♪ ♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY, ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978, AND BY THE CONRAD PRIVATES FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> TONIGHT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING YOU TO RETHINK YOUR NEW YEAR'S EVE PLANS AS COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO RISE.

NEARLY 6000 NEW INFECTIONS WERE REPORTED IN OUR REGION TODAY.

THE COUNTY IS ASKING PEOPLE TO AVOID LARGE GATHERINGS AND LIMIT CELEBRATIONS TO CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT THEY ARE NOT PULLING THE PLUG ON PARTIES PLANNED IN THAT GASMAN.

HERE IS MACK HOFFMAN.

>> Reporter: WHILE DOWNTOWN IS PRETTY CROWDED RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE AT LEAST A DOZEN NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTIES GOING ON IN THE GAS LAND.

>> IT IS ALWAYS A BIG NIGHT IN THE GAS LAND ORDER.

I WOULD SAY TO EVERYONE COMING DOWN, HAVE FUN, BE SAFE.

AUNT MICHAEL TRIMBLE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

HE SAYS, SOME PARTIES WILL BE INDOORS, WHILE OTHERS ARE OUTSIDE ON ROOFTOPS.

>> EVERYONE HAD TO TAKE IT SLOW LAST YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR IS A WHOLE NEW STORY.

WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT SINCE MARCH 2020 AND WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT SMARTER AND AS RESPONSIBLE AS WE HAVE EVER BEEN AS A COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SOME PARTIES ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME, THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LIKE PROOF OF VACCINATION.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A STATE MANDATE FOR MASKS TO BE WORN INSIDE.

>> I HOPE YOU USE PRECAUTION AND THE PEAK IS NOT AS BAD AS WE ARE ANTICIPATING.

>> INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH, SIMILAR ADVICE TO FEDERAL OFFICIALS, SHE SAYS LARGE, INDOOR PARTIES WILL BE A RISK, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MORE CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANCE.

>> I THINK THERE IS A PERSONAL RISK, AND THAT IS HIGH BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF COVID OUT THERE.

BEING INDOORS AT A PARTY, THERE WILL BE SUPER SPREADING EVENTS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS, THERE COULD BE SO MANY CONSEQUENCES IF PEOPLE DON'T TAKE PRECAUTIONS.

HOSPITALS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEAL WITH A SURGE IN JANUARY, WHICH COULD CUT BACK ON OTHER PROCEDURES AND PLANNED SURGERIES.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT ME BUT THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HAVING TO THINK ABOUT AND PLAN FOR WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW WILL WE RATION HEALTHCARE WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS THINKING ABOUT GOING TO PARTIES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS, OUTDOOR PARTIES WILL HAVE A MUCH LOWER RISKS.

SHE SUGGESTS KEEPING PARTIES SMALL AND HAVING PEOPLE MASK UP .

SHE SAYS, IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK, BORED ANY NEW YEAR'S PARTIES.

>> IT COULD BE A SNIFFLE, I THINK I AM TIRED.

THAT IS HOW IT CAN START.

IF YOU ARE FEELING LIKE THAT, YOU SHOULD NOT GO OUT.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GET TESTED AFTER NEW YEAR'S PARTIES, SHE SAYS IT COULD TAKE UP TO FIVE DAYS AFTER INITIAL EXPOSURE FOR A PERSON TO COME BACK POSITIVE.

>>> THE FDA IS EXPECTED TO BROADEN THE PFIZER COVID-19 BOOSTER TO CHILDREN 12 TO 15 YEARS OLD IN THE COMING DAYS.

TEENAGERS WHO ARE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO BOOSTER SHOTS.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A BOOSTER DOSE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES PROTECTION FROM THE COVID OMICRON VARIANCE.

NEW CDC DATA OUT TODAY SHOWS PFIZER'S VACCINES IS 92% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING COVID AND YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 12 TO 17.

>>> COVID-19 CASES AMONG CHILDREN ARE SPIKING AGAIN, LEADING TO MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

DURING THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 21st THROUGH THE 27th, AN AVERAGE OF 334 CHILDREN WITH COVID WERE ADMITTED PER DAY TO HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE.

THAT IS A 58% INCREASE FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.

WHILE THOSE 5 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE PFIZER VACCINE, THEY REMAIN THE LEAST VACCINATED OF ANY AGE GROUP.

NO VACCINE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 5.

>>> A NAVY SHIP IS EN ROUTE TO SAN DIEGO AFTER A COVID OUTBREAK.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER, STEVE WALSH, SAYS, IT IS THE SECOND OUTBREAK THIS MONTH FOR THE NAVY.

>> Reporter: ROUGHLY 1/3 OF THE CREW MEMBERS ON BOARD OF THE USS HALSEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

THE OUTBREAK WAS DISCOVERED DECEMBER 10th, JUST AS THE DESTROYER WAS SET TO CHANGE PORTS FROM HAWAII TO SAN DIEGO.

ALL OF THE CREWMEMBERS WHO TESTED POSITIVE SHOWED NO SYMPTOMS OR MILD SYMPTOMS.

NO ONE WAS SENT TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR WAS HOSPITALIZED.

ALL OF THE AFFECTED CREWMEMBERS WERE ON BOARD THE OZZIE WHEN IT LEFT HAWAII FOR SAN DIEGO SUNDAY, ACCORDING TO A NAVY SPOKESMAN.

99% OF THE CREW WERE VACCINATED FOR THE OUTBREAK WAS DISCOVERED.

ALL OF THE CREW WAS VACCINATED WHEN THEY LEFT.

THEY WERE ALSO OFFERED BOOSTERS, WHICH ARE SO FAR NOT REQUIRED BY THE NAVY.

A SIMILAR OUTBREAK ALSO SIDELINED THE USS MILWAUKEE, WHICH HAS BEEN DIVERTED TO GUANTANAMO BAY.

THESE ARE THE LARGEST SHIP BOARD OUTBREAKS FOR THE NAVY SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN USS KID AND THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, USS ROOSEVELT, WERE CRIPPLED BY OUTBREAKS.

ONE SAILOR FROM THE ROOSEVELT DIED AND THE CARRIER WAS SIDELINED IN GUAM FOR MONTHS.

NONE OF THE CREW OF THE USS HALSEY WAS REPLACED.

ONCE IT ARRIVES, THE SHIP WILL REMAIN BASED IN SAN DIEGO.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CDC SAYS, NO ONE SHOULD BE TAKING A CRUISE RIGHT NOW, REGARDLESS OF THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

TODAY, THE AGENCY INCREASED THE RISK LEVEL FOR CRUISE SHIP TRAVEL TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.

THE CHANGE FOLLOWS A RECENT INCREASE IN CASES OF THE OMICRON VARIANCE ON BOARD CRUISE SHIPS.

>>> LOCAL LIBRARIES HAVE HANDED OUT THE LAST OF THEIR FREE COVID-19 TESTS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROVIDED 70,000 HOME TEST KITS TO LIBRARY BRANCHES IN THE CITIES OF SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA, CARLSBAD, ESCONDIDO, CORONADO, AND OCEANSIDE.

LIBRARIANS ARE STILL GETTING LOTS OF CALLS, BUT NOW THEY SAY THEY ARE ALL GONE.

YOU CAN GET TESTED FOR FREE AT A COUNTY RUN SITE, YOU CAN FIND LOCATIONS ONLINE AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY.GOV.

>>> TRUCK DRIVERS FOR REPUBLIC SERVICES ARE STILL ON STRIKE.

NOW, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WANTS RESIDENTS WITH TRASH PILING UP TO CONTACT THE COMPANY.

ALEXANDRA RACHEL HAS MORE.

>> WE WENT THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON STRIKING.

>> Reporter: RAIN OR SHINE, REPUBLIC SERVICE SANITATION WORKERS CONTINUE STRIKING FOR WHAT THEY SAY IS A FAIR CONTRACT.

MICHAEL, A DRIVER WITH THE COMPANY FOR 8 YEARS, SAYS THAT HE JUST WANTS TO GET BACK TO WORK.

THEY HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE FOR 2 WEEKS.

>> AT THIS POINT, WE ARE HOPING FOR SOMETHING POSITIVE.

WE JUST WANT TO GET BACK TO WORK, SERVICE OUR COMMUNITIES AND CLEAN UP THE AREA.

AS DAYS OF MEDIATION GO NOWHERE, THE MORE THAN 200 STRIKING SANITATION WORKERS ARE FEELING MORE AND MORE UNDIVIDED UNDERVALUED.

>> WE WERE HEROES WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS FULL FORCE, NOW IT IS TIME TO NEGOTIATE OUR CONTRACTS.

>> JOSE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AND IS NOW RETIRED, BUT CONTINUES TO MARCH ALONG HIS FRIENDS.

HE SAYS, THEY DESERVE MORE.

>> THEY TRY TO PAY LESS, PAY LESS, I'VE HAD SO MANY CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: NEGOTIATIONS AREN'T GOING WELL, SO SAYS ROBERT, A TRUSTEE WITH THE DRIVERS UNION TEAMSTERS LOCAL 542.

>> THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN OUT HERE 14 DAYS.

IF THEY WERE NEGOTIATING, THESE GUYS WOULD BE BACK AT WORK ALREADY, BUT THEY ARE NOT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING NOTHING LESS THAN WHAT THEY DESERVE.

>> THAT IS THE CASE, WE WILL BE HERE AS LONG AS WE NEED TO BE.

>> Reporter: REPUBLIC SERVICES TOLD KPBS, THEY ARE CONTINUING MEDIATION THIS WEEK, BUT THAT DRIVERS' DEMANDS FOR WAGE INCREASES ARE NOT REALISTIC.

MEANWHILE, SAN DIEGO MAYOR, TODD GLORIA, IS SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THOSE ON STRIKE, LOCKING THE PICKET LINE WITH THEM.

HE IS ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS WHO HAVE MISSED TRASH PICKUP TO CONTACT REPUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTLY AND REQUEST COLLECTION SERVICE.

>>> IN PASADENA, A BIG COMEBACK FOR THE ROSE PARADE.

THE 133-YEAR-OLD TRADITION CAME TO A HALT LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF COVID.

NOW, ORGANIZERS ARE BACK WITH THE MESSAGE OF STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE.

HERE IS A SNEAK PEEK AS VOLUNTEERS PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON DOZENS OF FLOATS THAT WILL BE SURE TO IMPRESS.

>> Reporter: THE TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE IS A CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR, REALLY A PART OF AMERICANA.

IT IS A PART OF PEOPLE'S NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

MORE THAN 40 LAUREL FLOATS AS PART OF THE ROSE PARADE.

THIS WILL BE THE 133rd EDITION OF THE PARADE, DATING BACK TO THE 1890S AND WAS STARTED AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE LIFESTYLE HERE, WHILE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WAS UNDER SNOW AND ICE, YEAR, FLOWERS WERE GROWING AND PEOPLE COULD CELEBRATE OUTDOORS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

EVERY YEAR, THE PARADE HAS A THEME.

THIS YEAR, THAT THING IS DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE.

THAT THEME REALLY DID COME TO SYMBOLIZE EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

IT IS ABOUT STRENGTH AND PERSEVERANCE, ABOUT GETTING THROUGH THE DIFFICULT TIMES.

THE TOURNAMENT HAS 935 VOLUNTEERS THAT WORK YEAR-ROUND TO REALLY PUT THIS PARADE TOGETHER.

THEY DONATE MORE THAN 80,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO BUILD THIS PARADE.

>> THE VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF GETTING THE FLOATS DECORATED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, AND IN FACT OVERSEAS, THAT COME IN AND WANT TO CHECK OUT BUCKET LIST OPPORTUNITIES TO DECORATE THE ROSE PARADE FLOAT.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FLOWERS THAT GO ONTO A FLOATS WITH ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF A VARIETY OF FLOWERS.

THE NUMBER ONE FLOWER IS THE ROSES.

>> SIX MORE SHIPMENTS OF FLOWERS TODAY.

>> LOWERS FROM THE ROSE PARADE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THEY ARE GROWN AND FLOWN IN FROM ECUADOR, COLOMBIA, THAILAND.

>> ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF THE ROSE PARADE IS THE FACES OF FAMILIES, LITTLE KIDS THAT ARE MESMERIZED BY THESE INCREDIBLE FLOATS.

THAT REALLY IS THE HALLMARK OF WHAT THE ROSE PARADE IS ALL ABOUT.

>>> SOME LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE IN THIS YEAR'S PARADE.

COMING UP ON "EVENING EDITION", A LOOK AT HOW THE SAN DIEGO ZOO IS TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVITIES.

>>> THE LAST SERIES OF DECEMBER STORMS IS MAKING THINGS DIFFICULT FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE GRAPEVINE SECTION OF I-5 IN THE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF LOS ANGELES WERE SHUT DOWN EARLIER THIS MORNING DUE TO HEAVIER SNOW OVER THERE SUMMIT.

CALTRANS TWEETED BILL YOU VIDEO OF TRUCKS DE-ICING THE ROAD.

THE STATE COULD SEE MORE STORMS NEXT WEEK.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A STRONG START TO THE WET WINTER SEASON.

CALIFORNIA'S MOUNTAIN SNOW NOW HOLDS 160% OF THE WATER IT NORMALLY DOES AT THE END OF THE SUMMER.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO TODAY'S SNOWPACK MEASUREMENT IN HERE AND NEVADA.

HOWEVER, THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND WATER RESOURCES SAYS, IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE IF WE WILL GET ENOUGH RAIN TO PUT A DENT IN THE HISTORIC DROUGHT.

>>> HOPEFULLY, YOU ARE HAVING AN EXCELLENT DAY.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN.

I HAVE YOUR FORECAST YOU FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

A COUPLE OF SHOWERS WILL STAY IN PLACE ACROSS OUR AREA, INTO OUR FRIDAY.

IT WILL BE TURNING NICER INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT WE WILL KEEP THE COOL TEMPERATURES IN PLACE.

FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF NIGHTS, IT WILL BE COLD.

THERE COULD BE A COUPLE OF AREAS OF FROST, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER VALLEYS AND ACROSS THE DESERTS.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT WATER VAPOR IN THE PAST 12 HOURS.

THAT LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE THAT MOVED ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT BROUGHT US THE RAIN OVERNIGHT.

JUST SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS STILL IN PLACE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME UNLIMITED SHOWERS.

MOST OF THE ACTION SHOULD TAKE PLACE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY TONIGHT.

IN SAN DIEGO, 50 DEGREES, CHULA VISTA, 51.

MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH LOWS DROPPING TO 32 DEGREES.

AS WE HEAD INTO OUR FRIDAY, IT IS ABNORMALLY COLD FOR MOST OF CALIFORNIA.

HERE IN THE SOUTH, WE WILL KEEP THE POSSIBILITY FOR A COUPLE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS AND IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS, WE WILL BE TRACKING AREAS OF WINTRY WEATHER.

EVEN IN THE MOUNTAINS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HERE AT BORREGO SPRINGS, ESPECIALLY MT.

LAGUNA, THIS WILL BE A SPOT WHERE WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE SOME OF THOSE THAT LIKE THE SNOW SHOWER IN PLACE.

COLD-WEATHER SPACE FOR US AS WE BEGIN 2022, YOUR COASTAL FORECAST HERE, YOU HAVE IT.

61, CLOUDY, COOL FOR FRIDAY, THEN MORE SUNSHINE INTO THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION IN INLAND AREAS.

RAIN IS STILL A POSSIBILITY.

WE MIGHT NEED THOSE UMBRELLAS AT TIMES.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, A LITTLE SNOW FOR FRIDAYS.

TEMPERATURES GET BACK IN THE MID AND UPPER ORDERS FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH MORE SUNSHINE.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST IN THE DESERTS, 66 DEGREES FOR FRIDAY WITH MOSTLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS.

TEMPERATURES LINGERING IN FOR THE UPPER 50s AND LOW 60s THIS WEEKEND AND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

MARVIN GOMEZ WITH YOUR KPBS FORECAST.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS ROLLING BACK SOME PROTECTIONS THAT SHIELDED PROBLEM CUBS.

>> Reporter: FOR DECADES, THAT COPS COULD DISCIPLINE BY FROM WIMPY JUMPING FROM ONE POLICE FORCE TO ANOTHER.

SOON, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND USING EXCESSIVE FORCE COULD BE ENOUGH TO KICK OFFICERS OUT OF THE PROFESSION IN CALIFORNIA.

>> HI, I AM JUST AS REPORTER WITH CARL MATTERS, I AM EXTENDING THE NEW DECERTIFICATION LINE UNDER A MINUTE.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER PROTESTS AGAINST POLICE MISCONDUCT ERUPTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA IS ROLLING BACK SOME PROTECTIONS THAT SHIELDED PROBLEM COPS.

THE NEW LAW BY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR STEPHEN BRADFORD OF LOS ANGELES TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1st AND CREATES A WAY FOR THE STATE TO REMOVE OFFICERS.

36 OTHER STATES ALREADY HAVE THE POWER TO DECERTIFY COPS.

THE LAW CREATES A DIVISION INSIDE THE COMMISSION ON PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS, A STATE AGENCY.

THE COMMISSION WILL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE OFFICERS' CONDUCT.

THE LAW ALSO ESTABLISHES A NINE MEMBER BOARD TO RECOMMEND WHEN THE COMMISSION COULD BAN BAD OFFICERS.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THE LAW TO GO FURTHER BY DEMANDING COUPLE OF SEATS ON THE BOARD GO TO VICTIMS OF POLICE ABUSE OR THEIR FAMILIES.

LEASE GROUPS AND LAWMAKERS REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT.

DECERTIFICATION DECISIONS REST WITH THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTED COMMISSION AND WILL REQUIRE A TWO THIRDS VOTE BEFORE OFFICERS CAN BE STRIPPED OF THEIR BADGES.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, PRESIDENT BIDEN AND PUTIN HOLD A SECOND CALL IN THE SAME MONTH AS RUSSIANS MAPPED ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THAT IS COMING UP AFTER THE "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> AS THE SUN SETS ON THE CABRILLO MONUMENT TONIGHT, VISITORS TO THE NATIONAL PARK ENJOYED ONE LAST SPECIAL WALK GUIDED BY THREE YOUNG FEMALE SCIENTISTS.

EDUCATION REPORTER, MJ PEREZ, INTRODUCES US TO THE TEENAGERS WITH A LOVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND AMBITIONS TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> WE HAVE SOME EXTRA BINOCULARS, IN CASE YOU DID NOT BRING ANY.

>> RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROWD OF EXCITED BIRDWATCHERS, 13-YEAR-OLD LUCINDA ANDERSON IS SHARING WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT NATURE.

>> MIKE FAVORITE BIRD IS OFFSPRING, BECAUSE I LOVE THE WATER.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE SOME OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE WATER, LOOKING DOWN ON THE SAN DIEGO BAY AND PACIFIC.

LUCINDA IS ONE OF A TRIO OF TEENAGE SCIENTISTS WHO ARE APPRENTICES, TEACHING VISITORS ABOUT BIRTH AND ANIMALS THAT MAKE THEIR HOME HERE ON THE HILLSIDES OF THE NATIONAL PARK.

14-YEAR-OLD MAIA PALLADIO AND THE 16-YEAR-OLD ARE THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM.

THIS IS HOW THEY SPEND TIME AWAY FROM REGULAR SCHOOLS, SUPPLEMENTING THEIR EDUCATION AND WORKING TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

>> A LOT OF IT IS STUDYING ANIMALS AND OTHER PLANTS.

WHILE WE WERE PREPARING FOR THE BIRD WALK, WE ACTUALLY DID QUITE A BIT OF WALKING AROUND THE PARK, OBSERVING BIRDS, JUST TRYING TO COLLECT DATA WE COULD USE FOR THIS.

>> MY MOM IS A SCIENTIST.

I LOOK LIKE HER.

[ LAUGHTER ] IT IS NICE TO SEE SOME REPRESENTATION.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME AND GIRLS IN GENERAL IN STEM I THINK WOULD BE AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE GIRLS ARE LIVING EXAMPLES OF STEM STUDENTS, EXCELLING IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH.

THEY ARE BEING MENTORED BY PARK RANGERS IN AN INFORMAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT GREW FROM THE S.T.E.M.

CAMP THAT HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER.

>> I LIKE TO REMIND KIDS THERE IS A PLACE IN NATURE.

NATURE IS FILLED WITH WONDERS AND EVERYTHING IN NATURE HAPPENS FOR A REASON.

>> IT HAS LITTLE LONGER FEATHERS IN THE MIDDLE.

>> Reporter: BACK TO THE BIRDS IN THE BUSINESS OF CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG JOURNEY FOR HER, WHO HAS ALREADY BROKEN BARRIERS, BECOMING ONE OF THE FIRST FEMALES ACCEPTED BY THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, NOW KNOWN SIMPLY AS BSA.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN ANIMALS AND HOW THEY INTERACT WITH THE ECOSYSTEM.

>> Reporter: THERE IS LOTS TO SEE ON THE INTERNATIONAL PARK ON THE HILLSIDE THAT SURROUND THE LIGHTHOUSE.

IN JANUARY AND EARLY SPRING FOR THE INTERNS WILL TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO GREAT RAILS, BEGINNING THEIR MIGRATION OFF THE COAST OF SAN DIEGO.

ON THIS LAST BIRDWATCHING WALK OF THE YEAR, MAIA IS DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE VISITORS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RAVEN AND A CROW.

>> THE CROW CAN GO, I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING LIKE A RAVEN.

>> Reporter: LEARNED THAT IS FUN AND AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE.

MJ PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE IS RETURNING TO THE ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

ERIC ANDERSON HAS DETAILS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TAKING PART IN THE ROSE PARADE IN PASADENA.

THE ZOO'S 55 FOOT LONG FLOAT STANDS 25 FEET TALL AND FEATURES THREE ICONIC ANIMALS THAT REPRESENT THE ZOO, SAFARI PARK, AND THE ALLIANCE'S CONSERVATION WORK.

>> IN THE FRONT, YOU HAVE THE RHINO, THE LION.

THE WINGS IN THE FRONT WILL BE FLOPPING.

THAT WILL BE REALLY COOL.

>> Reporter: THE FLOAT ALSO FEATURES A GLOBE HIGHLIGHTING EIGHT CONSERVATION HUBS AND SCIENTISTS WHO DO THE ALLIANCE'S CONSERVATION WORK.

THE IDEA IS TO SHOW HOW THIS IS CREATING ALLIES TO HELP WITH THE INTERCONNECTION OF PEOPLE, ANIMALS, AND ECOSYSTEMS.

>> LIKE TOGETHER, WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS.

THAT IS REALLY WHAT IT IS, ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS IS SORT OF AN ARRAY OF HOPE FOR ALL COMMUNITIES THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO HAS A FLOATING WATERFALL THAT HIGHLIGHTS HOW WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO ALL LIFE.

THE LAST TIME THE ZOO HAD A FLOAT IN THE PARADE, THE ORGANIZATION WAS CELEBRATING ITS 80th ANNIVERSARY IN 1996.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME OTHER LOCALS ARE TAKING PART IN THE PARADE.

THEY INCLUDE MARCHING BANDS FROM MIRA MESA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, AS WELL AS EQUESTRIAN GROUPS.

>>> AS WE WRAP UP 2021, WE ARE REVISITING SOME OF OUR BEST FEATURE REPORTING.

THIS YEAR, KPBS 'S MAYA TRABULSI MET A GROUP OF TIGHTKNIT WOMEN LIVING IN A RETIREMENT HOME WHO WERE AT LIGHTENING THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH VASECTOMIES, ONE LOVING STITCH AT A TIME.

>> IT IS LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE AND YOU DON'T FORGET.

>> Reporter: AT HER LITTLE COLLEGE, PAT ANDERSON'S CREATIVITY HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN OVER THE YEARS.

AFTER A LONG CAREER AS A TEXTILE DESIGNER, SHE STILL ENJOYS MAKING YARN I HAND ON HER HOMEMADE SPINNING WHEEL.

>> EVERYTHING YOU WEAR STARTS WITH THIS PROCESS.

>> HOMEWORK BOTH OLD AND NEW IS STRONG ON HER COUCH.

HER FRIEND, PAT MUELLER IS HERE.

>> THIS IS THE VERY FIRST THING I EVER MADE.

>> Reporter: AND ADMIRES HER CREATIONS FROM THE 70s.

>> HOW NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THE TWO PETS CALL THIS TRANQUIL HOME THE MAGIC PLACE, AS IT IS BECOMING THE SETTING OF THEIR FRIENDSHIP, AS WELL AS A SURPRISING GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT CALLED SBW.

>> THAT STANDS FOR THE SISTERHOOD OF THE BOOT LIST WONDERS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS AND PART OF A TRIO WHO HAVE LITERALLY TAKEN CONVERT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS IN THE SHAPE OF AND NEEDED LUST FORMS, APTLY CALLED BUSTERS.

>> HERE, THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A SPECIALLY DESIGNED ACCESSORY.

>> Reporter: IN THE SIX YEARS SINCE PAT MADE THE FIRST PROTOTYPE, THE PROJECT HAS HELPED MORE THAN 1200 WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE UNDERGONE VASECTOMY SURGERY.

>> ALL WOMEN'S CLOTHING IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE BUST CONTOUR.

SO, IF THAT IS GONE, YOUR CLOTHES DON'T FIT RIGHT.

YOU END UP FEELING DUMPY AND UNKEMPT.

>> Reporter: PAT SAYS, MOST OF ALL, IT SHOWS.

UNTIL NOW, THE ONLY OFFICIAL SOLUTIONS OFFERED TO PATIENTS WERE SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OR MEDICAL GRADE PROSTHETICS, WHICH CAN BE HEAVY.

BUSTERS, ON THE OTHER HAND-->> THIS WEIGHS LESS THAN ONE OUNCE.

THEY ARE SOFT, WASHABLE, NATURAL AND NORMAL LOOKING.

>> Reporter: AT FIRST GLANCE, BUSTERS MAY LOOK SIMPLE.

PAT SAYS THAT THERE IS A VERY SPECIFIC KNITTING TECHNIQUE THAT INVOLVES THE DIRECTION OF THE GRAIN OF THE YARN AND PAT HAS PROUDLY PATENTED THE DESIGN.

>> WE'VE GOT A CONSORT HERE, BUT IT HAS TO BE FLAT ON THE BACK.

>> Reporter: WHAT MAKES THEM EVEN MORE UNIQUE, UNLIKE PROSTHETICS, THEY ARE CUSTOMIZABLE IN SIZE BY SIMPLY ADDING OR REMOVING THE FEELING.

>> YOU CAN FIT THE CUP SIZE LARGER OR SMALLER.

>> EVERY SINGLE DETAIL HAS BEEN CONSIDERED.

>> THE LIGHT, CHEERFUL DETAILS HELP WOMEN REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS, NOT VICTIMS.

>> Reporter: EACH PAIR TAKES ABOUT EIGHT HOURS TO KNIT.

IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE.

>> WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> Reporter: SO PAT MUELLER STEPPED IN TO HELP.

>> SHE HAPPENED TO BE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE BUFFET LINE, I SAID, IF YOU NEED ANY HELP KNITTING, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

>> SHE'S DOING THE BIGGER SIZE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: WHEN A FORMER RESIDENT FOUND A LUMP ON HER BREAST, MEDICARE COVERED THE COST OF THE SILICONE PROSTHETIC SHE HOLDS IN HER HAND, WHICH USUALLY COSTS MORE THAN $200 PER BREAST.

>> IT WEIGHS TWO POUNDS.

IT WAS HOT IN THE SUMMER.

IT COULD EVEN BE COLD IN THE WINTER.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD CHOOSE THIS.

>> Reporter: SAYS SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO BUSTERS, SHE SAYS THIS BREAST SITS IN A BOX.

A BASKET FULL OF THANK YOU NOTES WITH GRATITUDE FROM RECIPIENTS USUALLY COMES WITH DONATIONS THAT GO TOWARD SPONSORING ANOTHER WOMAN'S PAIR , FROM ONE SURVIVOR TO ANOTHER.

>> THERE IS LIFE AFTER BREAST CANCER.

AN AS FOR PRATT ANDERSON IN A CAREER THAT DATES BACK MORE THAN 50 YEARS, SHE SAYS BUSTERS IS HER FINAL PROJECT.

>> HOW MANY ALMOST 89-YEAR-OLD WOMEN CAN SAY THEY ARE STILL DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

>> Reporter: AND LIKE THE NYLON BLEND CHOSEN FOR ITS STRENGTH AND SOFTNESS, THESE SURVIVORS EXUDE THAT SAME RESILIENCE, KNITTING A PRODUCT BUILT TO LAST DOWN TO THE FINAL, THOUGHTFUL STITCH.

>>> THAT WAS MAYA TRABULSI REPORTING.

EITHER WAY, BUSTERS ARE FREE FOR ANY BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR WHO WOULD LIKE A PAIR.

IF YOU WANT A FREE PAIR OF BUSTERS, OR IF YOU COULD HELP WITH SOME KNITTING, YOU COULD EMAIL PAT.

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

THINGS FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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