♪ >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST SCORE STORIES FROM NEWS: THIS WEEK, I'M JOHN CARROLL.

THE NUMBERS SHOW A STEADY INCREASE IN PREPARING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR COLLEGE AND JOBS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS IN ITS SECOND WEEK, HEAR HOW IT'S WEIGHING ON SECURITY WORKERS AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND JACUMBA'S FIRST FIELD.

>>> THE CITY OF EL CAJON IS ACCUSED OF SHARING DRIVER'S LICENSE DATA OUTSIDE OF THE STATE.

AN INVESTIGATION BY GUSTAFO SOLIS SHOWS HOW FAR IT'S GONE.

>> DATA COLLECTED BY THE EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS INCLUDED IN IMMIGRATION SEARCHES.

THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN UNDER CALIFORNIA SANCTUARY LAWS, BUT WE FOUND MORE THAN 550 THIS YEAR.

OUR INVESTIGATION SHOWS HOW POLICE DEPARTMENTS FROM STATES AS FAR AWAY AS TEXAS, VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA ROUTINELY TAP EL CAJON SURVEILLANCE DATA FOR IMMIGRATION RELATED SEARCHES, IN SOME CASES ON BEHALF OF I.C.E.

SUED EL CAJON, SAYING THAT STATE LAW FORBIDS SHARING THIS WITH AGENCIES OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA.

>> THE WHOLE POINT IS ONCE IT'S SHARED WITH ANY ENTITY OUT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, YOU LOSE CONTROL.

>> BUT BONTA COULD NOT DEFINITELY SAY IF THE DATA WAS USED FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE WE KNOW THAT.

BUT IT IS NAIVE TO NOT FLAG THAT RISK.

THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT, WHY THE LAW WAS PASSED.

>> WE CAN.

OUR ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA ROUTINELY USE SEARCH TERMS LIKE IMMIGRATION, IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, IMMIGRATION VIOLATION AND I.C.E.

>> IT'S PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

IN CALIFORNIA, IT VIOLATES MULTIPLE LAWS TO USE THE SYSTEM TO NOT ONLY FOR IMMIGRATION BUT ALLOW AN EXTERNAL AND OUT-OF-STATE ENTITY TO ACCESS YOUR DATA.

MULTIPLE LAWS MIGHT HAVE BEEN VIOLATED IN THE PROCESS.

>> THAT FOUNDATION SHARED A DATASET WITH KPBS THAT HELPED US DISCOVER THE SEARCHES.

HERE'S HOW I EXPLAINED IT TO IMMIGRANT RIGHT ACTIVISTS WE INVITED.

EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS UNIQUE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, SHARING THEIR SYSTEM WITH OUT-OF-STATE AGENCIES.

WE FILED A REQUEST ASKING FOR WHO IS LOOKING FOR THE DATA AND WHY.

IT HAS A LOT OF USEFUL INFORMATION.

THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER, THE DEPARTMENT, THE DATE AND TIME DOWN TO THE SECOND.

THIS IS IMPORTANT, THIS IS HOW WE FOUND OUR INFORMATION.

BUT EL CAJON'S DATA DID NOT INCLUDE THE REASON FOR EACH SEARCH.

WE FOUND A WORK-AROUND, COMPARING TO DATA FROM THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION.

IN THEIR AUDIT THEY DID INCLUDE -- >> WHY.

>> THE REASON, RIGHT HERE.

>> WOW.

>> ALL WE HAD TO DO WAS MATCH THE TIMESTAMPS.

AN OFFICER NAMED T. LIP IN SOUTH CAROLINA CONDUCTED A NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR IMMIGRATION ON APRIL 30th EXACTLY 1:55 P.M.

AND 18 SECONDS.

SEE IF THAT APPEARS ON EL CAJON'S DATA.

APRIL 30th.

WHAT DID WE SAY, 1:55?

>> THERE IT IS.

HOLY -- >> ONE OF THE PEOPLE WE SHARED OUR ANALYSIS WITH IS WITH THE GROUP LATINOS IN ACTION, WHICH HAS PROTESTED EL CAJON'S SUPPORT FOR TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION POLICIES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNCOVER THE DATA.

HOW IT WORKS, WHO IS INVOLVED, HOW MANY CAMERAS, HOW IS THE CITY COOPERATING OR NOT.

IT BRINGS UP A SLEW OF OTHER QUESTIONS.

IT'S OUR JOB TO LET RESIDENTS KNOW.

>> KPBS ALSO SHARED THE ANALYSIS WITH EL CAJON POLICE CHIEF LARSON AND INVITED HIM TO REVIEW THE DATA.

HE DECLINED.

PREVIOUSLY HE SAID THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMS REGULAR AUDITS TO THE LICENSE PLATE PROGRAM.

>> WE DO REGULAR AUDITS.

A LIEUTENANT OVERSEES THE PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE USE IT FOR LEGITIMATE REASONS.

>> LATER IN AN EMAIL, LARSON SUGGESTED THE AUDITS ONLY INCLUDED INTERNAL SEARCHES BY THEIR POLICE OFFICERS, NOT OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

THE PEOPLE OF EL CAJON SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT, HE SAID.

>> IT'S NOT SURPRISING BUT SHOULD ANGER EVERYONE.

>> HE SAYS IT SHOWS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T BE TRUSTED WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOU DECIDED NOT TO MONITOR IT, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE CYBERSECURITY CHOPS AT THE VERY BASIC FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL TO BE TRUSTED WITH DATA FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT KNEW ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION SEARCHES.

CHIEF LARSON DIDN'T SAY IF THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO CHANGE.

IN RESPONSE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LAWSUIT, BILL WELLS DEFENDED THE PRACTICE AS A CORNERSTONE OF EFFECTIVE POLICING.

GUSTAVO SOLIZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> HE WAS A GUEST ON KPBS MIDDAY EDITION THIS WEEK TALKING MORE ABOUT THIS STORY.

KPBS.ORG AND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> THE FUTURE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S LARGEST COMMUNITY GARDEN IS IN LIMBO.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER TAMMY MURGA SAYS GARDENERS ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO KEEP IT OPEN.

>> Reporter: A RECENT MORNING AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, ED PICKS TOMATOES AND SQUASH FROM HIS CROP.

>> THESE ARE PAST THEIR PRIME.

BUT THESE ARE THE JERSEY DEVIL TOMATOES.

LOOK LIKE A BIG RED PEPPER.

>> Reporter: HE HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT WINTER CROPS, NOW HE DOESN'T KNOW IF HE WILL HAVE A GARDEN.

THE COUNTY HAS POSTED WARNING SIGNS THAT TOXIC GASSES AND CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN DETECTED IN THE VALLEY.

ONE IS AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE GARDEN.

HE THINKS THAT'S WHY THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT HAS DECIDED TO EVICT GARDENERS.

>> I THINK THEY LOOKED AT IT WITH ALL THE RECENT PUBLICITY AND SAID WE HAVE A LIABILITY HERE.

WE'RE WORRIED THAT SOMEBODY WILL SAY THEY ARE HURT OR NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.

>> Reporter: THE NAVY VETERAN EARNS MONEY SELLING CROPS AT LOCAL FARM STANDS.

FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, HE'S ALSO MADE FRIENDS AND MEMORIES WITH HIS GRANDCHILDREN.

>> MY GRANDDAUGHTER, IT WAS A RAINY DAY, ONE OF THOSE RARE WINTER RAINY DAYS, BEAUTIFUL.

WE WOULD COME OUT AND PICK FOR A WHILE, THEN SIT DOWN AND TALK FOR A WHILE.

GOOD MEMORIES.

>> Reporter: HE'S NOT READY TO STOP PLANTING THERE.

>> THEY'VE TOLD US WE HAVE 60 DAYS.

>> Reporter: BRIAN ALSO LEASES A PLOT.

IT RENTS THE LAND FROM THE COUNTY AND HAS MANAGED THE GARDEN 23 YEARS.

THEY TOLD THE GARDENERS LAST MONTH THE DECISION TO CLOSE IS -- >> DUE TO POLLUTION THAT SURROUNDS US IN THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY.

A MILE AWAY IS THE RIVER.

THERE IS A CRISIS.

>> Reporter: IN AN EMAIL TO KPBS, THE DISTRICT SAID THE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN HEALTH RISKS OF THE SEWAGE CRISIS WERE QUOTE THE PRIMARY FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIFFICULT DECISION.

ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE GARDEN IS A SEWAGE HOT SPOT.

NEW EVIDENCE SHOWED THAT AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF THE TOXIN.

NOT ENOUGH IS KNOWN ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE.

>> THEY RECOGNIZE THE CONCERNS BUT FIRMLY BELIEVE THE BENEFITS OF THE SPACE FAR OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.

>> Reporter: SHE WORKS WITH THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND TOLD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IT WOULD DEVASTATE THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE CALLING ON THE COUNTY TO STEP IN AND ENSURE THE GARDEN'S FUTURE.

>> Reporter: IN THE YEAR AND A HALF HE'S GROWN -- >> WE'VE NOT HAD AN INCIDENT OF SOMEONE GETTING SICK FROM PRODUCE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MANY DEPEND ON THE BOTANICAL FOODS HE SELLS.

>> THIS IS THE CVS PHARMACY, THE HERBAL GARDEN.

WE JOKE AROUND.

PEOPLE COME, I NEED SOMETHING FROM THE PHARMACY.

>> Reporter: RIVERA RUNS IT WITH HIS WIFE, SPANISH FOR OPENING PATHS.

>> YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THE GARDEN, SMELL CHAMOMILE, LEMON BALM, VALERIAN, MUGWORT.

SO MANY GREAT THINGS AND BENEFITS THE BIOFLORA.

>> Reporter: WITH EVICTION LOOMING, HE'S UNSURE OF HIS NEXT STEPS.

GARDENERS ARE SCRAMBLING.

>> WE SAT TOGETHER, NONE OF US HAVE FOUND SOMETHING.

IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: A COUNTY SPOKESPERSON SAID THE COUNTY IS QUOTE STILL ASSESSING THIS PROPERTY'S FUTURE USE.

THE SUPERVISOR SAID -- >> WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING WITH FARMERS AND GARDENERS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I HEAR, I SEE YOU, I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR YOU.

I STAND WITH YOU.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS OFFERING PLOTS IN BONITA, BUT PLOTS AND AMENITIES ARE LIMITED THERE.

HE WANTS GARDENERS TO SIGN WAIVERS TO STAY HERE.

HE WANTS ANOTHER AGENCY TO STEP UP TO MANAGE IT.

>> LIKE I WAS TOLD WHEN I WAS DEPLOYED, THE FIRST ANSWER IS NEVER THE RIGHT ANSWER.

>> Reporter: TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM SAN DIEGO UNIFIED PREPARED FOR COLLEGE OR CAREER IS AT AN EIGHT-YEAR HIGH.

EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS SAYS THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD.

>> Reporter: 67 PERCENT OF STUDENTS GRADUATED PREPARED FOR COLLEGE OR A CAREER.

IT'S BEEN STEADILY CLIMBING.

BY 2030, THE GOAL IS NEARLY 72%.

THE DISTRICT SAYS THREE THINGS DRIVE IMPROVEMENT.

FIRST, MORE STUDENTS ARE GETTING COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS TEACHERS ARE EMPOWERING STUDENTS.

>> PUSH THEMSELVES FOR MORE RIGOROUS COURSEWORK IS IMPORTANT.

AP AND IB, AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSES ON OUR SITES.

>> Reporter: SECOND, MORE ARE MEETING STATE COLLEGE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

THIRD IS INCREASE IN EARNING A REWARD FOR FLUENCY IN A SECOND LANGUAGE, THE DISTRICT IS EXPANDING LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOLS LIKE IN LONG FELLOW, BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE CONTINUATION INTO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER WAY TO PREPARE IS COMPLETING A COLLEGE CAREER IN TECHNICAL PATHWAYS, OFFERING COURSEWORK IN INDUSTRIES FROM AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION, TO HEALTH SCIENCE AND HOSPITALITY.

THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMPLETING THESE WENT DOWN SLIGHTLY LAST YEAR.

SHE WANTS FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM DOESN'T LIMIT OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> DOESN'T MEAN THIS IS WHAT YOU DO THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, BUT IT TEACHES YOU AND EXPOSES YOU TO A BEAUTIFUL SKILL SET, REAL WORLD CAREER.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS OFFERS A PATHWAY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

SHE'S STUDYING MUSICAL THEATER.

>> MY PLANS AFTER GRADUATING ARE ATTEND UNIVERSITY AND MAJOR IN JOURNALISM.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE HIGHEST COMPLETION RATES IN THE DISTRICT, THE PRINCIPAL SAID THEY WORK WITH UNIVERSITIES AND CONSERVATORIES TO FIGURE OUT HOW BEST TO HELP THE STUDENTS.

>> THEY BEGIN IN THE SIXTH GRADE AND ARE NURTURED ALL THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS LOOKING TO REPLICATE IT AT OTHER SCHOOLS, HIRING THOSE TO HELP.

SAYING THE NEW STAFF WILL FIND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, MONITOR PROGRESS AND HELP PLAN OUT CLASSES.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR FIRST AUTHOR EVENT FOR THE 2025 "ONE BOOK ONE SAN DIEGO" CAMPAIGN.

KPBS OCTOBER 21st, JAMES McBRIDE.

IT'S HAPPENING AT THE BELLY UP TAVERN, SOLANA BEACH, FREE.

WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION AT KPBS.ORG.

SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS FOR A LIST OF POPULAR STORIES.

SOME FROM THIS WEEK, ANOTHER IMMIGRANT DIES IN I.C.E.

CUSTODY IN CALIFORNIA, IMPERIAL VALLEY.

A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FLOATS A NEW TAX ON VACATION HOMES.

AND LOOKING AT SAN DIEGANS PUTTING LIFE ON HOLD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

>>> TSA AGENTS ARE AMONG THE THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL WORKERS DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW, WORKING WITHOUT PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN ITS SECOND WEEK.

JACOB AERE TALKED WITH A LOCAL UNION LEADER.

>> Reporter: GOING THROUGH SECURITY IS ROUTINE FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS.

AGENTS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION CHECK I.D.S AND BAGGAGE EVERY DAY AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

FOR NOW THEY'RE STILL DOING THE JOB DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED THEY CAN'T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER.

IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE PAWNS IN THIS WHOLE THING.

>> Reporter: ROBERT MACK IS A LEAD TSA OFFICER AT THE AIRPORT AND CHIEF STEWARD FOR THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE UNION REPRESENTING TSA WORKERS.

>> RIGHT NOW MORALE IS STILL PRETTY GOOD, WE'RE COMING TO WORK, WORKING HARD.

WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE PASSENGERS COMING THROUGH.

SAYING WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN TO WORK IN THIS SITUATION.

>> Reporter: HE'S WORKED AT THE AIRPORT OVER 20 YEARS AND VIVIDLY REMEMBERS THE LAST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT STARTS JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2018 AND LASTED 35 DAYS.

>> IT WAS KIND OF ROUGH, TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

OVER A MONTH WITHOUT PAY, PEOPLE WERE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS THEY DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE, WHETHER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR, FOOD IN THEIR BELLY.

>> Reporter: MELISSA FLEW IN TODAY WITH FRIENDS, SO FAR, SMOOTH SAILING.

IT WAS REMARKABLY NORMAL, WENT THROUGH SECURITY WITHOUT ISSUE.

TOOK OFF ON TIME.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE ARE STILL -- WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR IT -- SHOWING UP FOR THEIR JOBS.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE AWARE OF THE SHUTDOWNS AND PLAN TO GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY SUNDAY FOR THE FLIGHT HOME.

>> HOPE IT CONTINUES, TODAY'S EXPERIENCE WAS GREAT.

>> Reporter: MACK SAYS THE WORKERS WILL GET A FINAL PARTIAL PAYCHECK FOR HOURS WORKED AND DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT WILL COME.

MANY LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

>> I WANT TO SAY THEY'RE GOING TO STICK IT OUT.

THOSE THAT DON'T, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: TSA WORKERS ARE STILL AT FULL STAFF BUT IN THE LAST SHUTDOWN, SOME STOPPED COMING TO WORK.

THEY HAVEN'T HAD DELAYS DUE TO CALLOUTS BUT EXTENDED SHUTDOWN COULD BE LONGER WAIT TIMES AT AIRPORT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> BALLOTS ARE GONE OUT FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION ON PROPOSITION 50.

HERE'S OUR PUBLIC MATTERS REPORTER.

>> VOTERS WILL DECIDE IF CALIFORNIA GETS A NEW ELECTION MAP, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYING IT'S IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS REDRAWING ITS MAP.

ONE OF THE FIVE REPUBLICANS THAT NEWSOM'S MAP TARGETS.

HE WANTS TO FLIP THE DISTRICT, CARVING OUT PARTS, PUTTING SOME DEMOCRATIC PARTS INTO THE 48.

42% OF REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT ARE REPUBLICANS, 28% ARE DEMOCRATS.

IN THE NEW MAP 29% ARE REPUBLICANS AND 39% ARE DEMOCRATS.

IF YOU USED TO LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT YOU MIGHT BE IN THE 51st OR 52nd NEXT FALL, BOTH DEMOCRATS.

OR THE 50th, HELD BY DEMOCRAT SCOTT PETERS.

GOING FROM 42% DEMOCRATS TO 36% REPUBLICANS.

A TOSS-UP.

YOU CAN'T MAKE VOTERS DISAPPEAR, TAKE THEM OUT OF ONE DISTRICT, THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE.

>> I LIKE THE DISTRICT I HAVE, IT'S TREMENDOUS AND REFER NOT TO CHANGE IT.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN THE MAP THEY'VE GIVEN ME, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GERRYMANDERING HAPPENS.

BUT I'M WILLING TO BE A TEAM PLAYER.

I REPRESENTED POWAY BEFORE AND CAN AGAIN.

>> BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE, YOUR VOTE COULD DECIDE WHO IS IN CONGRESS THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> THAT WAS JAKE GOTTA REPORTING.

THE HUB IS BEING UPDATED WITH INFORMATION ON THE SPECIAL ELECTION.

IT SHOWS AN INTERACTIVE MAP TO SHOW HOW YOUR DISTRICT COULD CHANGE IF IT PASSES, THE LINK IS ON KPBS.ORG.

>>> ACCESS TO YOUTH SPORTS AND ATHLETIC FIELDS IN JACUMBA SHOT SPRINGS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS.

THERE ARE PLANS FOR THE FIRST SOCCER FIELD.

>> Reporter: YOU HAVE TO SETTLE ON A DIRT PLOT AT THE COMMUNITY PARK.

>> THIS ISN'T THE TYPICAL PLACE TO PRACTICE SOCCER IF YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE GROWTH FROM THE PRACTICES.

>> Reporter: HE'S A LOCAL PARENT.

HIS SON DANNY PLAYS SOCCER AND IS NO STRANGER TO BUMPS AND BRUISES IN THE PARK.

>> BUT HAVING A SOCCER FIELD, NO MORE ROCKS GIVING YOU BLOODY ARMS AND LEGS.

>> WE PROPOSED EAST SIDE OF THE BASKETBALL COURT.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD BE A SMALLER PITCH MEANT FOR PLAYERS UNDER 8 YEARS OLD.

THEY WOULD LIKE A FULL-SIZED FIELD, TOO.

THEY'RE LEADING THE EFFORT TO CREATE THE TOWN'S FIRST SOCCER FIELD.

THE COACH SAYS THE PRACTICE SPACE IS DESPERATELY NEEDED IN JACUMBA.

RIGHT NOW PLAYERS HAVE TO TRAVEL HALF AN HOUR TO PRACTICE ON A REAL SOCCER FIELD.

>> I HAVE NINE KIDS ON MY TEAM, ALL FROM OUR COMMUNITY, BUT WE'RE ALL TRAVELING TO PINE VALLEY BECAUSE THAT'S THE CLOSEST FIELD.

>> Reporter: HOPES THEIR ACTIONS ARE A LESSON FOR THE KIDS.

>> IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, WORK FOR IT.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS WILL BEGIN INSTALLING THE NEW FIELD IN COMING WEEKS.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.

A DIGITAL ALTAR WHERE YOU CAN SUBMIT A MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE.

KPBS.ORG/DAYOFTHEDEAD, NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 23rd.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, A CULTURAL CELEBRATION IN OCEANSIDE, OAXACAN CUISINE AND TRADITION.

>> Reporter: THE TITLE COMES FROM A SONG AND PRAISES THE BEAUTY OF OAXACA.

THAT'S WHAT THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT.

WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT THE CULTURE, THE STATE HAS EIGHT DIFFERENT REGIONS, EACH ITS OWN IDENTITY, INCLUDING FOOD, DANCES AND IN SOME CASES LANGUAGES.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF OAXACA, DIFFERENT PARTS YOU CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

I'M GABRIELLA, ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS.

A LOT OF INDIGENOUS TRIBAL FOODS ARE ALIVE AND WELL, COLONIALISM HASN'T OUCHED IT AS MUCH AS OTHER PLACES.

>> LISTENING TO THE MUSIC, IT'S DIFFERENT TO ME.

OUT THERE TO REPRESENT WHERE I AM FROM.

I'M PROUD TO BE FROM THERE.

THE SMELLS, WHAT YOU SEE, FOR ME, WHAT I GO, IT'S LIKE I WANT -- I AM HOME.

I'M ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE DANCE GROUP.

IT'S A NATIVE GROUP.

THE TRADITION WHERE WE'RE FROM IN OAXACA, IT'S CALLED LA CALINDA.

THE DANCE REPRESENTS THE STARTING OF THE FESTIVAL, THE MAIN EVENT.

ANNOUNCING LIKE A PARTY, GET READY.

WE'RE USUALLY DANCING WITH BANDA AND BIG, OVER SIX FEET TALL, WITH THE PERSON CARRYING THEM, ABOUT TEN FEET TALL.

WE HAVE A -- SUIT MADE WITH RAGS.

HE'S DANCING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE HAVE TORITOS, WE GO WITH THOSE TO GET ATTENTION.

GIRLS WITH BASKETS, DRESSED LIKE THAT, WE'RE HERE, THE PARTY IS ABOUT TO START.

WE USUALLY THROW CANDY.

ONCE WE DO, IT'S AN INVITATION FOR PEOPLE TO JOIN US.

>> IT'S ROOTED IN THE CONCEPT OF -- YOU HELP ONE ANOTHER IN DIFFICULT TIMES AND IN TIMES OF FESTIVITIES AND HAPPINESS.

WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

THAT HAS TRACED BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE MEXICO WAS MEXICO.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO SURVIVE.

WE DEFINITELY PUT A STRONG PRESENCE ON PASSING DOWN TRADITIONS FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

YOU'LL SEE THAT OCTOBER 12th.

WE'RE SO CONNECTED TO OUR CULTURE.

ONE PERSON MOVES TO CALIFORNIA, MORE WILL COME.

I BELIEVE THE NUMBER IS 300,000 OAXACANS LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, LARGEST AMOUNT OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF OAXACA.

THAT'S WHY CALIFORNIA HAS THE NICKNAME OF OAXA CALIFORNIA.

PEOPLE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE DOCUMENTATION.

THAT'S WHY IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR CULTURE NOW TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T, GIVE A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO.

THAT'S WHY OUR CULTURE IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE'RE IMMIGRANTS OR OUR FAMILIES HAVE IMMIGRATED.

A LOT OF US CALL THIS PLACE HOME.

OUR EVENT IS TAKING PLACE AT THE JUNIOR AM PA PHITHEATER.

>> IT'S THE FIRST TIME IT'S IN OCEANSIDE.

IT'S AN HONOR, A PRIVILEGE.

>> TO ME, IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY, CULTURE, ART AND EDUCATION.

WE'RE STILL HERE, PRIDEFUL TO BE HERE.

AND THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE AROUND YOU EVERYWHERE.

>> THAT STORY WAS PRODUCED BY CAROLYN CAROLES.

THE FESTIVAL IS THIS SUNDAY IN OCEANED OCEANED ISSIDE.

NOON TO 7:00.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS: THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.