>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S TUESDAY, APRIL 26th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M TRYING FOR.

>>> GETTING ANSWERS.

SAVING LIVES.

VESICLE OF A TOWN HALL MEETING.

AT ISSUE IS THE HIGH NUMBER OF INMATE DEATHS WITHIN COUNTY JAIL AND NOW A NEW REPORT IS REVEALING MORE DISTURBING DETAILS.

HERE'S KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL.

>> Reporter: THE NEW REPORT COMES FROM A STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD.

THEIR EXECUTIVE OFFICER PAUL PARKER SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL BIG TAKEAWAYS.

MANY THAT ARE ALSO NOTED IN A RECENT STATE AUDIT.

THIS COUNTY JAILS HAVE THE HIGHEST UNEXPECTED DEATH RATE OUT OF 12 MAJOR COUNTY JAIL SYSTEMS IN THE STATE.

IN OTHER WORDS, DEATHS AMONG PEOPLE NOT BELIEVED TO BE IN DANGER OF DYING WHEN THEY WERE TAKING INTO CUSTODY.

THERE ARE MORE OCCIDENTAL AND OVERDOSE DEATHS HERE, AND THE LAST ONE WHICH WAS NOT IN THE STATE AUDIT, THE DEATHS IN COUNTY JAILS HAPPEN PRIMARILY AMONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE YET TO BE SENTENCED.

>> IT IS DISTURBING BUT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL RESEARCH TO INDICATE WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OR NOT.

BUCKET SHOWS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: BRANDON IS THE ATTORNEY FOR THE LOCAL NONPROFIT ADVOCATE FOR JUST AND MORAL GOVERNMENTS.

HE SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO ON SENTENCED PEOPLE DYING IN CUSTODY, THE DISTINCTION OF WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IS ONLY WORTH SO MUCH.

BUT PRESUMABLY THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY WERE SENTENCED OR ON SENTENCED, WEREN'T SENTENCED TO DEATH.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER NOTABLE TAKE AWAY FROM THE REPORT THAT WASN'T IN THE STATE AUDIT, MOST PEOPLE WHO DIE IN JAILS HERE ARE WHITE.

BUT THERE ARE MORE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN CUSTODY.

ALL OF THIS AND MORE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL BEGINNING AT 5:30.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO SEE WHETHER ANYONE WOULD BE ATTENDING THE CLERB TOWN HALL, BUT NO ONE GOT BACK TO US.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND THE TOWN HALL, YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO GET YOU THERE ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

YOU DON'T NEED TO REGISTER.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A MAN FROM CHULA VISTA IS AMONG DOZENS GRANTED A SECOND CHANCE BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE PRESIDENT IS USING HIS CLEMENCY POWERS FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING HIS PRESIDENCY, COMMUTING THE SENTENCES OF MORE THAN 75 NONVIOLENT DRUG OFFENDERS.

THE CHULA VISTA MAN IS RUBEN WHO WAS CONVICTED IN NEBRASKA BACK IN 2007.

THREE OTHER INDIVIDUALS WILL BE ISSUED FROM FULL PARDONS.

THE WHITE HOUSE DESIGNATED APRIL AS A SECOND CHANCE MONTH WITH INITIATIVES TO HELP PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TRANSITION BACK TO NORMAL LIFE.

>>> NEARLY 50,000 AMERICANS ARE STILL CATCHING COVID-19 DAILY, AND THAT NOW INCLUDES VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.

THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THE VICE PRESIDENT'S POSITIVE TEST RESULTS SAYING SHE HAS NO SYMPTOMS.

SHE LATER TWEETED THAT SHE IS GRATEFUL TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

THE VICE PRESIDENT IS NOW ISOLATING AT HER HOME IN WASHINGTON AND WILL WORK REMOTELY UNTIL SHE TESTS NEGATIVE.

>>> WE HAVE MORE ON COVID A LITTLE BIT LATER.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER TAKES A LOOK AT RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

HE WILL TELL US HOW THE LEGAL FIGHT OVER VACCINES MIGHT MAKE IT HARDER FOR GRANT APPROVALS FOR A HOST OF OTHER SENSITIVE ISSUES.

>>> ACCUSATIONS CONTINUE TO UNRAVEL TONIGHT IN THE TROUBLED SENT A DETAILED UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

A GROUP APPEARANCE IS CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD VICE PRESIDENT AFTER THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER PEREZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: BROTMAN DOES NOT MINCE WORDS.

>> I THINK HE NEEDS TO RESIGN.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL ALLMAN IS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SEND KEY TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

HE WAS TARGETED FOR A RECALL LAST YEAR, BUT OPPONENTS FAILED TO COLLECT ENOUGH SIGNATURES.

>> ADMINISTERS OUR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS ARE PROTECTING OUR KIDS RIGHT NOW.

FROM THE CHAOS AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

>> Reporter: SHE AND HER MILITARY HAS BEEN ARE THE PARENTS OF TWO TRANSGENDER CHILDREN.

HIS SON GRADUATED FROM THE ACADEMY IN 2021.

THEY MOVED THEIR EIGHTH GRADE SON FROM A SAN DIEGO SCHOOL TO PRIVATE EDUCATION TEMPORARILY BECAUSE OF LEADERSHIP CONCERNS AND FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY.

THE ROUDEBUSH'S HAVE JOINED A GROUP OF OTHER PARENTS AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, CLAIMING ALLMAN CONTINUES TO HARASS FAMILIES AND SCHOOL STAFF WHO OPPOSE HIM.

IT'S EVIDENCE, THEY POINT TO ALLMAN SPEAKING TO STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS.

>> I THINK THE VALUE THAT THEY PROVIDED IN WHAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE IS VERY NEAR ZERO.

>> Reporter: IN FEBRUARY, THERE WAS THIS EXCHANGE WITH SUPERINTENDENT CHERYL JAMES WARD WHO CLAIMED HARASSMENT OF HERSELF AND STAFF.

>> HE WANTS TO MEET WITH THEM.

HE ACTUALLY SHOULD HAVE TWO OF US THERE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT INTIMIDATED.

NOT DISRESPECTED.

I WOULD SAY THAT A FIRESTORM HAS BEEN CREATED.

A FIRESTORM WAS MANUFACTURED.

>> Reporter: DR. WARD HAS MADE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND CLAIMS BOARD RETALIATION IS BEHIND HER ADMINISTERED OF LEAVE AND POTENTIAL TERMINATION, FOLLOWING RACIALLY BIASED COMMENTS SHE MADE.

TRUSTEE ALLMAN GAVE KPBS NEWS THE STATEMENT.

ON FEBRUARY 18, I CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AFTER DR. WARD'S REMARKS IN A BOARD MEETING THE NIGHT BEFORE.

DR. WARD FILED A COMPLAINT ON MARCH 10th.

THE BOARD LATER APPROVED HIRING AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR WHO HAS BEEN WORKING EXPEDITIOUSLY.

I WILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY WHEN THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.

>> DR. WARD IS THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THIS DISTRICT TO ACTUALLY WANT TO HELP KIDS HELP PROTECT CLASSES.

AND DO MORE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: A PARENTS' PERSPECTIVE ON THE KSI CONTINUES.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS TODAY IN THE CONTROVERSIAL REMAINING MEXICO IMMIGRATION POLICY CASE.

THEY ARE CONSIDERING TITLE 42.

TRUMP ERA POLICY THE LESS BORDER OFFICIALS TURN MIGRANTS AWAY.

DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS.

NAMELY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTS TO END THE POLICY.

SOMETIMES KNOWN AS THE REMAINING MEXICO PROGRAM NEXT MONTH.

CRITICS OF REMOVING THE ORDER SAY IS LIKELY TO CAUSE A GREATER SURGE OF MIGRANTS AT AN ALREADY STRESSED BORDER.

MORE THAN 20 STATES HAVE FILED LAWSUITS, ASKING THE HIGH COURT TO INTERVENE.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN THE SOUTH IS ALREADY PLACING LEGAL HURDLE IN FRONT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS EFFORTS TO END TITLE 42 JOHN LAWRENCE WAS REACTION TO THE RULING THAT IS NOW IN THE WAY OF ENDING THE POLICY.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE IS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED FROM ENDING TITLE 42 BY A FEDERAL JUDGE IN LOUISIANA.

>> IF PRESIDENT BIDEN LIFTS TITLE 42, WHAT WE SEE TODAY WILL BE MUCH WORSE.

A COUNTRY WITHOUT A SECURE BORDER IS NOT A COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: TITLE 42 ALLOWS U.S. BORDER OFFICIALS TO TURN MIGRANTS AWAY DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS, NAMELY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> THIS IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION POLICY.

THIS TITLE 42 IS A HEALTH AUTHORITY THAT'S DETERMINED BY THE CDC, AND WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THAT'S VITAL.

MAYBE THIS IS A REMINDER OF THAT.

REBECCA CRITICS OF REMOVING THE ORDER SAY IS LIKELY TO CAUSE GREATER SURGE AT AN ALREADY STRESSED BORDER.

>> TITLE 42 IS A BAND-AID ON A GUNSHOT WOUND.

IT'S NOT ACTUAL BORDER SECURITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT, BUT IT REPRESENTS THE ABILITY TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY AND ACTUALLY SECURE THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTS TO IN THE POLICY WHICH WAS REVOKED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON MAY 23rd AND THE WHITE HOUSE SOURCE SAYS THE FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCK MAY NOT DISRUPT THOSE PLANS.

>>> I WOULD KNOW THERE ARE RANGE OF VIEWS ON TITLE 42.

THERE ARE SOME WERE VERY VOCAL ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT EXTENDED.

SOME ARE VOCAL ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> Reporter: I'M JOE LAWRENCE REPORTING.

>>> THE PRICE OF FOOD IS RISING THANKS TO INFLATION, BUT THERE IS SOME RELIEF FOR THOSE IN NEED.

KPBS JACOB SAYS A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW HAS LED TO A BIG INCREASE IN DONATIONS TO THE REGION'S LARGEST HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: THE NEW LAW SAYS BUSINESSES THAT GENERATE FOOD WASTE HAVE TO DONATE THEIR EDIBLE SURPLUS TO HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS.

SINCE IT TOOK EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st, EATING SAN DIEGO HAS SEEN A NEARLY 25% INCREASE IN EDIBLE FOOD DONATIONS.

THEY HAVE ALSO ADDED 25 NEW FOOD DONORS.

THE ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER PATTY O'CONNOR SAYS THE INCREASE IN DONATIONS COMES WHILE NEED IS HIGHER THAN BEFORE.

>> PRE-PANDEMIC, ABOUT 90% OF WHAT WE DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMUNITY WAS RESCUED AND DONATED FOOD.

NOW, WE ARE DISTRIBUTING MORE FOOD BECAUSE OF THE NEEDS HAVING INCREASED.

ABOUT 70% NOW OF WHAT WE ARE DISTRIBUTING AS DONATE FOOD IN THE OTHER 30%.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE IS THE SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER FOR JIMBO'S.

ONE OF THE COMPANIES THAT DONATES THEIR EXCESS FOOD.

>> IT USED TO BE ABOUT 7000 POUNDS MONTHLY LAST YEAR, AND OF THIS YEAR, IS LOOKING LIKE ABOUT 15,000 POUNDS EVERY MONTH.

ACROSS ALL OUR FOUR SOURCE.

A LOT OF THAT IS DUE TO HELPING US SHIP THAT MINDSET FROM SELLABLE, UNSELLABLE, AND THERE'S THAT MIDDLE PATH OF SELLABLE, EDIBLE, AND THEN NOT EDIBLE.

>> Reporter: BESIDES HELPING FEED THOSE IN NEED, THE NEW BILL HAS BEEN CUTTING DOWN ON HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF FOOD WASTE.

BUT IT'S A WIN-WIN SITUATIONS BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF ORGANIC FOOD WASTE THAT GOES INTO THE LANDFILLS, AND INSTEAD DONATING IT TO FOOD RECOVERY ORGANIZATIONS.

THEN WE ARE FEEDING PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: O'CONNOR SAYS BEATING SAN DIEGO RESCUES 2.3 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD EVERY MONTH.

JACOB, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO HAS A NEW TOOL IN ITS FIREFIGHTING ARSENAL.

TODAY, COUNTY SUPERVISORS APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A NEW TWIN ENGINE HELICOPTER THAT SPECIALIZES IN WILDFIRE RESPONSE AND PREVENTION.

THIS VIDEO FROM LAST WEEK SHOWS SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER GETTING AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT THE CHOPPER.

>>> EQUIPMENT IS JUST ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

TACTICS AND TEAMWORK NEED TO BE WORKED ON A YEAR-ROUND BASIS TO ALWAYS BE READY.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO SPENT THE DAY IN NORTH COUNTY WHERE OUR FIGHT AGENCIES WERE DOING JUST THAT.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A MASSIVE WILD FIRE AND FIREFIGHTERS JUST ARRIVED ON SCENE.

THEIR JOB IS TO PROTECT THIS HOME.

THIS IS ONLY A DRILL, BUT IT'S JUST LIKE THE REAL THING.

>> FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE STROKE, WHAT'S HAPPENED IS AS THESE FIREFIGHTERS CAME IN TO THE PROPERTY TO DO STRUCTURAL PROTECTION, ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS MADE CONTACT WITH A DOWNED ELECTRICAL LINE.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN JOSH SANDERS WITH THE CHULA VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ON THIS EXERCISE.

HE SAYS FIREFIGHTER DOWN IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO, BUT ONE THAT MUST BE PRACTICED SO FIRST RESPONDERS WITH THEIR EMOTIONS ASIDE AND KNOW WHAT TO DO.

>> WE TRUST THE FIREFIGHTERS WILL RISE TO THE MOMENT AND HANDLE THINGS APPROPRIATELY.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT NOTHING SUBSTITUTES FOR TRAINING.

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE POINT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MULTI AGENCY WILD PLAN PREPARED THIS EXERCISE THAT GOES OVER THREE DAYS IN VALLEY CENTER.

VALLEY CENTER FIRE PROTECTION CHIEF JOE NAPIER SAYS EVERY YEAR, THEY PREPARE AS IF THIS YEAR WILL BE THERE WORST FIRE SEASON YET.

>> THE DISTRICT IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH THE COOPERATORS OF CAL FIRE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AS PREPARED AS WE CAN POSSIBLY BE.

THIS DRILL TAKES THAT ELEMENT TO A GREATER LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTIRE COUNTY IS READY TO FIGHT FIRE AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.

>> Reporter: OVER 60 AGENCIES AND NEARLY 800 FIREFIGHTERS ARE PARTICIPATING FROM AS FAR NORTH AS ORANGE COUNTY, AND AS FAR SOUTH.

>> PROCEDURES WITH YOUR CRUISE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO FIRE ENGINEER MARCELLO HELPS COORDINATE WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS FROM ACROSS THE BORDER.

HE SAYS BOTH SIDES BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING AND COOPERATION.

>> THE FIRES BLOW ACROSS THE BORDER.

DON'T STOP AT THE BORDER.

SO THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE AS FAR AS STRATEGIES.

>> Reporter: JOSE LUIS JIMENEZ IS THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS IN TIJUANA.

HE SAYS THEY BROUGHT A REGIONAL TEAM TO LEARN STRATEGIES AND MANAGING LARGE-SCALE INCIDENTS.

AND THIS TRAINING WILL GO A LONG WAY BECAUSE WHEN THEY GO BACK, THEY WILL PUT ON THEIR OWN REGIONAL LARGE-SCALE EXERCISE.

JIMENEZ AS THAT NO MATTER THE BADGE, THEY ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER BECAUSE IT'S A BROTHERHOOD.

SANDERS SAYS WORKING THROUGH LIFELIKE SCENARIOS LIKE THESE, NO MATTER HOW BAD THE PRACTICE GOES, WILL HELP SAVE LIVES WHEN AND IF THE REAL THING HAPPENS.

>> ANY TIME YOU DO SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE'S BOUND TO BE MISTAKES.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WALK OF LIFE WE ARE IN.

AS LONG AS YOU CAN GET A FEW PRACTICE REPS IN AND MAKE THEM AS LIFELIKE AS POSSIBLE, YOU SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE STARTED OFF THE WEEK WITH SOME OF THOSE ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES, BUT NOW AS WE TAKE IT INTO THE MID- WEEK, WE ARE LOOKING AT A COOLING TREND THAT WILL APPROACH THE AREA.

ALSO LOW-LEVEL CLOUDS AROUND THE COASTAL AREAS AND MORE INTERIOR, YOU ALSO SEE THE LOW LEVEL CLOUDS AS WELL.

BY THE TIME WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, THINGS ARE LOOKING ON THE UP AND UP FOR TEMPERATURES.

WE GET BACK TO SOME SEASONAL IF NOT ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

TONIGHT WE DROVE BACK TO FORCE 40s IN RAMONA.

OCEANSIDE AND NOTICED THAT YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THAT CLOUD COVERAGE START TO BUILD IN THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

THIS IS A WARMING TREND WE SAW EARLY ON IN THE WEEK.

IT DOES CARRY ON OVER IN THREE OR WEDNESDAY BEFORE WE START TO SEE THIS DIP IN THE JETSTREAM WORK ITS WAY FURTHER TO THE SOUTH.

THE REMAINING DRY AND GUSTY WINDS ESPECIALLY IN THE MORE INTERIOR, INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

WE ARE SEEING THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS HEIGHTENING THAT BUYER DANGER THAT WE HAVE.

LOOK AT THE TEMPERATURES.

YOU CAN SEE HOW SOME OF THEM ARE SEASONABLE FOR OCEANSIDE AT 68.

SAN DIEGO WILL BE A 68.

CHULA VISTA, 66.

AND 91 DEGREES .

YOU WILL REMAIN WARM BUT THERE IS THE JETSTREAM.

PUSHES ITS WAY FURTHER TO THE SOUTH, SO WE DO START TO FEEL THAT COOLER SNAP, ESPECIALLY BY THURSDAY AND ALSO FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE COAST.

YOUR FIVE DAY A LOOK AT LOOK AT THE DIP IN TEMPERATURES FOR THURSDAY.

WE RISE BACK TO LOWER 70s BY THE TIME WE HAD OVER THE WEEKEND.

WE CAN LOOKING NICE ONCE AGAIN.

EVEN IN LAND, YOU GET TO THE LOWER 80s BY SATURDAY BUT NOTE THE DIP, ESPECIALLY IN TEMPERATURES FOR YOUR AFTERNOON HIGHS DOWN TO 67 FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

YOU WILL ALSO SEE SOME COOLING TRENDS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS HERE INTO THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

GREASY AS WELL IN THE EVENING HOURS FOR THURSDAY.

WARMING BACK UP TO THE MID-60s BY THE TIME YOU GET INTO THE WEEKEND.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY LOOKING QUITE NICE.

ACROSS THE DESERT, 90s OF THE FORECAST BY THE TIME WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MICHELLE.

>>> THE UNITED STATES INCREASES ARMED SHIPMENTS TO UKRAINE, WORRIES GROW ABOUT THE REACTION IN RUSSIA.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> THE MILITARY IS TAKING A HARD LINE ON TROOPS SEEKING RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS TO THE COVID VACCINE MANDATE.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAYS APPLICANTS WORRIED THE PENTAGON'S POSITION COULD MAKE IT HARD FOR OTHER TROOPS WHO SEEK DIFFERENT KINDS OF RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> Reporter: FIRST CLASS WEBB JOINED THE NAVY AFTER SEPTEMBER 11th, 2001.

SHE'S MUSLIM, BUT WEBB WAS TOLD THAT BOOT CAMP SHE COULD NOT COVER HER HAIR WITH HER TRADITIONAL A JOB.

>> I FELT NAKED.

I FELT EVERYONE WAS LOOKING AT ME.

I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE.

IT TOOK TIME FOR ME TO GET USED TO IT.

>> Reporter: SHE STILL COVERED HER HAIR WHEN SHE WAS OUT OF UNIFORM.

AS HER FAITH DEEPENED, SHE SAYS SHE WANTED TO MAKE THE HAJIB PART OF HER LIFE.

THEY GRANTED HER REQUEST FOR AN ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT.

>> IT'S SOMETHING I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WOULD PERCEIVE ME BECAUSE NOW I'M SUPPOSED TO BE THIS RELIGIOUS PERSON.

IF I GET UPSET, I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF WHAT I SAY AND WHAT I DO.

NOW I'M REPRESENTING MUSLIMS.

ALSO, IT MADE ME FEEL VERY PROUD BECAUSE NOW I FEEL LIKE NOW I'M REPRESENTING MUSLIMS AND THEY CAN SEE HOW WE REALLY ARE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS A NUMBER OF TROOPS INCLUDING A GROUP OF NAVY S.E.A.L.s I FILED LAWSUITS ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS.

THEY ARE CHALLENGING THE MILITARY COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATE.

THE PENTAGON IS DISCHARGING TROOPS WHO REFUSE THE SHOT.

ATTORNEY DANIEL BLOOMBERG'S FIRM HANDLES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CASES.

HE'S NOT INVOLVED IN COVID LAWSUITS, BUT HE'S WORRIED HIS CLIENTS COULD BE IMPACTED.

HE SAYS THE NAVY IS BYPASSING THE NORMAL PROCESS FOR GRANTING RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> I THINK THE PROCESS ITSELF IS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

BUT THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT NOBODY IS GETTING GRANTED.

NOBODY IS GETTING GRANTED.

>> Reporter: THE MAINSTREAM LEADERS SUPPORT THE VACCINE.

THE MOST COMMON OBJECTION IS THAT THE CELLS USE TO RESEARCH THE VACCINE WERE ANCESTORS OF ABORTED CELLS TAKEN DECADES EARLIER.

MORE THAN 3000 SAILORS HAVE APPLIED FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS SINCE THE MANDATE TOOK EFFECT IN NOVEMBER.

A FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUED AN INJUNCTION BARRING THE NAVY FROM DISCHARGING THEM, POSSIBLY UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT RULES.

BLUMBERG FEELS THOSE CASES MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE MILITARY TO DENY OTHER RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> IF A SERVICE MEMBER HAS A SINCERE RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND THE GOVERNMENT SUBSTANTIALLY BURDENS IT, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD REASON TO DO THAT AND NO OTHER WAY OF A COALITION OMISSION.

>> Reporter: HE HAS FOUND LAWSUITS TO WEAR TRADITIONAL TURBINES.

ANOTHER SAILORS EMPHASIS WITH HIS WEARING BEARDS.

THE LAW IS SUPPOSED TO FIND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WHEREVER PRACTICABLE.

>> THERE ARE SOME ENVIRONMENTS THAT WILL NOT BE AS CONDUCIVE FOR HAVING A BEARDED OR MUSLIM SERVANT.

IT WON'T.

SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN OTHER CONTACTS.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THEY CAN WORK A DESK JOB BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE DISCHARGED.

NAVY LEADERS HAVE TOLD THE COURTS THAT THEY SEE VACCINATION AS THE WAY BACK TO NORMAL AFTER CRIPPLING COVID-19 OUTBREAKS SIDELINED CHIPS.

NAVY SURGEON GENERAL BRUCE BILLINGHAM SPOKE TO SAILORS IN THE VIDEO.

>> OBIT IS A FORCE READINESS ISSUE AND THERE'S NO BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY OR THE COMMUNITY, THEN GETTING THE IMMUNITY THAT COMES FROM BEING VACCINATED.

>> I DO SUPPORT THE COVID VACCINE, SO THAT'S WHY I'M VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: OFFICER WEBB SAYS SHE ASKED THEM TO WRITE A LETTER TO HER COMMAND AFTER SHE BECAME MORE OBSERVANT.

EVEN THOUGH SHE PLANS TO RETIRE FROM THE NAVY IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.

IN HER CASE, THE NAVY SET LIMITS ON WHERE SHE CAN WEAR HER HAJIB.

FOR INSTANCE, IF HE EVER WORKS ON A LIFELINE.

>> WHY WILL I WAIT UNTIL LATER?

I DON'T KNOW.

GO AHEAD AND DO IT NOW.

I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT'S HELP ME BECOME A BETTER PERSON.

>>> STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S AIRLINE CARRIERS IS GIVING ITS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS A BOOST IN PAY.

DELTA WILL EXPAND THE TIME FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ARE PAID FOR THEIR WORK BY INCLUDING THE BOARDING..

THE CHANGE TAKES EFFECT IN JUNE.

TYPICALLY WORKERS ONLY EARN MONEY FROM GATE TO GATE WHILE THE PLANE IS MOVING.

THIS ALL COMES AS THE NATION'S FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION IS TRYING TO ORGANIZE DELTA CREWS.

>>> RESTAURANT, URBAN GARDEN, AND A JOB-TRAINING CENTER FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.

THAT'S THE BUSINESS MODEL OF MAKE PROJECTS IN NORTH PARK.

KPBS 'S JACOB SAYS THE IMPACT THAT NONPROFIT IS HAVING ON THE LIVES OF SAN DIEGO'S.

>> Reporter: A LUSH GARDEN, GREEN PATIO AND A GROUP OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ARE SOME OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU NOTICE AT MAKE CAFE.

THE CAFE IS PART OF A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE ACRONYM STANDS FOR EMERGING AGRICULTURE , KITCHENS AND APPOINTMENT.

>> WE HAVE AN AMAZING URBAN FARM.

WORKING FOR HIM.

WE HAVE A RESTAURANT THAT HAS THURSDAY AND SATURDAY DINNER SERVICE AND LUNCH SERVICE.

THEN WE ARE ALSO PRIVATE EVENTS CATERING COMPANY.

>> Reporter: MAKE PROJECTS FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SHE MAY SAYS THEY OFFER PAID JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND ADULTS.

>> WE HAVE THEM ENROLL IN A SIX TO EIGHT WEEK PAID WORK EXPERIENCE.

THEY ARE WORKING ABOUT 10 HOURS A WEEK ON THE FARM, IN THE RESTAURANT, AND THEY HAVE AN HOUR WEEK OF JOB READINESS TRAINING.

THE ADULTS ARE THREE MONTHS LONG AND THEY ARE A BIT MORE INTENSIVE.

12 TO 15 HOURS A WEEK.

>> Reporter: A FEW OF THE RECENT MAKE PROJECT YOUTH PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE SOPHOMORE NADINE AND JUNIOR ANON.

THEY BOTH ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL IN CITY HEIGHTS AND WERE FRIENDS BEFORE JOINING THE PROGRAM.

>> THERE'S FOUR POSITIONS.

WE SWITCH OUT SO THERE'S HOSTESS, SERVER, BEVERAGE AND THE PERSON WHO DOES THE FARM.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT GIVES THEM A LOW STRESS OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR PUBLIC SPEAKING, WRITING AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES.

>> WE LEARN HOW TO APPLY TO JOBS.

WE LEARN MAKING A RESUME, AND THOSE HELP ME A LOT BECAUSE NOW WHEN I SIGN UP TO JOBS, I KNOW WHAT TO DO EXACTLY AND I HAVE MY RESUME READY WHICH HELPED ME, YOU KNOW, WITH JOHNSON LOOKING FOR THE INTERESTED IN ME.

>> Reporter: SENIOR FARM TRAINER ROBBIE WILCOX TEACHES STUDENTS LIKE THEM ABOUT JOB SKILLS, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FOOD AND GARDENING KNOWLEDGE.

HE SAYS THEY HAVE TRAINEES LEAD FARM TOURS TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE.

>> IF YOU LEARN NOT NECESSARILY HOW TO FARM, BUT NUTRIENT CYCLING OR ORGANIC PEST MANAGEMENT OR WHAT THESE DIFFERENT VARIETIES ARE, AND TALK ABOUT THEM, YOU CAN WORK AT PUBLIC SPEAKING, PROFESSIONAL KIND OF PRACTICE MUSCLE WITHOUT HAVING TO MIND THE WELL ALL THE TIME ALSO.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER TIME THEY TRAIN YOUTH AND ADULT PARTICIPANTS IS THROUGH THE HANDS ON JOBS OF THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS.

JEANETTE SANDOVAL SUPERVISES THE CAFE.

>> FOR A LOT OF OUR ADULTS, TRAINEES, LANGUAGE BARRIERS ARE REALLY HARD FOR THEM.

SO THEY USUALLY GO BACK BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO COMMUNICATE IN THE KITCHEN AND FOOD THEN TO COMMUNICATE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: IT'S 15% SELF- SUSTAINING FROM THEIR BUSINESS INCOME, BUT AIMS TO BE AT 80% IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THAT GROWTH WOULD COME FROM THEIR MULTIPLE CHANNELS FROM THE MISSION, INCLUDING A VIRTUAL BOX SUBSCRIPTION AND THEIR GROWING CAFE WHICH WAS AN ACCIDENTAL BYPRODUCT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> ORIGINALLY IT WAS CATERING, AND THAT WAS SO SAD TO SEE ALL THAT BUSINESS GO AWAY.

WHEN WE REINVENTED WITH THE RESTAURANT MODEL, THAT'S BECOME SO MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE LEARNING ALL THEIR SOFT SKILLS AND SOCIAL SKILLS THAT ARE DIRECTLY TRANSLATING INTO BETTER EMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY IT'S A PROGRAM OF ACCEPTANCE OR THE LEARN JOB AND LIFE SKILLS FROM STAFF WHO ARE PATIENT AND KIND.

>> IT HAS VERY GOOD COWORKERS AND EVERYONE AROUND IS REALLY SWEET, AND THEY HELP A LOT IF YOU NEED IT.

THEY ARE JUST ALWAYS THERE.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD ENVIRONMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Reporter: NOW, INTEREST IS FOCUSED ON APPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES THIS FALL.

HER GOAL IS TO OPEN A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS ON THE LESSONS SHE LEARNED FROM MAKE PROJECTS.

AND AS MANN IS EXCITED TO BEGIN HER JOB MAKING PIZZAS AT LITTLE CAESARS.

A ROLE SHE HELPED APPLY FOR THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

JACOB, KPBS NEWS.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M TRYING FOR.

GOOD NIGHT.