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

I'M MYA TRABULSI.

WE'LL LOOK AT HOW SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS ARE RETURNING TO CAMPUS.

HOW DID SOME BENEFIT FROM DISTANCE LEARNING.

>> BACK HOME IN EL CAJON, LOCAL FAMILIES WHO LEFT AFGHANISTAN TALK ABOUT A NERVE RACKING EXPERIENCE.

>>> SAVING THE SEAU AMPHITHEATER.

>> COVID-19 IS REEMERGING AS THE DOMINANT STORY LOCALLY.

IF THE SPIKE IN CASE NUMBERS WASN'T ENOUGH, PUBLIC LEADERS ARE DEALING WITH AN INCREASINGLY HOSTILE JOB FUELED BY MISINFORMATION.

MATT HOFFMAN TELLLESS US HOW A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS CALLING IT OUT.

>> Reporter: MISINFORMATION IS PROLONGING THE PANDEMIC.

DURING MARATHON BOARD MEETING, THE REGION'S HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS SPOKE IN FAVOR OF IT.

WE HAVE A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED.

>> THIS IS ABOUT TAKING MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN DEVELOPING RESOURCES TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION TO HELP THE COMMUNITY MAKE INFORMED HEALTH CHOICES.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE JUST OVER 107 PUBLIC SPEAKERS, MAJORITY AGAINST IT CLAIMING IT INFRINGES ON 1st AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> IF IT PASS TONIGHT THE SUN WILL COME UP AND EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK OUT AND SAY WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY.

IF THIS PASSES OUR COUNTY WILL BE ON RECORD.

>> Reporter: THE RESOLUTION DIRECTS COUNTY STAFF TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE COMBATING MISINFORMATION.

>> I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS GET RID OF THIS NOTION THAT THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA.

IT HAS NOT AND I CAN GIVE YOU THE LETTER IF YOU LIKE IT.

>> EVERYBODY WITH A CLUE KNOW THE COVID TESTS ARE IRRELEVANT.

IT'S A BIOTOXIN.

>> EXPERIMENTAL GENE THERAPY.

YOU CAN CALL IT SO MANY THINGS.

>> Reporter: SOME QUESTION WHO GETTING TO DECIDE WHAT MISINFORMATION IS AND CLAIMS THAT THE PANDEMIC IS MADE UP OR EXAGGERATED.

>> THIS IS A HUGE SCAM.

>> YOU'RE CREATING CRISIS THAT IS NOT THERE.

>> WHY DO YOU CARE WHO DIES ?

WOULDN'T THAT BE A BLESSING?

THERE ARE TOO MANY ON THE PLANET, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: OTHERS WERE THERE TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES.

>> WE DON'T WANT IT AT ALL.

WE WANT TO HAVE THE CHOICE TO OPT OUT.

ARE THE BOARD WAS SPLIT.

>> NONE OF US WANT TO SEE YOUR NEIGHBORS DIE OR FAMILY OR FRIENDS, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU STOP MISINFORMATION.

>> >> REPORTER: SUPERVISORS VOTED 3-2 TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE MASK WORK.

I BELIEVE THAT THE VACCINE WORKS.

I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE -- AND SO I AM NOT GOING TO BACK DOWN FROM DOING WHAT I BELIEVE IS RIGHT.

>> MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE HAVE MANY RESOURCES TO KEEP YOU INFORMED DURING THE PANDEMIC AT KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND A NEARBY TESTING OR VACCINE LOCATION.

IT'S ALL ON OUR TRACKING COVID- 19 SECTION.

CLICK THE LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.

>> THIS WEEK MELISSA CHECKED IN ON FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

THEY HAVE A HANDFUL HELPING THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND NOW A SPIKE IN COVID-19 IS COMPLICATING THEIR MISSION.

>> Reporter: FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES SAYS JUST UNDER A HUNDRED CASES WERE REPORTED AT THE VILLAGES LAST WEEK.

THEY SET UP TEMPORARY TENT OUTSIDE THE CAMPUS TO ISOLATE PATIENTS UNTIL THEY COULD BE MOVED TO HOTELS.

VACCINATION RATES HAVE BEEN LOW AMONG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DUE TO POOR PAST EXPERIENCES AND MISTRUST.

FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES IS WORKING TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE ON SITE VACCINATION AND ONE ON ONE CONVERSATIONS.

HIS PRESIDENT AND CEO, JIM VARGAS, SAYS WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THOSE WE SERVE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRICTLY IMPLEMENT HEALTH PROTOCOLS DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS AND EQUIP OUR STAFF AND CLIENTS ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES.

OVER 10,000 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE HAD ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER TOLD US WE'RE HOUSING PEOPLE AFFECTED IN THE OUTBREAK IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH HOTELS AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE ISOLATING IN SHELTERS.

WE HAVE PLANS IN PLACE TO EXPAND THE HOTEL CA TAS PI IF NEEDED.

>> SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT JUST WRAPPED UP ITS FIRST WEEK BACK ON CAMPUS.

THIS WAS THE SCENE MONDAY MORNING.

EVERYONE IS WEARING MASKS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

THE SCHOOL IS ALLOWING MASK BREAKS AT TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE PROPERLY DISTANCED.

ALL OF OUR BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION CAN BE STREAMED ANY TIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>> THE COVID SHUT DOWN WAS ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

THEY'RE RETURNING TO CLASSES IN PERSON AFTER A YEAR.

WE'RE INTRODUCED TO ONE MOTHER DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE HER SON GETS A PROPER EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: BLANCO WAS A GOOD SPELLER.

HE CAN WRITE HIS MOTHER'S PHONE NUMBER TOO, SOMETHING HE'S LEARNED WITH HER HELP AT THE DINING ROOM TABLE.

>> I KNOW I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY SON AND SINCE THEN I LOVE MY SON WITH ALL OF MY HEART AND I'VE BEEN HIS MOMMY AND I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT IS IN MY POWER FOR HIM TO BE OKAY.

>> Reporter: MARIA LOW SPECIS A SINGLE MOTHER RAISING HER SON WITH HELP FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO HE CALLS MOM.

MARIA IS HIS MOMMY.

ALEJANDRO LIKES TO BE CALLED ALEX.

HE IS A FRESHMAN AT MADISON HIGH SCHOOL.

ON SEPTEMBER 9th HE TURNS 14 YEARS OLD.

HIS MOTHER REMEMBERS THE DELIGHT AND THE DISTRESS OF IT WAS DAY HE WAS BORN WHEN THE DOCTOR GAVE HER THE NEWS.

>> ME, I WAS HOPING THAT HE WAS FINE AND I'D SEE HIM WHEN I SAW HIM HE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.

HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD DOWN SYNDROME.

>> Reporter: WITH THE DOWN SYNDROME DIAGNOSIS, ALEX HAS RECEIVED SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT AND THERAPY THROUGHOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL YEARS INCLUDING AN IEPAFEDERAL DOCUMENT THAT OUTLINES GOALS AND SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

REGULAR MEETINGS WITH PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY SCRAMBLED TO HOLD THE MEETINGS DURING COVID ONLINE OR BY PHONE.

JENNIFER TAUGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR 30 YEARS AND NOW SHE IS A PROFESSIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE WHO SUPPORTS PARENTS THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS.

>> REALLY, PARENTS WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEIR KIDS ARE AT IF THEY'VE REGRESSED DURING THIS TIME, IF THEY MADE PROGRESS WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFY SUPERDOME OFFERING LON LINE LEARNING THROUGH THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY PROGRAM AND WILL OFFER A CHASE OF ONLINE OR IN PERSON IEP MEETINGS.

ALEX'S MOM IS HAPPY THAT HE'S AT MADISON HIGH SCHOOL WITH FRIENDS.

>> I WANT THE BEST FOR HIM.

I KNOW HE CAN LEARN A LOT.

IF YOU WORK WITH HIM I KNOW HE CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS AND HE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL FOR HIS -- FOR LATER ON.

>> SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT.

>> Reporter: LATER ON FOR THIS YOUNG MAN MEANS AFTER HE TURNS 21 AND AGES OUT OF THE SCHOOL SUPPORT SYSTEM AS AN ADULT.

THAT'S 7 YEARS AWAY FOR ALEX, BUT MARIA SAYS EVERY SEMESTER COUNTS.

SHE FEELS MOST COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING THE LOVE FOR HER SON IN HER FIRST LANGUAGE.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] >> Reporter: LOVE MODELED AND LEARNED IN THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF ALL.

>> ONE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EAST COUNTY IS KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN.

SEVERAL OF THEIR FAMILIES SAFELY EVACUATED AND ARE BACK IN EL CAJON SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCE.

ALEXANDER HAS MORE ON AN INTERNATIONAL STORY THAT BECAME LOCAL.

>> WHY YOU GUYS ARE LEAVING AFGHANISTAN?

WHY YOU GUYS ARE NOT STAYING HERE WITH US.

>> Reporter: THOSE WERE THE INTERROGATIONS THE TALIBAN ASKED MOHAMMED.

HIS FAMILY IS ONE OF THE EIGHT FAMILYS THAT TRAVELED TO AFGHANISTAN OVER SUMMER BREAK.

AFTER BEING STRANDED THERE FOLLOWING THE TALIBAN'S TAKE OVER, THE FAMILIES SEEKED HELP FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE TO COME BACK HOME.

>> THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHANCE THAT WE CAN -- THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE YOU FAMILY.

ARE HE WASN'T EXPECTING THE TALIBAN TO ENTER KABUL UNTIL AUGUST 31st.

HE AND HIS FAMILY MADE IT HOME, BUT THE CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THREE OTHERS ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN AND NEED HELP.

THE CONGRESSMAN MET WITH THE FAMILIES AND MADE A CALL TO ACTION.

HE SAYS HUNDREDS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS AND FID HOLDERS REMAIN TO BE HELPED.

>> WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY HAVING FAILED TO GIVE THEM A SECULAR DEMOCRACY THAT LASTED.

>> Reporter: THE CAJON VALLEY SUPERINTENDENT SAID THEY'RE HOPING TO SOON BE REUNITED WITH THE THREE STUDENTS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE FAMILYS THAT MADE IT BACK ARE GRATEFUL, BUT THEY ASKED THAT THE DOOR NOT BE CLOSED TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT RISK.

>> THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER.

THEY MOVE EVERY NIGHT.

>> THERE WILL BE A CHAOS COMING.

WE HAVE TO EVACUATE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> KPBS NEW ALSO HAVE MORE ON THE U.S. EXIT FROM AFGHANISTAN ON THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> THURSDAY NIGHT THE MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH WILL HOST A SPECIAL PANEL, FINDING MEANING FROM THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

IT'LL BE A LIVE ONLINE DISCUSSION WITH VETERAN AGOLD PARENT AND THOSE WHO HAVE COVERED THE WAR AND ITS IMPACT.

RESERVE A SPOT AT KPBS.ORG.

WE SAW A BIG INTEREST IN ALL THINGS COVID-19 THIS WEEK FROM OUR ONLINE AUDIENCE.

THE MOST READ STORIES INCLUDE AN UPDATE ON THE LEGAL TROUBLE FOR A WOMAN ACCUSED OF STRIKING A FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN MAY.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS TRYING TO GET ALL WORKERS VACCINATED, BUT LESS THAN HAVE HALF DONE SO WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE STORY AT THE TOP OF THE NEWSCAST, THE COUNTY DECLARING MISINFORMATION A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, ONE OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

>> JOHN CARROLL HAS DETAILS ON MORE MONEY THAT'S BEING FREED UP TO HELP.

>> Reporter: IT IS AMONG THE MOST BASIC OF HUMAN NEEDS, HAVING A ROOP OVER YOUR HEAD APLACE TO CALL HOME.

THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN COULD NOT EXTEND THE FEDERAL MORATORIUM.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, HELP FOR RENTERS IS GETTINGS BEEFED UP.

>> THE COUNTY IS STARTING TWO NEW PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S NICK MARTINEZ, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT THE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS IS AIMED AT MOM AND POP LANDLORDS.

>> IF TENANTS ARE OVER INCOME OR COULD NOT ACCESS THE PROGRAMS, THE SMALL MOM AND POP LANDLORDS CAN GET ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A FEW CRITERIA THEY HAVE TO MEET.

THE PROPERTY HAS TO BE IN THE COUNTY AND THE OWNER MUST BE A COUNTY RESIDENT.

THE LANDLORD CANNOT OWN MORE THAN FIVE UNITS AND TENANTS HAVE TO BE THREE MONTHS PAST DUE.

>> THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: RENTERS MUST MEET CERTAIN INCOME LIMITS, SIGN A LEASE OF SIX MONTHS OR LONGER AND THE PAYMENTS MADE DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORD.

>> AT THE END OF THE RENT, THE END OF THE TERM, IF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS RELEASED BACK TO THE TEN IN FACT THEY HAVE IT FOR THE NEXT ONE.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1st AND SECURITY DEPOSIT ONE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3rd.

THE APPLICANTS HAVE TWO WEEKS TO APPLY.

THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT REPLICATED IN ANY OTHER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SO THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE COUNTY.

GO TO SVHC.ORG.

OR CALL THIS NUMBER.

>> A SOUTH BAY BREWERY SINGLED OUT IS CELEBRATING VICTORY.

MELISSA MAY TELLS US HOW THEY'RE BACK UP AND RUNNING THANKS TO SUPPORTERS.

>> Reporter: JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE OWNER OF CHEW L.A. VISTA BREWERY WAS ORDERED TO TAKE DOWN THE OUTDOOR DINING SPACE AND QUESTIONED WHY HIS NEIGHBORS COULD.

TIMOTHY PARKER WAS AWARDED A NEW SPACE AND TODAY WE HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.

ARE SHANE HARRIS IS PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION AND HELPED TO FILE THE ORIGINAL CLAIM.

TODAY WAS CONSIDERED A WIN FOR ALL INVOLVED.

>> WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING AND MOVING FORWARD IS AN AWESOME ADDITION TO THE BREWERY.

I HAVE TO THANK ALL INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: TIMOTHY PARKER IS THE OWNER OF THE BEAURY AND IS GRATEFUL THAT THE CITY IS GIVING HIM A PERMIT FOR THE OUTDOOR SPACE TO COMPLIMENT THE FOOD TRUCK.

THE ASSOCIATION HAS PLANS TO RELOCATE THESE PLANTS AND CREATE A HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE DECK AND BE AN EXTENSION OF THE BREWERY.

>> THIS WILL RESTORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS BUSINESS TO SUSTAIN ECONOMIC SUSTAIN ABILITY.

WE'RE PROUD TO DEVELOP AND WORK WITH THE ARCHITECTS AND OWNERS TO DESIGN SOMETHING THAT IS ENHANCING TO THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL BLACK CONTRACTOR'S ASSOCIATION SAYS BUILDING THE OUTDOOR SPACE TURNS WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGEDY OF INJUSTICE INTO A SHOW PIECE OF JUSTICE.

THE BREWERY IS GETTING $15,000 IN COVID RELIEF FUNDS TO HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BUILD.

>> WE'RE NOW ONE YEAR AWAY FROM AZTEC FOOTBALL RETURNING TO MISSION VALLEY.

THERE WAS A SAVE THE DATE TWEET FOR SEPTEMBER 3, 2022, WHEN THE FIRST GAME IS SCHEDULED IN THEIR NEW HOME.

THEY'LL PLAY ONE MORE SEASON IN CARSON STARTING THIS WEEKEND AGAINST NEW MEXICO STATE.

>> THE NAME JUNIOR SEAU WILL ALWAYS BE SYNONYMOUS WITH FOOTBALL AND THIS AREA.

THERE IS A DECADES OLD AMPHITHEATER THAT NOW BEARS HIS NAME.

WE SEE HOW THE FAMILY IS TRYING TO SAVE IT.

>> Reporter: MARY THINKS OF HER BROTHER JUNIOR WHEN SHE THINKS THE OCEANSIDE STAND.

>> I FEEL THE FREEDOM DOWN HERE, FREEDOM, JOY, HAPPINESS, EXCITED TO BE AROUND THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: IN 2012 THE AMPHITHEATER AND CENTER WERE NAMED FOR THE PLAYER.

SINCE 1919 WHEN IT WAS BUILT, CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS HAVE TAKEN TO THE STAGE.

THE OCEANSIDE MAYOR SANCHEZ NOTICE ADD DECREASE IN THE EVENTS AND SPORTS.

SHE SAID COVID IS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SO IS SCHEDULING.

I'VE HEARD IT'S HARD TO GET AN EVENT GOING HERE.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

>> Reporter: SO WHEN THE CITY PRESENT ADD BEACH FRONT IMPROVEMENT STUDY SANCHEZ GOT CONCERNED.

>> WHEN THE CITY DECIDED TO LET'S GO AHEAD AND START LOOKING AT INCLUDING THE BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER, A LOT OF BELLS AND WHISTLES WERE GOING OFF IN MY HEAD.

GREAT, IS THIS FOR THE CONTINUED USE FOR THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES?

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THIS IS HEADING.

>> Reporter: FOOD VENDORS THE AND BIKE REMEMBERAL COMPANIES ARE ON OPERATING OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

SANCHEZ WORRIES THAT MORE WILL WORK ITS WAY IN.

RUMORS OF DEMOLISHING THE FACILITIES AND PUTTING PARKING IN ITS PLACE HAS STARTED TO SWIRL.

DAR WOOD IS AN ENGINEER AND SAYS IT'S JUST STARTING AND NO PLANS OR PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN PROMOTED.

>> WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS AREA IS.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS TO SEE.

THERE ARE CITY NEED, BUT THE PUBLIC NEEDS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR.

>> Reporter: MARY HAS START ADD PETITION TO MAKE SURE THE FACILITIES ARE SAVED.

>> WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE IS HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM, FIX THE BROKEN WALLS, THE STAIRS, THE COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING.

HAVE THEM FIX IT, BUT DON'T DEMOLISH IT.

THIS BELONGS TO THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE.

>> Reporter: OTHER RESIDENTS HAVE MIXED OPINIONS.

DOUG BOYD THINKS IT NEEDS TO BE TORN DOWN.

>> I'D LOVE TO SEE IT RENOVATED AND HAVE CONCERTS.

MAYBE A SKATE PARK FOR THE KIDS TO COME DOWN TO.

SAME THING WITH THE GYM DOWN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY USE IT ANYMORE DOWN THERE.

IT'S PRIME PROPERTY DOWN HERE.

THINK IT NEEDS TO BE REMODELED.

>> RENOVATIONS WOULD BE VERY GOOD.

DESTRUCTION IS NOT NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS JOEY DAILY WHO RUN AS SNACK SHACK NEAR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

AN OCEANSIDE RESIDENT HAD THIS OBSERVATION.

>> IT'S HISTORICAL.

IT'S WHAT WE KNOW.

TEARING IT DOWN IS PROBLEMATIC.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT.

>> ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S TOP THEATRES IS GIVING THE STAGE TO UNDER REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THE LATIN X NEW PLAY FESTIVAL.

BETH SPOKE WITH THREE OF THE PLAY WRIGHTS TO SEE WHICH STORIES THEY WANTED TO TELL.

>> Reporter: GET READY FOR THE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE SHOW YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IS A CONSTRUCT OF FACT AND FANTASY.

>> Reporter: ARTISTIC INSPIRATION CAN COME FROM MANY PLACES OR ONE.

>> ANGER INSPIRED ME.

>> Reporter: PLAY WRIGHT, RACHEL, HIT A BOILING POINT AFTER JENNIFER CONFESSED TO BEING A RACIAL IMPOSTOR.

>> THAT DEEPLY UPSET ME BECAUSE SHE WAS A WHITE WOMAN PRETENDING TO BE AFRICAN LATINO.

I AM AFRICA LATINO AND I'VE HAD TO FIGHT MAY WAY.

>> Reporter: THE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION LED TO THE PLAY, BLACK MEXICAN.

>> THE EASIEST WAY TO SAY IT IS A STUDENT STARTS TO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT IF THE PROFESSOR IS CUBAN OR NOT.

MEANWHILE THERE IS A CHARACTER WHO IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF SHE COUNTS AS PART OF THE LATINO IDENTITY AS WELL.

IT'S AN EXPLORATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF THIS DEBT TI WHICH ENCOMPASSES SO MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND WHO DO WE GIVE ACCESS TO OUR CULTURE AND KEEP OUT.

>> Reporter: LYNETTE DESCRIBES ONE THAT SHE THINKS IS LIBERAL.

>> I WANTED TO SAY DON'T TRY TO PUT THIS IN A SOUTHERN TOWN WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW BETTER.

NO, THIS IS A TOWN WHERE THEY EMBRACE DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: FOR DANIELLA, IT WAS DISNEY'S POCAHONTAS THAT INSPIRED GET YOUR PINK HANDS OFF ME SUCK CA AND GIVE ME BACK.

>> I LEARNED ABOUT THE COLONIZATION OF THE CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS AND LEARNING HOW OLD POCAHONTAS PROBABLY ACTUALLY WAS, BUT SHE WAS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 14 AND ME REALIZING I'M 1 IS AND THERE IS NO WAY ME HAVING ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN IS OKAY.

>> Reporter: SHE USED THIS PLAY TO EXPLORE THE DRAMA.

>> IT CAN MANIFEST AS AN ANXIETY ATTACK OR PARTICULAR INSECURITY.

IT'S INTERESTING TO ME.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THAT IN A WAY THAT HISTORY IS ALWAYS HAPPENING, LIKE IT'S NOT IN THE PAST, IT REVERBS THROUGH WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE PAST WAS A MAJOR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR VALDEZ'S PLAY.

>> IT'S REALLY KIND OF A NOD TO MY GRAND PARENT'S GENERATION.

COMING OUT OF THIS DEPRESSION ERA EXPERIENCE CREATED A PATHWAY FOR A MEXICAN AMERICAN IDENTITY.

>> Reporter: INFORMING THAT IDENTITY WAS THE MUSIC WHICH VALDEZ SAYS WAS THE ORIGIN OF ACCORDIAN BASED MUSIC.

>> THE ACCORDIAN MUSIC IS THE SOUND TRACK TO THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WORKING SOUND TRACK OF THE 20th CENTURY.

WHEN PEOPLE LISTEN TO THE ACCORDIAN I THINK IT'S VERY NOSTALGIC.

IT IS A VERY EXPRESSIVE INSTRUMENT IN THE WAY THAT IT BREATHES.

LISTEN TO HER BREATHE.

>> I LEARNED EARLY ON TO APPRECIATE THE INSTRUMENT AND WHAT IT REPRESENTED FOR THE CULTURE OF SAN ANTONIO AND FOR THE NEXT SAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> THE INSTRUMENT BECOME AS CHARACTER IN THE PLAY WHICH EXPLORES HOW THE MUSIC DEVELOPED AS LIBERATION.

VALDEZ CARRIES ON THE TRADITION OF THE PLAY.

>> IT'S THEATRE WITH A PURPOSE, LIKE AN URGENCY.

THERE IS A MAGIC THAT HAPPENS IN THAT ENGAGEMENT IN LIFE AND IT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE SERIOUS ISSUES AND ASK THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS, BUT IN A WAY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND ENTERTAINING.

>> Reporter: AND CAN PROVOKE A CONVERSATION AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO TELL THEIR STORIES.

ENJOY THESE STORIES AS PART OF THE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND.

>> A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND COVID-19 RESOURCES AT KPBS.ORG.

CLICK ON THE LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.

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

HAVE A PLEASANT AND SAFE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

I'M MYA TRABULSI.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.