>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

COMING UP, FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY FOR LOCAL HEAD START PROVIDERS.

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM IS AMONG THOSE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL CUTS.

MANY OF US HAVE MOVED ON FROM THE COVID ERA, BUT SOME DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY.

WE CHECK ON THOSE LIVING WITH LONG COVID AND THEIR STALLED RECOVERY.

>>> AND PROTECTING WILDLIFE IN RURAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

SEE WHY THE STATE IS TAKING MORE INTEREST IN OWLS THAT CALL IMPERIAL COUNTY HOME.

>>> WE START IN TIJUANA, AND THE WORK DONE THERE BY MIGRANT SHELTERS.

GUSTAVO SHOWS US HOW SOME OPERATORS ARE STARTING TO FEEL THE CUTS TO INTERNATIONAL AID.

>> Reporter: WE'RE HERE IN TIJUANA AT ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC SHELTERS.

WE'RE HEARING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, DOGE, BUDGET CUTS TO USAID IS LOSING FUNDING.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO FATHER PAT AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT LOOKS KIND OF EMPTY.

USUALLY YOU CAN HEAR KIDS RUNNING AROUND IN THERE.

IT'S QUIET.

>> WE ONLY HAVE FOUR PEOPLE.

VERY FEW KIDS.

LIKE MANY OTHER INSTITUTIONS, WE LOST FUNDING WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP DECIDED TO TAKE AWAY OUR ASSISTANCE THAT AFFECTED US.

40% OF OUR BUDGET WAS LOST WITH THAT.

WE GOT FUNDING FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS.

IT REALLY HIT US, STARTING THIS MONTH.

SO OUR RECOURSE IS TO LOOK FOR OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE'RE IN TALKS, TRYING TO DRUM UP FUNDS.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU DIDN'T GET FUNDING DIRECTLY FROM USAID.

>> OTHER THINGS, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES.

THEY WERE ALL CUT BIG TIME.

>> DO YOU HAVE MONEY FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, ONE WEEK?

>> NO.

WE'RE DOING THE MATH, ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

>> OKAY.

>> IF WE DON'T HIT SOME GOOD FOUNDATIONS BY JUNE, WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS.

YOU KNOW, 40%, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

YOU CUT YOUR STAFF 40%?

CUT YOUR SERVICES 40%?

>> SO THIS SHELTER HAS CAPACITY FOR ABOUT 140 PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS ONLY 40 HERE RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S PRETTY EMPTY.

THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE.

LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, THERE WERE KIDS RUNNING AROUND.

IT WAS SO LOUD YOU COULD BARELY HEAR YOURSELF THINK.

THEY WERE PLAYING SOCCER.

IT IS A SIGN OF THE IMPACT OF THE TRUMP-ERA POLICIES THEY'RE HAVING ACROSS THE CITY.

ONE INTERESTING THING THAT FATHER PAT TOLD US, HE STARTED HEARING ENGLISH IN THE SHELTER AGAIN WHICH IS A SIGN THAT THE DEPORTEES ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF THEIR LIVES IN THE U.S. >> PEOPLE ARE GENEROUS.

EVEN THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE MUCH KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS WHO DON'T HAVE LESS.

SO THEY'RE USUALLY WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP.

IT WOULD BE HARD TO SHUT IT DOWN, I THINK.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT YOU START CUTTING STAFF, AND IF THE FUNDING COMES BACK, IT IS HARD TO GET THE STAFF BACK.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

I NEVER IMAGINED THIS WOULD HAPPEN.

PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING VERY GENEROUS.

THE LOCAL PEOPLE OF TIJUANA.

THEY START SHOWING UP WITH THEIR DONATIONS AND WE THANK THEM FOR THAT.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE DONATIONS GO.

YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS WHERE THEY DISTRIBUTE A LOT OF THE CLOTHES, RIGHT?

FATHER PAT WAS SAYING PEOPLE IN TIJUANA, PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO, VERY GENEROUS.

THEY DONATE NOT JUST THEIR MONEY BUT THEIR CLOTHES AS WELL.

TO GET A SENSE OF THE NEED AND THE POPULATION OF THIS PLACE, IT IS FULL OF SHOES.

SHOES FOR MEN, SHOES FOR YOUNG BOYS.

REALLY PINK AND SHINY RAIN BOOTS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.

IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF THE PEOPLE AND FAMILY THAT CAN MAKE THIS PLACE A COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

AND IT'S NOT JUST SHOES.

IF WE COME OVER HERE, YOU CAN SEE, THEY HAVE AN ENTIRE ROOM DEDICATED TO CLOTHES.

A SIMILAR STORY HERE, RIGHT?

THE CLOTHES TELL THE STORY OF WHO LIVES HERE.

YOU CAN SEE HERE THEY HAVE A LOT OF BABY CLOTHES, A LOT OF CLOTHES FOR LITTLE BOYS.

FURTHER BACK, I CAN SEE A LOT OF COATS AND SWEATERS.

IT IS COLD IN TIJUANA RIGHT NOW.

THIS HAS BEEN UNUSUALLY WET AND RAINY SO IT TELLS YOU A LITTLE OF THE NEED, TOO.

SO THANKFULLY, EVEN USA FUNDING HAS BEEN CUT OFF, SOME OF THE GENEROSITY FROM THE PEOPLE OF TIJUANA AND SAN DIEGO ARE GOING STRONG.

>> HE COVERS IMMIGRATION AND BORDER ISSUES FOR KPBS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE OF HIS WORK AT KPBS.ORG AND THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE IS THE LATEST LOCAL UNIVERSITY TO ANNOUNCE SOME OF ITS STUDENTS HAVE HAD THEIR VISAS REVOKED.

THIS COMES AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS IT WILL SCREEN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR EVIDENCE OF WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS ANTI-SEMITIC ACTIVITY, EITHER ONLINE OR IN PERSON.

JAY COVERED A PROTEST THIS WEEK AT UC SAN DIEGO ALSO DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.

>> AND I FOR ONE REFUSE TO STAY SILENT.

>> IN FRONT OF THE LIBRARY, DOZENS OF UC SAN DIEGO ACTIVISTS MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SAY ONE SIMPLE THING.

NOT ON OUR WATCH.

NOT IN OUR AMERICA.

>> PROTESTING AGAINST STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS, DANIEL HELPED ORGANIZE THE EVENT.

>> THE ONLY WRONG THESE STUDENTS COMMITTED WAS ATTAINING AN EDUCATION, EXPRESSING OPINIONS, JOINING OUR COMMUNITY, EXERCISING RIGHTS THAT BELONG TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.

>> IN RECENT WEEKS, SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY IMMIGRATION STUDENTS OR HAD THEIR LEGAL STATUS QUESTIONED.

FIVE OF THE STUDENTS HAD THEIR VISAS REVOKED AND A SIXTH WAS DETAINED AT THE BORDER AND DEPORTED.

>> MOSTLY ALL MY FAMILY, MY COMMUNITY, MY BROTHER'S FRIENDS, AND MY FRIENDS THAT I HAVE MADE DURING MY YEAR HERE, ARE IMMIGRANTS.

>> EARLY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, DOZENS OF ACTIVISTS GATHERED AND MARCHED ACROSS CAMPUS WITH MEGAPHONES AND POSTERS, INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO RESIDENT AND FOURTH YEAR UC SAN DIEGO STUDENT DENISE LOPEZ.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM BECAUSE OF DEPORTATION.

THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SPEAK IN MY OWN VOICE FOR MY FAMILY.

FOR MY FRIENDS.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY FRIENDS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME.

>> THIS IS THE LAND OF THE FREE.

>> THE RALLY COINCIDES WITH THE NEW FEDERAL POLICY TO SCREEN ALIENS' SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY FOR ANTI-SEMITISM.

U.S.

CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES SAYS IT IS LOOKING FOR SO MANY CONTENT SHOWING A NONCITIZEN SUPPORTS ANTI-SEMITIC TERRORISM, ORGANIZATIONS, OR ACTIVITIES.

THE AGENCY WHICH IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAYS THAT CONTENT WOULD BE A NEGATIVE FACTOR FOR PEOPLE APPLYING FOR GREEN CARDS OR STUDENT VISAS.

THOSE AT THE RALLY SAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TARGETING AND ATTEMPTING TO CENSOR THOSE WITH CERTAIN POLITICAL OPINIONS.

>> LAWFUL POLITICAL SPEECH ASSOCIATION ARE NOT CRIMES IN THIS COUNTRY.

THEY ARE NOT VALID GROUNDS FOR DEPORTATION IN OUR LAW AND OUR DEMOCRATIC TRADITION.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE STUDENTS AT THE PROTEST HOPING TO SEE CHANGE?

>> THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION JUDGES IN SAN DIEGO AND OTAY MESA DETENTION FACILITIES, DO YOUR DUTY.

DO NOT RUBBER STAMP THESE DEPORTATIONS.

SCRUTINIZE EVERY CASE.

IF THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THESE STUDENTS POSE A THREAT, INSIST THEY PROVE IT WITH ACTUAL EVIDENCE.

>> A SMALLER GROUP OF PROTESTERS TOOK THE TROLLEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO RALLY OUTSIDE THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY COURTHOUSE AT THE JUDICIAL CENTER DOWN.

THERE THEY PLAN TO DELIVER LETTERS WITH THE HOPE THAT FERLD EVERY FEDERAL JUDGES WOULD LISTEN TO THEIR WORDS.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECRETARY OF EDUCATION VISITED SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK.

HERE IS SOME OF THE RESPONSE SHE RECEIVED.

>> LAST WEEK THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TOLD STATES THAT IT COULD WITHHOLD TITLE 1 FUNDING FROM SCHOOLS OVER THEIR USE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PRACTICES.

McMAHON WAS ASKED ABOUT IT TODAY AT AN EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE AT THE MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT.

>> WE HEAR, DEI IS A BAD THING.

IT'S CONFUSING.

SO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY THAT MEMO WAS SENT, WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, IN THE SPIRIT OF SERVING ALL STUDENTS WEST WANT TO ENSURE ALL OF OUR KIDS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THE AMERICAN DREAM.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK DISCRIMINATION IS THE BAD THING.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DISCRIMINATION ANYWHERE, WHETHER IT IS RELIGIOUS, WHETHER IT IS RACE, WHETHER IT IS SEX.

THERE SHOULD BE NO DISCRIMINATION.

>> OUTSIDE ABOUT TWO DOZEN PEOPLE GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE HOTEL WAVING HANDMADE SIGNS AND CHANTING.

>> WE THE PEOPLE DEMAND JUSTICE IN EDUCATION.

>> JAY TEACHES HISTORY IN THE POWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> I COME LIKE MOST OF US FROM A PURPLE FAMILY.

THE THING THAT USED TO UNITE US, WE WERE ALL IN FAVOR OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SEEING IT BECOME THIS POLITICAL FOOTBALL IS REALLY DISHEARTENING AND DISTURBING AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE STANDING UP.

>> SAN DIEGO SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT CODY PETTERSSON SAID THE DISTRICT RELIES ON TITLE 1 FUNDING FOR ITS MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS.

HE SAID IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS TO BE AN ILLEGAL DEI PRACTICE.

>> WE ARE INHERENTLY DIVERSE.

WE AS A FUNCTION OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY BOTH STATE CONSTITUTION, FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR EQUITY AND EQUALITY IN OUR EDUCATION.

AND IN TERMS OF INCLUSION, WE HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

IT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR HOW A DISTRICT THAT IS ATTEMPTING IS VERY COMMITTED TO ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROVIDING ALL STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.

>> THEY HAVE ASKED STATE AGENCIES TO SIGN A LETTER DECLARING THEIR SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE ILLEGAL DEI PROGRAMS.

THIS MORNING, McMAHON PRAISED PUERTO RICO'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR BECOMING THE FIRST TO DO SO.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> FEDERAL CUTS ARE ALSO AFFECTING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE IN SAN DIEGO.

WE HAVE ANOTHER STORY FROM KATIE WHO TALKED WITH ONE PROVIDER WHO HAS A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

>> HEAD START SERVES FAMILIES LIVING AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE WITH KIDS AGED 5 OR UNDER.

SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE HEAD START PROGRAM.

>> IT'S MORE THAN JUST A PRESCHOOL.

WE'RE OFFERING HEALTH CARE, JOB TRAINING TO PARENTS.

WE'RE OFFERING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO BREAK THE CYCLES OF POVERTY.

>> UNTIL LAST WEEK, QUESTIONS ABOUT HEAD START FUNDING, TRAINING, AND REGULATIONS WENT TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

LAST TUESDAY, THAT OFFICE AND FOUR OTHERS CLOSED.

>> OUR GRANT MANAGER, IT WAS A PROGRAM SPECIALIST IN SAN FRANCISCO, HE'S NOT THERE.

SO I KNOW THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF ISSUES THAT WE HAD SENT OUT EARLY MONDAY MORNING, EARLY TUESDAY MORNING, THAT HAVE GONE UNRESPONDED TO.

AT THIS TIME, WE DON'T KNOW WHO WE ARE CONSOLIDATING WITH.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO OUR PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT WILL BE.

>> SHE WORRIES THIS COULD DELAY THEIR ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDING.

IT MAKES UP 95% OF THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT BUDGET.

>> WE USE OUR FUNDS TO PAY UP FRONT FOR OUR PAY ROLL, ALL OF OUR STAFF.

WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS, WE ARE REIMBURSED WITH THAT PAY ROLL, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

IF WE SUBMIT OUR PAYMENT FOR OUR REIMBURSEMENT AND NO ONE RESPONDS ONE PERIOD, AND TWO PAY PERIODS, AND THREE PAY PERIODS, FOUR PAY PERIODS, WE'RE NOW OUT OF POCKET MULTIPLE PAY PERIODS WITHOUT ANYONE ANSWERING OUR EMAILS OR REIMBURSING US.

>> THE HEAD START CUTS WERE PART OF LAYOFF CUTS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

THE HEALTH SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. SAID IT IS ABOUT REALIGNING THE DEPARTMENT WITH ITS CORE MISSION, TO STOP THE DISEASE EPIDEMIC.

DOZENS OF OTHER SENATORS CONDEMN THE STAFF CUTS IN A LETTER TO SECRETARY KEN.

THEY WROTE THAT IT, QUOTE, UNDERMINES THE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE IN ADMINISTERING AND CONDUCTING OVERSIGHT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS.

KPBS REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT BUT HAS NOT YET HEARD BACK.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BEGAN, MANY SAN DIEGANS ARE STILL LIVING WITH THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER SAYS LONG COVID'S LASTING HEALTH IMPACTS ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE AND MISUNDERSTOOD.

>> JASON IS LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

AFTER CONTRACTING COVID IN DECEMBER 2020, HE SPENT 70 DAYS IN A COMA.

>> I TEXTED MY WIFE.

I SAID, I'VE GOT TO GO TO SLEEP FOR A WHILE.

I LOVE YOU.

I'LL TALK TO YOU WHEN I WAKE UP.

>> HE IS A SPECIAL AGENT WITH HOMELAND SECURITY.

HE GOT COVID AT WORK BEFORE THE VACCINE WAS AVAILABLE.

>> AS A RESULT, I HAVE SOME RESIDUALS THAT I'M STILL SEEKING TREATMENT FOR.

>> THERE IS NO CLEAR NUMBER ON HOW MANY PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO ARE LIVING WITH LONG COVID.

EXPERTS SAY IT'S HARD TO TRACK.

MANY PATIENTS AREN'T DIAGNOSED OR DON'T REALIZE WHAT'S WRONG.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COGNITIVE ISSUES, THEY'RE FORGETTING THINGS.

THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL BRAIN FOG.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDURANCE ISSUES.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE MAINLY RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE CARDIAC ISSUES.

>> CHRISTOPHER MALLOY MANAGES THE LA MESA REHAB IN EAST COUNTY.

HE SAYS THEY'VE TREATED MORE THAN 120 LONG COVID PATIENTS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THEY COMBINED PULMONARY THERAPY AND PHYSICAL REHAB.

>> PEOPLE COME IN IN TEARS SAYING, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK BUT I'M NOT THE SAME ANYMORE.

I DON'T HAVE THE ENDURANCE.

I DON'T HAVE THE STRENGTH.

>> DR. TAMMY PEAVY IS THE DIRECTOR.

SHE SAID THERE IS NO OFFICIAL TEST TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION OR A WAY TO TREAT IT.

IT CAN AFFECT NEARLY EVERY SYSTEM IN THE BODY.

SHE SAID TOO OFTEN PATIENTS ARE REFERRED TO PHYSICAL THERAPY WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY EVALUATED FOR BREATHING ISSUES.

>> SO I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO SEND THE MESSAGE OUT TO DOCTORS, IF A PATIENT COMES IN WITH SHORTNESS OF BREATH, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SEND THEM TO PULMONARY REHAB.

>> LA MESA REHAB IS ONE OF ONLY FIVE CLINICS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> THERE ARE ONLY 300 CLINICS LIKE THIS IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

WE SHOULD BE MORE PREPARED THAN THAT AND WE SHOULD CERTAINLY BE TAKING BETTER CARE OF THE PATIENT HAS HAVEN'T RECOVERED FROM THE COVID.

>> DEBORAH FRANKLIN STILL DEALS WITH BLURRY VISION, BODY PATIENTS, LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL, AND A RELENTLESS COUGH.

>> I HAVE HAD LONG COVID SINCE DECEMBER 2021.

>> REHAB HELPED HER REALIZE SHE WASN'T ALONE.

>> I GOT TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE WITH IT.

I'M NOT CRAZY.

THE DOCTORS KEPT SAYING, NO ONE ELSE HAS THIS.

>> ANOTHER CHALLENGE, HEALTH COVERAGE.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH PEOPLE BEING DENIED WORKERS COMP.

>> CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 1159 USED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET WORKERS COMP IF THEY CAUGHT COVID ON THE JOB.

BUT THAT PROTECTION EXPIRED IN 2024.

NOW WORKERS HAVE TO PROVE THEY GOT COVID AT WORK.

SHE SAID THAT MAKES IT TOUGHER FOR LONG COVID PATIENTS TO GET COVERAGE.

>> WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND ASK FOR MORE VISITS.

THESE ARE LONG-TERM PATIENTS.

>> DR. ALLEN LEE IS A PSYCHIATRIST.

>> THERE'S ANOTHER MEDICATION APPLY DOCTOR WANTS TO PRESCRIBE ME.

IT $3,000 A MONTH.

>> HE SAID EVEN WITH HIS MEDICAL BACKGROUND, IT IS HARD TO GET CARE AFTER BEING INFECTED WITH COVID IN 2022.

>> ONE OF THE STRUGGLES IS JUST WORKING WITH INSURANCE TO TRY TO GET THINGS AUTHORIZED.

THESE TREATMENTS CAN BE EXPENSIVE.

ESPECIALLY FOR A NOVEL ILLNESS WHERE A LOT OF THE TREATMENTS ARE NOT YET APPROVED.

>> AFTER A HEART RATE MONITOR CLAIM WAS DENIED BY HIS INSURANCE, FOR NOT BEING FILED PROPERLY, ALLEN SAYS THE COMPANY SENT HIM TO COLLECTIONS.

>> AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, BEING REALLY TIRED AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TAKE CARE OF THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR LONG COVID RESEARCH IS ALSO DWINDLING.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO CLOSE THE OFFICE FOR LONG COVID RESEARCH AND PRACTICE.

FIVE YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT, RESEARCH, RECOVERY, AND TREATMENT FOR LONG COVID PATIENTS REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

>> IT'S JUST BEEN A LONG JOURNEY.

>> FRANKLIN MIGHT RETIRE EARLY.

>> NOW I HAVE TO WEAR A PAMPER TO WORK BECAUSE MY COUGH IS SO AGGRESSIVE.

I REALLY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IF IT'S WORTH IT.

>> HE CONTINUES TO FATE FOR PROPER CARE.

>> I WAS TOO STUBBORN TO DIE AND TOO STUBBORN NOT TO GET TREATED PROPERLY.

>> DR. LEE CAN'T WORK ANYMORE, AND NOW FINDS HIMSELF STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH HIS KIDS.

A FEW MINUTES ON THE PLAY GROUND CAN KNOCK HIM UP FOR UP TO 14 HOURS IN BED.

>> REGARDLESS OF HOW TIRED I AM, THESE MOMENTS, YOU ONLY HAVE SO LONG WITH YOUR CHILDREN.

SO IT'S ALWAYS WORTH IT.

>> WITH NO CLEAR ROAD MAP, HEALTH EXPERTS SAY LONG COVID PATIENTS ARE LEFT TO NAVIGATE A SYSTEM THAT IS STILL LEARNING HOW TO MANAGE THIS COMPLEX CONDITION.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK, HEIDI ALSO COVERED THE LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING THAT PAID FOR WASTE WATER TESTING.

THE PROGRAM PLAYED A CAN HE ROLE IN TRACKING LOCAL COVID-19 CASES.

YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> THE OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART IS CELEBRATING NEURO DIVERGENT ARTISTS WITH A NEW EXHIBIT.

THE ART IS AS WIDE-RANGING AS THE AUTISM SPECTRUM ITSELF.

>> THE ROOMS ARE FILLED WITH FOUND OBJECT LAMPS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND FABRICS, AND THE PAINTINGS OF AUSTIN JOHN JONES.

HIS SELF-PORTRAIT SMILES.

BUT INSIDE THE BRAIN, A SMALL VERSION OF HIMSELF IS CURLED UP AND CRYING.

>> IT JUST SHOWS WHAT DEPRESSION CAN DO TO SOMEONE WHO, EVEN THOUGH THEY SEEM HAPPY.

>> HIS ART ISN'T ONLY ABOUT AUTISM.

IT IS ALSO UNIVERSAL.

>> BEING ON THE SPECTRUM IS PART OF WHO I AM.

WHILE IT HAS DETERMINED CERTAIN ASPECTS OF MY LIFE, IT HAS INFLUENCED MY ART.

I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S EVERYTHING ABOUT MY ART.

>> ONE PIECE ON ALUMINUM SHOWS A PERSON WITH A HOLE INSIDE THEIR CHEST AND BRAIN.

>> CERTAIN PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY'RE ON THE SPECTRUM OR NOT, MIGHT EITHER AT TIMES FEEL OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCES, WHICH CAN BE EITHER A LACK OF EMPATHY, REPRESENTED BY THE HOLE IN THE CHEST, OR A LACK OF AWARENESS OR MINDFULNESS BY THE EMPTY HOLE IN THE BRAIN.

>> IN THE NEXT PAINTING, A PINK HAND OFFERS UP A BRAIN.

>> THIS IS CALLED PEACE OF MIND.

IT IS JUST HANDING ONE'S THOUGHTS ON A PLATE TO SOMEONE ELSE.

ALMOST KIND OF A REPRESENTATION OF HOW SOME PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM SPEAK THEIR MIND.

AND ALMOST UNFILTERED.

>> THE EXHIBIT WAS CRAFTED WITH NEURO DIVERGENT VISITORS IN MIND.

NOISE- NOISE-CANCELING HEAD PHONES ARE OFFERED.

THERE'S A CHILL ROOM WITH BEAN BAGS AND CURTAINS.

IT'S A COLLABORATION WITH A LOCAL NONPROFIT.

THE ART OF AUTISM.

CO-FOUNDED BY DEBORAH.

>> MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE AUTISTIC HAVE TROUBLE WITH LIKE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS.

SO THEY MAY HAVE TREMENDOUS TALENT BUT THEY HAVE TROUBLE HOOKING UP AVENUES TO SHARE THEIR ART OR THEIR CREATIVE ABILITY.

>> NOW, VISITORS CAN EXPLORE ART.

THEY MAY NEVER HAVE HAD ACCESS TO OTHERWISE.

JONES IS ONE OF MORE THAN A DOZEN ARTISTS ON THE SPECTRUM WHOSE WORK WILL BE DISPLAYED THROUGH AUGUST 3rd.

>> I ALSO REALLY HOPE IT EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO REALIZE HOW BEAUTIFUL EACH INDIVIDUAL IS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF BEING ON THE SPECTRUM.

WE HAVE A VOICE JUST AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE.

AND I HOPE THIS SHOW SHOWS THAT.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 60% OF CALIFORNIA'S BURROWING OWLS.

TINY BROWN OWLS THAT NEST IN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS.

AS THE REPORTER TELLS US, THE STATE IS NOW ASKING WHETHER THOSE OWLS NEED MORE PROTECTION.

>> THE SUN IS SETTING AS WENDY MILLER PULLS HER WHITE NISSAN UP ALONG A DUSTY EMBANKMENT JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE SALTON SEA.

SHE POINTS OUT THE WINDOW.

>> THE ENTRANCE TO THE BURROW -- >> WHEN YOU MEET WENDY, SHE SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS PERSON.

SHE'S A LAWYER.

A PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY WHO DEFENDS KIDS.

SHE HAS THIS INFECTIOUS LAUGH THAT SPILLS OUT EVERY SO OFTEN LIKE WHEN SHE SEES THE TINY BIRD POURING OUT FROM JUST ACROSS THE EMBANKMENT.

A WESTERN BURROWING OWL ON.

THEY ARE THE REASON WENDY MOVED HERE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

IN THE MORNINGS AND EVENINGS, SHE MOON LIGHTS AS A WILD LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER TO DOCUMENT THE BIRDS THAT LIVE NEAR THE SALTON SEA.

THE TUNY OWLS WITH THEIR BROWN FEATHERS AND WIDE EYES ARE HER FAVORITE SUBJECTS.

>> THEY SEEM LIKE LITTLE PEOPLE.

THERE'S JUST AN INTELLIGENCE THERE THAT YOU CAN FEEL.

AND A CURIOSITY THAT IS ENDEARING.

>> THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IS HOME TO THE LARGEST POPULATION OF BURROWING OWLS IN CALIFORNIA.

EXPERTS SAY THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE NETWORK OF CANALS THAT CARRY WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER TO THE REGIONS OF CARROTS, LETTUCE AND OTHER CROPS.

>> THE CROPS PREDICT WHERE THEY WILL BE.

>> PETER IS A DISEASOLOGIST WHO HAS WORKED WITH THEM.

HE SAID THEY TEND TO LIVE CLOSE TO FIELDS OF ALFALFA.

>> THE ALPHA IF A GROWS AND MATURES.

THE POD IS SCORPIONS AND SUCH INCREASES ALSO.

AND BURROWING OWLS IN THE DESERT, PARTICULARLY, FEED MOST ON INSECTS.

>> HE SAID THAT COMBINATION OF THE CANALS WHICH CREATE PLACES FOR THE OWLS TO LIVE AND THE FARMS WHICH CREATE MORE FOOD HAVE ALLOWED THE SPECIES TO THRIVE.

BUT IN ALMOST EVERY OTHER PART OF CALIFORNIA, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.

ACROSS THE STATE, BURROWING OWLS HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN COASTAL REGIONS LIKE SAN DIEGO AND MONTEREY.

THAT'S LARGELY BECAUSE OF PAINT GO OVER THE PLACES WHERE THE OWLS LIVE.

IN SOME CASES THEY BLAME SOLAR AND WIND FARMS.

>> WE'RE KIND OF IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION NOW.

>> JEFF MILLER IS A SENIOR ADVOCATE WITH THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

HE'S NOT RELATED TO WENDY.

>> WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THEM FROM MOST AREAS OF THE STATE PROBABLY THE NEXT COUPLE DECADES IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING DRASTIC.

>> LAST YEAR, THE CENTER SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME GROUP ASKING THE STATE TO LIST THE BURROWING OWL AS AN ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES.

EITHER OF THOSE WOULD GIVE THE SPECIES NEW LEGAL PROTECTION FROM BEING KILLED AND REMOVED FROM THEIR HABITATS.

THAT DECISION COULD HAVE BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

THE FARMING INDUSTRY IS NERVOUS ABOUT NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION.

THE REGION IS HOPING TO INCREASE ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR.

IN A LETTER LAST YEAR, THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARGUED THAT IT COULD HURT THOSE INDUSTRIES AND LIMIT JOB PROSPECTS IN THE REGION.

THEY ASKED TO CARVE OUT AN EXEMPTION.

>> WE DON'T WANT IMPERIAL VALLEY AGRICULTURE INTERESTS FEEL LIKE THEY WERE BEING PICKED OUT AND PUNISHED.

>> JEFF SAYS CONSERVATION GROUPS ARE ALSO SPLIT ON WHAT TO DO IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

SOME SAY OWLS HERE ARE FACING TOO MANY RISKS.

BUT JEFF WORRIES ABOUT THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION THAT MIGHT COME FROM FARMERS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

>> AS LONG AS THEY KEEP GENERALLY DOING THING THAT KEEP OWLS AROUND AND ALLOW THEM TO EXIST, THEN THERE'S PROBABLY NO REASON TO HAVE TO LIST THAT POPULATION.

>> AT THE MEETING IN OCTOBER, STATE OFFICIALS SEEMED OPEN TO STRIKING A BALANCE.

HERE'S THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER.

>> IT'S NOT THIS CHOICE WE HAVE TO MAKE BETWEEN RENEWABLE ENERGY OR HOUSING OR FOOD PRODUCTION AND PROTECTING WILDLIFE.

WE HAVE SHOWN AS A STATE WE CAN DO BOTH.

IF ANYONE CAN DO BOTH, WE CAN.

>> WENDY MILLER CERTAINLY HOMES THAT THE CASE.

SHE AGREES THEY MAY NEED A MORE NUANCED APPROACH.

>> IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE TO LOSE THEM.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HUMAN NEEDS, TOO.

AND YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE THAT.

>> BACK AT THE SALTON SEA, WE TURN TO LEAVE THE OWLS BEHIND.

WENDY SAYS HER GOODBYES.

>> THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL.

I HOPE PEOPLE DON'T SCREW IT UP.

>> THE STATE HAS ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO EVALUATE THE HEALTH OF BURROWING OWLS AND MAKE A FINAL DECISION.

KPBS NEWS.

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