>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENT.

ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM SINCE 1978 .

AND BY THE DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY .

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THE EVENING .

IT IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY NINE TEEN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT HOSPITALS BEING STRESSED IN THEIR LIMITS.

NOW BUT TO HAVE DECLARED INTERNAL DISASTERS BECAUSE OF A FLOOD OF PATIENTS.

KPBS JACOB AERE WITH THE ISSUES AND WHAT IS AHEAD.

>> Reporter: THE SITUATION BECAME SO SEVERE TUESDAY THAT THE REGION'S TWO MAIN ETHICAL FACILITIES DECLARED INTERNAL DISASTER.

THAT'S A WAY FOR HOSPITALS TO TELL THE REGENTS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM THEY NEED TO CLOSE THE DOORS TO ALL ADDITIONAL PATIENTS INCLUDING BOSON AMBULANCES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY A COUNTYWIDE BAN ON DIVERSION PICKETT IS A LAST RESORT OPTION WHICH MEANS THE HOSPITALS HAVE NO MORE BETS OR RESOURCES TO SAFELY CARE FOR THE PATIENTS.

>> THERE IS NO MORE PLACE TO PHYSICALLY PUT ANYBODY AND WE HAVE FIVE AMBULANCES WAITING TO OFFLOAD THEIR PATIENTS.

THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS THE SITUATION AS THE CHULA VISTA HOSPITAL WAS THE PERFECT STORM.

>> WE HAVE 22 HALLWAY BEDS.

ABOUT 20 HALLWAY BEDS.

>> Reporter: WAS CALLED THAT SCRIPT TUESDAY NIGHT.

SHARP CHULA MEDICAL CENTER ALSO DECLARED ITS OWN DISASTER THAT ENDED THIS MORNING .

THEY SHIFTED TO OTHER HOSPITALS ACROSS IAN EAGLE COUNTY.

SCRIPPS FACILITY DID NOT HAVE TO DO SO.

LOCAL HOSPITALS WERE UNDER IMMENSE STRESS YEAR AGO.

CEO CHRIS HOWARDS HAS THIS TIME IT IS DIFFERENT.

>> NOT ONLY OUR HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS INCREDIBLY FULL BUT STAFFING IS INCREDIBLY STRESSED.

WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE OUT WITH COVID, WE HAVE STAFF THAT HAVE RETIRED OR RESIGNED DUE TO THE STRESS OF NOW WHAT IS APPROACHING THE THIRD YEAR OF THIS PANDEMIC SO THE DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR IS THE STAFF IS INCREDIBLY THIN .

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE COUNTY'S PARAMEDICS HAVE A NEW OPTION .

>> THE COUNTY TO JUST RELEASED YESTERDAY BUT THEY CALLED TREE AND ASSESS FOR THE PARAMEDICS WHICH MEANS THAT THEY CAN OFFER DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO PATIENTS I REALLY DO NOT HAVE TRULY EMERGENCY CONDITIONS SO THEY DON'T COME INTO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME SCRIPPS AND CHARTRES DECLARED EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

THEIR ORGANIZATION MODEL SHOW 1 TO 2 MORE WEEKS BEFORE THE OMICRON WAVE STARTS TO DECLINE.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS SURPASSED 600,000 COVID CASES SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORTED MORE THAN 35,000 NEW CASES OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND FROM FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

HOWEVER, IT APPEARS SAN DIEGO IS STARTING TO COME OFF OF THE CURRENT SURGE PICK KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THAT IS ACCORDING TO WASTEWATER DATA ACROSS THE REGION.

>> Reporter: THE LATE 19 WASTEWATER DATA NOW SHOWS THAT THE RECORD SPREAD OF THE VIRUS IN SAN DIEGO IS BEGINNING TO FALL.

>> IT IS POSSIBLE THAT CASES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE AND MAY BE WILL .

AROUND NOW.

>> Reporter: THE PROFESSOR LEADS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN ANALYZING SAN DIEGO SEWAGE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS .

HE SAYS THAT WASTEWATER IS A LEADING INDICATOR OF THE VIRUS IS SPREAD WITH DATA TYPICALLY AHEAD THREE THREE WEEKS AHEAD OF CONFIRMED CASES.

>> THERE'S STILL VERY HIGH READINGS IN THE WASTEWATER AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CONTINUED DECLINE IS WELCOME NEWS FOR HOSPITALS THAT ARE UP AGAINST DWINDLING CAPACITY BUT WITH THOUSANDS OF CASES STILL BEING REPORTED DAILY WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE SERGIO.

>> REMEMBER WE SAW HAVE TO BE CAREFUL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: SAMPLES ARE PICKED UP FROM THE POINT LOMA PLANT ABOUT FOUR TIMES A WEEK.

THEY ARE ALSO BEING TAKEN FROM ACROSS THE UC SAN DIEGO CAMPUS .

THE OMICRON VARIANT MAKES UP THE MAJORITY OF THE CURRENT SAMPLES AND NICEST WITH THE STRAIN BEING MORE CONTAGIOUS IT LIKELY CONTRIBUTED TO SHARPER CASES COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWSBREAK >>> TWO YEARS INTO THE PANDEMIC WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET US OUT?

WHILE IT APPEARS COVID IS NOT GOING AWAY IT COULD GET TO AN END STAGE MEETING AT LOCALS USUALLY PRESENT IN A COMMUNITY MORE LIKE THE FLU.

DR. ERIK SAYS THE HOPE IS WE WILL SEE CONTAINMENT OF THE VIRUS WITH ONLY OCCASIONAL, SMALLER OUTBREAKS.

>> PROBABLY THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE BUT IT IS NOT CERTAIN AT ALL PICK BECAUSE OF OUR LACK OF COULD TUNING AROUND THE WORLD THERE COULD BE ANOTHER VARIANT THAT CAN COME ALONG THAT WILL BE VERY CHALLENGING THAT WOULD UPSET THE WHOLE CONTAINMENT THEME.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE OVER TIME.

>> THE DOCTOR ADDED THAT VACCINATION WILL BE KEY TO CONTAINMENT OF THE FIVE RESPECT THE LATEST DATA FROM THE CDC SHOWS 67% OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. FIVE YEARS AND UP ARTFULLY VACCINATED.

JUST UNDER 80% HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

>>> IS STILL BRYDEN FINISHES HIS FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE ALL FACED DEALING WITH A CAN THAT CONTINUED PANDEMIC .

TODAY HE ADDRESS THE NATION TO UPDATE HIS ADMINISTRATION'S GOALS AND WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> Reporter: MARKING HIS FIRST FULL YEAR IN OFFICE I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP AND ACCEPT THINGS AS THEY ARE NOW.

HE HELD A FORMAL NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE FIELDING QUESTIONS AS HIS ADMINISTRATION STRUGGLES TO GET A GRIP ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC >> SOME PEOPLE MAY CALL WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW A NEW NORMAL.

I CALL IT NOT YET FINISHED.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT TOUTING VACCINATIONS AND MORE JOBS.

>> I'M GOING TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD MAKING THE CASE AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE UP FOR REELECTION AND OTHERS MAKING THE CASE OF WHAT WE DID DO AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: WITH RECENT KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS SHOWING RECORD INFLATION MANY AMERICANS ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME.

THE PRESENT SEEKING TO EASE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.

>> THE BEST THING TO TACKLE HIGH PRICES IS A MORE PRODUCTIVE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: HIS APPEARANCE AT THE PODIUM CUB SAYS HIS BUILD BACK BETTER PLANTINGS IN THE BALANCE.

HIS RECENT PUSH FOR VOTING RIGHT LEGISLATION ALSO ENCOUNTERING ROADBLOCKS.

DESPITE THE ROADBLOCKS THE PRESIDENT PLEDGED TO FORGE AHEAD.

IN WASHINGTON, CHRIS WIN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED A NEW PROGRAM TO GET AND 95 MASKS TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

COMING UP ON KPBS EVENING EDITION HOW YOU CAN GET ONE AND HOW LONG EXPERTS SAY YOU CAN WEAR THE MASK BEFORE TOSSING IT.

>>> BILL GORE ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO RETIRE NEXT MONTH .

HE SAID HE WILL RETIRE ON FEBRUARY 3rd NEARLY A YEAR BEFORE THE END OF HIS FOURTH TERM AS SHERIFF BUT HE ANNOUNCED LAST SUMMER HE WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION THIS YEAR.

GORE WAS APPOINTED SHERIFF IN 2009 BY THE BOARD OF SUPERIORS AND THEN ELECTED TO THE POSITION THREE TIMES .

IN MARCH SUPERVISORS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TO CONSIDER AN INTERIM CHEF TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF COURSE TERM .

>>> PHOTOJOURNALIST WAS MURDERED OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON MONDAY MORNING .

U.S.

AMONG MORE THAN 45 JOURNALISTS WHO HAS BEEN KILLED IN MEXICO SINCE 2000.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SHOWS US WHO MARTINEZ WAS AND WHAT OUR REGION LOST.

>> THAT WAS MARTINEZ .

STREAMING FROM A TIJUANA CRIME SCENE.

IT WAS ONE OF HIS LAST DREAMS.

THIS ONE ABOUT HUMAN REMAINS FOUND ON A PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS.

WHEN IT CAME TO COVERING MURDER AND ONE OF THE DANGEROUS CITIES OF THE WORLD HE WAS THE BEST PICK HE OFTEN WORKED ALL NIGHT.

>> I SHARED WITH HIM MANY, MANY LATE NIGHTS.

AMBULANCE POLICE OFFICERS, MILITARY CONVOYS.

>> MILITARY JOURNALIST THAT SAID WHAT STOOD OUT ABOUT HIM WAS HIS ABILITY TO STAY POSITIVE AMID SO MUCH CHAOS.

>> EVEN IN THE WORST SITUATIONS HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH A REASSURING SMILE >> IT MADE YOU FEEL HEY BUDDY WHERE GOING TO BE OKAY .

>> Reporter: IN MANY CASES MARTINEZ WAS THE ONLY PHOTOJOURNALIST DOCUMENTING MURDERS .

BUT TYPICALLY THOSE IN TIJUANA WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS.

SANDRA DIBBLE HAS COVERED TIJUANA FOR DECADES .

SHE SAYS WITHOUT HIS WORK A LOT OF THOSE KINDS WOULD'VE GONE UNREPORTED.

>> SOMEBODY LIKE HIM WAS ANY CENTRAL PERSON TO DOCUMENT THESE.

I THINK TO HAVE SOMEONE GO OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, DID SORT OF KEEP THE EYES OF THE WORLD ON AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR TIJUANA THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE EASY TO OVERLOOK >> Reporter: NEWS OF MARTINEZ IS MURDER SHOT TIJUANA'S COMMUNITY.

CALLING SET UP A GOFUNDME PAGE TO HELP HIS WIDOW AND 16-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER.

I MET MARTINEZ A FEW YEARS AGO WHILE WORKING ON A STORY AND I STILL REMEMBER HIM TELLING ME ABOUT THE FIRST TIME HE PHOTOGRAPHED A CORPSE .

HE WAS 30 AND DRIVING IN TIJUANA WITH HIS MOM WHEN THEY HEARD GUN FIRE.

MARTINEZ SAID ANY OTHER MOTHER WOULD HAVE TOLD THEIR SON TO GO THE OTHER WAY.

SHE TOLD HIM TO GRAB A CAMERA AND RUN TOWARD THE SCENE.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID PICK UNTIL THE DAY HE DIED.

[ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> GUSTAVO'S THE LEASE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTACKING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT A VACCINATION CLINIC IN ORANGE COUNTY .

PROSECUTORS SAY 44- YEAR-OLD THOMAS APOLLO WAS ASKED TO LEAVE THE FAMILIES TOGETHER CLINIC BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO WEAR A MASK.

THAT IS WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY CALLED CLINIC WORKERS MURDERERS AND PUNCH TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PICK STAFFERS OUT THE MAN DOWN UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED PICK IS BEING CHARGED WITH BATTERY AS WELL AS OTHER MISDEMEANORS AND HE FACES THREE YEARS IN JAIL IF CONVICTED .

>>> IT APPEARS THE 5G SAGA IS FAR FROM SETTLED.

TODAY MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES CANCELED FLIGHTS TO THE U.S. OR CHANGE THE PLANES THEY WERE USING PICK SOME SAID THEY RECEIVED WARNINGS FROM THE FAA OR BOEING THAT THE PLANE MAKER WAS PARTICULARLY AFFECTED .

CONCERNS OVER WHETHER 5G MOBILE PHONE SERVICE COULD INTERFERE WITH THE AIRCRAFT I GO TO LET AT&T AND VERIZON TO DELAY ACTIVATING TOWERS NEAR SOME AIRPORTS .

AND AIRLINE TRADE GROUP SAID IS GOING TO TAKE TIME TO GET IT ALL SORTED OUT PICK >> THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE NEED TO KEEP DOING THIS WORK WITH A REAL SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET IT DONE SO THAT PLANES CAN KEEP FLYING AND WE CAN DEPLOY 5G AT THE SAME TIME.

>> THE FAA IS WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING RESTRICTIONS WHERE AT FIRST THE SIGNALS COULD INTERFERING WITH RADAR EQUIPMENT ON AIRPLANES.

THOSE RULES VARY BETWEEN AIRPORTS BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIABLES TO CONSIDER.

THINGS LIKE HOW MUCH POWER IS USED AND EVEN THE TILTED ANTENNAS CAN IMPACT WHETHER 5G POSES A THREAT.

>>> GET READY FOR A NICE FORECAST .

TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE ON THE RISE, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

THE ONLY THING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS LATE NEXT WEEK .

SANTA ANNA WINS WHICH MEANS .

FROM RAMON IN EL CAJON .

UPPER 40s AND PARETO SPRINGS GETTING DOWN TO 40 DEGREES IN MT.

LAGUNA.

THURSDAY NICE QUIET, DRY, MILD DAY PICK TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE WITH EACH AND EVERY DAY GETTING A LITTLE BIT WARMER .

AS WE HEAD TOWARD FRIDAY IS LIKELY WHEN THE WINDS WILL BEGIN TO PICK UP .

74 OUT TOWARD BORREGO SPRINGS.

CHULA VISTA GETTING UP TO 72.

FRIDAY, AGAIN, WE ARE DRY AND MILD BUT THE WINDS ARE GOING TO BE PICKING UP ESPECIALLY FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN NEVADA AND WESTERN ARIZONA BRINGING IN SOME WARMER CONDITIONS FOR US .

AS WE HAD FROM THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE REALLY WARMING UP NICELY NEAR THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES NEAR LOW 70s THURSDAY .

LOW SIDE LOW 70s SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

TEMPERATURES LOOKING TO STAY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR NEXT WEEK .

FURTHER INLAND LOW TO MID 70s FOR THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

KEEPING THOSE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HERE.

THE PICTURES COULD DROP A LITTLE BIT THIS WEEKEND INTO THE LOW 40s BUT THE SUNSHINE CONTINUES.

WE WILL BE BACK UP TO CLOSE TO 50 DEGREES AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEW WORK WEEK .

TEMPS IN THE UPPER 40s FOR YOU ON MONDAY.

IN THE DESERT TEMPERATURES NOT CHANGING A WHOLE LOT COVERING THE LOW TO MID 70s, MAYBE EVEN CLOSING IN ON THE UPPER 70s AS WE HEADED TO NEXT MONDAY.

FOUR KPBS NEWS I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GIVING FUNDS .

IN OCTOBER THE US DHC SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR $115 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING PROGRAM .

SANDY TO RECEIVE THAT THIRD MOST REALLOCATED FUNDS ACROSS THE NATION AT $8.3 MILLION .

STILL THE TOTAL OBLIGATION STILL EXCEEDS THE MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE.

THE HOUSING COMMISSION HAS ALMOST $43 MILLION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE PAYMENT SPEC 70 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS ARE NEEDED TO FIFTH REQUEST FROM CURRENT APPLICANTS.

>>> 400,000,095 MASK ARE SAID TO GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE PICK MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON HOW YOU CAN GET ONE AND HOW LONG EXPERTS SAY YOU CAN WEAR THEM AT FORECASTING IT .

>> Reporter: THE OMICRON CASE WAVE MAY HAVE REACHED ITS .

BUT NOT IN EVERY STATE AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HOLDING STEADY.

IN AN EFFORT TO SLOW THE SPREAD WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS WELL MAKE 400,000,095 MASKS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

>> THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT COMMITTEE HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY .

IF YOU WANT TO GET WHEN YOU CAN GO TO YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY AND PICK ONE UP .

AND 95 MASK MAY PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION THAN ONES MADE OF CLOTH.

HOW LONG CAN YOU WEAR THE MASK BEFORE TOSSING IT?

LYNN SEE MARA PROFESSOR AT VIRGINIA TECH SAYS SHE WEARS HERS FOR A WEEK.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS MAKE SURE IT SEALS WELL ALL THE WAY AROUND YOUR FACE .

THAT INCLUDES BENDING THE NOSE BRIDGE TO FIT YOUR NOSE.

>> TO REUSE THE MASKS AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE AVOID TOUCHING THE OUTER FRONT PART OF THE MASK WHEN PUTTING IT IN .

INSTEAD HANDLE IT BY THE EDGES OR STRAPS.

THE MASS BECOME DAMP, VISIBLY DIRTY, GREASE EVEN FROM MAKEUP REPLACE THE .

THE LONGER YOU WEAR IT THE MORE CONTAMINATING IT BECOMES.

SETTING IT FOR THE SUNLIGHT FOR SEVERAL HOURS MAY HELP ARTICLES PARTICLES DRY OUT BUT NEVER PUT IT IN THE MICROWAVE.

THEY SHOULD NEVER BE WASHED AS WATER MAKES THEM INEFFECTIVE .

FOR HEALTH MINUTE I AM INDICATE THERE.

>>> DID YOU ORDER YOUR FREE COVID TEST FROM THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE?

SOME PEOPLE ARE REPORTING TROUBLE GETTING THEIR ORDER TO GO THROUGH .

AFTER BEING REDIRECTED FROM THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE AND FILLING IN THEIR INFORMATION ON THE USPS WEBSITE MANY RESIDENTS GOT MESSAGES THEY HAD ALREADY REQUESTED THEIR TEST .

IT SEEMED A HABIT TO THOSE LIVING IN MULTI FAMILY HOMES, APARTMENTS AND EVEN SOME COLLEGE DORMS LEAVING SOME TO QUESTION IF IT MAY LEAD TO FURTHER INEQUALITY.

>> THE LOGISTICS OF THIS ARE LEADING TO THE SAME THINGS WE HAVE SEEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS IT IS MOST LIKELY THESE TESTS ARE GOING TO WIND UP IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

>> THE GOVERNMENT PREDICTS MOST RAPID TEST WAS SHIP IN 7 TO 12 DAYS STARTING IN LATE JANUARY.

THOSE TESTS ARE LIMITED TO FOUR PER HOUSEHOLD.

>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS OUR PRESIDENT BIDED DEFENSE HIS AGENDA.

ONE YEAR INTO HIS ADMINISTRATION .

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER TRAN THREE.

>>> A NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES PRODUCED BY THE SAN DIEGO BASED VET-TV LOOKED AT AFGHANISTAN THROUGH THE EYES OF VETERANS.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAYS IT IS SOMETHING NEW FOR THE GROUP.

>> Reporter: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WAR, DOES THE ROB LOOK AT THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN BY AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT THERE DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS .

IS PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY THE THAT'S, AN ARMY VETERAN WHO SERVED FROM 2005 TO 2013 PICK THAT'S WAS IN BOTH IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND ALSO APPEARS IN THE FILM.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO CENSOR OUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS.

AND PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION IS LIKE, WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR US ON THE GROUND AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO SUSTAIN 20 YEARS WORTH OF WORK THERE.

THE DOCUMENTARY IS REVOLVED AROUND AFGHANISTAN BUT IRAQ IS NO DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: MANY VETS WANTED TO TALK AFTER THE FALL OF KABUL IN 2021 WHICH BROUGHT THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT PICK >> ONE OF THE MOST POIGNANT RESPONSES I HAD WHEN I ASKED GENERAL ABOUT HOW HE FELT ABOUT THE FALL OF KABUL.

>> Reporter: THE DOCUMENTARY SERIES IS A DEPARTURE FOR THE SAN DIEGO-BASED VET TV.

TYPICALLY THE VET RUN MIRRORS THE DARK HUMOR OF COMBAT VETERANS.

THOUGH MANY VETERANS WOULD BE OFFENDED BY ITS OFTEN BRITTLE AND AT TIMES MISOGYNISTIC CONTENT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WHERE IS NOT INTENDED FOR EVERYONE.

THOUGH FOR THOSE VETERANS WHO ARE WHO RECALLED AFGHANISTAN WITH DEHUMANIZING HORROR THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THIS DOCUMENTARY IS YOU ARE NOT ALONE .

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION TOWARD THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO WILLIE OVERY, THE FIRST BLACK PLAYER IN THE NHL.

HE IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS SISTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOCKEY, INCLUSION AND EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

HIS JERSEY NUMBER WAS OFFICIALLY RETIRED BY THE BOSTON WINS EXACTLY 64 YEARS AFTER HE MADE HISTORY BY JOINING THE TEAM.

HE ALSO SPENT 10 SEASONS OF HIS 22 YEAR PROFESSIONAL CAREER PLAYING HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

AS FOR THE METAL, THE BILL HEADS TO PRESIDENT BIDED'S DESK FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

>>> TUCKED AWAY IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO IS A HIDDEN STAIRWAY THAT FOR YEARS HAS BEEN NEGLECTED .

AS KPBS'S RACE AND EQUITY , CHRISTINA KIM REPORTS IT IS BEING REVITALIZED BY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY .

>> Reporter: IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CHANCES ARE YOU MIGHT JUST WALK BY VALENCIA HIDDEN STAIRS .

FOR MORE THAN HUNDRED 50 STAIRS CONNECTS TERRACE WHICH OVERLOOKS SAN DIEGO SKYLINE ACROSS TRINIDAD WAY ALL THE WAY TO CHURCH BOARD STREET.

HOW THE STAIRS CAME TO BE AND THEIR PURPOSE ARE A BIT OF A MYSTERY TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THEY HAVE BEEN A PART OF GARY POLLARD'S KID SINCE HE WAS A KID PICK >> I REMEMBER USING THE STAIRS WALKING FROM MY HOME TO MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL AND THAT WAS BACK IN THE 70s.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS THE STAIRS FELL INTO DISREPAIR WITH OVERGROWN VEGETATION AND AREAS THAT TEND TO FLOOD AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL.

>> MANY THINGS STARTED TO PROBABLY, CUTTING SOME OF THE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY AND MAYBE SOME DRAIN STUFF NEEDS TO OCCUR SO THERE ARE SOME STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH .

>> Reporter: THAT IS UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN VALENCIA PARK RESIDENTS WITH HELP FROM COUNCILMEMBER MONTGOMERY STEPS OFFICE STARTED TO CLEAN UP THE STAIRS.

NOW, THANKS IN PART TO A $15,000 DONATION FROM BLUE SHIELD THE STAIRS ARE GETTING A MAKEOVER .

THE EFFORT IS BAREHEADED BY THE URBAN COLLABORATION PROJECT .

BYTES ARE GOING TO BE PUT IN AND FOR LOCAL ARTISTS ARE BEAUTIFYING THE SECRET STAIRS WITH A MURAL OF FLOWERS.

THE GOAL TO MAKE IT MORE INVITING AND CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD .

>> I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE CALLING THIS THE HOOD OR THE AND I HAVE LIVED HERE IN THIS AREA OF MY LIFE AND I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY .

>> Reporter: SHANNON WHY IS WHAT OF THE MURALIST .

SHE BELIEVES ART MAKES PLACES MORE INVITING FOR EVERYONE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD .

HE JIK THERE IS A SENSE OF PRIDE THAT COMES ALONG WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THERE IS ALSO A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP BECAUSE IF YOU LIVE IN THIS AREA YOU CONSIDER THIS YOURS PICK >> Reporter: THE ARTISTS DECIDED TO COVER THE STAIRS WITH DIFFERENT COLORED PUPPIES.

WHILE NO ONE IS 100% SURE WHY THESE STAIRS WERE CREATED.

>> I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT STORY TO BEGIN WITH AND SO WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT THAT IT KIND OF MADE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: ISABEL GARCIA IS ANOTHER MURALIST WORKING ON THE PROJECT .

>> WE WANTED TO INCLUDE SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE AREA.

>> Reporter: VALENCIA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD IS GENTRIFYING AT A RAPID PACE BRICK HOME PRICES HERE ROSE NEARLY 25% LAST YEAR AND ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE RISING ACCORDING TO ZILLOW.

THAT IS NOT LOST ON GARCIA WHO WITNESSED MANY OF THE CHANGES FIRST-HAND.

THE LOCAL ARTISTS THAT SHE IS VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT HOW HER WORK INTERSECTS WITH THESE FORCES.

>> USING MY ARE IN THAT WAY, IT IS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE AND I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO FEEL INCLUDED AND NO THAT THIS IS FOR THEM PICK >> Reporter: SO FAR THE RESPONSE FROM NEIGHBORS HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE PICK >> AND BRIDES PEOPLE'S FACES UP TO SEE THE CHANGE BUT WHAT I'VE SEEN FROM HERE IS YOU DON'T SEE THE PEOPLE PASSING BY SEEING THAT COLOR IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE AREA IT DOES BRIGHTEN PEOPLE'S FACES KNOWING CHANGES COMING.

>> IT IS NICE TO SEE PEOPLE WALK UP AND DOWN LEFT AND RIGHT.

BUT I THINK IT IS VERY MUCH MORE INVITING .

>> Reporter: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE SECRET STAIRS MAKEOVER WAS INTENDED TO DO.

INVITE PEOPLE IN THE COMMITTEE TO USE THIS PUBLIC SPACE, EXERCISE AND TAKE PRIDE IN VALENCIA PARK.

>>> DIEHARD KPBS FANS ARE IN FOR A BITTY SWEET TREE.

KPBS WILL BE BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE BELOVED SHOW ARTHUR PICK 250 EPISODES AND MANY SPECIALS WHERE BACK TO BACK ON MULTIPLE KPBS PLATFORMS STARTING ON FEBRUARY 16th .

IT WILL INCLUDE A LOOK AT THE SHOWS CHARACTERS AS ADULTS.

ARTHUR IS THE LONGEST READY KIDS ANIMATED SERIES ON TELEVISION.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KP BS AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF SAN DIEGO.

ANDERSON, HEATING & AIR , HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.