
Monday, December 18, 2023
Season 1 Episode 3205 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A recent ruling clears the way for redevelopment in the Midway area.
A recent ruling clears the way for redevelopment in the Midway area. What's next for the project. Plus, after more than three decades serving the LGBTQ+ community, Auntie Helen's is closing its doors. Why now as we look back at the thrift store's early days. And how a plan for sand replenishment in North County could be a model for other coastal cities.
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KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

Monday, December 18, 2023
Season 1 Episode 3205 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A recent ruling clears the way for redevelopment in the Midway area. What's next for the project. Plus, after more than three decades serving the LGBTQ+ community, Auntie Helen's is closing its doors. Why now as we look back at the thrift store's early days. And how a plan for sand replenishment in North County could be a model for other coastal cities.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.
PROVIDING SAN DIEGO'S PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION.
FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
CALL 1-800-BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILL HOWE.COM.
AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.
DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY .
AND BY THE FOLLOWING: >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>>> HUNDREDS OF AFFORDABLE HOMES AND A NEW RAIN ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY IN SAN DIEGO.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
A JUDGE'S RULING HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THE MIDWAY AREA.
MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE MAJOR PROJECT LAND NEAR THE SPORTS ARENA.
>> LEICESTER CITY VOTERS APPROVED MEASURE C. IT READ PEELED THE HEIGHT LIMIT BUT LEGAL CHALLENGES MADE THE FUTURE UNCERTAIN.
NOW HIS TEAM ARE CELEBRATING AFTER SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE REJECTED THE HIGH CHALLENGE.
>> THE REMOVAL OF THE 30 FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT IS A BIG SUCCESS FOR THAT COMMUNITY BUT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM THAT IS HELPING TO PROPOSE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
>> THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SAYS THE RULING CLEARS THE WAY FOR THE MIDWAY RISING DEVELOPMENT TO MOVE FORWARD.
IT'S A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT PROPOSES A NEW ARENA IN 2000 AFFORDABLE HOMES.
>> FROM A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT ENDPOINT ON CITY ON LAND WE HAVE NOT HAD A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE IN DECADES.
BUT TO THAT POINT THIS IS THE LARGEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN THE STATE.
>> THE GROUP SABER ACCESS FILED THE LEGAL CHALLENGE.
THEY CLAIMED CITY OFFICIALS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.
A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GROUP SAY THEY WORRY ABOUT IMPACTS TO EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING GRIDLOCK ON ROADS.
THEY SAY REMOVING THE 30 FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT IS A WRECKING BALL TO SAN DIEGO'S QUALITY OF LIFE.
AND FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN THE MIDWAY AREA ARE EXCITED ABOUT PROSPECTS FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
>> NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THE MIDWAY AREA CONTINUE ITS DOWNWARD SPIRAL.
AND SO WE SEE THIS IS VERY POSITIVE.
>> KATHY IS A MEMBER AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE MIDWAY PACIFIC HIGHWAY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP.
SHE SAID THE 30 HEIGHT LIMIT HAS HINDERED GROWTH IN THE EARTH FOR DECADES.
>> IT HAS HURT BECKMAN FOR 50 YEARS.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHY WE HAVEN'T SEEN SIGNIFICANT REDEVELOPMENT.
INCHES AROUND THE MIDWAY RISE IN THE SPORTS ARENA SITE BECAUSE THAT WILL TRIGGER A LOT OF REDEVELOPMENT VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT PETCO DID FOR THE EAST VILLAGE.
>> A DRAFT PLAN FOR MIDWAY RISING WAS SUBMITTED IN OCTOBER AND CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.
SAVE OUR EXCESS SAID IT WILL NOT YET APPEAL THE RULING.
>>> BIG CHANGES ON THE WAY TO THE AREA OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
FIRST OF AN INCREASE IN CLOUDS AND SHOWERS AND ALSO A DECREASE IN OUR WARM TEMPERATURES.
COMING DOWN ON TUESDAY AND THEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD WAS A NIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT RAIN IN THE EQUATION.
I WILL HIGHLIGHT THOSE AMOUNTS AND WE WILL LOOK EVEN BEYOND TERMS OF TEMPERATURES EVEN LATER ON.
>> THE IMPERIAL BEACH SHORELINE AS TEST REVEAL FROM VICTOR IN THE WATER.
THE BACTERIA IS FROM THE ONGOING ISSUES FROM SEWAGE FROM MEXICO.
A CLOSURE OF THE IMPERIAL BEACH SHORELINE WAS ENACTED TODAY AND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL COUNTY TEST SHOW THE WATER IS ONCE AGAIN SAFE FOR HUMAN CONTACT.
THE COUNTY SAYS HARMFUL BACTERIA HAS BEEN DETECTED AS FAR NORTH AS LA JOLLA COVE BUT NOT AT A LEVEL NEEDED FOR A CLOSURE.
YEAR AFTER YEAR OCEANSIDE SANDY SHORES CONTINUE TO SHRINK AND SOLUTIONS ARE NEEDED.
CITY COUNCIL WILL SOON CONSIDER A FINAL DESIGN FOR A SAND RETENTION PROJECT THAT AIMS TO RESTORE BEACHES.
>> IT'S CALLED RE-BEACH WHICH IS THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE COASTAL RESULTS COMPETITION.
OCEANSIDE COASTAL ADMIN OR STATE SAID SAND RETENTION HAS BEEN A DECADES LONG PROBLEM IN THE CITY.
WE'VE BEEN BATTLING WITH ADORATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE BOAT BASIN CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS THE CAMP PENDLETON FEDERAL BOAT BASIN AND IT WAS BUILT IN 1942.
>> DESPITE BRING IN TONS INCENTIVE UP THE ISSUE OVER THE YEARS THE TIDE CONTINUES TO WASH THE ADDED HELP BACK TO SEA.
CHRIS WANTS TO BE ABLE TO RELAX ON THE BEACHES ACROSS SOUTHERN OCEANSIDE WHERE YOU COULD SIT IN THE SAND.
>> THERE IS TO BE UNLIMITED BEACH BUT NOW NOT SO MUCH.
RE-BEACH OFFERS A POTENTIAL SOLUTION.
LUST WITH THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE HOSTED ITS FINAL PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON THE THREE PROPOSALS THAT INCLUDE DUNES, PENINSULAS AND ARTIFICIAL REEFS.
A JURY DELIBERATED AND CHOSE A WINNING CONCEPT TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMING MONTHS.
BOB ASTIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SAVE OCEANSIDE SAND SITS ON THAT JURY.
>> THE OCEAN AND THE BEACHES IS OUR BASIC ECONOMIC DRIVER.
WE ARE A BEACH CITY.
>> THE CITY.
THEY HAD A PLAN IN 2021 TO INSTALL A SERIES OF JELLYLIKE STRUCTURES THAT STAND ON THE BEACH.
COASTAL TOWNS TO THE SOUTH LIKE CARLSBAD PUSHED BACK WITH CONCERNS ABOUT NATURAL SAND FLOWS TO OTHER COUNTY BEACHES.
>> SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO NOW IS SOFTEN THAT APPROACH.
AND FIND SOME MORE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN USED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH THIS OR ALREADY DEALING SEA LEVEL RISE.
>> THE SOLUTION MAY ONLY LAST SO LONG.
TIMBERLAKE SAYS IT WILL ACT AS AN IMPORTANT BUFFER PROVIDING TIME TO FIND BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR BEACH EROSION.
>> IT'S A 30 YEAR DESIGN LIFE.
SO WE ARE ASKING THE TEAMS TO DESIGN A SOLUTION THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE 2-3 FEET OF SEA LEVEL RISE.
>> THE OCEANSIDE CITY COUNCIL WAS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER THE JURY RECOMMENDATION AT THE END OF JANUARY.
THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE ANY DECISION PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
>>> AFTER 36 YEARS SERVING SAN DIEGO WITH HIV AND AIDS ANTI- HELENS WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
KPBS LOOKED INTO WHY AND FOUND GOOD NEWS.
>> I USED TO GO IN THERE TO SHOP.
AND THEN I GOT ADDICTED TO IT.
SO THEN I STARTED VOLUNTEERING DOWN THERE.
>> CAROL PARKER HAS BEEN WITH ANTI-HELENS AND NORTHPARK SINCE ALMOST 1980 WHEN IT STARTED AS A LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS.
AND THEN THEY SOON AND DID ADDED A THRIFT STORE.
IT WAS VERY SAD WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE PASSED AWAY.
>> THOSE WITH THE EARLY YEARS OF THE HIV CRISIS.
SO MUCH MISUNDERSTANDING A STIGMA THAT PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO TOUCH PEOPLE'S CLOSE.
ROB LAGGY IS THE CURRENT DIRECTOR AND HE SAID THAT'S WHY HE ADMIRES THE FOUNDER SO MUCH.
>> AT A TIME WHEN EVERYONE RAN AWAY FROM THE FIRE IN A SENSE, HE RAN TOWARDS IT.
>> BUT AFTER FORD DATES HE SAYS AUNTIE HELEN'S IS NOT NEEDED IN SOME WAY.
POWERFUL HIV MEDICATIONS MEAN PATIENTS CAN LIVE MORE NORMAL LIVES.
THEY CAN DO THEIR OWN LAUNDRY.
>> NOW THE MEDS ARE SO MUCH BETTER.
SO MUCH BETTER.
THEY DON'T NEED US TO DO THAT FOR THEM.
THEY ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO IT.
>> HE PLANS TO CLOSE THE STORE ON DECEMBER 31st.
AND START A NEW NONPROFIT THAT WILL CONTINUE CERTAIN SERVICES LIKE GROCERY DELIVERIES AND A SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
PARKER SAID SHE HOPES THE SPIRIT OF TRENTON CONTINUES.
>> GIVE BACK AND CARE.
WATCH HER NEIGHBOR.
>>> AS INTEREST RATES BEGIN TO COME DOWN THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR CONSUMERS.
THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING OR REFINANCING A HOME.
>> UNLESS YOU ARE ONE OF VERY RARE PEOPLE WHO CONDUCT ALL BUSINESS USING CASH, INTEREST MAY RATES MATTER TO PROTECT ITS MOST RECENT MEETING THE FEDERAL RESERVE DECIDED TO LEAVE INTEREST RATES WHERE THEY ARE AND UST ECONOMICS PROFESSOR ALEX SAYS THAT'S GOOD FOR US.
>> THEY MIGHT DO THE OPPOSITE AND 2024.
LOOSEN UP THE MONEY SUPPLY AND GET MORE FUNDS OUT THERE AND IF THAT SHOULD HAVE A DEPRESSING EVENT ON INTEREST RATES AND THAT THEY WILL START COMING DOWN.
AND THAT MEANS MORE AFFORDABLE RATES ON CREDIT CARDS AND ENVELOPES.
BUT THE BIGGIE IN AN EXPENSIVE HOUSING MARKET LIKE SADIE GO IS THE EFFECT ALL OF THIS WILL HAVE ON MORTGAGE RATES.
>> I WOULD SAY NOVEMBER WAS THE QUIETEST MONTH I'VE HAD IN MY CAREER.
>> THAT'S MY EQUATE WITH THE MORTGAGE COMPANY AMERICA HOME.
HE'S BEEN IN THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
HE SAID THE NOVEMBER LOW IS IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.
>> OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS OR SO, WE ARE STARTING THE PREAPPROVALS THAT THEY HAVE SHOT THROUGH THE ROOF.
WE ARE GETTING PROBABLY 5-10 REQUEST PER WEEK WHEN THEY WERE AT ZERO IN NOVEMBER.
>> BUT HE SAYS THERE'S A FLY IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.
OF THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS MANY PEOPLE LOCKED IN VERY LOW INTEREST RATES AND THAT TRANSLATES TO A PROBLEM THAT HAS DOGGED THE MARKET FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
A LACK OF INVENTORY.
>> WHY WOULD YOU SELL?
LIKE, I WILL LEAVE THIS REALLY LOW INTEREST RATE AT LIKE 3% AND GO PAY 8% AND TWICE THE AMOUNT FOR THE NEW HOME.
>> HE SAID THAT ISSUE WILL PROBABLY BEGIN TO RESOLVE ITSELF IF AND WHEN MORTGAGE RATES GET BACK TO THE 5% RANGE.
BACK TO THE MACRO VIEW AND YOU MAY RECALL THAT MOST ECONOMISTS SAID WE WERE ALMOST SURE TO SLIDE INTO RECESSION IN 2023.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THAT, ALAN SAYS THE OPPOSITE.
THE ELUSIVE SOFT LANDING APPEARS TO BE IN OUR FINANCIAL FUTURE.
>> I DO SEE A SOFT LANDING.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS LOW DESPITE HIGH INTEREST RATES.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SLOW DOWN THE ECONOMY AND MAYBE TIGHTEN THINGS UP.
BUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS STILL BELOW 4% AND THE RATE OF INFLATION HAS COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.
SO AT ONE POINT, I THINK IT WAS ALMOST 9%.
BUT NOW THE LATEST REPORTS SHOW THE RATE OF INFLATION IS AROUND 3%.
>> SO AS WE GO TO THE END OF THE YEAR PERHAPS LESS FINANCIAL LUMPS OF COAL AND A BRIGHTER ECONOMIC YEAR AHEAD.
>>> SOME GOOD NEWS IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO TRAVEL ABROAD IN THE NEW YEAR.
AND YOU NEED A NEW PASSPORT.
PROCESSING TIMES FOR PASSPORTS ARE BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC.
NOW IT TAKES EIGHT WEEKS TO GET A PASSPORT THE STANDARD WAY.
THAT'S COMPARED TO WAIT TIMES OF MORE THAN TWICE THAT LONG IN 2021.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT ISSUED A RECORD NUMBER OF PASSPORTS IN THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEAR.
>>> SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS FACING A ONE AND $40 MILLION FINE OVER LAST YEAR'S HOLIDAY MELTDOWN.
ALMOST 17,000 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OVER 10 DAYS.
STRANDING MORE THAN 2 MILLION TRAVELERS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUED THE FINANCING SOUTHWEST VIOLATED SEVERAL CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS INCLUDING NOT COMMUNICATING WITH PASSENGERS AND NOT ISSUING REFUNDS FAST ENOUGH.
AS PART OF THE FIND, SOUTHWESTERN AGREED TO CREATE A $90 MILLION FUND TO COMPENSATE FUTURE PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY CANCELLATIONS OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS.
>>> SAN DIEGO IS EXPECTING RAIN DURING A BUSY TRAVEL WEEKEND.
WE WILL HAVE THE FORECAST IN A FEW MOMENTS BUT FIRST WE HAVE A CHECK ON SOME OF THE WEATHER ELSEWHERE THAT MIGHT IMPACT TRAVEL PLANS ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTHEAST.
HERE ARE WHAT PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH.
>> WENT INSIDE OPENED THE DOOR AND ALL KINDS OF SMOKE AND DEBRIS AND MY SON HAD A MINOR PANIC ATTACK.
>> TIM WALSH LOST THREE VEHICLES TO MASSIVE TREES FALLING ACROSS HIS MASSACHUSETTS DRIVER.
HE'S ONE OF MILLIONS ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD COPING WITH HEAVY RAIN, DAMAGING WINDS AND FLOODING OF THE NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.
FORECASTERS SAID MOST FLOOD WATCHES AND WIND ALERTS ACROSS THE REGION COULD EASE BY MONDAY EVENING BUT THE NORTHEASTERN EAST COAST, MASSACHUSETTS UP TO MAINE, COULD STAY DRENCHED THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
THIS ALSO MEANS AIR TRAVEL DELAYS.
AT ONE POINT MONDAY MORE THAN 2500 FLIGHTS WERE DELAYED OR CANCELED IN THE U.S.
IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR THAT BAD WEATHER TOUCHED OFF A MASSIVE 10 DAY SCHEDULING MELTDOWN AT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.
>> LET ME BE CLEAR, WE MESSED UP.
>> THAT WAS A CURIOUS CHIEF OF OPERATIONS IN FEBRUARY.
EXPLAINING TO LAWMAKERS WHY NEARLY 70,000 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED STRANDING MORE THAN 2 MILLION PASSENGERS AROUND THE HOLIDAY.
NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS LEVELING A RECORD $140 MILLION FINE AGAINST THE CARRIER CITING SEVERAL VIOLATIONS INCLUDING AN INADEQUATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND REFUND DELAYS.
SOUTHWEST SAYS IT'S PLEASED TO HAVE REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE D.O.T.
CALLING IT CONSUMER FRIENDLY AND COMMITTED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE IN A STATEMENT TO CNN.
>> THIS SENDS A MESSAGE THAT EVERY AIRLINE HAS TO MAKE THE PROPER INVESTMENTS IN HAVING A GOOD ENOUGH SYSTEM AND GOOD ENOUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE.
>> SYSTEMS AND SERVICE THAT MAY BE PUT TO THE TEST AS THE HOLIDAY WEEK GETS OFF TO A RAINY, ROCKY START.
>>> CLOUDS ON THE INCREASE FOR TONIGHT.
TEMPERATURES DROPPING BACK DOWN INTO THE UPPER 50s.
WE START TO SEE THE CHANGE AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO TUESDAY.
IN TERMS OF PRECIPITATION COMING IN.
WE COULD SEE SHOWERS LATE NIGHT AROUND OCEANSIDE TO THE NORTH DROPPING DOWN TO 54.
AND OUT OVER THE INTERIOR.
MOUNT LUNA PERHAPS A SHOWER OR TWO DOWN TO THEIR NAME.
LOOKING AT SATELLITE AND RADAR.
MOST OF THE WET WEATHER ARE NOW OFF TO THE NORTH TO WORK OUR WAY TO LATE HOURS, CAN'T RULE OUT A SHOWER OR TWO.
THE TREND WILL BE FOR MORE WET WEATHER TO FOLLOW LATER ON THIS WEEK.
LET'S WORK OUR WAY INTO TOMORROW.
A SHORT TWO AND DOWN TO THE 60s.
YOU CAN SEE THE FILTERED SUNSHINE OUT OVER THE INTERIOR.
MT.
LAGUNA TOPPING OFF AT 45.
BORREGO SPRINGS AT 73 IN CHULA VISTA IN THE MID 60s.
WE WANT TO TAKE YOU DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE WE WILL NOTICE THE RAIN BECOMES HEAVIER AS WE GO INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY HERE AT THE COAST.
WE COULD SEE IN EXCESS OF ONE INCH OF RAIN.
TEMPERATURES DOWN TO THE 60s.
THE CHANGE THAT IS COMING IN IS A FRIDAY NIGHT TO SET UP AND THAT'S WHEN WE WILL SEE DRYER AIR MOVEMENTS WAY INTO THE PICTURE AND OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL DROP DOWN TO THE 40s.
COASTAL VALLEYS, INLAND WILL SEE RAIN COMING IN AS WE GO INTO THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
MAINLY ON THE LIGHT SIDE BUT LATER ON WEDNESDAY EVENING AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND THEN THURSDAY TO FRIDAY WE COULD SEE GREATER THAN AN INCH OF RAIN AND PERHAPS A COUPLE INCHES OF RAIN ESPECIALLY OVER THE SUM OF THE HIGHER TERRAIN TO THE INTER-VALLEYS.
TEMPERATURES GOING OFF AS DRYER AIR MOVES IN FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND.
LET'S TALK ABOUT GUNS.
SNOW LEVELS AT 7000 OR 8000 FEET.
THEY WILL COME DOWN LATER FRIDAY AS WELL AS THE TEMPTER SPREAD LOOKING AT THE DESERTS.
WET WEATHER APPROACHING BY THURSDAY.
>>> SAFETY ALONG ONE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S ICONIC ROADS IS BEING QUESTIONED.
PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY CONNECTS SANTA MONICA TO MALIBU.
AND HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE CRASHES.
WE TALKED TO THOSE WHO ARE DEMANDING CHANGE TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS.
>> Reporter: MALIBU, CALIFORNIA.
THE BEAUTY AND THE BEACHES.
THE CELEBRITIES.
>> IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL BUT IT DOESN'T SOUND BEAUTIFUL.
WE MET FOR BRIDGET, THE BEAUTY OF MALIBU WAS TAKEN BY THIS.
FOUR YOUNG WOMEN, STUDENTS WERE KILLED IN A VIOLENT CRASH TUESDAY NIGHT.
PROSECUTORS SAY A DRIVER GOING MORE THAN 100 MILES PER HOUR ON THIS MALIBU HIGHWAY SLAMMED INTO PARKED CARS BEFORE HITTING AND KILLING FOUR PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
>> IT FEELS LIKE FOUR HUGE HOLES IN MY HEART.
SHE LIT UP EVERY ROOM SHE WALKED INTO.
SHE WAS MY ROOMMATE AND WE GREW SUPER CLOSE.
SHE WAS WISE BEHIND HER YEARS.
AND SHE WAS THE MOST SELFLESS PERSON I EVER MET.
SO GENEROUS.
>> AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE DIED ON THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY IN MALIBU SINCE 2010.
BRIDGET SAYS SHE COULD BE DEAD TOO.
SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WITH HER FRIENDS THAT NIGHT.
BUT HAD A LATE CHEER PRACTICE.
SHE IS NOW AMONG THOSE DEMANDING SAFETY CHANGES TO THE PCH.
>> IF A CHANGE ISN'T MADE, PERSONALLY I WILL FEEL UNHEARD AND I WILL FEEL THEY ARE UNSEEN AND UNDERVALUED.
>> MY HEART WAS BREAKING FOR THOSE FAMILIES.
>> FILM PRODUCER MICHELLE SHANE KNOWS WHAT THE PEPPERDINE FAMILIES ARE GOING THROUGH.
HE LOST HIS OWN DAUGHTER EMILY, ON THE PCH IN 2010.
A TOURIST MECCA OF MILLION- DOLLAR HOMES, BEACHES AND FAST CARS.
>> YOU ARE EIGHT INCHES AWAY FROM A TWO LANE FREEWAY GOING NORTH OR SOUTH.
AND THAT IS SCARY.
>> EMILY SHANE DIED AT THE INTERSECTION NOW NAMED IN HER HONOR.
HER FATHER WAS MINUTES AWAY FROM PICKING HER UP.
>> PROBABLY ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES LATER THEY TOLD ME SHE HAD DIED.
>> SOBBING, MICHELLE CALLED HIS WIFE ELLEN.
>> ALAN THOUGHT I WAS DYING.
SHE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THOUGHT -- I WAS CRYING.
AND I SAID NO, IT'S ME AND I HAD TO TELL HER WHAT HAPPENED.
>> SHANE MADE A DOCUMENTARY PUSHING FOR CHANGES TO THE DANGEROUS 21 MILE SECTION OF PCH IN MALIBU.
>> 58 PEOPLE IN 13 YEARS.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE COMPLACENT ABOUT IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.
>> SYNCHRONIZE STOPLIGHTS AND ADDED PATROLS ARE AMONG OFFICIALS LATEST STEPS.
BUT SOME WANT SPEED CAMERAS AND THE HIGHWAY TURNED INTO A SLOPE BOULEVARD CALTRANS TOLD CNN ITS TOP PRIORITY IS SAFETY.
AND THAT CHANGES BEING STUDIED INCLUDING BIKE LANES AND WHETHER TO LEGALLY LOWER SPEED LIMITS.
BRIDGET THOMPSON JUST WANTS TO SPARE SOMEONE ELSE.
THE PAIN THAT SHE WILL LIVE WITH FOREVER.
>> I REALLY DON'T WANT THEM TO DIE IN VAIN.
>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, A FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT FROM A DOCTOR WORKING IN GAZA DURING THE WAR.
COMING UP AT 7:00 P.M. AFTER EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS.
TOOK THE LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS MAKING A BIG CHANGE THAT WILL ALLOW MORE INCLUSION OF SAME-SEX COUPLES.
POPE FRANCIS SAYS BLESSINGS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS.
BLESSINGS CAN BE PART OF A REGULAR CHURCH RITUAL OR LITURGY.
THEY ALSO CAN TAKE PLACE DURING THE SAME TIME AS A CIVIL UNION.
JUST TWO YEARS AGO THE VATICAN ISSUED A FAR STRICTER RULING THAT BARRED SAME-SEX BLESSINGS.
DRUNK AS WE WRAP UP 2023, WE ARE REVISITING SOME OF OUR TOP STORIES OF THE.
ONE OF THOSE IS ABOUT SAN DIEGO DRAG QUEEN GRANT WHO TAUGHT THE iTUNES CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHARTS THIS YEAR.
WE SAT DOWN WITH THE ARTIST IN AUGUST TO LEARN THE STORY BEHIND THE HISTORIC MOMENTS.
>> MATTHEW LOVE GOOD GREW UP IN WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS A RELIGIOUS BUBBLE IN NORTH CAROLINA.
>> MIKE CHURCH WAS SUPER FUNDAMENTALIST.
VERY LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE.
AND VERY PATRIARCHAL AND STRICT.
AND I DID NOT BECOME A DRAG QUEEN UNTIL I WAS NEARLY 40.
>> I SPENT A LONG TIME AVOIDING THIS FATE.
>> LOOK GOOD NOW THAT IS NOT BARREN GATE LEARNED EARLY NOT TO EXPLORE GENDER.
>> ADEPTLY GOT THE MESSAGE FROM A REALLY EARLY AGE THAT THIS IS NOT HOW A BOY BEHAVES OR DRESSES.
YOU NEED TO FIT IN BETTER WITH THE OTHER BOYS.
>> LOVE GOOD BECAME A WORSHIP PASTOR AND MOVED TO SAN DIEGO IN THEIR LATE 20s TO START A NEW CHURCH.
DURING THAT TIME THEY BEGIN TO QUESTION WHAT THEY WERE TAUGHT EMBRACE THEY WERE GAY.
>> WHAT I DID IS I GOT KICKED OUT OF THAT CHURCH.
IT WAS VERY HARD >> LOVE GOOD SAID IT WAS THROUGH DOING DRAG THAT THEY ULTIMATELY STARTED DECIDE TO STAY IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
>> WHEN I START DOING DRAG IT WAS INTER-CHILD WORK FOR ME PRESENTING MY BED WERE PAINTING MY FACE AND TALK MY YOUNGER VERSION OF MYSELF AND SAYING, FOUR YEARS AND FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE IN 30 YEARS YOU CARRIED THIS BELIEF THAT SOMETHING ABOUT YOU IS BROKEN AND WRONG AND SINFUL AND UNWORTHY AND UNLOVABLE.
AND WHAT WE WILL DO NOW IS LET THAT KID KNOW YOU ARE OKAY, BABY.
GIVING YOURSELF THE PERMISSION TO BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN GOODNESS.
>> A PASTOR FRIEND INVITED THEM TO GIVE A SERMON AS THEIR DRAG QUEEN FOR SOMA, FLAMING GRANT.
THEIR VIDEO WENT VIRAL ON TIKTOK.
>> I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY SCROLLING THROUGH COMMENTS OF PEOPLE THINK THIS MAKES ME FEEL SEEN AND MAKES ME FEEL SAFE.
WHICH IS WHAT DRAG WAS DOING FOR ME.
MAKING ME FEEL SEEN.
IT WAS FIRST ON I HAD AN INCLINATION THAT MY DRAG WAS NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR OTHER PEOPLE TOO.
>> LOVE GOOD SO THERE WAS A ROLE FOR THEM TO PLAY IN CHRISTIANITY.
>> I FEEL LIKE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR SOME PEOPLE WILL TO TAKE UP SPACE IN THE CHURCH WHEN THERE'S NO REPRESENTATION FOR THE THING YOU ARE DOING.
>> THEN IN JULY, FLAMING GRANT POST FOR A PHOTO WITH SEVERAL WELL-KNOWN CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS FROM THE 1990s.
>> SOMEHOW THAT PHOTO GOT TO SEAN VOIGT IS A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN LEADER.
>> DEREK WEBB, A FORMER CHRISTIAN MUSICIAN COLLABORATING WITH A DRAG QUEEN.
IT'S TRULY THE LAST DAYS.
AND I REPLIED BACK, AND GOAL.
NO, NO, NO.
WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED.
HE CAME BACK AND SAID WELL, GOOD THING THAT HARDLY ANYONE LISTENS TO YOU OR CARES WHAT YOU DO.
WHICH IS NOT A THING YOU SAY TO A DRAG QUEEN.
YOU JUST DON'T.
BECAUSE IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT DRAG PERFORMERS EVERYWHERE HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT WE KNOW HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON A MOMENT.
WE KNOW HOW TO TAKE SOMETHING THAT IS INTENDED FOR OUR HARM AND TURN IT INTO OUR GOOD.
>> LOVE GOOD AS THEIR TIKTOK FUNDS TO PROPEL THEIR NEARLY- YEAR-OLD ALBUM, BIBLE BELT BABY, ONTO THE iTUNES CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHARTS.
>> I ROLL THE DICE KNOWING WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.
THAT WAS A GOOD BET.
>> THE ALBUM HIT NUMBER ONE SHORTLY AFTER.
FLAMING GRANT WAS SOON IN THE HEADLINES OF ROLLING STONE, BILLBOARD AND PASTE MAGAZINE.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS MOMENT AND HOW I AM BEHAVING AND I WANT THEM TO SEE THAT THERE IS SUCH A GOOD LIFE FOR YOU AFTER YOU LEAVE HIGH DEMAND TOXIC RELIGION.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR ENTIRE FACE STRUCTURE BUT YOU CAN STICK AROUND AND DO IT BETTER.
>> IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LOVE GOOD AND THERE HAS BEEN PLAN TO MOVE BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA.
>> I'M STILL A SOUTHERN KID AT HEART.
I FEEL LIKE MY DRAG WILL FIT WELL IN THE SOUTH.
I WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT WHERE THE LAWS ARE LITERALLY BEING PASSED AGAINSTPEOPLE, TRANS PEOPLE.
>> IN ONE OF THEIR LAST LOCAL PERFORMANCES, LOVE GOOD PERFORMED A SONG FROM FLEMING TO YOUNG MATTHEW.
[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >>> WHAT A TERRIFIC START.
AND FLAMING GRANT WAS RECENTLY HIRED TO BE THE RESIDENT ARTIST FOR THE UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN HILLCREST.
SHE WILL BE VISITING BACK FROM NORTH CAROLINA'S PERFORMANCE ABOUT FOUR TIMES PER YEAR INCLUDING THIS CHRISTMAS EVE.
>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.
TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT SIGNED A BILL CREAM STIFF PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO ILLEGALLY CROSS THE TEXAS /MEXICO BORDER.
NPR MORNING EDITION SPOKE TO ADVOCATES WHO WORRIED THE MEASURE WILL LEAD TO MORE RACIAL PROFILING AND ABUSES OF POWER.
AND KPBS MID-DAY EDITION IS REVISITING SOME OF THE BEST INTERVIEWS OF 2023.
TOMORROW WILL BE ON CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.
KPBS.ORG.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
GOOD NIGHT .
>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.
PROVIDING SANDY GO PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION.
FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
CALL 1-800-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILL HOWE.COM.
AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.
DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY .
AND BY THE FOLLOWING: >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.

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