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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, OUR OCEANS.

HOW THEY ABSORB EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE I'M AT IT, BUT AT WHAT COST?

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON LOOKS AT THE RESEARCH HAPPENING OFF OF OUR COAST.

DOING SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS VISITING AN ATM IS EASY IN IMPERIAL VALLEY.

HOW THE REGION HAS BECOME A BANKING DESERT.

AND AT THE END OF THE NEWSCAST WE WILL REVISIT THE BIG INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW SAN DIEGO PADRES MANAGER, BOB MELVIN.

>>> WE SAW A BIG STEP FORWARD IN THE ROLLOUT OF COVID-19 VACCINE, YOUNGER KIDS AGES 5 TO 11 ARE GETTING THE SHOTS AFTER WAITING NEARLY ONE YEAR.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SHOWS HOW IT IS GOING HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY IN SAN DIEGO FOR KIDS AGES 5 TO 11.

>> I JUST FELT A LITTLE PAIN.

>> Reporter: TROY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST KIDS AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO GET HIS SHOT.

>> IT IS ALL OVER.

I REALLY WANTED HIM TO GET VACCINATED, SO THAT I WOULD NOT GET COVID.

>> Reporter: HIS MOM, JULIANA, SAID SHE DECIDED TO GET THE KIDS VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEM AND OTHER IMMUNOCOMPROMISED FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A WHILE.

THAT IS ONE MORE LAYER OF PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS FOR YOUNGER KIDS DO REQUIRE PARENTAL PERMISSION, AND WHILE THE DOSES ARE SMALLER THAN ONE FOR ADULTS, THEY DO HAVE TO COME BACK FOR THEIR SECOND SHOT.

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE PARENTS THAT IT IS VERY SAFE.

>> Reporter: DR. BOB GILLESPIE HELPED CREATE THE COVID-19 EQUITY TAX FORCE.

HE SAID THAT SOME MAY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT GETTING THERE KIDS VACCINATED, BUT HE HAS DATA THAT SHOWS THAT THE PFIZER VACCINE WORKS AND IS SAFE.

>> THERE WERE NO SIDE EFFECTS THAT DID NOT OCCUR WITHIN THE GENERAL POPULATION, FATIGUE, HEADACHE, LOCALIZED PAIN.

>> Reporter: WHILE KIDS ARE AT A LOWER RISK OF BEING HOSPITALIZED OR DYING FROM THE VIRUS, DR. GILLESPIE SAID THAT THE VACCINES CAN PREVENT OTHER ILLNESSES THAT CAN STICK AROUND MONTHS AFTER INFECTION.

>> BEACH SKIDS, AND OTHER KIDS THAT HAVE OPTIMIZED STATES, IT IS A NO-BRAINER.

PERKY VACCINATING OTHER KIDS COULD HELP WITH A RETURN TO NORMAL INSIDE CLASSROOMS, TOO.

AND DR. GILLESPIE SAID THEY CAN RETURN TO NORMAL HEALTH.

>> I HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY.

I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT.

>> Reporter: CAITLIN SAID BEING THE YOUNGEST IN THE FAMILY MEANT THAT SHE HAD TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER TO GET VACCINATED, BUT SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING OUT MORE.

TONIGHT I WAS REALLY EXCITED, BECAUSE I GET TO GO TO DISNEYLAND SOON.

SO, WE DID IT.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY TO VACCINATE NEARLY 28 MILLION KIDS NATIONWIDE IT IS 5 TO 11.

CURRENTLY JUST THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: >>> WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES, THIS IS A GOOD TIME 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, YOU CAN BUY THE DROP-DOWN MENU NEXT TO THE NEW SECTION.

CLICK TRACKING COVID-19.

>>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT CONTACT TRACING, ESPECIALLY AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT TRYING TO GET AN IDEA OF WHERE THE VIRUS WAS SPREADING.

WARNING PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

THE COUNTY IS STILL DOING THIS WORK.

KPBS NEWS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE LOOKS INTO HOW EFFECTIVE IT REALLY IS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, AND JESSICA WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING, TO HELP, SO SHE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO BE A CASE INVESTIGATOR FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM.

>> IT WAS A VERY STEEP LEARNING CURVE.

WE WERE THROWN INTO THE MIX.

WITHIN JUST A FEW DAYS OF TRAINING.

BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS OF PRETTY RIGOROUS TRAINING, I WOULD SAY THAT I CAUGHT ON PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: KPBS IS NOT USING JESSICA'S REAL NAME AND HAS DISTORTED HER VOICE TO PROTECT HER LIVELIHOOD.

SHE IS PART OF A CONTACT TRACING PROGRAM THAT AT ONE POINT EMPLOYED NEARLY 1000 PEOPLE.

HAS SO FAR COST THE COUNTY MILLIONS.

DESPITE THE COMMITMENT, IT HAS BECOME CLEAR WITHIN MONTHS, THAT WAS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE SPREAD.

DURING THE SUMMER SURGE OF 2020, JUST 11% OF PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 WERE BEING CONTACTED BY A CASE INVESTIGATOR WITHIN ONE DAY.

FAR SHORT OF THE COUNTY'S GOAL OF 70%.

NOW, MORE THAN 18 MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, EXPERTS ARE LOOKING BACK ON THE PROGRAM TO EXAMINE HOW COULD IT BE CHANGED TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE.

REBECCA FIELDING-MILLER IS AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> CONTACT TRACING IS THE MOST USEFUL, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PUTTING OUT FLAREUPS RATHER THAN DEALING WITH A WILDFIRE.

SO, IN THE VERY BEGINNING, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL.

YEAH.

IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO CATCH THOSE AS QUICK AS WE COULD.

BUT OF COURSE, IT WAS HARD WITH HOW HARD IT WAS TO GET A TEST AND HOW LONG THE TURNAROUND WAS.

I THINK WHEN WE GOT INTO THE REAL PEAK OF IT.

YOU COULD NOT CAMP DOWN THAT WILDFIRE WITH CASE INVESTIGATION AND CONTACT TRACING.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS WOULD NOT AGREE TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR THE STORY, BUT COUNTY SPOKESMAN MICHAEL WORKMAN ASSISTED IN EMAILED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS THAT THE PROGRAM IS WORTHWHILE.

STILL, HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT EVEN NOW, THE COUNTY IS ONLY ABLE TO REACH AN INTERVIEW ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE EXPOSED.

JESSICA FEELS THAT HER WORK HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT THE JOB IS TAKING A SIGNIFICANT TOLL ON HER MENTAL HEALTH.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE COVID-19 VACCINE BECAME AVAILABLE AND THE VIRUS BECAME EVEN MORE POLITICIZED, PEOPLE WILL SCREAM AT HER, TELLING HER THAT SHE CANNOT CONTROL THEM.

AND THAT COVID IS A MYTH.

>> IT CAN FEEL LIKE A SISYPHEAN TASK AT TIMES, WHEN THERE ARE FOLKS WHO JUST DON'T WANT THAT INFORMATION.

OR THEY ARE POTENTIALLY GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AFTER, PERHAPS, THEY HAVE TESTED POSITIVE OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

KNOWING THAT THEY ARE POTENTIALLY, PROBABLY EXPOSING OTHER PEOPLE.

TO THIS VIRUS.

AND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT STOP TO THINK ABOUT HOW THAT COULD BE AFFECTING OTHER PEOPLE.

AND NOW, IN THE COMMUNITY, IT IS A HEARTBREAKER.

>> Reporter: THEN, ANOTHER SETBACK AS VACCINATION RATES INCREASED AND CASE COUNTS DECREASED IN THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER, THE COUNTY CUT BACK ITS CONTACT TRACING STAFF BY NEARLY HALF.

THEN, AS THE DELTA VARIANT SURGED, THE COUNTY TRIED TO HIRE BACK TO CONTACT TRACERS WHO HAD BEEN LAID OFF.

CASES WILL LIKELY SURGE AGAIN OVER THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT IN 2022 AND BEYOND, AS COVID BECOMES ENDEMIC, NOT A PANDEMIC, CONTACT TRACING WILL PROVE ESPECIALLY USEFUL.

SO SAYS FIELDING-MILLER, THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE MORE IN PLACE WHERE WE ARE KEEPING OUR EYE OUT FOR HOTSPOTS, THE QUICKER THAT YOU CAN STOP HOTSPOT FROM SPREADING, THE BETTER OFF EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE.

IT'S BEEN.

>> ME MALCOLM FOR JESSICA, THE HEARTBREAK CONTINUES.

>> I JUST HAD SOMEONE CALL ME YESTERDAY, ASKING ME IF THE COUNTY COULD HELP IN ANY WAY.

BECAUSE SHE WAS GOING TO MISS 10 DAYS OF WORK.

AND HER EMPLOYER WAS NOT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF SICK PAY FOR HER.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE STRESS, SHE WILL KEEP WORKING, AS LONG AS SHE IS NEEDED.

CLARA TRESSLER, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: AND ECONOMIC SIGN OF THE PANDEMIC IS WORKERS, IN ALL SORTS OF INDUSTRIES, THAT INCLUDE SCHOOLS.

KPBS REPORTER MG PEREZ TELLS ABOUT THE HIGH DEMAND FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: SAMANTHA, MRS. SAM TO HER STUDENTS, IS A NEW SUBSTITUTE TEACHER THIS WEEK HERE AT MONTGOMERY MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE END OF THE STUFF.

SHE IS SUBBING FOR A SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS, IT IS A LONG WAY FROM THE LAW FIRM JOB THAT USED TO HAVE.

THE COVID PANDEMIC LEFT HER WANTING MORE FOR HER FUTURE.

A BACHELORS DEGREE AND A 30-DAY EMERGENCY TEACHING PERMIT BROUGHT HER ON THE ROAD TO FULL TEACHING COMMITMENTS SOMEDAY.

>> THIS LETS ME DO WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP, AND HONESTLY, PEOPLE HAVE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE TODAY.

HOPEFULLY, WHEN I CAN GET MY DEGREE, I CAN FEEL HOW TO BE THE BRIDGE TO FIX THOSE GAPS.

>> Reporter: OTHER COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

AS SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

COVID CONFUSION AND UNCERTAINTY HAS EMPTIED THE TEACHING POOL.

A SUB JOB USED TO PAY ABOUT $125 A DAY.

BUT NOW THE SUBSTITUTE DAILY PAY RATE IN SOME DISTRICTS, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED START AT $172 PER DAY.

UP TO $285 PER DAY FOR A LONG- TERM RESIDENT SUBSTITUTE.

IN THE ESCONDIDO UNION AND CALLAWAY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE PAY RATE IS $180-$200 DAILY.

AND IN THE SAN PEDRO DISTRICT, THE PAY IS AT A HIGH OF $225 TO $285 PER DAY.

>> WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR SUBSTITUTES, BUS DRIVER, PARENT EDUCATOR, FOLKS WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH OUR STUDENTS.

IF YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR KIDS, ANY DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU.

>> Reporter: IN AUGUST, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TRIED TO HAVE AN ORDER TO ALLOW A RETIRING TEACHERS TO RETURN TO WORK IMMEDIATELY, DOING AWAY WITH A SIX-MONTH.

PERIOD.

SAMANTHA MOEN WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HER NEXT LESSON.

>> IT IS SUPER REWARDING.

THOSE ARE THE LITTLE BITS THAT I NEED TO FOCUS ON, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL DISTRICTS LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE SUBSTITUTES WILLING TO TRUDGE THROUGH THIS ROAD OF EDUCATION.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE BIG STORY GLOBALLY THIS WEEK IS THE ONGOING UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE SUMMIT IN SCOTLAND.

SAN DIEGO IS WELL REPRESENTED.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY FEELING THE EFFECTS.

KPBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON CAUGHT UP WITH LOCAL SCIENTISTS WHO MADE THE TRIP.

>> Reporter: GABRIELA BERMAN HOLDS UP A JAR.

>> THIS IS A PIECE OF BONE.

I STUDY THE ANIMALS.

SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TAKE IT.

YEAH, THESE ARE ANIMALS.

A BUNCH OF ANIMALS.

EACH STRING IS AN ANIMAL.

>> Reporter: YES, ANIMALS, THOSE -SHAPED PRAWNS ARE WORMS, THEY ARE UNIQUE, BECAUSE THEY LIVE ON BONES IN THE OCEAN, LIKE THIS CHUNK OF WHALE VERTEBRAE IN A SALTWATER TANK IN A LABORATORY.

>> IS FROM 2019.

BUT THE NAME OF THE ORGANISM THAT I STUDY.

GROWING OUT OF IT.

>> Reporter: THEY DRAW THEIR NUTRIENTS FROM BONES THAT SETTLE ON THE SEAFLOOR.

>> THEY ARE IN SEARCH OF FOOD.

>> Reporter: A WELL BACKBONE, LIKE THIS ONE, IT PROVIDES A BOOST OF NUTRITION IN A PLACE WHERE FOOD CAN BE SCARCE.

DEEP OCEAN SAMPLES LIVE IN A REFRIGERATOR UNTIL SHE CAN PROCESS THE SAMPLE'S GENETIC BLUEPRINT.

SHE IS HOPING TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE FOR THE SPECIES.

>> A LOT OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW IS COMPLETELY NEW INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE, AND HOW THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE OCEAN.

>> Reporter: BUT FURMAN WORRIES THAT THE PUSH TO MIND THE OCEAN FOR SCARCE RESOURCES PUTS THE SPECIES IN HARMS WAY.

AND SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT AN OCEAN THAT IS CHANGING AS THE CLIMATE WARMS, THAT IS ONE REASON WHY SHE PLANS TO GO TO THE CLIMATE CONFERENCE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

>> THAT CONFERENCE, AND THE DELIBERATIONS OF ALL OF THE NATIONS WHO ARE A PART OF IT, REALLY RELY ON SCIENCE, IN ORDER TO INFORM THE WAY THAT THEY APPROACH THE PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: MARGARET IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCRIPT OF UNIVERSITY OR SONOGRAPHY.

SHE SAID IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CLIMATE DISCUSSION.

>> 93% OF THE HEAT THAT HAS BEEN GENERATED FROM GREENHOUSE GASES IS IN THE OCEAN.

93%.

SO, IT HAS REALLY PROTECTED US FROM FAR GREATER IMPACTS ON LAND.

>> Reporter: A RECENT CLIMATE REPORT CONCLUDES THE WORLD IS NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO CHANGE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL SAID TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MEET THE PARENTS ACCORD GREENHOUSE GAS TARGETS.

AND THE CHIEF SAID THERE IS A GAP.

BUT SHE REMAINED OPTIMISTIC THAT THE WORLD LEADERS WILL MAKE PROGRESS AT PROP 26, CONGRESS OF PARTIES GATHERING IN SCOTLAND.

>> THAT IS TO SAY DO IT AS RAPIDLY AS YOU CAN, AND THE ROLE OF THE PRAGMATIC NEGOTIATORS IS TO SAY, THAT IS HOW FAST WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT A MEAL, WITHOUT KILLING THE CLIMATE.

AND SOMEONE IN BETWEEN IS ACTUALLY WHAT GETS PUT ON THE TABLE AT COP26.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO SAVE THE WORLD, WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AT BATTERIES.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR AT UC SAN DIEGO, HE SAID THAT BATTERIES ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HELP KEEP THE ECONOMY'S LARGEST AND IMPORTANT SECTORS.

>> THE FIRST IS THE POWER SECTOR, WHICH IS ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY.

AND TRANSPORTATION.

WHICH IS, OF COURSE HOW WE MOVE OURSELVES, OUR GOODS, OUR FOOD, AND ALL OF THE OTHER NECESSITIES OF OUR MODERN WORLD.

>> Reporter: ELECTRIC CARS AND UTILITY SCALE BATTERY STORAGE IS GETTING MORE AND MORE EFFICIENT, HE SAID THAT ADVANCES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS PROVE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IS ALREADY MATURE ENOUGH TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

CALIFORNIA HIT A MILESTONE THIS PAST JUNE WHEN, FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, 4% OF THE STATE'S ELECTRICITY WAS APPLIED BY BATTERIES.

HE WILL BE IN GLASGOW NEXT WEEK TO HUDDLE WITH OTHER SCIENTISTS.

HE LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING THE UNITED STATES REESTABLISH ITSELF AS A LEADER IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> I THINK THAT IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO, AGAIN, BE OPTIMISTIC.

WE HAVE TO BE BOLD.

AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT IN CALIFORNIA OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND WE HAVE A RESULT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: BARRY SAID IF IT CAN BE DONE IN CALIFORNIA, IT CAN BE DONE ELSEWHERE.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

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

OTHERS INCLUDE THE RACIST COMMENTS THAT COUNTY SUPERVISOR CALLED OUT DURING A PUBLIC COMMENTS SECTION THIS WEEK.

COVID RULES ARE CHANGING ON MONDAY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

WE HAVE A RUNDOWN OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>>> THE INVESTIGATION FROM OUR PARTNERS AT NEWS SOURCES, TROUBLE FOR VETERANS WHO ARE TRYING TO SEEK CARE OUTSIDE OF THE VA SYSTEM.

>>> THE FAMILY OF A MENTAL BY BORDER PATROL SAID IT HAS WAITED TOO LONG FOR ANSWERS, TANIA THORNE REPORTS ON THEIR CALL TO INVESTIGATE SECRET SHADOW UNITS THAT ALLEGEDLY COVERED UP AGENT MISCONDUCT.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN 11 YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF ROJAS, WHO WAS BEATEN NEAR THE SAN DIEGO PORT OF ENTRY, THE MEDICAL WORLD HIS DEATH AS A HOMICIDE BUT NO CHARGE AGAINST THE AGENTS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED FILED, NOW NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT AN INTERNAL TEAM IN INTERFERED WITH THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS MEANT TO BE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE HAVE FOUND THAT THEY ARE OPERATING WITHOUT ANY LAWFUL AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

LAST MONTH, WE WERE ABLE TO VIEW THE PARALLEL REPORT AND COMPARE IT WITH SAN DIEGO PD'S REPORT AND FOUND THAT IT ALTERED GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, AND INTERFERED WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

AND WITHHELD RADical INFORMATION FROM SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE SO LARRY IS THE HUMAN COUNSEL DIRECTOR FOR THE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTED ANASTASIO HERNANDEZ- ROJAS'S WIDOW.

JUSTICE ADVOCATES DELIVERED A LETTER TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE SO- CALLED SHADOW UNITS COVERING UP AGENT MISCONDUCT.

>> Translator: WITH MY HEART IN MY HAND, I ASKED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO INVESTIGATE THE AGENTS THAT OBSTRUCTED MY HUSBAND'S INVESTIGATION.

IT IS NOT FAIR THAT MY HUSBAND AND MY FAMILY CONTINUE TO SUFFER, THEY CHANGED INFORMATION AND DESTROYED EVIDENCE.

>> Reporter: A SIMILAR LETTER REQUESTING INFORMATION INTO THE TEENS WAS SENT TO CONGRESS, AND THE LETTER SAID THAT ANASTASIO HERNANDEZ-ROJAS'S CASE IS SIMILAR TO OTHERS THAT THEY CAN PLACE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

>> Translator: THAT NOT ONLY OBSTRUCTED ANASTASIO HERNANDEZ- ROJAS'S CASE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES SUFFERING LIKE ME.

>> Reporter: A STATEMENT FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAID THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE STANDS READY TO PURSUE JUSTICE.

WE CANNOT COMMENT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REVIEW OF THIS MATTER.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR CDP SAID THAT THE BORDER PATROL DISBANDED THEIR CRITICAL TEAM IN SAN DIEGO SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ACCESS TO BANKING IS AN IMPORTANT FACET OF THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH.

KPBS RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM FOUND A SHORTAGE OF BANKS AND RISING TEMPERATURES CAN BE A DANGEROUS MIX.

>> Reporter: NOON IS STILL HOURS AWAY ON A TUESDAY IN EARLY AUGUST, BUT THE STREETS OF EL CENTRO CALIFORNIA ARE SO HOT, IT FEELS LIKE THE SOLES OF YOUR SHOES AND MELT INTO THE ASPHALT.

SUFFERING IN THIS HEAT ARE LINES OF PEOPLE.

MANY, ELDERLY.

OUTSIDE A BANK OF AMERICA AND WELLS FARGO BRANCHES.

BEADS OF SWEAT FORM ON THE FACES OF CUSTOMERS, AS THEY WAIT PATIENTLY TO USE THE ATM OR TALK TO A TELLER.

>> Reporter: AN AGRICULTURAL WORKER FROM CALIFORNIA, HE WAITED AN HOUR TO USE THE BANK OF AMERICA ATM DURING HIS BREAK.

HE SAID THAT DURING THE HIGH HEAT SEASON, THE WAIT FOR THE ATM IS UNBEARABLE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SHADE.

MARIA LOPEZ IS RETIRED AND LIVES HERE IN EL CENTRO.

SHE SAID THAT SHE NEARLY FAINTED ONCE WHEN WAITING AT THE BANK ON A HOT DAY.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE WAS RUSHED INDOORS, WHERE IT WAS COOLER, BUT TO THIS DAY, SHE CANNOT BE OUT IN THE HEAT FOR LONG WITHOUT BEING SICK.

THE LOCAL WELLS FARGO BRANCH IN EL CENTRO AND CALEXICO HAVE ACCESS TO SHADE, AND SOMEONE IS ALWAYS THERE DIRECTING THE FLOW OF PEOPLE.

SO, HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?

EL CENTRO IS IN IMPERIAL COUNTY, SITUATED ON THE END OF THE STATE PARK, BUT THE REGION IS AT RISK OF BECOMING ANOTHER TYPE OF DESERT.

A BANKING DESERT.

THERE ARE ONLY 12 BRICK AND MORTAR FDIC INSURED BANKS OVER 180,000, PREDOMINANTLY LATINO AND LOWER-IN, RESIDENT, DOWN FROM 19 AS RECENTLY AS 2013.

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE SEEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF BRANCH CONSOLIDATION.

AND THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BEST, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE WESTERN THAT ASSOCIATION.

BRANCHES HAVE BECOME LESS IMPORTANT.

>> THERE ARE A LOT LESS PEOPLE GOING INTO BRANCHES NOW, WITH EVERYONE DOING MOBILE BANKING.

>> Reporter: FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE IMPERIAL VALLEY SMALL BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, SHE SAID THAT NOT EVERYONE IS ONLINE SAVVY.

THE LACK OF BANK BRANCHES CAN BE CHALLENGING FOR THE BANK AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT SHE WORKS WITH.

>> THE CULTURE HERE IS DIFFERENT.

I WANT TO SAY THAT MOST OF THE OWNERS WANT TO SIT DOWN, THEY WANT TO SIT IN FRONT OF A PERSON, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHO THAT ARE CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH.

IT IS VERY MORE TRADITIONAL, AS OPPOSED TO GOING ONLINE AND SAY, HEY, I AM GOING TO CHECK OUT THESE SERVICES.

>> Reporter: MARIA LOPEZ, WHO NEARLY FAINTED IN LINE WAITING THAT ONE TIME, TELLS ME THAT SHE IS NOT VERSED IN BANKING ONLINE AND IS NOT INTERESTED.

SHE WISHES THAT THERE WERE MORE BANKS IN THE AREA, THE PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG.

JUAN LOPEZ, SPOKESPERSON FOR WELLS FARGO, WHO GREW UP IN IMPERIAL COUNTY, IS NO STRANGER TO THE LINES.

HIS OWN MOM LIKES TO GO IN AND TALK TO A TELLER.

I ASKED HIM IF HE THINKS MORE BRANCHES WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE THE LINES?

>> I AM NOT THE BEST PERSON TO ANSWER THAT.

BUT I WOULD SAY A VERY STRONG MAYBE.

>> Reporter: HE DOES SAY THAT WHEN THE BRANCHES STARTED TO CLOSE IN CALEXICO A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE LINES GOT LONGER.

>> THE LINES GET PROGRESSIVELY WORK, WE ARE THE ONLY BANK THERE IN CALEXICO.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE BORDER AND LITTERED WITH CASH-CHECKING PLACES, THERE IS ONLY ONE SINGLE BRANCH AND LINES CAN TAKE UP TO THREE HOURS.

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR REPRESENT IMPERIAL COUNTY.

HE TOLD KPBS IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY GAIN ACCESS, QUOTE, IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN THE VALLEY.

HE HAS CO-AUTHORED TWO RECENT BILLS THAT ARE PAVED THE WAY FOR PUBLIC BANKING OPTIONS, WHICH HE SAID IS NEEDED, BECAUSE HE SAYS, QUOTE, THIS ISSUE IS NOT GOING AWAY.

FOR NOW THOUGH, PEOPLE ARE STILL LINING UP AT IMPERIAL'S VIEW BANK BRANCHES, NO MATTER WHAT THERMOMETER READS.

AS YOU CAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK FOR SPORTS, STARTING WITH LOYOLA, THEY PLAY THE FIRST EVER PLAYOFF THAT, IF THEY CAN BEAT SAN ANTONIO, THEY MIGHT HOST A PLAYOFF GAME NEXT WEEKEND AT USC'S CARRERO STADIUM, DEPENDING ON HOW THE REST OF THE LEAK SHAKES OUT.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE TEAM FOR THIS WEEK'S KPBS ROUNDTABLE PODCAST, WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING.

>>> IT IS A FRESH START FOR THE SAN DIEGO PADRES.

THE TEAM'S NEW MANAGER IS SETTLING IN AFTER BEING INTRODUCED TO THE MEDIA THIS WEEK.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE TELLS US ABOUT THE BIG HIRE.

>> Reporter: THE PADRES PICK A VETERAN MANAGER WITH A PLAYOFF TRACK RECORD TO TAKE OVER THE TEAM THAT UNDERPERFORMED EXPECTATIONS LAST YEAR.

THE FORMER OAKLAND A's SKIPPER BOB MELVIN HAS AGREED TO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, BECOMING THE 22nd MANAGER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY.

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME, PERSONALLY, WAS BOB'S EARNING DESIRE TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP AS A MAJOR LEAGUE MANAGER.

THAT IS PROBABLY THE ONLY THING HE HAS NOT DONE YET IN THIS GAME IS A MATRIX SKIPPER.

>> Reporter: PADRES GENERAL MANAGER AVERY POWELL ARE SAID THAT BOB MELVIN WAS AT THE TOP OF THE CANDIDATES LIST.

>> HE WANTS TO HOLD PLAYERS ACCOUNTABLE, HE HAS HONEST AND TOUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH PLAYERS.

WHILE STILL BEING ABLE TO DEMAND PLAYERS GO OUT AND PLAY FOR HIM AND FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: MELVIN REMEMBERS ONE GAME IN PARTICULAR WHEN HE CAME TO PETCO PARK AS THE A's MANAGER.

>> WE CAME OUT WITH 42,000 PEOPLE HE WAS ELECTED, HE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF AS THE PLAYOFFS.

AND IT RESONATED WITH EVERYBODY IN OUR DUGOUT, WE WERE ALL LOOKING AROUND, YOU START GOING, WOW.

>> Reporter: MELVIN CALLED PETCO PARK A TRUE DESTINATION, BUT ALSO NAMED A FEW OTHER REASONS FOR COMING TO SAN DIEGO.

>> THE FAN BASE, THE ENTHUSIASM HERE, AND THE ROSTER.

THE ROSTER, THAT IS THE REAL HOOK.

>> Reporter: THE PADRES MANAGER ENDED HIS REMARKS BY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT HE KNOWS WHAT THE TEAM AND HE STANDS EXPECT FROM HIM, WIN.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A ROSTER LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES AND THE BACKING TO DO IT, I DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS A BETTER DESTINATION IN BASEBALL.

SO WE ARE LUCKY TO >> Reporter: MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT THE BEST IN KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, FOR ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.