>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11th .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI .

IT IS VETERANS DAY, HONORING AND THANKING THOSE THAT SERVE IN THE MILITARY.

THOSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE PAYING TRIBUTE.

COVERAGE BEGINS WITH KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL.

>> Reporter: ABOVE THE DIN OF THE FREEWAY, THE MOURNFUL SOUND OF THE VETERANS MEMORIAL IN JAKARTA PARK.

A FAMILIAR SOUND CONVEYING THE NATIONS HEARTBREAK FOR ALL THOSE LIVES LOST TO WAR.

ANOTHER FAMILIAR SOUND, THIS ONE CONVEYING THE NATIONS PRIDE AND VETERANS GATHER AS THEY DO EVERY YEAR SHOWING THEIR PRIDE IN THE COUNTRY THEY SERVED.

>> MY FATHER WAS A VETERAN.

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A VETERAN.

SO, I HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH A VETERAN FAMILY.

>> THEY SERVED 17 YEARS IN THE ARMY.

NOW SERVING IN PANAMA DURING THE 1980s AND IN THE FIRST IRAQ WAR.

WHILE THIS IS A DAY TO REMEMBER THOSE, HE SAYS THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN THAT.

>> TODAY TO ME IS LIKE A GRAND DAY, MAN.

IT IS LIKE OUR BIRTHDAY.

IT IS A CELEBRATION THAT WE CAN HAVE.

LET THE YOUNGER VETERANS KNOW WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: HERE AT THE USS MIDWAY MUSEUM IT IS MORE OF A PARTY ATMOSPHERE.

A CELEBRATION FOR AND OF OUR VETERANS.

>> WE TREAT OUR VETERANS WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT.

>> Reporter: ERNEST WILLIAMS SERVED EIGHT YEARS IN THE NAVY.

HE RETIRED IN SAN DIEGO.

I ASKED HIM THE SAME QUESTION I DID EVERY VETERAN I TALKED TO TODAY.

HOW IS SAN DIEGO IT COMES TO THE TREATMENT OF VETERANS?

>> VERY MUCH A MILITARY TOWN.

VERY ACCOMMODATING TO THE VETERANS.

WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

>> I WAS IN THE NAVY AND SERVED OF THREE SHIPS.

>> Reporter: HE SERVED IN THE NAVY 11 YEARS.

HE ALSO RETIRED HERE AND LIKE WILLIAMS SAYS SPECIAL EVENTS FOR VETERANS LIKE THIS ONE MEAN A LOT.

>> IT MEANS A LOT, THE RECOGNITION OF THE PEOPLE THAT THINK US AND SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING HERE TODAY.

REMEMBERING IS.

>> THAT IS REALLY WHAT THIS DAY IS ALL ABOUT.

FROM WORLD WAR I TO TODAY, REMEMBERING WITH GRATITUDE ALL OF THOSE WHO SERVED.

>>> A WREATH WAS LAID AT THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER TODAY.

JOE BIDEN COMMEMORATING VETERANS DAY BY VISITING THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF THREE UNIDENTIFIED U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS AT THE ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY IN WASHINGTON.

ONE OF THE SERVICEMEMBERS FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR I.

ONE DIED IN WWII AND THE THIRD DIED DURING THE KOREAN WAR.

BIDEN SAID THERE'S NOTHING LOW- RISK OR LOW COST ABOUT WAR FOR THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO FIGHT IT.

>> YOU ARE THE VERY SPINE OF AMERICA.

NOT JUST THE BACKBONE BUT THE SPINE OF THIS COUNTRY.

ALL OF US, ALL OF THIS, OU.

SO ON VETERANS DAY, AND EVERY DAY WE HONOR THAT GREAT DAD AND RECOMMIT OURSELVES FROM KEEPING OUR SACRED OBLIGATION AS A NATION.

TO HONOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

>> IT WAS ON THURSDAY PRECISELY 100 YEARS AGO IN NOVEMBER 11th THIS MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED THE LAST TWO DAYS.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN INVITED TO LAY FLOWERS AT THE PLAZA.

IT IS A FIRST IN 96 YEARS.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED NEW SUPPORT FOR TROOPS EXPOSED TO VIRAL HAZARDS DURING DEPLOYMENT.

SO-CALLED BURN PITS WERE A PARTICULAR CONCERN.

THEY WERE USED TO GET RID OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WASTE AND THROUGHOUT AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ AT MILITARY SITES.

86% OF POST-9/11 VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THOSE AREAS SAY THEY WERE EXPOSED.

TRACK IT MILITARY VETERAN AND HIS FATHER ARE GETTING THE REUNION TODAY AS WE REPORT IT IS DECADES IN THE MAKING.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

WELCOME BACK.

>> Reporter: A LONG EMBRACE WITH THE SON STANDING ON AMERICAN SOIL.

IT IS THE ONE HE WANTED TO GIVE HIS VETERAN SON ON VETERANS DAY.

>> BECAUSE OF THE JOURNEY A LOT OF STRUGGLE.

A LOT OF GUIDANCE.

TRUCK AFTER WINNING A LEGAL BATTLE LASTING TWO DECADES, HE WAS ABLE TO RESTORE THE STATUS IN CALIFORNIA AND COME BACK HOME.

HIS SON, BOBBY, SAYS THERE WERE TIMES HE DOUBTED THIS DAY WOULD COME BUT HIS DAD NEVER LOST FAITH.

>> I GOT A TON EMOTIONAL RIGHT NOW.

I AM SUPER EXCITED.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE HIM, YOU KNOW?

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO BE WITH HIM AND, YOU KNOW, HUG HIM AND, YOU NO.

I MISSED A LOT.

>> Reporter: FOR BIRTHDAYS TO HOLIDAYS, HE MISSED YEARS WITH HIS FAMILY AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO A SHOP IN CHARGE IN 2002.

LITTLE DID HE KNOW THE PLEA WOULD GIVE HIM DEPORTED TO MEXICO.

A NEW STATE LAW ALLOWED HIM TO COME BACK.

>> THE SUPREME COURT FINALLY CAME TO A DECISION TO SET PRECEDENT ALLOWED HIM TO VACATE THE CONVICTION THAT WAS THE REASON HE WAS DEPORTED.

>> Reporter: HIS LAWYER SAYS THERE ARE SO MANY DEPORTEES WITH SIMILAR STORIES.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN UNJUSTLY EXILED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

PEOPLE AS AMERICAN AS ANYONE STANDING HERE.

>> Reporter: ROBERT IS NOT A VETERAN, BUT WAS RAISED IN A MILITARY FAMILY.

WELL LIVING HERE HE BECAME A VOICE FOR DEPORTED THAT.

>> THAT IS WHY I GOT SO INVOLVED WITH THE VETERANS.

EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT MY BLOOD, THEY ARE HERE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS FOR THE PROGRAM AND SAYS HE WILL NOT STOP FIGHTING TO HELP VETS THAT WERE DEPORTED.

>> IT'S LIKE THE LOGO ON HER SHIRT.

LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

THE MARINE LOGO.

WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

A WE WILL GO BACK FOR THEM >>> IT IS WEEK THE POWER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTED TO HOLD THE NEXT MEETING VIRTUALLY.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FROM ANTI-COVID MANDATE PROTESTERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NO ORDINARY VOTE OR SCHOOL BOARD.

>> IMMINENT RISK AND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS, WE RECOMMEND THEY CONDUCT A REGULAR SCHEDULED UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING NOVEMBER 18th, 2021 ONLINE VIA VIRTUAL VIDEO COMMENTING.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO HOLD THE NEXT LINE BECAUSE THEY FELT SO UNSAFE.

>> THE PROTESTERS ALSO VISITED BOARD MEMBERS IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS TO PERSONALLY DELIVER STACKS OF DOCUMENTS.

BOARD MEMBERS ARE ALSO RECEIVING DEATH THREATS TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE SPECIAL MEETING, THE SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR MARION PHELPS DESCRIBED HOW PROTESTERS TERRORIZED SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON DITCH YOUR PROPERTY AND THEIR HOMES.

>> HOURS PRIOR TO THE OCTOBER 14th BOARD MEETING PROTESTERS WERE ARRESTED BY THE DEPARTMENT REFUSING TO LEAVE THE BUILDING AFTER DOORS WERE LOCKED, REFUSING TO WEAR MASKS AND REFUSING TO LEAVE THE BUILDING AFTER IT WAS OFFICIALLY CLOSE.

>> Reporter: THIS STUDENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WAS AT THE OCTOBER MEETING.

>> IN THAT MOMENT IT WAS DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE.

A PUBLIC MEETING WAS BEING STOPPED BASED ON A RIOT AGAINST VACCINATION MANDATES.

A AT THE MOMENT I THINK I WAS ALMOST IN SHOCK.

IT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

IN OUR LOCAL DISTRICT.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE TARGETED.

TRUCK ALSO RECEIVING THREATS.

>> DEFINITELY AS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCING THESE THINGS.

ESPECIALLY SERVING IN SUCH A PUBLIC ROW.

>> Reporter: MEETINGS SHOULD BE HELD ONLINE IN LIGHT OF THE INCIDENTS AND A NUMBER ON MONDAY.

>> FOR ME DEFINITELY IT IS DOING IT FOR OUR PERSONAL SAFETY.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE TIME BEING.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE MERELY FOLLOWING THE STATE BIG SAFETY GUIDELINES.

KITTY ALVARADO , KPBS NEWS.

>>> ELEVATED FIRE DANGER DUE TO THE SENSE AND WINS AT HIGHER TEMPERATURES.

MELISSA MAE SAYS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RED FLAG WARNING, THE PUBLIC SHOULD STILL BE MINDFUL OF THEIR ACTIONS.

>> THE HUMIDITY IS LESS THAN 20%.

WINS GUSTING UP INTO THE 40s IN CERTAIN SPOTS.

IT CERTAINLY IS DANGEROUS OUT THERE BUT MAGICAL.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE MEDIA BIOLOGY MANAGER FOR SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC AND SAYS CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY PUBLIC SAFETY OUTAGES OR RED FLAG WARNINGS.

THE TEAM WORKS WITH THE FIRE INDEX, AN ALGORITHM ANSWERING THE QUESTION, DOES THE ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT FIRE?

>> WE LOOK AT THE WEATHER AND WE ALSO LOOK AT HOW MUCH MOISTURE IS IN THE AIR.

IT IS A MOISTURE PROBLEM.

IS THE MOISTURE IN THE AIR?

IN THE PLANTS?

OR IN DEAD STICKS?

IF THE ANSWER IS YES, THEN, THE FIRE DANGER IS LESS.

A THE ANSWER IS NO THEN THE FIRE DANGER IS HIGH.

>> Reporter: DUE TO THE RECENT THUNDERSTORMS THERE IS MOISTURE SO THE LANDSCAPE DOES NOT SUPPORT FIRE.

EVEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE NOT CRITICAL, OTHER FACTORS COULD IGNITE A WILDFIRE.

>> THE DATA HAS SHOWN 90% OF FIRES THAT HAPPEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN BEINGS DOING SOMETHING.

>> IT MAY HAVE BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE HAVE TAKEN ON A TRAILER.

WE HAVE VEHICLE FIRES WITH VEGETATION FIRES QUITE FRANKLY.

IT IS SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT THINK ABOUT THAT IF YOU DO NOT MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLES AND MAINTAIN YOUR TRAILERS AND TOWING, IF YOU'RE BEING CARELESS AND DRAGGING CHAINS AS YOU ARE TOWING, THOSE THINGS CAN ALL START FIRES.

>> Reporter: CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO CAPTAIN TOM SHOOTS NO HOW FAST FIRE CAN SPREAD WHEN THE SANTA ANA WINDS ARE PRESENT.

>> THESE FIRES DO NOT NEED A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT WHEN THEY HAPPEN THIS TIME OF YEAR BECAUSE THEY SPREAD SO QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE WINDS ARE A REMINDER TO BE PREPARED.

>> A COUPLE THINGS IN YOUR GO BACK TODAY TO BE READY.

MAKE SURE YOUR VEHICLE IS FUELED IT.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR YOUR LARGE ANIMALS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE WAYS OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: HIGH WINDS ARE PREDICTED AGAIN FRIDAY MORNING.

WE SHOULD TAPER OFF FOR THE WEEKEND.

MELISSA MAE , KPBS NEWS.

>> THE PATH TO NET ZERO EMISSIONS IS PAVED IN COLLABORATION TODAY WE GO TO SAN DIEGO WITH ALLIANCE OF MORE THAN 1000 CITIES WORKING TO LOWER GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

GLORIA SAYS JOINING THE CITY RAISE 20 INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN IS IMPERATIVE TO ALIGN WITH INTERNATIONAL GOALS.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, OUR CLIMATE OUR FUTURE PLAN SETS A TARGET OF NEXT YEAR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY THE YEAR 2035.

THAT IS AHEAD OF THE CITY RAISE 20 TARGET OF 2050.

COP26 THIS WEEK AND THE 2020 2021, CHANGE CONFERENCE.

>>> VACCINATIONS FOR KIDS 5 TO 11 RAMPING UP NATIONWIDE.

ABOUT 1 MILLION SO FAR.

COUNTYWIDE, MORE THAN 7300 CHILDREN IN THAT GROUP HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE PFIZER VACCINE.

OVERALL, MORE THAN TO HAVE MILLION COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE SHOT OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

MORE THAN 279,000 OF THOSE HAVE RECEIVED A BOOSTER.

AS BRITT CONWAY REPORTS, THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT VACCINE EQUITY NATIONWIDE.

>> Reporter: ALL DONE.

THE FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE.

HE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE.

THE WHITE HOUSE ESTIMATES NEARLY 1 MILLION KIDS 5 TO 11 HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST DOSE.

ABOUT 700,000 PHARMACY PAYMENTS ON THE BOOKS.

114 CHILDREN HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS OFFICES ARE OFFERING VACCINATIONS TOO.

MOBILE CLINICS IN SOME PLACES ALONG WITH SCHOOL CLINICS.

GETTING MORE KIDS VACCINATED IS OFTEN A BATTLE AGAINST HESITANCY AND SOMETIMES EQUITY.

A RECENT POLL SHOWS PARENTS WITH LOWER INCOMES ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET THE KIDS IN THE 5 TO 11 AGE GROUP VACCINATED.

THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT GETTING TIME OFF OF WORK OR FINDING A WAY TO GET TO A VACCINATION SITE ALONG WITH EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES.

EXPERTS SAY MORE EDUCATION GENERALLY COMES WITH MORE ACCEPTANCE OF SCIENCE.

COVID-19 VACCINES ARE NOT THE ONLY VACCINE DOCTORS ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

THE CDC SAYS 22 MILLION BABIES WORLDWIDE MISSED YOUR VACCINATIONS LAST YEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WORSENING THE GLOBAL THREAT OF MEASLES.

ALL THE WHILE, KIDS CASES OF COVID ARE ON THE RISE AGAIN.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS SAYS, THIS PAST WEEK, THERE WAS A MORE THAN 6% INCREASE IN CASES FROM THE WEEK BEFORE AND WINTER IS COMING.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST A WINTER VIRUS.

AS WE HEAD INTO WHAT ARE WE LIKELY WILL SEE CASES, THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO.

>> Reporter: I AM BRITT CONWAY REPORTING.

>>> FLU SEASON IS HERE AND COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY SO FAR, FEWER PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR SHOT.

JUST OVER 762,000 SAN DIEGAN SEVER SEE THE FLU VACCINE.

THAT IS COMPARED TO 830,000 DURING THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

THAT IS ABOUT 90,000 FEWER PEOPLE.

287 FLU CASES OF BEEN REPORTED IN THE REGION SO FAR COMPARED TO 18 AT THIS POINT LAST YEAR.

COUNTY HEALTH LEADERS URGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED ESPECIALLY NOW THAT COVID GATHERING PREDICTIONS HAVE EASED COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

>>> NOT A SURPRISE FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE BUT SAN DIEGO IS THE TOP DESTINATION FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY TRAVELERS.

LAS VEGAS, THE GRAND CANYON AND YOSEMITE AND SANTA BARBARA WERE ON THE TOP.

AMTRAK ANNOUNCED IT WOULD REQUIRE RESERVATIONS FOR SURF LETTER TRAINS RUNNING FROM LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN DIEGO AND OTHER COUNTIES OVER THE THANKSGIVING WE CAN.

RESERVATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED BEGINNING THE 24th THROUGH THE 29th.

DURING THAT TIME, THE RAIL TO RAIL PROGRAM ALSO WILL BE SUSPENDED.

RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE AT THE AMTRAK WEBSITES, APT OR WITH AN AMTRAK AGENTS.

>>> HAPPY THURSDAY THAT ONE.

I HOPE YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT DAY AND THINGS, I AM MARVIN GOMEZ WITH YOUR FORECAST FOR SENDING THE COUNTY.

HIGH-PRESSURE IS STILL IN CONTROL ACROSS THE AREA.

IT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE OFFICER FLOW ACROSS THEM IN CALIFORNIA AND TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO SAY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR INTO THE WEEKENDS.

SOME CHANGES TO START TAKING PLACE NEXT WEEK AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, THAT MEANS THE ONSHORE FLOW WILL RETURN AND THE FOG WILL ONCE AGAIN COME BACK INTO THE AREA FOR THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

TONIGHT, WE ARE STAYING NICE AND CLEAR.

TEMPERATURES COOLING DOWN TO 62 DEGREES IN SAN DIEGO.

CHULA VISTA AS WELL.

MOUNT LAGUNA AT 56.

THERE IT IS.

HIGH-PRESSURE IN CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST.

HIGHS DURING THE AFTERNOON FOR MOST OF THE REGION ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR 2 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL.

WITH THAT THE FLOW ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WE HAVE ELEVATED FIRE RISK ACROSS THE AREA.

AS OF RIGHT NOW WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ALERTS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

HERE IS A QUICK LITTLE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST.

MOSTLY SUNNY CONDITIONS, BORREGO SPRINGS 88 FOR THE AFTERNOON.

ESCONDIDO 92 ALONG THE COAST OCEANSIDE, MID 80s FOR YOUR AFTERNOON THIS WEEKEND.

HIGH-PRESSURE STILL IN CONTROL WITH AN UPPER-LEVEL HIGH- PRESSURE SYSTEM BRINGING COOLER CONDITIONS FOR ANOTHER IN CALIFORNIA BUT AGAIN ON THE SOUTHERN END OF THE STATE, WE ARE STILL TRACKING THE OFFICER FLOW, SO, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY IN THE 80s ALONG THE COAST AND FINALLY INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK OR AT LEAST FOR TUESDAY.

THE HIGH WILL EVENTUALLY TURNED BACK INTO THE 60.

INLAND AREAS IN THE 90s FOR FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY EVENTUALLY, WE WILL GET INTO THE MID AND UPPER 70s FOR TUESDAY ACROSS THE HIGHER TRAIN, MOSTLY SUNNY CONDITIONS AND VERY WINDY FOR FRIDAY.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, STAY WITH US HERE IN THE WEEKEND.

THAT ACROSS THE DESERT, WE ARE GOING TO STAY ON THE WARM SIDE, 80s, UPPER 80s FRIDAY THEN, NEAR 90 DEGREES AS WE GO THROUGH THE WEEKEND INTO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM MARVIN GOMEZ.

>>> SETTING ASIDE UNITS IN A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FACILITY FOR VETERANS.

THERE ARE 407 UNITS INSIDE THE NEW SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA VILLA DOWNTOWN.

IT WILL OFFER FULLY FURNISHED STUDIOS TO THOSE IN NEED INCLUDING AT LEAST 80 VETERANS.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST ACCOUNT FROM 2019, 2500 VETERANS IN SAN DIEGO WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> I WILL SEE THEY ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.

WE SERVE VETERANS ALL OF THE TIME.

1400 VETERANS.

>>> RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN MOVING IN STARTING IN JANUARY FACILITY WILL ALSO OFFER SUPPORTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND LOCATIONAL TRAINING.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS ON THE VERGE OF HAVING A LICENSE PLATE DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY TO WOMEN VETERANS.

AS A STEVE WALSH EXPLAINS, IT WOULD MEAN MORE THAN SYMBOLISM.

SPOKE AT THE AGE OF 19 I FOUND MYSELF IN KUWAIT PARENTING IN IRAQ.

>> THE FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN WARRIORS HOPES TO PASS ANOTHER MILESTONE.

AT THE MOMENT CALIFORNIA DOES NOT HAVE A LICENSE PLATE HONORING FEMALE VETERANS AND SAYS THE CEO.

>> PART OF THE MISSION IS TO HONOR THE SERVICE OF WOMEN VETERANS.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES THEY FACE AND WE BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THOSE CHALLENGES ARE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE SAME RECOGNITION AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.

>> Reporter: IN 2020 WOMEN MADE UP MORE THAN 70% OF THE MILITARY, BUT THEY ARE STILL OFTEN RECOGNIZED AS VETERANS.

A MARINE VETERAN WHO SERVED IN IRAQ.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE A WOMAN PARKED IN A VETERAN SPOT AND OFTEN IS CONFRONTED SAYING, THAT SPOT IS FOR VETERANS.

WHEN IN FACT, SHE IS THE VETERAN.

SO, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR SOCIETY TO GET ON BOARD AND REALIZE THAT WOMEN ARE SERVING IN INCREASING NUMBERS.

>> IT CAN BE ISOLATING CONTRIBUTING TO ISSUES LIKE VETERAN SUICIDE.

IT CAN MAKE IT HARDER FOR WOMEN TO DEMAND CHANGES IN VETERANS HEALTHCARE.

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, 60% OF THE ABOVE VETERANS FACE HOUSING INSTABILITY.

>> IT IS HARD TO FIND OTHER WOMEN THAT SERVE IN THE MILITARY, SO, WHEN WE DO FIND ONE ANOTHER, USUALLY WE CLING TO ONE ANOTHER AND USE EACH OTHER AS A RESOURCE.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO FIND ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A GREAT SISTERHOOD OR COMMUNITY OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A VETERANS DETAIL ON A CALIFORNIA LICENSE PLATE HELP WOMEN CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE DESIGN WAS CREATED BY A FEMALE VIETNAM VETERAN.

AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THE LACES BUT BEFORE IT CAN BE OFFERED BY THE STATE.

THE FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN WARRIORS IS ASKING PEOPLE TO SIGN UP AT THEIR WEBSITE.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS.

>>> WINNING THE DESIGNATION OF WELL-DESIGNED CAPITAL.

THE WORLD DESIGN ORGANIZATION SAYS IT SHOWS THE TWO CITIES FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN AND THEIR LEGACY OF CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION FOR THE SAN DIEGO BASED THE PROPER DESIGN FOR THE ALLIANCE WILL BE SPEARHEADING A HOST OF EVENTS WHEN THE DESIGNATION STARTS IN 2024.

SUSPECT THERE WILL BE A POLICY CONFERENCE.

A NETWORK CITIES MEETING WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER THE COHORT OF THE WORLD DESIGN CAPITALS.

ALSO, STREET FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS OF DESIGN IN THE REGION.

IT WILL BE A VERY HAPPY HERE ON TOP OF ALL OF THE AMAZING THINGS ALREADY EXISTING HERE THAT WE WILL BE SHOWCASING DURING THE YEAR.

>> THERE IS EVENTS COULD BRING A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST TO THE SAN DIEGO TOURISM SECTOR AS IT RECOVERS FROM THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL HAS BEEN AWARDED TO A NATIONAL REGION.

>>> COVID HAS BROUGHT CHANGE TO SO MANY LIVES.

SOMETIMES THE CHANGE HAS LED TO REBIRTH.

JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US HOW LOCAL NONPROFIT SURVIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC, BRINGING THE ARTS TO SCHOOLCHILDREN ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: A TYPICAL PRE- COVID SEEN IN A SEND IN A CLASSROOM.

TEACHING ARTISTS FROM WHAT WAS THEN KNOWN AS ARTS FOR LEARNING SAN DIEGO BRINGING THE GIFT OF MUSIC TO CHILDREN.

THEN, THE PANDEMIC.

>> WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TOMORROW IS GOING TO BRING, YOU NEED SOMETHING TO BRING YOU BACK IN TO GROUND YOU.

THAT IS WHAT WE GET FROM THE ARTS.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS LAST YEAR WITH A STORY WE DID IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT VALENCIA DID NOT KNOW THEN WAS THE EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGE COVID WOULD BE FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, THE GROUP WENT TO VIRTUAL.

>> OR TEACHING HOURS WERE ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.

THE TEACHERS MADE THE CHANGES REALLY QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: MORE CHANGES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE.

COVID MEANT A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF FUNDING.

>> SCHOOLS WERE FINDING THAT THEY HAD TO PUT THEIR FUNDING IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

SO, WE LOST ABOUT 50% OF OUR INCOME.

PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: VALENCIA AND OUR STAFF KNEW THAT FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO SURVIVE, SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS WERE AHEAD.

>> WE LET GO OF OFFICE SPACE AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING REMOTELY SINCE THE END OF OCTOBER, 2020.

WE TOOK A FEW ELEMENTS OF OUR BUSINESS PRACTICE AND PUT THEM IN THE HOUSE SUCH AS GRANT WRITING AND ACCOUNTING.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH.

ONE MORE BIG CHANGE, A PAINFUL ONE STILL TO COME.

THE GROUP HAD BEEN AFFILIATED WITH YOUNG AUDIENCES OF AMERICA SINCE THE LATE 60s.

THE NATIONAL GROUP HAS BRANCHES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY DEDICATED TO BRINGING THE ARTS TO SCHOOLCHILDREN.

VALENCIA DECIDED RETAINING MEMBERSHIP WITH YOUNG AUDIENCES JUST WAS NOT WORTH IT.

>> WE JUST FOUND THAT IT MADE MORE SENSE FOR US TO SEPARATE FROM THE.

>> Reporter: SEPARATING FROM YOUNG AUDIENCES MEANT CHANGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

THE GROUP REBRANDED ITSELF IN NO ARE KNOWN AS ARTS EDUCATION CONNECTION SAN DIEGO.

A NEW NAME, A NEW LOGO.

THE MISSION HAS NOT CHANGED.

A DEDICATED GROUP OF TEACHING ARTISTS STILL SHARE THE ARTS WITH CHILDREN THROUGH FIVE DISCIPLINES, MUSIC, THEATER, DANCE, VISUAL, AND LITERARY ARTS.

SHARING, TEACHING THE ARTS TO CHILDREN DURING THE DARKEST DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC REVEAL A SEVER LINING.

SEPARATION FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY EASED BY THE KIND OF TOGETHERNESS ONLY THE ARTS CAN BRING.

>> THAT REALLY RELATES TO OUR NEW NAME BECAUSE THE ARTS REALLY DO CONNECT US TO ONE ANOTHER.

CONNECTED TO HISTORY AND SCIENCE.

CONNECTS US IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

TRUCK AS COVID RECEIPTS AND ARTS EDUCATION RETURNS TO LIBRARIES AND CLASSROOMS, SHE IS MORE CONFIDENT THAN EVER ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> THE WHOLE REBRANDING THING WAS A VERY INTENSE PROCESS.

IT HAS ACTUALLY REENERGIZED US AND, REENERGIZED OUR NAME IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WE INTERVIEWED VALENCIA IN THE MALCOLM X. LIBRARY, ONE OF MANY LOCATIONS WHERE ARTS EDUCATION CONNECTION SAN DIEGO HAS CONDUCTED PROGRAMS PER THE PROCESS OF RETURNING TO PLACES LIKE THIS IS NOW UNDERWAY.

>> MANY SCHOOLS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING IN PERSON PROGRAMMING AGAIN SO, THAT IS GETTING OFF OF THE GROUND.

SOME VENUES ARE STILL REQUESTING VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, SO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: CONTINUING TO DO THAT TAKES FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP OUT OR, IF YOU ARE JUST CURIOUS ABOUT ARTS EDUCATION CONNECTION SAN DIEGO, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE NEWLY REDESIGNED WEBSITE.

THE FIRST THING YOU WILL SEE IS THEIR MISSION STATEMENTS.

ARTS ARE ESSENTIAL, LEARNING IS CRITICAL AND, ART AND LEARNING IS TRANSFORMATIVE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.