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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING THE SUPREME COURT TO AND ASYLUM RESTRICTIONS BUT NOT TOMORROW AS PLANNED.

THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS THE COURT TO DELAY LIFTING TITLE 42 UNTIL AT LEAST AFTER CHRISTMAS.

BORDER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE PREPARING FOR AN INCREASE IN MIGRANT ARRIVALS.

>> Reporter: THE BACK AND FORTH ABOUT TITLE 42 IS CAUSING SOME CONFUSION FOR MIGRANTS WAITING TO MAKE AN ASYLUM CLAIM.

WE ARE TOLD THAT THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION WILL WEIGH HEAVILY IN THEIR CHOICES.

>> IT MIGHT AND INDICATE IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO PRESENT THEMSELVES TO U.S. BORDER PATROL AUTHORITIES BY CROSSING THROUGH UNREGULATED WAVES.

>> Reporter: ROBERT WORKS WITH NONPROFITS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

HE SAID IN TIJUANA MANY SHELTERS ARE OVERWHELMED.

>> OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE POPULATION WE HAVE SEEN IT GROW.

I'M VERY MUCH IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF OUR PARTNERS AT THE SHELTERS.

THEY ARE ALL OVERCAPACITY.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP ASYLUM SEEKERS WILL HAVE A LOT TO DEAL WITH.

>> OUR PARTNERS WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ASSIST THEM.

NOT ONLY THE CAPACITY BUT THE FUNDING.

>> Reporter: NEITHER CATHOLIC CHARITY NOR JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE TO TALK TO US TODAY.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES SENT US A STATEMENT SAYING THE RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK CONTINUES TO PREPARE FOR THE LIFTING OF TITLE 42.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WAS ALSO UNAVAILABLE, BUT THEY REFERRED US TO TWEET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS WHO SAID TITLE 42 REMAINS IN EFFECT AND THOSE WHO TRY TO ENTER THE COUNTRY UNLAWFULLY WILL BE EXPELLED TO MEXICO.

ESPINOZA ALSO TWEETED THAT DHS WILL CONTINUE PREPARATIONS TO MANAGE THE BORDER WHEN THE TITLE 42 PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER LIFT.

>>> A MAJOR SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT HAS BEEN HIT WITH A LAWSUIT ALLEGING RACIAL AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP IS A QUASIGOVERNMENTAL NONPROFIT THAT ADMINISTERS WORKFORCE TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMS.

TABITHA IS A FORMER HR EMPLOYEE WHO IS BLACK.

SHE SAID IN HER LAWSUIT SHE TRIED TO FLAG POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATION TAKING PLACE AT THE AGENCY.

SHE SAID THE CEO RETALIATED WITH RELENTLESS MICROMANAGEMENT , TAKING AWAY CERTAIN JOB DUTIES AND GIVING HER NO CHOICE BUT TO RESIGN.

HER ATTORNEY SAID THAT IS CALLED CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION AND IT IS ILLEGAL.

>> AN EMPLOYER CANNOT MAKE WORK SO INTOLERABLE FOR AN EMPLOYEE THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS FORCED TO QUIT.

CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZES WHEN AN EMPLOYEE FEELS THAT HE OR SHE CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE WITH THE EMPLOYER.

>>> AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAYS, WE ARE ALSO IN THE SEASON OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.

>> Reporter: BOOSTER SHOTS DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF PREVENTING SEVERE CASES OF COVID.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL INSTITUTE TOLD US THAT KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST BOOSTERS REDUCES THE CHANCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE BEING HOSPITALIZED BY 80%.

BOOSTER SHOTS DO NOT DO MUCH TO PREVENT INFECTIONS.

HE SAID MASKING DOES HELP WITH THAT.

>> THEY ARE NOT PERFECT AND THERE IS RELUCTANCE TO USE THEM .

PARTICULARLY, IT IS HARD TO USE THEM IF YOU'RE AT A HOLIDAY GATHERING HAVING A MEAL AT A PARTY, IT'S HARD TO WEAR A MASK AROUND ALL OF THAT OF COURSE.

WE NEED SOMETHING MORE THAN MASKS.

THERE'S ONLY ONE OTHER THING WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: HE SAID NASAL VACCINES ARE THE BEST SHOT TO BLOCK INFECTIONS.

THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN THE VERY PLACE WHERE VIRUS LADEN AEROSOLS INTO THE BODY.

THEY ARE ALREADY BEING USED IN INDIA AND CHINA.

>> I'M CONFIDENT WE WILL HAVE VACCINES THAT WORK.

THE ONLY QUESTION IS WILL THEY WORK FOR A FEW MONTHS OR LONGER?

THEY SHOULD WORK AGAINST ALL OF THE VARIANCE AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE VERY EXCITING IF THE ABILITY TO START TO BLOCK INFECTION AND THE WHOLE CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE HOPES TO SEE SOME NEWS FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS ABOUT AVAILABILITY IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

MEANWHILE, HE SAID SAN DIEGO IS GOING THROUGH ITS WORST FLU SEASON IN MANY YEARS.

THE GOOD NEWS, THE FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR WHICH TARGETS FOUR DIFFERENT STRAINS, IS PROVIDING SOME GOOD PROTECTION.

PEOPLE JUST NEED TO GET THE SHOT.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE'S ANOTHER HOLIDAY FOR DISTRIBUTION TODAY.

THIS ONE IS AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE.

MELISSA MADE TOLLS AS NOBODY EXPECTED THE NEED FROM THE PANDEMIC TO LAST THIS LONG.

>> Reporter: FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS FEEDING SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN HOSTING LARGE-SCALE DRIVE THROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

THEY WERE STARTED TO HELP FAMILIES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THESE WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE PERMANENT.

IT WAS THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR ALL OF THE FAMILIES THAT WERE STRUGGLING.

BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

BECAUSE OF THE RISING COST OF NEARLY EVERYTHING, WE JUST ARE NOT SEE IN THE LINES GO DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR FEEDING SAN DIEGO SPOKE TO US.

>> IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL TO SEE ALL OF THESE CARS HERE TODAY.

IT'S NOT LOST ON US.

IT HAS BEEN A REALLY HARD YEAR.

IT'S BEEN HARD TO SEE THINGS NOT NECESSARILY GETTING BETTER FOR PEOPLE.

>> SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE FOOD WAS FEEDING SAN DIEGO IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING.

>> WE ARE GRATEFUL BECAUSE IT HELPS A LOT FOR OUR FAMILY ESPECIALLY FOR THIS COMING CHRISTMAS.

>> Reporter: 65 VOLUNTEERS HELPED TO MAKE THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION RUN, INCLUDING THE MAYOR WHO KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

>> IT'S PART OF A TRADITION OF THE HOLIDAYS.

PROVIDING A HOLIDAY MEAL FOR MY FAMILY IS ONE OF MY GREATEST GIFTS.

WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES RECEIVED ABOUT 40 POUNDS OF FOOD INCLUDING SOME HOLIDAY STAPLES.

>> WE HAVE SWEET POTATO SO HOPEFULLY PEOPLE CAN MAKE SOME FAMOUS SWEET POTATO HOLIDAY DISHES.

WE HAVE DRYGOODS LIKE STUFFING MIX, CRANBERRY SAUCE, GREEN BEANS, WE HAVE FROZEN CHICKEN.

IT IS THINGS THAT PEOPLE WANT AND NEED.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE PREPARED TO SERVE 2000 FAMILIES.

>> THIS IS A FEELING OF COMFORT THAT CAN ONLY BE PROVIDED BY FOOD.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK IS MAKING AN URGENT CALL FOR DONORS AS SUPPLIES ARE URGENTLY LOW.

THEY SAID THEY ARE ALMOST OUT OF THE SPECIAL KIDS USED TO COLLECT DOUBLE RED.

THAT IS ESSENTIALLY TWO UNITS OF BLOOD AND ONE APPOINTMENT.

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 17 YEARS OLD AND WEIGH AT LEAST 114 POUNDS AND BE IN GOOD HEALTH.

YOU CAN SCHEDULE ONLINE OR CALL THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

>>> THE OUTBREAK OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES AFFECTING KIDS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAS CAUSED A RUN ON CHILDREN'S MEDICINES.

AS A RESULT, TWO OF THE LARGEST PHARMACY CHAINS ARE LIMITING PURPOSES.

WALGREENS WILL ALLOW SIX OVER-THE-COUNTER PURCHASES WHILE CVS WILL ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO GET JUST TWO PAIN RELIEF PRODUCTS EITHER ONLINE OR IN PERSON.

CVS SAID THEY ARE ALSO WORKING WITH THEIR SUPPLIERS TO MEET THE DEMANDS.

>>> PARENTS WITH CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL HAVE NOT HAD MUCH TIME FOR SHOPPING.

MATT HOFFMAN VISITED RADY CHILDREN'S WHERE STAFF ARE HELPING TO SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER .

>> Reporter: SANTA IS GETTING SOME EXTRA HELP THIS YEAR THANKS TO DONATIONS.

TO MACULA RESIDENT EMBERLEY MURPHY HAS HAD HER HANDS FULL AFTER HER THREE BOYS RECENTLY CAME DOWN WITH THE RESPIRATORY VIRUS RSV.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE CHRISTMAS IS IN FIVE DAYS.

IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A WHIRLWIND.

I'M NOT QUITE PREPARED.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THIS TOY AND BOOK EVENT IS SO CRITICAL.

SHE'S BEEN FOCUSED ON HER BOYS.

>> IT WAS MY BIGGEST FEAR COMING HOME.

IT CAME TRUE.

WATCHING HIM STRUGGLE TO BREEZE WAS THE HARDEST THING EVER.

WE GOT THEM IN TIME, LUCKILY.

HE'S RESILIENT AND HE WILL BE OKAY.

>> WHAT IS GOD'S BLESSING IN ALL OF THIS?

I GUESS IT WOULD BE TO LET OTHERS HELP YOU AND LET GOES ON THE CONTROL.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ARE EVEN HELPING WITH GIFTS.

AUSTIN AND VANESSA SMITH FROM VISTA WELCOMED THEIR FIRST DAUGHTER JUST A FEW DAYS AGO.

>> SHE HAD SOME BRAIN BLEEDING.

SHE IS DOING A LOT BETTER.

HOPEFULLY SHE CAN BE DISCHARGED TOMORROW AND WILL BE HOME WITH US FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>> Reporter: WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY, BUT SANTA IS DEFINITELY TAKING CARE OF HER THIS YEAR.

WHILE THIS IS CERTAINLY STRESSFUL, IT'S HARD TO HIDE THE EXCITEMENT OF BEING FIRST- TIME PARENTS.

>> IT STILL FEELS UNREAL.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY KIDS, THESE PRESENTS ARE COMING DIRECTLY FROM SANTA HIMSELF.

>> SOMETIMES THESE GIFTS ARE GIVEN TODAY AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE MAY BE GIVEN ON THE HOLIDAY.

HE MAY BE FROM SANTA OR THEY MAY BE FROM THE PARENT.

WE ARE SO GLAD WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS.

>> Reporter: AROUND 300 KIDS ARE HOSPITALIZED AND ALL OF THEIR PARENTS WERE OFFERED SANTA'S HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT MANY OF US TRAVELING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WILL HAVE OUR FACES SCANNED AT AIRPORTS.

THE TSA IS STARTING THE FACIAL RECOGNITION PILOT PROGRAM.

IT'S ALREADY GETTING A LOT OF PUSHBACK.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE NEW TECHNOLOGY FACING TRAVELERS AS THEY FLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION IS NOW SCANNING YOUR FACE AT SELECT AIRPORT CHECKPOINTS.

IT'S ALL PART OF A GROWING TEST WITH PASSENGERS AS THE SUBJECTS.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

>> WE ALREADY USE IT FOR OUR PHONES CONSISTENTLY.

JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IS DOING IT.

>> Reporter: THE TSA STARTED THE PROGRAM AT THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW THE AGENCY'S TRIAL IS EXPANDING TO MORE THAN A DOZEN DIFFERENT AIRPORTS.

THE LATEST ARE AMONG THE NATION'S'S BUSIEST IN DENVER, LAS VEGAS, DALLAS-FORT WORTH AND ATLANTA.

THE TSA ADMINISTRATOR SAID THE GOAL IS EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY BEFORE COMMITTING TO A NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT.

>> WE ARE ASSESSING ITS ACCURACY.

>> Reporter: THE PHOTO IS MATCHED WITH WHAT THE CAMERA SEES HERE.

>> THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN POSITIVE.

MORE EFFECTIVE, SPEEDIER, MORE EFFICIENT.

>> THE URGENT NEED FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THIS WILL SCREW UP AND PEOPLE WILL BE DETAINED BY TSA AND END UP WITH MORE SURVEILLANCE AND INVASION TO THEIR PRIVACY.

>> THE ALGORITHM HAS SO FAR PROVEN IN THE ASSESSMENT TO GET IT RIGHT MORE THAN THE HUMAN GETS IT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE TSA INSISTS THAT IT IS COMMITTED TO PASSENGER PRIVACY IMMEDIATELY DESTROYING MOST IMAGES AND SECURING DATA FROM CYBER ATTACKS.

THE SIGNS IN THE SECURITY LINE SHOW YOU WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE PART OF THE TEST.

YOU CAN OPT OUT.

>> I PREFER A PERSON.

>> THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF PARAMETER.

>> I DO NOT THINK TSA HAS MADE THE CASE THAT THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT'S THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: SOME SORT OF RECOGNITION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT AN IN-YOUR- FACE APPROACH.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND THE SCREENING PROCESS.

>>> AIRLINES WANT TRAVELERS TO CONSIDER REBOOKING CHRISTMAS TRIPS AHEAD OF SOME NASTY WINTER WEATHER.

A POTENTIAL BLIZZARD IS SET TO HIT CHICAGO AND THE MIDWEST.

SEVERAL AIRLINES HAVE POSTED TRAVEL WAIVERS.

YOU CAN CHECK YOUR AIRLINE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

>>> WE HAVE SOME WARMTH TO TALK ABOUT.

THE WARMING TREND WILL CONTINUE .

WILL TALK ABOUT SOME VERY WARM AIR.

THAT WILL BE PICKING HERE OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE COULD SEE SOME HIGH CLOUDS ROLLING IN AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT.

ANOTHER AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WILL BE MOVING ASHORE WELL TO THE NORTH.

LET'S TALK ABOUT TEMPERATURES FOR TONIGHT.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY DOWN TO 42.

37 IN OCEANSIDE.

MOUNT LAGUNA AT 31.

THE DRY DAY SHAPING UP AS WE GO THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

HERE'S SOME STORMING US OFF TO THE NORTH.

WE WILL SEE A CONTINUATION AS WE WORK OUR WAY AHEAD INTO THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO NOTCH THEIR WAY UP JUST A BIT.

WE ARE CLIMBING IN RAMONA, CHULA VISTA, AND MOUNT LAGUNA.

THE COLD AIR OUT TO THE NORTH AND EAST, LET'S TALK ABOUT TRAVELING.

IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE PLANS WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE FRIDAY THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTH IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY AND TO THE EAST.

BIG IMPACTS HERE.

HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS.

A BIG TEMPERATURE DROP.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ICY ROADS.

LET'S BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU AT THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES STAY PUT IN THE 60s FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

HERE IS YOUR BIG BOOST AS WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE INLAND INTERIOR VALLEYS.

WE ARE UP INTO THE 80s.

OVER THE MOUNTAINS WE WILL LOOK AT SUNSHINE AND A FEW CLOUDS LATER ON THIS WEEK OTHERWISE WE WILL SEE ANOTHER BOOST OF THE MERCURY SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY WITH THE OFFSHORE FLOW OF WIND COMING IN TOWARD THE COASTAL VALLEYS.

THAT'S WHERE THE WARMTH WILL BE MAXIMIZED.

EVEN HERE INTO THE DESERTS WE WILL BE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES CLIMBING THROUGH THE 70s WITH LOTS OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE BOARD.

>>> A 6.4 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HIT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY DAMAGING ROADS AND HOMES.

ACCORDING TO THE USGS HAPPENED AROUND 2:30 THIS MORNING IN THE CITY OF FERNDALE.

A SERIES OF AFTERSHOCKS FOLLOWED.

ROUGHLY 70,000 PEOPLE WERE LEFT IN THE DARK AS A RESULT.

>>> A SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT WHICH TRAINS TEENAGE GIRLS OF COLOR HAS TAKEN A PROGRAM TO AFRICA.

>> Reporter: THESE TEENAGE GIRLS ARE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO FLY DRONES LIKE THIS ALL BY THEMSELVES SOON.

THERE IS A SERIOUS SIDE TO IT ALSO.

JUST 15 OF THESE GIRLS ARE SAID TO BE CHOSEN TO UNDERGO FORMAL TRAINING TO BECOME CERTIFIED DRONE PILOTS.

THEY WILL BE USING EXPERTISE TO HELP TRACE THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE BETWEEN THE UK, AFRICA, AND THE U.S.

IT'S PART OF A PROGRAM BY A SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT.

>> THEY MATCH AREAS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT.

THEY USE THOSE IMAGES TO CREATE EXHIBITS TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN THOSE AREAS TO SHOW PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE CONTRIBUTORS TO AMERICAN HISTORY AS PEOPLE WITH NAMES VERSUS AS TOOLS THE WAY THEY ARE COMMONLY PORTRAYED.

>> Reporter: THE GIRLS WILL ALSO BE TRAINED IN LIDAR AND MAPPING TECHNOLOGY WHICH WILL HELP FIND HARD-TO-REACH PLACES.

THE IMAGES WILL BE USED TO CREATE DIGITAL EXHIBITS FOR THE FIRST BLACK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COLOR VIRTUAL MUSEUM.

IN ADDITION TO DISCOVERING MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN HERITAGE, THE GIRLS HELP THEIR NEWFOUND SKILLS WILL LEAD TO LIFE- CHANGING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THE IMPACT OF WOMEN-OWNED STEAM IS UNIVERSAL.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE JUST HERE IN THE STATES.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EMPOWER THE GIRLS AND WHO THEY ARE CULTURALLY BUT ALSO TO GIVE THEM THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO BE HIGH WAGE EARNERS.

>> Reporter: NEXT UP IN THE PROGRAM IS THE UK WERE STUDENTS THERE WILL ALSO BE TAUGHT TO FLY DRONES.

THEIR QUEST TO DISCOVER HOW THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND THE TRANS- ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE SHAPE THEIR LIVES TODAY.

>>> TONIGHT, CONGRESS UNVEILS A $1.7 TRILLION SPENDING DEAL TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION.

>>> 27 YEARS AFTER HER DEATH, LEGENDARY SINGER SELENA HAS INSPIRED A CLASS AT SAN DIEGO STATE.

EARLIER THIS YEAR WE VISITED THAT CLASS TO SEE HOW HER LEGACY LIVES ON.

♪ ♪ >> I HEARD HER SONG ON THE RADIO AND I REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

>> Reporter: GEORGIA IS A DRAMA QUEEN CREATED BY THIS YOUNG MAN.

HE'S IN A SMALL TOWN JUST NORTH OF MEXICO CITY.

GEORGIA SITS AT HER KITCHEN TABLE WITH A POWDER PUFF AND MAKE UP, PREPARING TO BECOME HER ALTER EGO SELENA.

THE TEJANO SUPERSIZE WHO DIED TRAGICALLY.

SHE HELPED A CONFUSED MEXICAN BOY LIVE AND FIND HIS TRUE IDENTITY.

>> I FEEL GREAT AND I LOVE WHAT I DO.

THAT IS THE MAIN THING.

>> Reporter: HE IMMIGRATED TO SAN DIEGO MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO.

SIGNS OF SELENA ARE EVERYWHERE IN HIS LIFE INCLUDING MEMENTOS AND MEMORIES OF VISITING HER GRAVE SITE.

ALL OF IT HAS BROUGHT HAPPINESS AND CONFIDENCE CREDITED TO SELENA, HER SONGS AND HER SPIRIT.

>> YOU CAN SEE THAT SHE WAS GIVING HER BEST.

SHE DID NOT SPEAK SPANISH WELL.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HAVING AN INTERVIEW IN ENGLISH AND I'M TRYING TO DO MY BEST.

WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: THE SOUNDS OF SELENA ARE PART OF A COLLEGE CURRICULUM.

THE PROFESSOR PITCHED THE IDEA TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF SAN DIEGO STATE PRE-PANDEMIC.

IT'S NOW A PERMANENT ELECTIVE OFFERED IN THE SPRING SEMESTER.

DR. NATE, AS STUDENTS CALL HIM AS A FAN AND FELLOW TEXANS WHO GREW UP WITH A HEAVY INFLUENCE FROM A SINGER.

HE BUILT THE CLASS SYLLABUS WITH 16 WEEKS OF LEARNING MODULES THAT USE SELENA AS A BRIDGE TO LATINO CULTURE, MEDIA REPRESENTATION AND PERSONAL IDENTITY.

THERE ARE FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS.

>> THEY GET TO SEE THE BLOCK AND GO TO THE BREWHOUSE FOR THE RELEASE OF THE BEER.

THEY GET TO SEE DRAG SHOWS AND WRITE ABOUT IT AND TAKE PICTURES AND VIDEOS.

>> Reporter: THEY STUDY THE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS OF CLASS ARE FOCUSED ON LEARNING THAT GOES BOLDLY DOWN THE RAINBOW ROAD.

>> SELENA IS A HUGE INSPIRATION TO THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF FIND MEANING IN HER MUSIC.

WE WILL LEARN ABOUT NOT JUST HER MUSIC BUT THE CULTURE.

>> Reporter: THE TERM [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] IS AN IMPORTANT ONE IN THE CLASS.

IT'S A PERSON CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO CULTURES.

KARINA CAN RELATE.

MEXICAN PARENTS THOUGHT THEY HELPED HER BY TAKING HER AND ENROLLING HER IN SCHOOLS WITH MOSTLY WHITE STUDENTS.

>> THE MOST PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SCHOOLS.

I COULD NOT FIND MYSELF.

I FELT LIKE THE ONLY ONE THAT LOOKS DIFFERENT.

MY THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE BLONDE HAIR OR BLUE EYES.

SHE HELPED ME TO IDENTIFY WHO I AM NOW.

>> NATALIA WAS ONLY THREE WEEKS OLD WHEN SHE WAS KILLED.

>> I NEVER GOT TO HAVE HER PRESENT THAT I HAD HER MUSIC.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE I WAS ABLE TO CREATE HER IN MY HEAD IN THE SENSE OF HOW THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO I WANT TO HAVE AS MY ROLE MODEL.

>> Reporter: THAT BRINGS US BACK TO GEORGE AT.

A LITTLE BOY FROM A LITTLE MEXICAN TOWN WHO USED TO DANCE AROUND HIS LIVING ROOM IMAGINING WHAT HE COULD BECOME SOMEDAY LISTENING TO THE MUSIC OF SELENA.

>> THE THING THAT I LEARNED FROM HER IS TO BE ALWAYS RESPECTFUL, KIND, AND SWEET.

THAT IS HOW I REMEMBER HER AND THAT'S HOW I AM EVERY TIME I AM ON STAGE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A LEGACY SET TO MUSIC THAT WILL NEVER DIE.

>> SELENA AND THE MEDIA IS ONCE AGAIN ON THE COURSE OFFERINGS FOR SPRING 2023.

YOU CAN FIND OUR STORIES TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS 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.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.