
KPBS News This Week: Friday, April 18, 2025
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
San Diego Zoo workers call for better pay as the cost of living rises.
San Diego Zoo workers call for better pay as the cost of living rises. Plus, a local family navigates California’s new law allowing involuntary mental health treatment. And in Baja California, volunteers keep a mobile library running, and they need your help.
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KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

KPBS News This Week: Friday, April 18, 2025
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
San Diego Zoo workers call for better pay as the cost of living rises. Plus, a local family navigates California’s new law allowing involuntary mental health treatment. And in Baja California, volunteers keep a mobile library running, and they need your help.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.
COMING UP, THEY WORK FOR ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST TOURIST DESTINATIONS BUT MANY SAY THEY CAN BARELY AFFORD TO LIVE HERE WORK SAN DIEGO ZOO WORKERS TELL US ABOUT THEIR DEMANDS FOR BETTER PAY.
>>> A NEW STATE LAW ALLOWS FOR INVOLUNTARY MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT.
SEE HOW ONE LOCAL FAMILY IS NAVIGATING THE PROCESS FOR THEIR LOVED ONE.
>>> VOLUNTEERS IN OAXACA, CALIFORNIA, SHARE THEIR LOVE FOR READING.
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP THE MOBILE LIBRARY ON THE ROAD.
WE LEARNED THAT MORE FOREIGN STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO HAVE HAD THEIR VISAS REVOKED.
ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS HAS ALREADY BEEN DEPORTED.
WE SPOKE WITH ONE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ACTIVIST WHO WAS WORRIED THEY MIGHT BE NEXT.
>> IMAGES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BEING DETAINED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS ARE SPREADING FEAR AND ANXIETY.
>> I'M AFRAID OF WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.
ESPECIALLY HOLDING IMMIGRANTS THROUGH ABDUCTING THEM.
>> YOU ARE HEARING THE VOICE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN SAN DIEGO WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE PRO-PALESTINE MOVEMENT AND IS TERRIFIED SHE WILL BE DETAINED FOR ACTIVISM.
>> I'M PERSONALLY SCARED.
I DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE THAT.
>> KPBS IS WITHHOLDING HER NAME TO PROTECT HER FROM POSSIBLE RETALIATION BY THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS REVOKED MORE THAN 100 STUDENT VISAS IN CALIFORNIA.
AMONG THEM WERE 35 AT UC SAN DIEGO AND FOUR AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO INITIALLY SAID THE RAMIFICATIONS WERE CONNECTED TO PROTESTS OF THE HIGH PALESTINIAN CASUALTY COUNT RESULTING FROM THE ISRAEL MILITARY RESPONSE TO THE 2023 TERRORIST ATTACK BY HAMAS.
>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT.
WHEN WE IDENTIFY LUNATICS LIKE THIS, WE TAKE AWAY THE STUDENT VISA.
>> MARCO RUBIO ACCUSED STUDENT OF SUPPORTING A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION BUT HAS OFFERED NO PROOF.
MORE RECENTLY, MARCO RUBIO SAID THE STATE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT NEED A SPECIFIC REASON TO REVOKE STUDENT VISAS.
>> WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA OR ANY VISA IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO DENY YOU FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON.
>> LAST WEEK, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IT WAS MONITORING THE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS OF IMMIGRANTS TO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF WHAT THEY SEE AS ANTI-SEMITISM.
THAT HAS STUDENTS LIKE THE PERSON KPBS SPOKE WITH THINKING TWICE ABOUT WHAT THEY POST, SHARE AND LIKE.
>> SHOULD I BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT I'M LIKING?
WHAT IS ANTI-SEMITIC?
WHAT ARE THESE THINGS?
THIS POST ABOUT SOMEONE LOSING HER CHILD, IS THIS ABOUT THE WOMAN LOSING HER CHILD, BECAUSE THERE PALESTINIAN, WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY THAT?
PROFESSORS ARE REACHING OUT TO AND NATIONAL STUDENTS SAYING, MAYBE DON'T POST AS OFTEN AS YOU DO.
I THINK IT IS VALID TO BE SCARED AT THIS POINT.
>> THE STUDENT KPBS INTERVIEWED SAID OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE NOW RECONSIDERING COMING TO THE UNITED STATES.
>> I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THROUGH, DO I REALLY NEED TO COME TO THE U.S.?
PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERING THE UK OR CANADA.
>> IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY REGARDING THE RAMIFICATIONS.
THIS IS EMILIO WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR PANA.
>> WE SEE THE MASS REVOCATION OF STUDENT VISAS BUT IT IS GROWING OUTSIDE OF THE PRO- PALESTINIAN MOVEMENT.
IT IS STUDENTS AND GENERAL.
THERE HAS BEEN NO RHYME OR REASON OR ANSWER GIVEN AS TO WHY THE VISAS ARE CANCELED.
>> SHE POINTS OUT SECRETARY MARCO RUBIO IS CORRECT.
HE CAN REVOKE VISAS FOR MULTIPLE REASONS.
BUT SHE SAYS THAT THE STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPEAL THE REVOCATION OR FIND ANOTHER WAY TO STAY IN THE COUNTRY.
>> VISAS CAN BE CANCELED FOR ABOUT ANY REASON.
BUT I BELIEVE IN DUE PROCESS AND STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHY SO THEY CAN APPEAL IT.
>> ACTIVISTS ALSO SEE THE REVOCATIONS AS AN ATTACK ON FREE SPEECH.
THEY SAY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CONFUSING SUPPORT.
>> YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY AND, YOU KNOW NOT BEING KILLED, AND NOT SUPPORT HAMAS.
THEY ARE NOT ONE AND THE SAME.
I DON'T KNOW INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PRO-PALESTINE THAT ARE PRO- HAMAS.
>> SHE IS INSPIRED BY STUDENTS WHO SPEAK UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN, DESPITE THE CURRENT THREAT.
>> I THINK THEM EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH IS INCREDIBLY BRAVE.
ESPECIALLY CONTINUING TO DO SO UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION WERE FREE SPEECH IS VERY CLEARLY BEING TARGETED.
>> FOR HER PART, SHE SAYS SHE WILL KEEP FIGHTING TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS.
KPBS NEWS.
>>> EXECUTIVE PAY HAS SKYROCKETED AT THE NONPROFIT SAN DIEGO ZOO IN RECENT YEARS.
KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT ROSS SAID WORKERS ARE PUSHING FOR HIGHER PAY AS THEY NEGOTIATE A NEW UNION CONTRACT.
>> THOSE WHO'S RECENTLY DEPARTED CEO SAW HIS COMPENSATION MORE THAN DOUBLED IN JUST A FEW YEARS.
THE ORGANIZATION'S LATEST FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES SHOW THAT HE EARNED NEARLY $2 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, RANK-AND-FILE EMPLOYEES THAT SPOKE TO KPBS SAY THAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
>> THEY HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS TO FEEL ANGRY ABOUT THIS DISPARITY.
IT IS NOT RIGHT.
>> THIS IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE SILVERMAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AT HUNTER COLLEGE IN NEW YORK.
SHE TOLD -- SHE STUDIES COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS AT NONPROFITS.
A SINGLE ADULT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS TO MAKE ABOUT $64,000 ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES.
THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE MIT LIVING WAGE CALCULATOR.
BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF UNIONIZED POSITIONS AT THE SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO ZOO MAKE LESS THAN THAT.
SOME, FAR LESS.
KPBS OBTAINED THE MOST RECENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE ZOO AND THE WORKERS UNION.
IT SHOWS ANIMAL FOOD PREPARERS EARN ABOUT $36,000 A YEAR.
GROUND WORKERS MAKE ABOUT $42,000 AND ZOOKEEPERS EARN ABOUT $57,000.
>> WHEN I AM HONEST, LOOKING AT THE WAGE TABLE, I AM SO SURPRISED BY HOW LOW WORKERS ARE PAID.
>> AND THE WAGES HAVE REMAINED FAIRLY STAGNANT.
THE UNION CONTRACT SHOWS WAGES ON AVERAGE INCREASED BY LESS THAN 2% ANNUALLY SINCE 2021.
SHE SAYS NONPROFITS SOMETIMES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MISSION DRIVEN EMPLOYEES.
>> THEY WANT YOU TO DO THE WORK.
MANY TIMES, THEY HAVE TO SACRIFICE.
>> KPBS TALKED TO SOME ZOO EMPLOYEES THAT SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.
THEY ASKED THAT WE HOLD THEIR NAMES FEARING RETRIBUTION.
ONE ZOOKEEPER SAID, "THIS IS A CAREER FOR ME.
IT IS MY LIFE'S GOAL AND IT HAS BEEN SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THEY WON'T PAY ME A LIVING WAGE.
ANOTHER EMPLOYEE SAID, SAID, "WE WOULD ALL START BEFORE WE LET ANY HARM HAPPEN TO THESE ANIMALS.
SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT IS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY LEADERSHIP."
THE FORMER CEO DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.
THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE OPERATES THE ZOO AND SAFARI PARK.
THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.
"THE ALLIANCE VALUES OUR EMPLOYEE'S DEDICATION TO OUR MISSION AND GOALS AND WE ARE HOPEFUL TO ACHIEVE A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WHILE ENSURING THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE ."
THE UNION RECENTLY REJECTED A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD HAVE RAISED WAGES ON AVERAGE 25% OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
THE TWO SIDES ARE NOW BACK AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
KPBS NEWS.
>>> THE SUPERVISOR DELIVERED THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE COUNTY SPEECH THIS WEEK.
MUCH OF HER MESSAGE ILLUSTRATED HOW THE TRUMPET MEDITATION IS AFFECTING LOCAL PRIORITIES ARE TONYA THORNE REPORTS ON HOW THE COUNTY RESPONSIBLE LARGELY BE DECIDED BY VOTERS.
>> CROWDS PACKED INTO THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM TO HEAR THE SPEECH ON THE STATE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PROGRESS.
ABOUT TAKING ONE STEP FORWARD AND ONE STEP BACK.
>> SHE STARTED HER ADDRESS WITH THE PROGRESS THE COUNTY HAS SEEN IN RECENT YEARS BUT ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW FEDERAL CUTS ARE FORCING THE COUNTY TO STEP BACK.
>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CUTTING PROGRAMS WE RELY ON FOR HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, CLEAN AIR AND WATER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND DISEASE PREVENTION.
EVERY DECISION WASHINGTON MAKES IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO SERVE YOU .
AND ONE FEDERAL LEADERSHIP FAILS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST LEAD.
>> THEN SHE PRESENTED A GAME PLAN TO FIGHT FEDERAL CUTS ON HEALTHCARE, SHE PROPOSED THE CREATION OF SAN DIEGO'S OWNED MEDICAID HEALTHCARE PLAN.
SHE SAYS FUNDING COULD COME FROM A LOCAL BALLOT MEASURE.
>> A LOCAL REVENUE MEASURE COULD LEVERAGE $1 BILLION A YEAR TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE AND OTHER NEEDS.
ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE STRUGGLING SAN DIEGANS CAN SEE A DOCTOR WHEN THEY ARE SICK AND GET TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND AVOID FINANCIAL RUIN FROM MEDICAL BILLS.
>> SHE SAID THIS MEASURE COULD FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL, TO USE COUNTY SAVINGS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AND LEGAL DEFENSE PROGRAMS AND TO HELP THE HOUSING CRISIS.
>> WE ARE PROPOSING SOMETHING SIMPLE.
A SMALL TRANSFER FEE ON SALES OF THE TOP 1% OF PROPERTIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
PAID ONLY ONCE WHEN THESE PROPERTIES CHANGE HANDS.
THOSE WITH HOMES IN THE TOP 1% CAN PAY FORWARD JUST A SMALL SHARE OF THAT FORTUNATE WHEN FOR WHEN THE PROPERTY IS SOLD, TO HELP BREAK THE STRANGLEHOLD OF OUR HOUSING CRISIS.
>> SHE SAID THE TRANSFER FEE COULD BE USED TO HOUSE FIRST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS AND FIRST- TIME HOMEBUYERS HOMEBUYERS.
HER MESSAGE WAS ONE OF LOCAL SUPPORT AS FEDERAL CHANGES CONTINUE TO ROCK SAN DIEGO AND THE NATION.
WHETHER THE IDEAS WILL BE USED COULD DEPEND ON THE OUTCOME OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN JULY RIGHT NOW, THE BOARD IS MADE UP OF TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS.
THE JULY ELECTION WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THE CHULA VISTA MAYOR, JOHN MCCANN OR THE IMPERIAL BEACH MAYOR, FILL THE EMPTY DISTRICT 1 SEAT.
ONE A REPUBLICAN AND THE OTHER A DEMOCRAT.
TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> A NEW STATE LAW IS GETTING FAMILIES HOPE WHEN A LOVED ONE REFUSES TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS OR ADDICTION.
SENEGAL 43 EXPANDS WHO CAN BE PLACED ON AN INVOLUNTARY PSYCHIATRIC HOLD.
KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DIMARCO SAID THAT IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO SEE THE LAW'S IMPACT .
>> DEAR MOM.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO BE MY MOM AND RAISING ME AND HELPING ME IN THE WAYS THAT YOU DO NOW THAT I AM AN ADULT.
>> FOR JULIA HOLIDAY, THIS LETTER FROM HER DAUGHTER IS A REMINDER OF WHO SHE USED TO BE BEFORE THE METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTION AND THE COUNTLESS PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL STAYS.
>> I HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY MY LOVED ONE, MY DAUGHTER, FOR 20 YEARS.
SHE WAS DIAGNOSED AT 16 WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER, AUDITORY, LEGATIONS.
>> JULIA AND HER HUSBAND ARE AMONG MANY FAMILIES DEALING WITH WHAT IS KNOWN AS DUAL DIAGNOSIS, WHEN SOMEONE STRUGGLES WITH BOTH A MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
THEY HAVE TRIED DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS, CONSERVATORSHIPS AND EXTENDED HOSPITAL STAYS.
BUT THEIR DAUGHTER LEAVES AFTER JUST A FEW DAYS AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE.
>> TURN 18 AND THINGS CHANGE FAST.
YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT UNTIL YOU ARE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION AND HELP.
>> THE OLDER SHE GETS, THE TOUGHER IT IS TO INTERVENE.
>> THE MOST CHALLENGING PART FOR ME IS GRAPPLING WITH THE IDEA THAT IS BEYOND HOPE.
>> HER DAUGHTER IS NOW 36.
JULIA SAYS SHE JUST GOT EVICTED FROM HER APARTMENT AND IS LIVING IN A MOTEL.
THAT IS WHERE SENATE BILL 43 COMES IN.
THE LAW UPDATES CALIFORNIA'S DEFINITION OF DISABILITY TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH SEVERE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
JULIA READ ABOUT IN THE NEWSPAPER.
>> I WAS SO EXCITED.
I SAID THIS COULD BE IT.
>> SHE ASKED HER DAUGHTER'S PSYCHIATRIST ABOUT IT.
>> THEY HAD A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE.
LET'S SEE HOW IT GOES AND HOW IT NAVIGATES THE SYSTEM.
>> THE COUNTY HAS HAD A YEAR TO PREPARE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW LAW.
DR. RUTH BERGMAN SAID THAT THEY HAVE TRAINED HOSPITAL STAFF FIRST RESPONDERS AND PEACE OFFICERS ON HOW TO APPLY IT.
THEY ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE HELP.
>> I WOULD SAY AND WILL MENTATION HAS GONE PRETTY WELL.
PRIMARILY AND THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE DETAINED AND TRANSPORTED FOR CARE UNDER THE TERMS THAT S AND CAP 43 HAS.
>> THE COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE THE FIRST NUMBERS IN JUNE ON HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DETAINED.
BUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS, WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS JUST A HOSPITAL AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE NEW LAW HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH FOR THEM YET.
>> IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED ONCE IN THE FIVE OR SIX WEEKS MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
MAYBE THERE COULD BE MORE ADVOCACY ON IT.
MAYBE OUTREACH TO FAMILIES AND SAY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ORIENTATION ABOUT THIS.
>> THIS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER, THE LEAD SOCIAL WORKER HELPS FAMILIES NAVIGATE THESE DIFFICULT DECISIONS.
>> IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TREATMENT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO BE THERE.
I SPEND A LOT OF TIME EXPLAINING TO FAMILIES THE LIMITATIONS.
>> SHE SAYS THAT SB43 IS WELL- INTENTIONED BUT HARD FOR FAMILIES TO NAVIGATE.
>> SOMETIMES THERE IS FALSE HOPE.
>> INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT IS POSSIBLE BUT IT REQUIRES INTERVENTION.
STILL, THE HOLIDAYS HOPE THAT THE NEXT TIME THEIR DAUGHTER FINDS HERSELF IN CRISIS, THIS NEW LAW CAN HELP HER.
>> I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS OR OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES WHO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS AND DIAGNOSIS, DON'T ABANDON THOSE PEOPLE.
>> HEIDI DIMARCO, KPBS NEWS.
>> HEIDI DIMARCO IS OUR DEDICATED HEALTH REPORTER HERE AT KPBS.
ALL OF HER WORK IS AVAILABLE ON KPBS.ORG.
RECENT STORIES INCLUDE A STATE EFFORT TO EASE MEDICAL DEBT AND HOW FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS ARE BRINGING AN END TO A LOCAL WASTEWATER TESTING PROGRAM.
>>> SAN DIEGO'S LIBRARY BUDGET WAS MORE THAN $70 MILLION IN 2022.
ACCESS FOR THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WAS STILL CHALLENGING.
NOW, IMAGINE SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT THAT MONEY.
OUR KPBS VIDEO JOURNALIST INTRODUCES US TO A GROUP DOING JUST THAT AT ROSARITO BEACH IN BAJA, CALIFORNIA.
>> REPORTER: TWO LITTLE BOYS SIT READING ON A PARK BENCH, ENGROSSED IN THEIR NEW BOOKS.
MOM SITS CLOSE.
>> THAT IS THE MOTHER OF TWO SON AS THOSE WHO LOVE TO READ.
SHE BRINGS HER BOYS TO THE BOOKMOBILE WHENEVER SHE CAN.
SHE LOVES TO SEE HER CHILDREN GROW THROUGH READING.
>> IN A VACANT LOT BEHIND THE GROCERY STORE AND ROSARITO, MEXICO, THIS BOOKMOBILE AIMS TO REACH COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PRIORITIES, THE LIBRARIES ARE LEFT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BUDGET.
>> CARMEN DOMINGUEZ IS PRESIDENT OF THE ROSARITO BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.
SHE SAID THAT THEY ARE A SMALL AND DETERMINED GROUP FIGHTING TO BRING BOOKS TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.
>> WE ARE SCRAPPY.
WE STAND UP IN FRONT OF ALL THE CHALLENGE.
BELIEVE ME THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME AND WE CONSTANTLY HAVE SOME .
>> MEXICO HAS BEEN STANDING UP TOO MANY CHALLENGES.
LITERACY BEING ONE.
ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION, MEXICO HAS INCREASED LITERACY RATES TO OVER 95%.
FOR SOME PERSPECTIVE, THE NATIONAL LITERACY INSTITUTE OUT OF HOUSTON SAYS ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE A LITERACY RATE CLOSE TO 80%.
FRIENDS OF THE ROSARITO BEACH LIBRARY HAS ONLY ONE OLD BOOKMOBILE.
THEY KEEP IT AT THE CENTER.
EVERY TWO WEEKS, VOLUNTEERS DRIVE IT OUT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD IN NEED.
AND THEY SET UP TO GIVE OUT BOOKS, READ BOOKS AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THESE DAYS, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ROSARITO HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2006 AND NOW THEY NEED TO FUNDRAISING TO REPLACE THE LITTLE BLUE BUS.
BUT NEW BOOKMOBILE OR NOT, THIS SCRAPPY GROUP WILL KEEP SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
KPBS NEWS.
>> IF YOU LIKE TO DONATE OR BUY SOME BOOKS, GO TO FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.COM.MX.
SIGN UP FOR KPBS NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF THE MOST POPULAR STORIES.
HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.
THE RECENT IMMIGRATION RAID IN ALCOHOL SHOWS A STARK CHANGE IN ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP.
A CALIFORNIA BILL AIMS TO EASE MEDICAL DEBT BY REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO SCREEN PATIENTS FOR FINANCIAL AID.
AND VIDEOS SHOW ELEPHANTS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK FORMING AN ALERT CIRCLE DURING MONDAY'S EARTHQUAKE.
WE HAVE THIS EXULTATION FROM OUR MAMMAL CURATOR, MINDY ALBRIGHT.
>> ELEPHANTS ARE VERY IN TUNE TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND PICKING UP ENVIRONMENTAL CUES WHICH CAUSE HIM TO MAKE DECISIONS.
THEY SENSED THAT SOMETHING WAS OFF AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SO IMMEDIATELY, THEY FORMED AN ALERT CIRCLE.
THE YOUNGEST WAS AT A CENTER OF THE CIRCLE.
THIS IS A DEFENSE MECHANISM THAT THEY DO TO PROTECT THE FAMILY UNIT.
THIS IS CASEY, 18.
THE TWO YOUNGSTERS WHO ARE SEVEN.
>> ELEPHANTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO FEEL SOUND THROUGH THEIR FEET AND THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THE EARTH.
THEY ARE FEELING THE SOUND FROM THE EARTHQUAKE THEY ARE LISTENING AND EARS ARE OUT.
>> HE PUTS UP HIS TRUNK AND IS SMELLING THE AIR.
>> CASEY KEEPS TURNING HER BODY AND TOUCHING SULI WITH HER TRUNK TO KEEP CHECKING ON HIM.
WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT HE IS OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE AND NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO ADULT FEMALES.
THEY ARE ONLY A MONTH APART BUT AS A YOUNG MALE, HE WILL AGE AND GROW OLDER AND MOVE OUT OF THE FAMILY UNIT WHERE THE FEMALES STAY WITH THE FAMILY UNIT THEIR WHOLE LIFE.
>> FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS OUTSIDE SAN DIEGO?
AND THEN THEY REACH OUT TO YOU AND SAY, ARE YOU OKAY?
IS EVERYTHING OKAY?
THAT IS WHAT YOU SEE THE ELEPHANTS DOING IN THAT MOMENT.
>> SUBSCRIBE TO THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN YOU CONTACT AND GET A NEW CONTACT POSTED.
WE SHARE STORIES ON WEEKDAYS AT FIVE FROM REPORTERS.
YOU CAN ALSO STREAM NEW EPISODES OF KPBS PODCASTS INCLUDING THE NEWEST SHOW, "THE FINEST," ALL ABOUT THE ARTISTS THAT CALL SAN DIEGO HOME.
>>> HIDDEN SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN HELPING THE CURIOUS AND COURAGEOUS FIND INTERESTING PLACES AROUND TOWN FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.
THE ZIKA JOHNSON TAKES THE KPBS EVENING EDITION ANCHOR TO ANOTHER HIDDEN BALBOA PARK LOCATION AND THE END UP ON A HUNT FOR AN ELUSIVE SPICE TREE.
>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU WOULDN'T REALIZE WHAT IT IS UNTIL YOU'D STOPPED AND TOOK THE TIME TO PAY ATTENTION.
MY NAME IS JESSICA JOHNSON.
IRAN HIDDEN SAN DIEGO.
>> HIDDEN SAN DIEGO IS YOUR GO TO WEBSITE FOR ALL OF THE HIDDEN CONTENT ON SAN DIEGO.
>> THAT IS THE OFFICIAL SIGN.
AND THEN IT SAYS, STARTS HERE.
>> THE FIRST SIGN SAID THAT YOU START HERE FOR SIGNS ONE THROUGH 75 WAIVERS WALK.
THE FLAVOR OF THE PLANT TELLS YOU IT'S HEALING UNCTION.
>> I'M SURE YOU PROBABLY WALKED THIS MANY TIMES LIKE I HAD GROWING UP WITHOUT REALLY REALIZING WHAT IT IS.
THESE ARE A LOT OF RARE MEDICINAL TREES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
AND THEY HAVE PLAQUES EXPLAINING WHAT THEY ARE.
YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU PROBABLY NEVER REALIZED.
THIS AREA HERE IS THE BITTER FLAVORS.
>> IT IS TALKING ABOUT COFFEE BEANS AND THE TREE BARK.
>> YOU CAN USE THE URBAN AND SMALL AMOUNTS.
IT WILL TIGHTEN TISSUES AND STIMULATE IMMUNE FUNCTION, PRODUCTION OF STOMACH ACID AND ENZYMES.
>> I DO THINK IT IS FUNNY.
THEY HAVE POISONOUS PLANTS LIKE THE LANTANA AND THE ANGEL TRUNK IT TREE.
MAYBE THEY ARE MEDICINAL.
>> ONE'S MEDICINE AS ANOTHER MAN'S POISON.
HOW MANY ACRES IS THIS?
>> OVER 70 MEDICINAL TREES AND SHRUBS.
AND IT IS THE KIND OF PLACE THAT YOU SHOULD KEEP RETURNING TO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BECAUSE DIFFERENT THINGS WILL BE BLOOMING.
>> DO YOU THINK THIS DRAWS A LOT OF PEOPLE?
>> EVERY TIME I POST ABOUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IT GETS A LOT OF ATTENTION.
PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED AND EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT IT.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE YOU JUST STOP BY ONE TIME OR SAVE IT TO THE NOTES.
I THINK IT SHOULD BECOME MORE POPULAR.
>> I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COMING HERE.
I CAME HERE WITH SOME OF MY FRIENDS FROM AFGHANISTAN.
THEY WERE SO EXCITED TO SEE THE MULBERRY BUSH, WHICH THEY SAID WAS FROM THEIR HOMETOWN.
I LIKE HOW THEY ARE TEACHING US THAT FOOD IS MEDICINE.
I FEEL LIKE WE REALLY HAVE GOTTEN DETACHED FROM THAT WITH ALL THE PROCESSED FOODS AND EVERYONE IS GETTING SO SICK ALL THE TIME AND DISEASES ARE ON THE RISE.
IF WE GO BACK TO THE BASICS OF WORKING WITH THE WHOLE PLANT AND REALIZING IT IS MEDICINE, I THINK IT WILL BE A LOT HEALTHIER .
>> I'M LOOKING FOR THAT CINNAMON CHERRY.
>> I HAVE SEEN IT.
I WOULD NOT HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT OTHERWISE.
>> HERE'S THE PECAN TREE.
AND THIS MAKES A GREAT PASTEL.
>> YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE THESE AROUND HERE.
>> CINNAMON.
>> THIS WAS ONE OF THE EXCITING TREES TO SEE.
I HAD NEVER SEEN ONE BEFORE.
IT IS EXCITING TO KNOW WE CAN GROW THAT OUT HERE FIRST OF ALL .
>> I LIKE THAT THEY EDUCATE US ON WHAT IT IS USED FOR HISTORICALLY AND MEDICINALLY.
>> WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A DIVERSITY OF PLANTS, IT IS GOING TO ATTRACT A DIVERSITY OF ANIMALS.
SO THERE COULD BE BIRDS THAT COME HERE THAT WOULDN'T USUALLY COME TO THIS AREA.
>> THOSE THAT LOVE HIKING PROBABLY WOULD COME ACROSS THIS AND IT IS A VERY VICIOUS PLANT IF YOU TOUCH IT.
IT HAS NEEDLES.
IF YOU BOIL IT IN WATER, THE NEEDLES DISSOLVE WITHIN SECONDS.
IT MAKES A GREAT TEA.
IT IS GREAT FOR SOUP.
IT IS HIGH IN MS. ROLE -- MINERALS.
>> THIS IS THE OLDEST LIVING TREE SPECIES.
AND HERE IT IS RIGHT HERE.
IT IS GREAT FOR IMPROVEMENT AND CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN AND HELPS IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY.
>> IT IS VERY SPECIAL TO CONNECT WITH PLANTS.
I ALWAYS FEEL REALLY HAPPY WHEN I COME HERE.
.
>> THIS EVENING EDITION ANCHOR WITH THAT STORY.
YOU CAN FIND MORE OF JESSICA'S HIDDEN SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA SITES ON HER WEBPAGE, HIDDENS
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