INCLUDING RENAMING FACILITIES FOR FEMALE VETERANS BUT I WILL PASS THIS WEEK WOULD EXPAND MATERNITY SERVICES NATIONWIDE.

>> THE TYPES OF SACRIFICES AND THE TYPES OF COMMITMENT IT TAKES TO DO THE THINGS WOMEN ARE DOING NOW DESERVES THAT LEVEL OF EXPOSURE.

I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHEN I LEFT THE MILITARY, NOBODY TOLD ME I WAS EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR VA MEDICAL CARE.

>> MURANO IS BURIED AT -- .

SHE IS ONE OF TWO WOMEN AT SAN DIEGO WHO DIED IN AFGHANISTAN .

UP BILL BY CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN TO NAME THE LA JOLLA VA PAST THE HOUSE AFTER ALL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION SIGNED ON PICKET AWAITS A VOTE IN THE CENTER PICKS STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ELIZABETH ROBERTSON IS A U.S. NAVY VETERAN .

IT WAS HER FIRST TIME AT THE VA KEARNY MESA OUTPATIENT CENTER.

ALTHOUGH SHE GOT LOST AS SHE MADE HER WAY THROUGH THE BIG, NEW BUILDING SHE WAS AMAZED TO BE TREATED AT SUCH A NICE FACILITY .

>> IT MEANS A LOT TO VETERANS, A BIGGER PLACE TO ROAM AROUND, CHECK OUT.

>> Reporter: THE $15 MILLION FACILITY IS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE MISSION VALLEY VA CLINIC IT REPLACES.

ROBERTS SAYS THE CLINIC WILL PROVIDE SERVICE TO AT LEAST 600 VETERANS DAILY.

>> TODAY REPRESENTS A CONTINUATION OF VETERANS DAY EVENTS AND MARKS AN IMPORTANT EXPANSION AND OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS CARE TO THE VETERANS WE SERVE .

>> CONGRESSMAN STARTED JACOB SAYS THE CENTER WILL HELP WITH DETAILED CARE THAT IN THE PAST WAS OVERLOOKED PICKS WE RECOGNIZE NOW THAT THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF VETERANS ARE SO MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND DIFFERENT THAT WHEN THE VA WAS FIRST FOUNDED.

>> Reporter: VETERANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO DOZENS OF SERVICES.

>> THE BUILDING WILL HOUSE MORE THAN 30 OUTPATIENT SERVICES WITH DISHES SUCH AS DENTAL, DERMATOLOGY, ORTHOPEDICS, PAIN, PODIATRY, PROSTHETICS, SLEEP, NEUROLOGY.

>> Reporter: THE VA SAN DIEGO SYSTEM SERVES MORE THAN -- VETERANS.

ALEXANDRA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS GETTING ITS BIGGEST SINGLE DONATION EVER.

KITTY ALVARADO TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE $100 MILLION GIFT FROM TWO OF SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST PHILANTHROPISTS .

>> IT IS THE BIG DAY AT THE SALT INSTITUTE BACK PHILANTHROPISTS ARE GIVING THE SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CENTER UP TO $100 MILLION MAKING THE SINGLE LARGEST DONATION TODAY.

THIS DONATION IS TRANSFORMATIVE .

>> 50 YEARS FROM NOW PEOPLE LOOK BACK AT THIS MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY.

THIS IS A LONG LASTING LEGACY AND WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL GO TOWARD BUILDING A $500 MILLION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER THAT WILL BE NAMED AFTER THE JACOBS.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THE NEW BUILDING, THE WORK THAT IS GOING TO GO ON AND THAT NEW BUILDING AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AND HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENT TO THE ENTIRE CITY .

>> JACOBS IS THE FORMER CEO OF QUALCOMM.

AS AN ENGINEER BY TRADE SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT TO HIM AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CENTER THAT WILL BENEFIT MANY MEANS EVERYTHING .

>> THAT IS ALWAYS OF MOTIVATION FOR ALL OF US BACK HOW CAN WE HELP MANY PEOPLE MOST OF WHOM WHO WE WILL NEVER KNOW BUT HOW CAN WE HELP THEM HAVE A MORE SUCCESSFUL, MORE HEALTHY LIFE .

SUPPORTING THE SITE THERE IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THAT .

SPORTS >>> >> Reporter: THE CHECKS WILL GIVE ONE DOLLAR UP TO $100 MILLION MAKING IT A COMMUNITY EFFORT .

>> I HOPE IT WILL SET AN EXAMPLE.

FOR ME, THAT IS THE EMOTION PART OF OUR GIVING IS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL REALIZE IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO AND TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THEM AND FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: THE INSTITUTE WAS FOUNDED 60 YEARS AGO BY THE POLIO PIONEER JONAS SALK.

THIS MEANS MORE SCIENTISTS CAN WORK TOWARD CURING DISEASE LIKE CANCER AND PREVENTING THE NEXT ILLNESS YET TO BE DISCOVERED .

HE WANTS EVERYONE TO BE A PART OF THAT .

>> EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN WHATEVER THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE PICKET CAN FUND IMPORTANT PROJECTS THAT DRIVE SCIENCE BUT ALSO TO THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS .

>> KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAD IT AT THE TOP OF THIS NEWSCAST THAT IT IS ALSO AMONGST OUR MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK.

CHRISTINA'S SERIES ON RACIST HISTORY OF HOUSING LOTS CONTINUES TO GAIN TRACTION WITH OUR ONLINE AUDIENCE.

THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE POTENTIAL KAISER HEALTH CARE STRIKE THAT WAS AVERTED THIS WEEK.

SAME GOES FOR OUR STORY ON A COUNTY PROGRAM TO PUT SHELTER CATS TO WORK.

WE WILL HAVE THAT ONE FOR YOU A LITTLE LATER.

>>> BLACK FRIDAY IS LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY AND TOYS ARE ALWAYS A HOT ITEM.

JOHN CARROLL VISITED A LOCAL SHOP TO SEE HOW THEY ARE NAVIGATING THE ONGOING SUPPLY ISSUE FIXED >> Reporter: THE SITUATION WITH CARGO SHIPS WAITING OFF THE COAST IS NOT GETTING ANY BETTER .

THE MARINE EXCHANGE REPORTED A RECORD 86 SHIPS WAITING FOR A BERTH TO BECOME AVAILABLE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT THERE DIRECTLY IMPACTS WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE ON LAND, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT, WE FOUND A HAPPY EXCEPTION TO THAT HERE AT GEPPETTO'S WHERE THE SHELVES ARE FULLY STOCKED WITH PLENTY OF TOYS AND GAMES.

LIKE I HAVE NINE STORES AROUND THE CITY .

>> GEPPETTO'S SAYS ALL THEIR STORES LOOK LIKE THIS BRIMMING WITH TOYS AND BOOKS LITTLE ONES WILL WANT THIS YEAR.

WITH SO MANY RETAILERS REPORTING PROBLEMS GETTING MERCHANDISE HOW DID THEY DO IT?

ONE WORD.

PREPARATION.

MILLER BEGAN TO SEE THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL LAST SPRING WHEN DEMAND STARTED GOING UP AS THE PANDEMIC EASED.

>> AT THAT TIME SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES REALLY STARTED KICKING IN.

SO, I TRIED TO BEEF UP OUR INVENTORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS COMING.

ORDER LOTS.

>> Reporter: KEEPING STORES LIKE THIS ONE FULLY STOCKED IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE .

>> IF I ORDER SIX ITEMS FROM A MANUFACTURER TWO OF THEM ARE GOING TO COME .

THEM, LITTLE LATE .

TWO OF THEM ARE NOT GOING TO COME AT ALL AND TWO ARE MAYBE GOING TO COME BACK MAYBE WILL GET THEM HER CHRISTMAS BUT NORMALLY, BEFORE ALL THIS I WOULD ORDER AND TWO WEEKS LATER OUR PRODUCTS WHICH SHOW A .

IF IT DID NOT SHOW UP THE MANUFACTURER COULD TELL ME IT IS ARRIVING ON THE STATE ABOUT THE STATE .

ALL THOSE PROJECTIONS ARE GONE .

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT NOW.

>> Reporter: SO MILLER CANNOT GET EVERYTHING HE OR MORE IMPORTANTLY HIS CUSTOMERS WANT.

BACK OF YOUR GRANDCHILD WANTED THE PINK VERSION OF THIS DRAGON I WOULD FIND OUT WHEN WE COULD GET IT AND I WOULD ORDER IT FOR THE CUSTOMER.

BUT, CAN'T DO THAT THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: SOMETHING ELSE HE IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING?

STAFFORD'S GOT A LOT OF POSITIONS OPEN AS WE HEAD INTO THIS CHALLENGING HOLIDAY SEASON.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS MANY OF US GET READY TO PREPARE A THANKSGIVING FEAST WE ARE WRAPPING UP HUNGER AND AWARENESS WEEK.

HOW TO ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO HELP.

OUR PARTNERING FOR HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK .

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR WAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE COMMUNITY IN AND RAISE THE AWARENESS AND SUGGEST HOW THEY CAN GET INVOLVED IN THIS VERY CRITICAL ISSUE.

FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE AND ACROSS THE NATION IS VERY, VERY SEVERE PICS TO JIM VARGAS AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES AND DESCRIBES HOW MUCH FOOD INSECURITY AFFECTS THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY .

>> ONE OUT OF THREE IN SAN DIEGO HAS SOME LEVEL OF NUTRITION AND SECURITY.

ACROSS THE BOARD.

TWO CHILDREN OUT OF FIVE HAVE A LEVEL OF FOOD INSECURITY.

>> Reporter: TO KICK OFF THE WAKE THE ORGANIZATION WANTED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS IMPACT SAN DIEGO WINS .

MISSION DONATED $25,000 AS A MATCH CHALLENGE TO THE COMMUNITY TO DONATE TO FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES BREAK >> EVERY SINGLE DAY FROM ADVOCACY TO DONATION TO EDUCATION, IT'S LIKE A LOT OF SERVICE AND PARTICIPATION TO A VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE.

>>> SR. VP OF MEMBERSHIP, MARKETING COMMITTEE RELATIONS THAT MISSION FED CREDIT UNION .

EMPLOYEES DONATED THEIR TIME TO HELP ASSEMBLE 200 MAILBOXES FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> ALL THE FRESH FOOD THAT COULD BE PERISHABLE AND THEY BOX IT UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THEY THINK COULD MAKE A MEAL.

>>> ALONG WITH FOOD INSECURITY ABOUT 7600 PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS EVERY NIGHT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> COULD BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD .

BEFORE YOU GOT TO SEE THE CHANGE WOULD SEE IN THE WORLD .

IS OUR CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THEMSELVES AS SUPPORTERS OF THIS COSMIC >> Reporter: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP DURING HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK .

>>> DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF STAFF NOT ALL CATS YOU SEE IN SHELTERS ARE BEST SUITED FOR TRADITIONAL ADOPTION.

THAT IS WHERE A NEW COUNTY PROGRAM COMES IN.

TANIA THORNE SHOWS US HOW THESE CATS ARE BEING PUT TO WORK IN THEIR NATURAL SETTING.

>> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE GO TO ANIMAL SHELTERS LOOKING FOR A NEW CAT OR DOG TO PET AND CUDDLE.

THE ANIMAL SERVICES LAUNCHING A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP CATS THAT ARE NOT SO AFFECTIONATE.

IT IS CALLED WORKING CATS AND THE CATS DO JUST THAT .

WORK.

MY CATS ARE SHY.

THEY ARE NOT AS SOCIAL AS WE HAVE IN OUR TRADITIONAL ADOPTION PROGRAM BUT THEY ARE EXCELLENT MOUSER'S.

THEY ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP CONTROL YOUR PROPERTY OR WAREHOUSE, YOU'RE OUT BUILDING, YOUR BARN AND MAKE SURE IT IS PAST THREE.

>> Reporter: KELLY CAMPBELL IS THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR .

WORKING CATS ARE A GREAT ORGANIC PEST CONTROL OPTION ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL AREAS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY .

>> WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE RANCHES OR MORE BUILDINGS ON THEIR PROPERTY AND PARTICULARLY IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHO MIGHT HAVE SOME AGRICULTURAL OR RANCH WORK THAT GETS DONE YOU HAVE ALMOST CERTAINLY GOT RODENTS SO WORKING CATS CAN BE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO THINGS LIKE PESTICIDES OR POISONS OR BLUE TRAPS.

THESE GUYS ARE ALL NATURAL, THEY WILL KEEP POLLUTION AWAY AND THEY KEEP THE POISONS OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE CONTROLLING THE PEST PROBLEM .

>> DOUGLAS HAS FOUR WORKING CATS ON HIS 14 ACRE PROPERTY .

>> WHATEVER IT WAS IT WAS DECIMATING OUR GARDEN, GOPHERS, SQUIRRELS, WHATEVER.

THEY ARE DONE TOO.

SO, THE CATS HELP CONTROL OF THAT STUFF.

>> HE SAYS HIS CATS AND TAKING CARE OF ROADS ON HIS PROPERTY AND ONE EVEN KILLED A RATTLESNAKE.

THERE IS CONCERN THAT WORKING CATS ARE VULNERABLE TO COYOTES.

HE SAYS THAT FERAL CATS ARE SURVIVORS .

>> WE HAVE HAD OUR FERAL FOR FOUR YEARS NEXT MONTH.

AND HIS OUT EVERY NIGHT AND IF I WERE A COYOTE I WOULD NOT MESS WITH HIM .

>> HE SAYS EACH CAT HAS A UNIQUE PERSONALITY AND SOME ARE FRIENDLY WHILE OTHERS KEEP THEIR DISTANCE .

THEY ALL FIT INTO THE ORGANIC PRACTICES HE WANTS ON HIS RANCH.

>> THE RODENTS ARE A PROBLEM .

THEY ARE RODENTS THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE BUT LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE .

A LOT OF PEOPLE POISON THEM AND THEN YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE IN OUR BOX RIGHT THERE .

IF THEY ARE POISON THEM THE ALL SEAT THEM OR THE HOXIE THEM AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AND OTHER THINGS GET POISONED THE CATS ARE A REALLY GOOD SOLUTION.

THAT'S HOW WE TRY TO DO MOST THINGS OUT HERE IS USE NATURAL, BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS .

>> Reporter: HE SAYS ALL ANIMAL SHELTERS ARE OPERATING DEFINITELY FULL CAPACITY.

THE CATS ARE VACCINATED, MICROCHIPPED AND FULLY VETTED .

>> THEY WOULD ONLY NEED THE STANDARD VETERINARY CARE OR TREATMENT FOR ANY INJURIES MIGHT HAPPEN .

OTHER THAN THAT, THEY ARE PRETTY EASY KEEPERS.

>> Reporter: IF TAKING A WORKING COW HOME IS NOT AN OPTION THE SHELTER IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FOSTER FAMILIES.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.