WEEK, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO.

HEAR FROM THOSE OFFERING WORDS OF SUPPORT AND CRITICISM OF ITS CONTROVERSIAL MISSION.

AND IT WAS ANOTHER SWELTERING WEEK IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT HOW 911 CALLS HAVE SPIKED DURING PERIODS OF EXTREME HEAT.

>>> AND DEBATE OVER DEVELOPMENT IN CARLSBAD.

THE COMMUNITY WEIGHS WHAT TO DO WITH A RARE PLOT OF OPEN COASTAL LAND.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO START WITH OUR COVERAGE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION.

YOU WILL BE SEEING A LOT MORE FROM THE KPBS NEWSROOM IN COMING WEEKS, AND THAT'S BECAUSE BALLOTS ARE NOW IN THE HANDS OF VOTERS.

TO KEEP YOU INFORMED, WE HAVE EXPLAINERS ON SOME OF THE MORE HIGH PROFILE RACES, AND THAT INCLUDES SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL.

HERE IS KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN WITH DETAILS ON TWO OF THE MORE COMPETITIVE SEATS POINT >> Reporter: DISTRICT 2 INCLUDES CLAREMONT, MIDWAY, OCEAN BEACH, IT IS AN OPEN SEAT AND THE CANDIDATE WHO CAME IN FIRST IN THE PRIMARY IS RICHARD BAILEY.

HE DID NOT RESPOND TO KPBS'S INTERVIEW REQUEST, BUT HE IS ALL OVER INSTAGRAM.

>> HEY, SAN DIEGO, I CLIMBED MOUNT EVEREST, COMPLETED AN IRONMAN, AND WAS THE YOUNGEST MAYOR IN THE CITY OF CORONADO.

>> Reporter: BAILEY LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN FEBRUARY TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT, BUT HE HAS KEPT HIS CONSERVATISM, AND SAYS SAN DIEGO CAN SAVE MONEY BY OUTSOURCING SERVICES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> THE SO, DOES SAN DIEGO HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM, NO, IT HAS A SPENDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: NICOLE CROSBY IS A CHIEF DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE CLAREMONT CITY COUNCIL.

SHE SAYS BAILEY WANTS TO GO BACK TO A TIME WHEN SAN DIEGO COULDN'T HIRE EMPLOYEES BECAUSE IT PAID TOO LITTLE.

>> AND WE KNOW THAT CITY WORKERS PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE AND A CHEAPER COST FOR OUR TAXPAYERS, SO WHEN WE ARE REBUILDING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE WHAT DECIMATED THAT TO BEGIN WITH, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO RE-DOGE THE CITY BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER.

>> Reporter: CROSBY IS A DEMOCRAT IN THE CITY HAS FAVORED DEMOCRATS IN RECENT ELECTIONS.

BUT BAILEY HAS A LOT OF MONEY TO SPEND.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DISTRICT 4 INCLUDES OAKLAND AND PARADISE HILLS.

[ INAUDIBLE ] WON A SPECIAL ELECTION IN 2024 AND IS NOW SEEKING A FULL FOUR YEAR TERM.

>> I FEEL I AM VERY WELL VERSED IN HOW THE CITY CONDUCTS BUSINESS.

>> PRIOR TO THE COUNCIL, FOSTER WORKED FOR 12 YEARS AT THE CITY POINT HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT LEVERS TO PULL TO DELIVER FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS.

>> WHERE THE SHORTFALLS ARE, HOW TO WORK WITHIN THE SYSTEM, WHETHER IT IS DEALING WITH THE OPERATIONS STAFF, DEALING ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, AND SO, I THINK THAT IS WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

>> THE FOSTERS CHALLENGER MARTHA ABRAHAM IS A NURSE WHO GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS OPPOSING SEVERAL LARGE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.

SHE SAYS DISTRICT 4 IT NEEDS MORE INVESTMENT AND BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THAT WEALTHIER PARTS OF THE CITY SHOULD BE BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> WE HAVE TO REALLY ADDRESS HOW WE LOOK AT CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MOST VENERABLE POPULATION.

IF THEY WANT TO LIVE HERE, GREAT, WE WILL CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE HERE, BUT IF THEY WANT TO LIVE IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, THE MISSION HAVE THAT OPTION, TOO.

>> FOSTERS CAMPAIGN HAS MORE MONEY AND MORE HIGH PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS, THE ABRAHAM'S STRONG PERFORMANCE IN THE PRIMARY SHOWS THE RACE FOR DISTRICT 4 IS FAR FROM SETTLED.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> KPBS WILL HAVE MORE ELECTION EXPLAINERS IN THE DAYS AHEAD AS WE APPROACH THE NOVEMBER 3rd GENERAL ELECTION.

THE PLACE TO FIND ALL OF OUR COVERAGE IS THE VOTER HUB AT KPBS.ORG, WE ALSO HAVE A SPANISH VERSION FOR YOU.

BALLOTS ARE MAILED AND EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY.

USE THE VOTER HUB TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND BALLOT MEASURES AT THE STATE, COUNTY, AND THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>>> THIS WEEK BROUGHT THE LONG ANTICIPATED RETURN OF THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE NAVY WARSHIP WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE WAR ON IRAN IN RECENT MONTHS.

THURSDAY'S HOMECOMING INCLUDED PLENTY OF MILITARY FAMILIES, SUPPORTERS, AND CRITICS.

JACOB AERE HAS MORE ON THE LINCOLN'S RETURN AND THE DEBATE OVER ITS MISSION.

>> [ INAUDIBLE ] >> Reporter: JUST BEFORE NOON, A LOUD CROWD FULL OF AMERICAN FLAGS AND VETERANS WELCOMED HOME THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND ITS THOUSANDS OF SAILORS AFTER ONE OF THE LONGEST DEPLOYMENTS IN U.S.

MILITARY HISTORY.

>> WE ALL DESERVE BETTER.

>> IT WAS A BITTERSWEET MOMENT FOR NAVY VETERAN TYLER ROMERO.

HE IS AGAINST THE WAR AND SAYS THE SHIP SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SENT OUT.

HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT MEDIA REPORTS ALLEGING ISSUES ON HOW -- HAPPENING ON BOARD.

>> THEY WERE OUT AN EGREGIOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RETURNED A LONG TIME AGO.

YOU KNOW, LAUNDRY FIRES, TOILETS OVERFLOWING, SERVICE MEMBERS HAVING TO SLEEP WHEREVER THEY CAN BECAUSE -- JUST FILTHY ON THAT SHEET.

MULTIPLE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS.

I MEAN, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS, REALLY.

AND IT'S DISGUSTING.

>> Reporter: HE WAS ONE OF A COUPLE DOZEN VETERANS OR FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE IN SERVICE PROTESTING IN THE LARGE CROWD POINT OCTOBER FEEL -- OCTAVIO WAS THERE DOING THE SAME, MAYBE THAT WAS SERVED ON TWO DEPLOYMENTS.

HE IS ALSO THE LOCAL CHAPTER'S HEAD FOR VETERANS FOR PEACE.

>> WE ARE THERE TO STAND ALONGSIDE THEM TO DEMAND BETTER CONDITIONS.

TO DEMAND THAT THEY STOP BEING PUT IN HARM'S WAY FOR NO GOOD REASON.

>> Reporter: ALONGSIDE THE PROTESTERS WERE MANY OTHER PEOPLE SIMPLY CHEERING AND WELCOMING HOME THE SAILORS, LIKE THOSE FROM THE POINT LOMA OPTIMIST CLUB.

JEFFREY IS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION, HE IS ALSO A VETERAN WHO COMMANDED THE USS [ INAUDIBLE ] SUBMARINE DECADES AGO.

>> WE ARE ALL HERE TO SAY THANK YOU AND SHOW SUPPORT WITH OUR FLAGS, SO WE WANTED TO BRING THEM DOWN AND WAIVE THE FLAGS TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE.

>> HE SAYS HE LISTENED TO THE PROTESTERS, AND WHILE THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON SOME MATTERS, FISHBACK AGREES THAT LONG DEPLOYMENTS ARE CHALLENGING IN MANY WAYS.

HE SAYS THE HARDEST THING IS MISSING FAMILY.

HE RECALLED HIS DEPLOYMENT WHEN HIS DAUGHTER WAS SIX MONTHS OLD.

SHE WASN'T YET TALKING.

>> WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CALL HOME FROM AUSTRALIA, MY WIFE SAID THERE IS SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO TALK TO YOU, AND THERE IS MY DAUGHTER.

SAID DADDY, I LOVE YOU.

YOU KNOW, I MISSED FOUR MONTHS.

AND YEAH, THAT'S THE TOUGH PART.

>> Reporter: FISHBACK'S IS THE SILVER LINING FOR THE ISSUES BROUGHT TO LIGHT ABOARD THE USS LINCOLN SHOWS THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTRY.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND WE HAVE MORE COVERAGE OF THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, INCLUDING THIS EPISODES OF ROUNDTABLE, IT INCLUDES ANDREW DYER FROM KPBS AND PRIYA FROM MS NOW.

THE ROUNDTABLE IS AVAILABLE AT KPBS.ORG , THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE, AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> WE HAVE SEEN A BIG CHANGE IN THE WEATHER IN RECENT DAYS FROM ANOTHER LONG HEAT WAVE A CHANCE OF RAIN THIS WEEKEND.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY DATA SHOWS AN INCREASE IN HEAT RELATED CALLS TO 911.

KPBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TAMMY MURGA HAS MORE ON THE DEMAND ON FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> Reporter: NO AIR CONDITIONING DURING THIS HEAT WAVE MIX FRANCISCO WORRY ABOUT HIS YOUNG DAUGHTERS.

>> AND MY OLDEST DAUGHTER WOULD WAKE UP FROM HIS SLEEP AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY FRESH DURING THE HOTTEST HOURS OF THE DAY.

THE CENTRAL LIBRARY DOWNTOWN IS THEIR FAVORITE WAYS TO STAY COOL.

>> I ASKED OF THEM, WHERE DO YOU GUYS WANT TO GO?

I OFFERED THE SPLASH PAD, AND HE SAID LET'S GO TO THE LIBRARY.

WE MET THE RECORD-BREAKING TEMPERATURES ARE LEADING TO A SPIKE IN 911 CALLS IN THE REGION ACCORDING TO COUNTY DATA.

THE NUMBERS ARE HIGHEST IN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER DURING HEAT WAVES.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 17th, THE COUNTY SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED 378 HEAT RELATED 911 CALLS FOR LAST YEAR, HE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 247 CALLS ALL YEAR.

MELENDEZ IS THE CITY'S DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF.

HE SAYS THE TOTALS COULD BE UNDER ACCOUNTS.

THEY ARE ALREADY CLIMBING AFTER THIS WEEKEND'S RECORD-BREAKING TEMPERATURES.

>> UNLESS THEY ARE VERY SPECIFIC ON THE 911 CALL THAT THEY ARE HEAT RELATED, THEY CAN COME IN IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS, SUCH AS A HEADACHE, VOMITING, DIZZINESS POINT >> Reporter: HE SAYS IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS WEEK'S HEAT WAVE, THE CITY HAS ADDITIONAL AMBULANCES ON THE STREETS AND EXTENDED COOLING CENTER HOURS POINT >> THE CITY DESIGNATES CERTAIN LIBRARIES FOR SAN DIEGANS TO SEEK RELIEF FROM THE HEAT.

>> Reporter: MUST 911 CALLS ARE COMING FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND MOST OF THE CALLS CAME FROM PEOPLE BETWEEN AGES OF 15 AND 44 POINT THIS DR.

SAYS THAT MAYBE BECAUSE: >> WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING IN SAN DIEGO OUTDOORS.

WE HAVE FOLKS WERE PLAYING, YOU KNOW, SPORTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT OUTDOORS.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS FORECASTING TEMPERATURES WILL DROP BELOW 90 DEGREES STARTING FRIDAY.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>> AT THE HEIGHT OF LAST MONTH'S HEAT WAVE, DONOVAN STATE PRISON WENT INTO LOCKDOWN.

SEVERAL INCARCERATED PEOPLE SAY OFFICIALS AT THE PRISON CONFINED THEM TO THEIR CELLS, EVEN AS TEMPERATURES SOARED INDOORS.

KPBS SOUTHBAY REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS IT HIGHLIGHTS A STATEWIDE CRISIS, AND ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN SOUNDING THE ALARM FOR YEARS.

>> Reporter: FROM THE MAIN ROAD, DONOVAN STATE PRISON IS KIND OF HARD TO SEE, IT SITS IN OLD-TIME MESA, ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM A SCRAPYARD AND A COUPLE AMAZON WAREHOUSES.

BUT WHAT YOU CAN'T TELL FROM THE STREET IS JUST HOW HOT IT GETS HERE.

>> IT'S STIFLING AND, UM, KIND OF FRUSTRATING.

>> Reporter: MONEY HAS BEEN INCARCERATED AT DONOVAN FOR FIVE YEARS.

WE ARE SPEAKING OVER THE PHONE.

IN CALIFORNIA, MOST INCARCERATED PEOPLE CAN MAKE OUTGOING PHONE CALLS.

A FORMER LAWYER FROM ORANGE COUNTY SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF HOT DAYS INSIDE THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS NO AIR CONDITIONING AND HIS HOUSING UNIT >> ALL YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU'RE IN A CELL IS, YOU KNOW, TRY TO KEEP COLD WATER ON YOUR BODY.

YOU WET A TOWEL AND KEEP WETTING IT AND, YOU KNOW, KEEP LAPPING IT AROUND YOUR NECK.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, THOUGH, WAS DIFFERENT.

A BRITTLE SEPTEMBER HEAT WAVE BROUGHT A MIX OF INTENSE HEAT AND HUMIDITY TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

IN OLD-TIME MESA, TEMPERATURES SOARED TO 100 DEGREES.

DURING THAT TIME, HE SAYS PRISON OFFICIALS PLACED THEIR HOUSING UNIT ON LOCKDOWN, SOMETIMES FOR MULTIPLE DAYS AT A TIME.

THEY KEPT THEM IN THEIR CELLS, RESTRICTING THEIR ACCESS TO LARGE FANS, ICEWATER, AND COOLER AREAS LIKE THE DAY ROOM.

>> I MEAN, YOU COULD LOOK OUT THE WINDOW OF THE CELL DOOR AND SEE THE DAY ROOM AND SEE THESE FANS BLOWING, BUT YOU ARE ON LOCKDOWN, YOU CAN'T -- YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING, YOU CAN'T GET TO THEM.

>> Reporter: KPBS SPOKE TO TWO OTHER INCARCERATED PEOPLE AT DONOVAN, BRIAN CHRISMAN AND GRANT LAST IS NOT TO SHARE HIS LAST NAME BECAUSE HE IS WORRIED ABOUT RETALIATION.

BOTH OF THEM DESCRIBED SIMILAR CONDITIONS.

GRANT SAID THE THERMOMETER IN HIS SELF IS AS HIGH AS 94 DEGREES.

THEY ESTIMATE THAT THEY WERE ON LOCKDOWN FOR THREE TO SIX DAYS DURING THE HEAT WAVE.

CHRIS SAYS IT WAS MORE LIKE THREE WEEKS.

OFFICIALS SAY TO KPBS THAT THEY DID IMPLEMENT LOCKDOWNS DURING THE HEAT WAVE.

THEY SAID STAFF WERE STILL FOLLOWING THEIR HIT PLAN.

A SPECIAL PROTOCOL THAT STATE PRISONS ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW WHEN IT HITS CERTAIN TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE, BUT THE INCARCERATED PEOPLE SAY DONOVAN WASN'T CONSISTENTLY FOLLOWING THOSE STEPS.

THEY DIDN'T RESPOND TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND WHEN IT AGREED TO AN INTERVIEW.

THIS ALSO LINES UP WITH CONCERNS THAT OTHER STATE PRISONS.

>> WHAT THE PEOPLE YOU SPOKE WITH DESCRIBED IS A VERY COMMON EXPERIENCE THAT PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN STATE PRISONS HAVE.

>> Reporter: ERIK ANDERSON IS WITH THE CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN OAKLAND.

HE SAYS INCARCERATED PEOPLE ARE RELYING ALMOST ENTIRELY ON THE STATE TO PROTECT THEM.

>> IF YOU OR I GOT REALLY HOT, WE COULD TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, WE COULD TURN ON THE FAN, WE COULD HELP OURSELVES TO SOME WATER, WE COULD ACCESS ICE OR A COOLING CENTER IN OUR COMMUNITY IF THAT EXISTS.

AND MANY OF THOSE SAME PREVENTATIVE AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE SIMPLY NOT AVAILABLE TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE CALIFORNIA STATE PRISONS ARE 50 YEARS OLD ON AVERAGE.

HENDERSON SAYS MANY OF THEM ARE MADE FROM CONCRETE AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT DON'T PROTECT FROM EXTREME TEMPERATURES .3 OUT OF FOUR PRISONS ALSO DON'T HAVE TRADITIONAL AIR CONDITIONING.

STATE INSPECTORS HAVE ALSO FIND THEY DIDN'T KEEP CONSISTENT RECORDS OF HOW HOT AND COLD IT GETS AT EACH PRISON, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

THEY DO HAVE THEIR HIT PLAN, THE ADVOCATES SAY THAT PROTOCOL IS OLD, TOO.

>> THIS MAJOR, UM, FLAWS IN WHAT IT DOES AND DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR POINT >> Reporter: LILY HARVEY IS WITH THE PRISON LAW OFFICE, A NONPROFIT LEGAL FIRM IN BERKELEY.

IT WAS ONE OF THEIR LAWSUITS THAT FORCED CCR TO TO DEVELOP AND HIT PLAN BACK IN THE '90s, THE ARMY SAYS THE PLAN DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT LISTS CERTAIN COOLING METHODS LIKE ICEWATER AND FANS, BUT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE USE OF SPECIFIC MEASURES.

THAT, HE SAYS, LEAVES MANY PEOPLE FACING UNCOMFORTABLE LEVELS OF HEAT.

>> THE GOES FAR BEYOND DISCOMFORT.

WE ARE SEEING MULTIPLE LETTERS FROM PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS, SAYING THEY ARE FEELING LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER, AND ASTHMA ATTACKS AND INCREASED SEIZURE ACTIVITY, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND PEOPLE ARE SCARED.

>> Reporter: HARDLY SAYS CD CRC PLAN ALSO DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN DURING LOCKDOWNS.

AS CLIMATE CHANGE BRINGS MORE INTENSE HEAT WAVES TO CALIFORNIA, INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR ADVOCATES ARE PRESSING THE STATE TO TAKE ACTION.

HARVEY SAYS IT SEEMS LIKE THOSE CALLS ARE FINALLY GETTING TRACTION.

MIKE GIBSON PROPOSED A BILL EARLIER THIS YEAR CALLED ADRIAN'S ACT.

IT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THEM TO TO OVERHAUL THE COOLING PROTOCOL STATEWIDE.

THE BILL IS NAMED AFTER ADRIAN WHO DIED IN STATE CUSTODY TWO YEARS AGO DURING A HEAT WAVE.

SHE WAS LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY FROM GOING HOME.

>> HER DEATH IS NOT JUST A STATISTIC, IT IS A TRAGEDY, AND IT IS A WARNING.

A WARNING THAT THE STATUS QUO IS FAILING, AND THE IN ACTION HAS REAL HUMAN CONSEQUENCES.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS FAILED TO MOVE GIBSON'S BILL FORWARD THIS SPRING.

ADVOCATES SAY THEY'RE GOING TO TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

TEMPERATURES SOARED AGAIN TO ALMOST 100 DEGREES THIS WEEK.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KORI SUZUKI TALKS MORE ABOUT THE STORY ON THE LATEST KPBS ROUNDTABLE PODCAST.

HE IS OUR DEDICATED SOUTHBAY AND IMPERIAL VALLEY REPORTER, AND YOU CAN FIND MORE OF HIS WORK AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> THE NEXT STORY BY KORI SUZUKI WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE RETURN OF THE USSS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

MILITARY AND VETERANS REPORTER ANDREW DYER LED OUR TEAM COVERAGE BUT ALSO, [ INAUDIBLE ] EL NINO'S HIDDEN DANGER CAN MAKE BEACH AND COASTAL EROSION WORKS, AND CALIFORNIA'S NATIVE AMERICANS STUDIES, LIVE IN A CLASSROOM.

WE ARE GOING TO THAT STORY LATER.

>>> THE STATE COASTAL COMMISSION RECENTLY APPROVED A ZONING CHANGE IN CARLSBAD, IT ALLOWS A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NEAR PONCHO BEACH TO MOVE FORWARD BUT IT IS THE LAST VACANT COASTAL PIECE OF LAND IN THAT CITY.

AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, MANY RESIDENTS ARE OPPOSED TO THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> A TOTAL OF 93 SIGNATURES.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONERS SEEM SYMPATHETIC TO RESIDENTS' CONCERNS IN KEEPING THE AREA IS PARKLAND, BUT SAY THAT WAS NOT WITHIN THE COMMISSION'S PURVIEW.

>> WE ARE HERE TO IDENTIFY COASTAL RESOURCES, AND NOT COMPEL [ INAUDIBLE ] IN TEXAS TO CREATE A PARK.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 100 RESIDENTS SPOKE ON THE ISSUE WITH MOST OPPOSED TO THE DEVELOPMENT POINT THE SAME AREA NEEDS A PARK.

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SITS NEAR THE COAST.

BECAUSE OF THAT, IT IS A ZONING CHANGE AND THE COASTAL COMMISSION'S APPROVAL.

IT IS OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS PLANNING AREA F POINT THEY WANT TO BUILD 120 TOWNHOMES HERE WITH 24 AFFORDABLE UNITS.

DAVE IS WITH [ INAUDIBLE ], HE SAYS THE ENTIRE AREA IS NOT BEING DEVELOPED FOR HOUSING.

>> [ INAUDIBLE ] 3.8 PAPER PARCELS [ INAUDIBLE ].

AND PROVIDE [ INAUDIBLE ] PUBLIC TRAILS, VISITOR SERVICE COMMERCIAL USES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DESIGNED FOR FUTURE ADAPTABILITY POINT >> Reporter: MANY RESIDENTS SAY SOUTH CARLSBAD HAS NO COASTAL PARK, THE CLOSEST PARK IS MORE THAN 200 MILES AWAY.

MICHAEL IS WITH PEOPLE FOR PONTO.

>> THERE ARE OVER 2000 HOMES HERE THAT DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY WALKABLE OR EVEN LIKABLE ACCESS TO A PUBLIC PARK.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THE PROPERTY IS PRIVATELY OWNED, AND DESIGNATED THE AREA AS PARKLAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE A PARK WILL BE BUILT.

ERIC IS A CARLSBAD CITY PLANNER.

HE SAYS STATE LAW PREVENTS THE CITY FROM DENYING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

>> IF WE WERE TO TAKE RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATION AND DOWNS ON IT, REGARDLESS OF HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS, YOU CANNOT DOWN ZONE ANY RESIDENTIAL SITE UNLESS YOU CAN CURRENTLY UPSELL ADDITIONAL HOUSING SITES.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS IT HAS NO OTHER OPEN LAND TO OFFSET THE LOSS.

DESPITE THE COASTAL COMMISSION'S APPROVAL, RESIDENTS SAY THEY WILL KEEP FIGHTING FOR A PARKING AREA.

THE PROJECT STILL NEEDS APPROVAL.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME LOCAL SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THE KEY TO A CLEANER ATMOSPHERE MAY BE RIGHT UNDER OUR FEET.

KPBS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPORTER CARLY KAY TELLS US HOW THEY ARE USING PLANT POWER AND AN A I TOLD TO TRY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THE THESE LITTLE GREEN TOPS ARE EYE-CATCHING.

THERE ARE EXCITING SIGNS OF NEW LIFE SPROUTING FROM THE SOIL, BUT SAW INSTITUTE SCIENTIST BUSH IS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT IS BELOW THE SURFACE.

>> ON THE RIGHT, WE SEE THE TRADITIONAL SOYBEAN VARIETY THAT, AS YOU CAN SEE, HAS A LOT OF ROOT DEVELOPMENT TO THE SCIENCE.

>> Reporter: HE STUDIES ROOT SYSTEMS.

FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HE HAS WORKED ON FINDING GENES THAT CAN HELP PRODUCE PLANTS THAT GROW DEEPER ROOTS.

BUSH SAYS PLANTS WITH DEEPER ROOTS CAN REMOVE MORE CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE ATMOSPHERE AND ARE MORE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> IF WE CAN FIND WAYS TO GET BETTER ROOT SYSTEMS THAT FOR INSTANCE ALLOW PLANTS TO GET MORE WATER DURING DROUGHT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TO STORE MORE [ INAUDIBLE ] IN THE SOIL, AND THEREBY REDUCING FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY.

>> Reporter: HIS TEAM ALREADY IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 300 GENES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PRODUCE DOWNWARD GROWTH.

IT WAS A PART OF THE HARNESSING PLANT INITIATIVE.

EVEN JUST CHANGING TWO GENETIC LETTERS MAKES A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE.

>> ESSENTIALLY, YOU SEE, YOU LOOK AT TWO ALMOST IDENTICAL PLANTS WITH TWO PRECISE CHANGES BEING THE DIFFERENCE OF THEM, BUT IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY HOW THE ROOTS GROW DOWNWARDS.

>> Reporter: HE ESTIMATES THE POLICIES THE GENETICALLY PLANTS AT SCALE, THEY CAN REMOVE ONE GIGATON OF CARBON FROM THE ATMOSPHERE EACH YEAR.

>> A GIGATON OF CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL WOULD BASICALLY BE [ INAUDIBLE ], THEN HAVE A COMBUSTION ENGINE IN THE UNITED STATES BEING REPLACED BY NON-OMITTING CARS.

IT'S A BIG, BIG THING.

>> Reporter: BUT TESTING THE GENES IN THE LAB IS TIME- CONSUMING, AND VALIDATING THEM IN REAL WORLD ENVIRONMENTS TAKES EVEN LONGER.

BUSH AND HIS TEAM ARE TURNING TO A.I.

TO HELP.

NEXT WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE DATA NOW IN THE FIELD AND WE ARE GOING TO LEVERAGE AN A.I.

SOLUTION THAT WE CALL ROOTGPT TO MAKE US FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT IN PRODUCING THESE PLANTS.

>> Reporter: THE TEAM RECEIVED AN $18 MILLION GRANT FROM THE BEZOS ARE FOND TO DEVELOP THE TOLL.

ROOTGPT WILL BE ABLE TO WEAVE THROUGH A MASSIVE DATA SET CONTAINING INFORMATION ON PLANT GENETICS AND ROOT SYSTEMS.

THEN IT WILL SUGGEST THE BEST SUITED GENETIC CHANGES FOR THE RESEARCHERS' DESIRED OUTCOMES.

>> ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE ABILITY NOW WITH THIS NEW FINDING THAT SHORTENS THIS ONE AND A HALF YEARS TO THREE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: EXPEDITED TIMELINE WILL HELP SCIENTISTS RACE AGAINST THE CLIMATE CLOCK, BUT THEY ARE STILL DEVELOPING THE TOLL.

BUSH HELPS THE FINAL VERSION WILL BE COMPLETED BY 2028.

CARLY KAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA NOW HAS A STATEWIDE GUIDE FOR TEACHING ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.

SAN DIEGO EDUCATORS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN DEVELOPING IT.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS TAKES US TO [ INAUDIBLE ] WHERE IN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER IS WEAVING THE CURRICULUM INTO HIS HISTORY CLASS.

>> THIS IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> Reporter: IT IS A TUESDAY MORNING IN GREG'S 11th GRADE HISTORY CLASS.

SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE ROOM RANGE FROM STRONGLY AGREE TO STRONGLY DISAGREE.

>> ATLANTA IS NOT BEING DEVELOPED, IT'S NOT BEING FORMED, ANOTHER GROUP SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE IT.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS MOVED TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ROOM DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY THINK.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT REALLY DEPENDS, LIKE YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE PERMISSION.

>> Reporter: THEN THEY REPEAT THE ACTIVITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF NATIVE AMERICANS, EUROPEAN SETTLERS, MONARCHS, AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS.

>> EUROPEAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT EXPLORERS CAN CLAIM THAT LAND?

>> THAT THEY CAN [ INAUDIBLE ] .

>> Reporter: THIS ACTIVITY COMES FROM CALIFORNIA'S NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES MODEL CURRICULUM.

IT IS A SET OF FREE LESSON PLANS AND TEACHING MATERIALS.

[ INAUDIBLE ] HELPED WRITE IT.

>> WHAT I REALLY WANT TO MAKE CLEAR FOR EDUCATORS ACROSS CALIFORNIA IS THAT THE UNITS AND THE LESSON PLANS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CURRICULUM CAN BE INTERWOVEN INTO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT CONTENT AREAS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE LESSONS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT INDIGENOUS AND COLONIAL PLACE NAMES.

EIGHTH-GRADERS CAN LEARN ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY AND FEDERAL RECOGNITION.

HIGH SCHOOLERS CAN LEARN ABOUT CULTURAL FIRE PRACTICES.

THAT'S I THINK THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM IS SO MANY EDUCATORS STRUGGLE WITH HOW TO APPROACH COMPLICATED TOPICS, AND THIS GIVES THEM THE TOOLKIT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: IN 2021, THE STATE ALLOCATED $4 MILLION TO DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM.

JOLIE PROFIT IS ONE OF THREE PROJECT WEEDS.

SHE DIRECTS THE CALIFORNIA INDIAN CULTURE AND SOVEREIGNTY CENTER AT CSU SAN MARCO SPRINT SHE IS [ INAUDIBLE ].

>> WE REALLY WANTED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO TAKE THE LEAD IN HELPING US WRITE THIS CURRICULUM.

>> Reporter: THEY HELD DOZENS OF MEETINGS WITH TRIBAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THERE ARE 109 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN CALIFORNIA, PLUS MANY OTHER TRIBAL COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T RECOGNIZED.

>> THERE IS NOT A LESSON PLAN FOR EVERY SINGLE TRIBE IN THE STATE.

WE DID NEARLY 400 LESSON PLANS.

THIS IS MERELY THE FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TEACHERS CAN CONTINUE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF LOCAL TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

>> THE TRIBES HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE, IT HAS TO BE COMMUNITY CENTERED, SO THE MORE BY AN AND THE MORE FOLKS INVOLVED, THE BETTER.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE COLLABORATING WITH JOHN MACHADO.

>> JOHN MACHADO, I GO BY BUD IN THE COMMUNITY HERE, COACHED BY.

>> Reporter: HE IS A LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR, HE MAKES VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS AND GAMES, AND HE SHARED THEM WITH THE CLASS.

HE HAS ALSO HOSTED CLASS VISITS TO THE CULTURAL CENTER AND WILDERNESS GARDENS COUNTY PRESERVE.

>> WE HAD A TRIP OUT THERE TO DISCUSS THE PLANS AND THE NATURE AND WE INCORPORATED THE TE K, THE TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE WILDLIFE OUT THERE.

>> IT IS SAYS THE EXPERIENCE HELPED CONNECT HIS CLASS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WERE LEARNING ABOUT TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN CLASS, AND THEN BOOM, WE WERE ABLE TO GO OUT INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, GO THROUGH SOME BROCHURES AND LIKE A SCAVENGER HUNT AND LEARN ABOUT HOW THOSE PLANTS -- WHAT THEIR CURRENT USES ARE, TOO.

>> Reporter: SOME OF HIS STUDENTS ARE [ INAUDIBLE ] THEMSELVES.

IN THE EIGHT YEARS HE HAS BEEN TEACHING NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES, HE SAYS FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAS BEEN POSITIVE.

>> I THINK FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS, IT IS A SHOW OF SUPPORT, AND [ INAUDIBLE ] AUTHENTICITY THAT THEY HAVEN'T ALWAYS FELT COMING FROM SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> Reporter: STARTING IN THE LATE 1800s, THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT FORCED MANY NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILIES TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO BOARDING SCHOOLS.

THEY WERE PUNISHED FOR SPEAKING THEIR LANGUAGE AND PRACTICING THEIR CULTURE.

MACHADO SAYS THE NEW CURRICULUM IS A STEP TOWARDS REBUILDING TRUST IN SCHOOLS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A GREAT CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN KEEP PROGRESSING FOR GOOD CHANGE.

>> Reporter: CHALLENGES REMAIN.

COUNTY LEADERS ARE TRAINING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ON HOW TO USE THE NEW CURRICULUM, BUT PROFIT SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO REACH EVERY TEACHER.

>> YOU CAN CREATE THE BEST CURRICULUM, BUT IF NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO USE IT OR HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO USE IT, THEN WHAT IS THE POINT?

>> Reporter: PROUDFIT HOPES THE NEXT GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION TRAINS TEACHERS ON NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES.

SHE ALSO WANTS THE EXTRACTION TO BE MANDATORY.

>> I WAS ASKED THE QUESTION, DO YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED A SETTLOR OR A GUEST?

AND IF YOU ARE A GOOD GUEST, YOU WOULD ASK AND LEARN AND WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

>> TEACHERS CAN FIND THE FULL CURRICULUM AND OTHER RESOURCES ON UC DAVIS'S WEBSITE.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND YOU WILL BE HEARING MORE FROM KATIE ANASTAS IN THE MORNINGS ON KPBS.

THAT'S BECAUSE SHE IS NOW THE ANCHOR OF LOCAL NEWS UPDATES DURING NPR'S MORNING EDITION.

KATIE HAS SPENT THE PAST FEW YEARS AS THE KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ON ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS.

YOU CAN HEAR HER TALK MORE ABOUT HER NEW ROLE AS PART OF THIS WEEK'S KPBS ROUNDTABLE PODCAST.

>>> ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP UP ON THE NEWS FROM KPBS IS A SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW PODCAST, AND IT IS HOSTED BY LAWRENCE K JACKSON.

YOU WILL GET A MIX OF HEADLINES AND FEATURE REPORTING TO START YOUR DAY.

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND GET NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

I HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

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