>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOODING REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM .

AND BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S MONDAY AUGUST 22nd.

I'M MAYA.

IT'S THE START OF A TRANSFORMATION FOR SOUTHBAY COMMUNITIES.

TONIGHT, WE WILL SHOW YOU THE WORK JUST GETTING STARTED TO BUILD A NEW PORT OF ENTRY AT OUR BORDER.

FIRST, HERE IS JACOB AIR IN CHULA VISTA WHERE A BAYSIDE PROJECT DECADES IN THE MAKING IS NOW TAKING SHAPE.

>> Reporter: AFTER DECADES OF WAITING, THE CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT IN CHULA VISTA HAS FINALLY BEGUN.

IT'S EXPECTED TO PUMP HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SOLD ON THE PROJECT.

KPBS SPOKE WITH LOCAL WORKERS AND RESIDENTS AND GOT A MIXED REACTION.

IF YOU SAY MANY OF THE NEW JOBS WILL BE LOW-WAGE AND THEY WORRY ABOUT HOW THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE TRAFFIC AND OVERCROWDING.

AMONG THEM IS DO YOU WANT A RESIDENT, OSCAR OCHOA, WHO WORKS AS A SECURITY GUARD IN THE AREA.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE CROWDED.

FOR US, IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM.

MORE PEOPLE COMING AROUND.

>> Reporter: OTHERS SAY THEY ARE THANKFUL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING JOE BALIS JERRY.

HE HAS BEEN WAITING ON THE PROJECT FOR DECADES.

>> BUSINESS AND ACTIVITY.

THEY ARE USING THE WATERFRONT.

THIS IS GREAT THAT THEY ARE USING THE WATERFRONT.

IT'S JUST BEEN LAYING HERE, DOING NOTHING FOR EVER.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, CONSTRUCTION IS CAUSING A NUMBER OF ROAD CLOSURES IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY AND FOR THE TIME BEING, THOSE ROADS WILL LIKELY STAY CLOSE.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025, BUT JIM CALLAHAN, THE CEO OF THE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, SAYS SHORT- TERM PAIN WILL TRANSLATE TO LONG-TERM GAIN.

MUCH OF THE AREA WILL HAVE NEW PATHS FOR CARS AND PEDESTRIANS ALIKE.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF WALKABLE SPACE THAT WILL CONNECT TO THE BIKEWAY, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FIELDS THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE IN YEARS.

OLD SITES THAT WERE FOR REFINERIES AND POWER PLANTS.

NOW, BEING ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK AS PUBLIC LAND IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: TOMORROW AT 5:00 P.M., THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO IS HOSTING AN EVENT AT THE PAVILION, FOCUSED ON PUBLIC ART FOR THE PROJECT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> A BIG DAY FOR THE SECOND DAY OF PORT OF ENTRY OTAY MESA.

OFFICIALS BROKE GROUND ON THE PROJECT TODAY.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: LEADERS AND DIGNITARIES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER HELD A SYMBOLIC GROUNDBREAKING FOR A PROJECT OVER TWO DECADES IN THE MAKING.

THE EAST PORT OF ENTRY, ALSO KNOWN AS OTAY MESA.

-- KICKED OFF THE EVENT OF ABOUT TWO DOZEN SPEAKERS.

HE REMARKED THAT THIS WAS A JOYOUS OCCASION.

>> CELEBRATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO THIS MORNING.

RIGHT?

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE $1.5 BILLION BINATIONAL PROJECT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER FEDERAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

>> THIS PROJECT IS A VITAL LINK IN STRENGTHENING THE NATION'S SUPPLY CHAIN AS WELL AND CREATING THOUSANDS OF JOBS, NOT JUST IN THE LOCAL REGION, BUT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

THE SR 11 OTAY EAST MESA PROJECT IS INDISPENSABLE TO THE NATION.

>> Reporter: BEFORE LANE ROAD WILL CONNECT TO A CUSTOMS, BORDER CONTROL FACILITY.

WE SPOKE ABOUT HOW DESPERATELY NEEDED ANOTHER BORDER CROSSING IS TO HELP EASE THE BURDEN ON THE BUSIEST CROSSING IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

>> IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE INCREASING WAIT TIMES COST THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO A COMBINED $3.4 BILLION IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT AND MORE THAN 88,000 JOBS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO MAYOR SAYS NOT JUST ANOTHER BORDER CROSSING.

IT'S ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE THINK IT'S ABOUT 150,000 PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY CROSS.

THEY OFTEN FACE UNPREDICTABLE WAIT TIMES.

COULD BE A COUPLE HOURS OR FOUR OR FIVE HOURS.

THAT'S A DIMINISHMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THOSE VEHICLES ARE SITTING THERE, IDLING, PUTTING CARBON INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND DEGRADING IT.

>> I WAS THE LITTLE GIRL, THAT CROSSED THE BORDER EVERY DAY TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: TO HER, THIS BORDER CROSSING REPRESENTS HOPE.

>> YOU ARE MAKING THOSE SACRIFICES.

YOU, AS A CITIZEN, HAVING TO WAIT AND CROSS THE BORDER TO GO TO SCHOOL AND HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE -- THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THAT FOR FOLKS.

>> Reporter: SENDAI ESTIMATES THAT WITHOUT OTAY TWO, WAIT TIMES WILL BE OVER SIX HOURS BY 2040.

BUT WITH NEW, LANE CROSSING TECHNOLOGY, IT WILL BE RELEASED REDUCED TO 40.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALSO NEW IS ON A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR SAN DIEGO'S MIDWAY DISTRICT WITH THE MAYOR CHOOSING HIS PREFERRED PLAN FOR THE SPORTS ARENA PROPERTY.

THE PLAN, CALLED MIDWAY RISING, ENVISIONS A NEW ARENA OFFICE SPACE, HOTEL, 20 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE AND 4250 APARTMENTS.

2000 OF THOSE WOULD BE AFFORDABLE FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

THE MAYOR PLANS ON PRESENTING HIS RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13th, AND AFTER THAT VOTE, THE CITY WILL STILL NEED TO NEGOTIATE DETAILS.

>>> SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AND THERE ARE ALREADY COMPLAINTS ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD PARTIES.

REPORTER ALEXANDER AND WHEN VISITED CAMPUS TODAY.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEMESTER.

THERE IS THE USUAL HUBBUB OF COLLEGE LIFE.

CLUBS TO SIGN UP FOR.

TEXT X TO BUY.

FOR SOME, IT'S THE FIRST TIME AWAY FROM HOME.

FOR OTHERS, LIKE JUNIOR, GRACE, IT IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE TYPICAL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

>> YOU SEE ALL THE FRESHMAN WALKING AROUND AND CLASSES ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

I ACTUALLY FEEL COMFORTABLE THIS YEAR.

IT'S EXCITING.

IT'S >> WITH THE RETURN OF STUDENTS COME THE PARTIES AND THE TROUBLE.

THIS PAST FRIDAY, SAN DIEGO POLICE ARRESTED TWO MINORS WHO BRANDISHED A GUN AND A HATCHET FOLLOWING A FIGHT AT AN OFF- CAMPUS PARTY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: NEIGHBORS ARE TIRED OF IT.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN IT THAT BAD.

>> Reporter: JIM JENNINGS HAS LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

HE SAYS IT IS LIVING NEXT TO CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THE SEMESTER.

HE FAULTS THE UNIVERSITY FOR NOT DOING MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THEY TALK A GOOD GAME.

THEY SAY WE ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED, BUT THEN THEY SAY, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE OVER 21 AND THEY ARE DRINKING IN THE HOUSE.

THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO STATE HAS LAUNCHED AN APP WHERE STUDENTS CAN REPORT THINGS SUCH AS OUT-OF-CONTROL PARTIES.

SAN DIEGO POLICE SAYS IT WILL INCREASE PATROL AROUND THE SCHOOL UNTIL AT LEAST LABOR DAY TO CUT DOWN ON THE PARTIES AND THE CROWDS.

HE SAYS STUDENTS HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOO.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST IS OUT WITH NEW REPORTS ON THE FISCAL IMPACTS OF FOUR LOCAL MEASURES APPEARING ON THE BALLOT.

ANDREW BOWEN WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT TWO OF THEM.

>> Reporter: MEASURE B WOULD REPEAL THE PEOPLE'S ORDINANCE.

A CENTURIES OLD LAW THAT PROHIBITS SAN DIEGO FROM CHARGING TRASH COLLECTION FEES TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

THAT MEANS MANY HOMEOWNERS GET FREE TRASH PICKUP WHILE PEOPLE IN APARTMENTS HAVE TO PAY.

MEASURE B WOULD NOT OPPOSE TRASH PICKUP FEES ON ITS OWN.

BUT THE REPORT RELEASED LAST WEEK ESTIMATES MONTHLY FEES COULD RANGE FROM $23-$29.

CHARGING THOSE FEES COULD FREE UP SOME $60 MILLION FOR THE CITY TO SPEND ON PUBLIC SAFETY, PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND OTHER NEEDS.

ANOTHER BALLOT MEASURE EXAMINED BY THE CITY'S BUDGET ANALYST IS MEASURE C WHICH WOULD REPEAL THE 30 FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT IN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT.

IT'S A DO OVER ON A MEASURE VOTERS ALREADY APPROVED IN 2020, BUT THAT HAS BEEN TIED UP IN COURT.

THE FISCAL IMPACT OF MEASURE C ISN'T ENTIRELY CLEAR, BUT ALLOWING TALLER BUILDINGS WOULD SPEED UP THE REDEVELOPMENT OF MIDWAY.

THAT WILL MEAN HIGHER PROPERTY AND SALES TAX REVENUES, SOMEWHAT OFFSET BY THE NEED FOR MORE SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER CITY SERVICES.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS NOW APPROACHING 200 LOCAL MONKEYPOX CASES WITH VACCINE THIS STILL HARD TO COME BY.

MOST OF THESE CASES INVOLVE MEN WHO IDENTIFY AS GAY OR BISEXUAL.

MOST CASES -- ALL WERE RESERVED IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS.

OUTREACH TO LGBTQ COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: CELEBRATING PRIDE IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.

CHARLOTTE SHOWED UP, DANCING, CHEERING, MARCHING, AND VACCINATING AT RISK PRIDE PARTICIPANTS AGAINST MONKEYPOX.

>> THERE WERE A GROUP OF WOMEN WALKING AROUND SAYING THE SHOT WAS AVAILABLE AND ME AND A FRIEND TOOK A WALK DOWN TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

15 MINUTES, FILLED OUT SOME PAPERWORK, IN AND OUT.

>> Reporter: THE NORTH CAROLINA PRIDE FESTIVAL IS THE LAUNCH SITE OF A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PILOT PROGRAM TO SEND 50,000 DOSES OF THE VACCINE TO LGBTQ CENTERED EVENTS, LIKE PRIDE, AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> PRE-POSITIONING A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF DOSES OF VACCINE.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT AND GET OUR ARMS AROUND IT SO WE DON'T SEE FURTHER SPREAD.

>> Reporter: SOME, LIKE MIGUEL FULLER, WHO IS VACCINATED, FEEL THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD'VE DONE THIS SOONER.

>> YOU CAN'T JUST PUT SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SAY, ALL RIGHT, WE'VE DONE IT.

YOU NEED TO GO TO THE BARS AND CLUBS INDIVIDUALLY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S SOMETHING LOCAL OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS, LIKE RAIN, HAVE HAD SUCCESS IN DOING.

IT IS ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE, THEY FOUND, IN REACHING DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING IS PRIMARILY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THE FIRST WEEKEND WE DID IT, WE DID A DAY EVENT AND AN EVENING EVENT AND WE VACCINATED 170 INDIVIDUALS.

90% OF THEM, AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

>> Reporter: FOR CHARLOTTE'S HEAVILY ATTENDED PRIDE WEEKEND, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AT ALLOTTED AN EXTRA 200,000 DOSES OF THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE TO BE ADMINISTERED TO PEOPLE CONSIDERED HIGH RISK.

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT.

THERE DEFINITELY IS A NEED IN THIS COUNTY.

WE HAVE A HIGH CASE RATE AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE VACCINATIONS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO NEED THOSE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: THE CDC HAS RECORDED MORE THAN 14,000 CASES OF MONKEYPOX ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DATA SHOWS THAT AS OF AUGUST 18th, 198 CASES OF THOSE WERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

93, HERE IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, WHICH WAS OPERATED ON A VACCINE WAITLIST.

THEY TRANSITIONED LAST WEEK TO AN ALTERNATE UNDER THE SKIN INJECTION METHOD IN THE FOREARM AS A WAY TO INCREASE ONE TO FIVE DOSES PER FILE.

>> I WAS NOT EXPECTING THE MARKS, THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE SORE AND ITCHY.

ME, PERSONALLY, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SYMPTOMS FROM IT.

IT'S NOT BOTHERING ME AT ALL.

WHAT MAKES SOMETHING THAT IS BOTHERING PEOPLE AT PRIDE -- >> WE ARE VERY AWARE OF NOT STIGMATIZING IT, JUST LIKE HIV WAS IN THE 80s AND 90s.

END MEN WHO HAVE WITH MEN AND TRANSGENDER PEOPLE DO MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF MONKEYPOX CASES WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE BEING PRIORITIZED WITH THE LIMITED SUPPLY.

HOWEVER, MONKEYPOX IS NOT A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION AND ANY PERSON CAN GET IT FROM PROLONGED, CLOSE, TYPICALLY SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT WITH AN INFECTED PERSON.

IF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ONCE IT'S OUTREACH TO BE A SUCCESS, ELEVATING WHILE EDUCATING WITHOUT DISCRIMINATING IS THE ONLY WAY TO APPROACH IT.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GREAT MOMENT FOR ALL OF US.

AND THAT'S WHAT SHOULD BE TALKED ABOUT.

WE CAN PROTECT PEOPLE AND STILL NOT STIGMATIZE THEM.

>> THAT WAS DIANE GALLAGHER, REPORTING.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE TRACKING THE LATEST MONKEYPOX NEWS WITH OUR LATEST REPORTING AND INFORMATION ON VACCINES.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR THE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE, KPBS.ORG .

>>> A FIRE IS BURNING IN A REMOTE PART OF EAST COUNTY TONIGHT.

CAMERAS PICKED UP SOME OF THE SMOKE FROM WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE CALLING THE VALLEY FIRE.

IT HAS BURNED ABOUT 128 ACRES NEAR NOBLE CANYON, PINE CREEK ROAD, NORTH OF THE VALLEY, HAD TO BE CLOSED.

FIRE CREWS SAY THERE ARE NO EVACUATIONS AND NO BUILDINGS ARE THREATENED.

>>> THE STORY OF OUR WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK REMAINS PRETTY QUIET FOR US.

WE ARE ON THE WESTERN FRINGES OF THE MONSOON WHICH MEANS WE WILL HAVE SOME ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK.

A FEW EXTRA SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TRYING TO BRANCH INTO SOME OF OUR EASTERN AREAS.

FOR THE MOST PART, IT IS PRETTY QUIET, COASTAL CLOUDS, BUT A LARGELY DRY PATTERN AS WE MOVE AHEAD.

THAT'S JUST IT.

THE WATER VAPOR CAPTURED IN THE MID-LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.

LARGELY DRY OUT THERE.

MOST OF THAT COMING IN OFF OF THE PACIFIC.

NOT ANYTHING OFF THE COAST.

AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY FARTHER EAST, YOU FIND A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT MONSOONAL MOISTURE WITH THUNDERSTORMS THAT ARE TRYING TO PUT MORE MOISTURE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

OVERALL, A LOT OF THAT STAYING FARTHER EAST FOR MUCH OF OUR AREA.

AS WE GO THROUGH TONIGHT, COULD SEE A COUPLE OF CLOUDS WORKING INTO THE COAST, OCEANSIDE, 67 FOR THAT LOW.

SAN DIEGO, 68.

AS WE WORK OUR WAY TOWARDS MY MONA, 62.

TUESDAY?

HOT, DRY CONDITIONS FARTHER NORTH FOR US.

WE ARE STUCK IN BETWEEN MONSOONAL MOISTURE AND THE DRY, TEMPERATE COASTLINE.

WE WILL BE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD ACROSS MOST OF THE REGION HERE.

A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO COULD BE FOUND TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINS, MOUNT LAGUNA BEING ONE OF THOSE SPOTS.

81 FOR THE HI THERE.

AS WE PUSH OUR WAY TOWARD THE CITY THOUGH, 77 AND LOOKING AT MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES THERE.

A LITTLE BIT OF THAT COASTAL CLOUD INFLUENCE FOR THE MORNING.

WEDNESDAY, WE WATCH THAT MONSOON , STILL HANGING OUT, STILL TRYING TO PUSH ITS WAY INTO PARTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

A LITTLE BIT OF ACTIVITY THERE.

THE COAST STAYING DRY FROM ALL THAT MONSOONAL MOISTURE, JUST DEALING WITH MORNING CLOUDS AND SOME HUMIDITY.

TEMPERATURES, PRETTY COMFORTABLE THOUGH, IN THE 80s.

WORKING OUR WAY BACK TOWARDS 90 DEGREES, PARTLY SUNNY, AND DRY FOR A LOT OF THE WEEK HERE.

NO BIG PROBLEMS.

MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS.

HERE IS WHERE WE HAVE THAT CHANCE FOR SOME THUNDERSTORMS.

WE WILL SEE SOME OF THAT TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, EVEN INTO THURSDAY FOR THE MOUNTAINS.

IF YOU GO TOWARDS THE DESERTS, PROBABLY JUST WEDNESDAY DEALING WITH A THUNDERSTORM AROUND DRYER TOWARDS THE LATE WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I METEOROLOGIST, MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> TONIGHT, ON THE NEWS HOUR, A VIDEO SHOWING POLICE OFFICERS BEATING A MAN IN ARKANSAS AGAIN RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT POLICE USE OF FORCE.

COMING UP AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> JUST OVER A WEEK AGO, A DRUG CARTEL LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN OF TERROR IN TIJUANA.

VEHICLES WERE SET ABLAZE AND GUNMEN BLOCKED MAJOR THOROUGHFARES.

KPBS PORTER REPORTER GUSTAVO'S TALKED TO EXPERTS ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND THE ATTACKS.

>> Reporter: TO COMPREHEND WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF MEXICAN CARTELS.

IT BEGINS IN THE 1970s.

OFFICER DAVID SHERK IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE IN MEXICO PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO.

HE SAID THE GUADALAJARA HOTEL HAD SOLE CONTROL OF DRUG TRAFFICKING UNTIL THEY KILLED A DEA AGENT.

THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED -- TO GO AFTER HIM.

>> DIFFERENT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT CONTROLLED DIFFERENT TERRITORIES IN MEXICO.

THE FELIX FAMILY CONTROLLED THE CITY OF TIJUANA.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY CONTROLLED TIJUANA UNTIL -- CHALLENGED THEM IN THE MID TO LATE 2000.

THAT FIGHT FOR TIJUANA RESULTED IN SOME OF THE DEADLIEST YEARS IN THE CITIES HISTORY.

ONE ONE CONTROL CARTEL CONTROLS THE CITY, THERE IS RELATIVE PEACE.

>> WHENEVER THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NOT A DOMINANT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION OPERATING IN A GIVEN AREA, THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLENCE.

IF YOU CONTROL THE TERRITORY, THERE IS NO NEED TO FIGHT.

BUT, WHEN A TERRITORY IS CONTESTED, THAT IS WHEN THERE IS FIGHTING.

>> Reporter: THAT SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TIJUANA RIGHT NOW.

SHERK SAYS THAT THE RECENT VIOLENCE IS LINKED TO A FIGHT BETWEEN THE SINALOA CARTEL AND ARRIVAL ORGANIZATION.

>> THERE IS THE LOCAL STORY ABOUT THE CHANGING DYNAMICS OF SECURITY IN TIJUANA.

THERE IS ALSO A LARGER STORY ABOUT THE NEW GENERATION CARTEL THAT IS -- HAS BEEN, REALLY, FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, TRYING TO ASSERT ITSELF AS MEXICO'S NEW, DOMINANT CARTEL.

>> Reporter: WHO IS THIS NEW ORGANIZATION?

BROWN STUDIES ORGANIZED CRIME FOR THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION.

SHE AGREES WE ARE SEEING A REPEAT OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 2000'S WHEN THE SINALOA CARTEL TOOK ON THE FELIX ORGANIZATION.

BUT THERE IS ONE BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE -- IS MUCH MORE VIOLENT.

>> IT'S NOT JUST A REPEAT OF THE MID-2000'S, BUT IN SOME WAYS, EVEN MORE DRAMATIC THAN THE MID-2000'S.

BECAUSE THE FACT THAT IS -- WHICH HAS EMBRACED WHAT -- DID PREVIOUSLY.

IT TRIES TO RULE THROUGH BRUTALITY.

IT TRIES TO BE MORE BRUTAL THAN ANYONE ELSE.

IT'S STANDARD MODEL.

THEY ARE RESORTING TO VERY DRAMATIC, BRAZEN VIOLENCE.

>> Reporter: THE CARTEL IS NO STRANGER TO VIOLENCE, BUT IT'S LEADERS TRY TO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

THEY TRY TO BUY OFF POLITICIANS AND OFFER SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO POOR COMMUNITIES.

IN CONTRAST, -- USED SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC SPECTACLES OF VIOLENCE TO TERRORIZE COMMUNITIES INTO SUBMISSION.

>> BETWEEN THE VIOLENCE OF THE SINALOA CARTEL AND THE VIOLENCE OF -- LIFE TENDS TO BE MUCH MORE BRUTAL AND MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: MEXICAN PRESIDENT, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR , VISITED FRIDAY.

HE DOWNPLAYED THE ISSUANCE OF THE MILITARY IS TAKING CARE OF THE ISSUE.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 3000 MEMBERS OF THE MEXICAN NATIONAL GUARD PATROLLING TIJUANA.

YET, EVERY EXPERT SAID THE CURRENT VIOLENCE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNANCE OVERRELIANCE ON THE MILITARY TO CONFRONT ORGANIZED CRIME.

THE COFOUNDER OF THE MEXICAN VIOLENCE RESOURCE PROJECT.

SHE SAYS THE STRATEGY IS CLEARLY NOT WORKING.

>> IN TERMS OF THINKING, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, THIS MEANS THAT -- LOOKS WEAKER IN RELATION TO CRIMINAL -- >> Reporter: STEPHANIE BREWER IS DIRECTOR OF -- SHE ALSO SAYS DOUBLING DOWN ON MILITARY ORGANIZATION IS A MISTAKE.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST 10 OR 15 YEARS IS A LOT OF REPETITION OF THE SAME, GO TO STRATEGIES.

THEY CONSIST LARGELY OF MILITARY DEPLOYMENT.

WE SAW IT AGAIN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE THE STRATEGY EVEN WORKS.

>> EVERYONE WHO HAS ANALYZED THIS PROBLEM WITHIN MEXICO, OUTSIDE OF MEXICO, OR, ONCE AGAIN, YOU JUST ASK ANYONE ON THE STREET.

YOU ASK THE POPULATION, WHAT IS ALLOWING CRIMINALS TO OPERATE WITH THE FREEDOM THAT THEY DO?

AND ITS BECAUSE THERE IS NO RELIABLE SYSTEM THAT WOULD BRING ABOUT CONSEQUENCES OR THAT WOULD PROVIDE TRUTH AND JUSTICE FOR THOSE CRIMES.

>> Reporter: WHAT'S THE TAKE AWAY?

WAS LAST WEEK'S VIOLENCE A SIGN OF WHAT'S TO COME?

OR JUST A FLASH IN THE PAN?

SHERK AND THE OTHER EXPERTS HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING AND THAT IS BY DESIGN.

>> AS IS SO OFTEN THE CASE, WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD IN THE SHADOWS HERE IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

BECAUSE, IT IS LIKE A SHADOW PUPPETRY.

YOU THINK YOU ARE SEEING SOMETHING.

YOU THINK YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT MESSAGES ARE BEING SENT, BUT YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY WAY TO CONFIRM.

WAIT A COUPLE OF THINGS ARE CLEAR.

AS LONG AS RIVAL CARTELS ARE FIGHTING FOR CONTROL OF TIJUANA, WE SHOULD EXPECT MORE VIOLENCE TO CONTINUE UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE COMES OUT ON TOP.

EVEN THEN, IT WON'T BE LASTING PEACE.

>> EVENTUALLY, PRESUMABLY, ONE OF THE CRIMINAL GROUPS OR A COALITION WILL WIN.

WE WILL BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WHATEVER QUOTE UNQUOTE PEACE THERE IS, IT IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CRIMINAL GROUPS.

IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE STATE.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SENATOR IS HOLDING UP A MONEY TRANSFER THAT WOULD ALLOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO FIX THE BORDERS SEWAGE FLOW PROBLEM.

REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A TECHNICALITY.

THE U.S. -- GAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY $300 MILLION TO HELP FIX SAN DIEGO'S BORDERS SEWAGE PROBLEMS.

THE EPA DOESN'T TYPICALLY BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE SO THEY WANT TO GIVE THE MONEY TO ANOTHER FEDERAL AGENCY THAT DOES.

THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION.

BUT THE MONEY TRANSFER REQUIRES CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> IT'S IN THE SENATE'S HANDS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DON'T JUST PUSH IT THROUGH QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: VARGAS SAYS THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE OVERSEEING THE EPA DOESN'T LIKE THE IDEA OF SPENDING U.S.

DOLLARS IN MEXICO.

>> SENATOR SHELLEY CAPITO, WHO IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND SO IT IS PROBLEMATIC WHEN SHE SAYS IT HAS TO GO TO HER COMMITTEE AND WHEN IT GOES TO HER COMMITTEE, SHE KILLS IT.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN APPEALED TO CAPITO DIRECTLY EARLIER THIS MONTH, SENDING A LETTER OF ASKING HER TO ALLOW THE TRANSFER.

HE SAYS THE REGION IS SUFFERING FROM ONGOING SEWAGE BILLS AND MOVING THE MONEY IS CRITICAL.

>> UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: MARTHA GUZMAN IS THE REGIONAL EPA ADMINISTRATOR.

SHE SAYS PLANNING WORK ON THE SEWAGE SOLUTION CONTINUES AS LOCAL OFFICIALS PUSH FOR THAT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.

>> WE'VE ALREADY DONE IT THROUGH OUR EXISTING CHANNELS.

TO CONTINUE WITH THE FEASIBILITY PLANNING.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT DONE.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, MEXICO PLEDGED $144 MILLION ON SEWAGE SYSTEM REPAIRS IN TIJUANA.

ALSO, THERE IS $470 MILLION AVAILABLE.

CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS SAY THEY MAY TRY TO INCLUDE THE U.S. MONEY TRANSFER IN AN OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL WHICH WON'T REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE COMMITTEE THAT OVERSEES THE EPA.

WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN IS UNCLEAR.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT WAS QUITE A WEEKEND FOR AZTEC FANS IN THE VALLEY.

SNAPDRAGON STADIUM WELCOMED ITS FIRST CROWD.

SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS GOT THE EXCLUSIVE INVITE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE STADIUM.

SATURDAY'S SCRIMMAGE WAS JUST AN APPETIZER FOR SEPTEMBER 3rd.

THAT IS WHEN SNAPDRAGON STADIUM WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR THE SEASON OPENER BETWEEN THE AZTECS AND ARIZONA.

>>> ELECTIONS FOR THE KPBS ONE BOOK, ONE SAN DIEGO CAMPAIGN ARE NOW OFFICIAL.

FOR ADULTS, WE HAVE THE VANISHING HALL, BY BRITT BENNETT.

IT IS A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER.

AND THE SELECTION FOR TEENS IS THE MAGIC FISH, WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY -- AND FOR KIDS, WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS, WRITTEN BY CAL LINDSTROM AND ILLUSTRATED BY MICHAELA CODY.

GO TO THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO WITH COMMENTS BY THE AUTHORS.

KPBS WILL BE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS TO PUT ON SPECIAL EVENTS OVER THE COMING YEAR.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA , TRIPLE C. GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH HEATING, FLOODING AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM .

AND, BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND, I THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.