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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME PAY FOR SAN DIEGO POLICE.

KPBS INVESTIGATES HOW SOME OFFICERS ARE NOW AMONG THE HIGHEST PAID CITY WORKERS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

>>> YOUNG SCIENCE CAREERS THREATENED BY FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS.

HOW TRUMP'S CUTS ARE AFFECTING STUDENTS PURSUING A DOCTORATE AT SAN MARCOS.

AND WE FOCUS ON NORTH COUNTY WHERE SOME COMMUNITIES SAW THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN HOMELESSNESS.

>>> WE START WITH THE PRIVATE JET CRASH THAT DAMAGED HOMES IN TIERRA SANTA.

THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND.

SO WILL THE RESPONSE.

JACOB AYER HAS MORE ON THE LOCAL SUPPORT.

>> I HEARD SOMETHING LOUD.

I LOOK OUTSIDE AND HONESTLY, THE SKY WAS JUST ORANGE.

AND, I START SEEING FIRE BALLS, EXPLOSIONS.

SMALL EXPLOSIONS GOING ON.

AND WE ARE LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> Reporter: WILL MARTINEZ WAS JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE CRASH SITE AT A CHAPEL AFTER EVACUATING AROUND 4:00 A.M.

THIS MORNING WITH HIS LOVED ONES.

HE SAYS ONCE THEY GOT OUTSIDE, THEY SAW PEOPLE RUNNING DOWN THE STREET.

>> WE ACTUALLY HELPED OUT A FAMILY.

A MOTHER, TWO CHILDREN, AND THEIR DOG.

WE GAVE THEM BLANKETS AND JACKETS AND GAVE HER A HOODY.

BECAUSE SHE RAN OUT OF HER HOUSE.

HER CAR WAS GONE.

HER CAR WAS TOTALED.

IT MELTED WITH THE FLAMES FROM THE PLANE CRASH.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HIS FAMILY IS OKAY.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN THE NAVY ALMOST 14 YEARS.

SHE'S BEEN IN 15.

NEVER HAD SOMETHING HAPPEN LIKE THIS BEFORE.

TERRIFYING.

>> Reporter: HUSBAND AND WIFE ZACHARY ADAMS AND NICOLE MOOREHOUSE ARE BOTH ACTIVE DUTY NAVAL OFFICERS.

THEY EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOME WITH THEIR FOUR CHILDREN.

HE SAID THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S TIGHT COMMUNITY BONDS AND MILITARY BACKGROUND WAS HELPFUL DURING THE AFTERMATH OF THE CRASH.

>> EVERY OTHER NEIGHBOR THAT WAS AWAKE STARTED GOING DOOR TO DOOR.

EVERYONE WAS WAKING EVERYONE UP.

IT WAS A LOT LIKE WE DO ON THE SHIP WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS AWAKE AND READY TO FIGHT THE FIRE.

>> Reporter: ADAM SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL FOR HIS FAMILY'S SAFETY AND THE SUPPORT THEY ARE RECEIVING.

>> PIZZA HAS BEEN PROVIDED.

LUNCHABLES FOR THE KIDS.

DIAPERS, WATER, BEVERAGES.

ALL KINDS.

BASICALLY, A LOT OF NECESSITIES.

I HAVE SEEN SOAPS AND DETERGENTS.

CANNED FOOD.

ANYTHING THAT WE WOULD NEED IN AN EMERGENCY HAS BEEN PROVIDED.

>> Reporter: JACOB AYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE SEVERAL STORIES ON THE CRASH AT KPBS.ORG AND THAT'S ALSO WHERE WE WILL POST ANY UPDATES THAT ARE ANNOUNCED BY INVESTIGATORS.

>>> ANOTHER SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY STILL WAITING TO RECOVER FROM DISASTER.

16 MONTHS AFTER LAST YEAR'S FLOODING IN SOUTH CREST.

DOZENS OF LAWSUITS ARE PILING UP AGAINST THE CITY.

ALEXANDER CATCHES UP WITH ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE FLOOD, THIS WAS A TIGHT KNIT COMMUNITY.

>> JUST WALKING OVER HERE NOW, I SAW ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS FROM NEXT DOOR.

WE WERE ALL SUCH A TIGHT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE FELT AT HOME HERE AND LOVES THE DIVERSITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOVE BACK.

>> I WOKE UP THAT MORNING AND BY THE TIME I WENT TO BED, EVERYTHING WAS GONE.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE FLOOD, HER LANDLORD RAISED THE RENT AND A LOT OF HOMES AND APARTMENTS HERE HAVE NOT BEEN REBUILT.

SHE NOW LIVES IN A TRAVEL TRAILER WITH HER SON.

IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR SINCE THE FLOOD DEVASTATED THIS COMMUNITY.

AND WALKING AROUND, YOU CAN STILL SEE SIGNS OF RECOVERY.

THEY ARE NOW PART OF THE LAWSUIT.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS PREVENTABLE DISASTER.

THE INFRASTUCKTURE NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

WE NEED POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS FACING 53 LAWSUITS THAT A SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE HAS COMBINED INTO A MASS TORT WITH 1500 PLAINTIFFS.

KALIK SAID SUING IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS AND LANDLORDS ARE STILL RECOVERING, OVERWHELMED WITH DEBTS, AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

>> WE DON'T FEEL SUPPORTED BY OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE IS EXTREMELY DEHUMANIZING AND DISCOURAGING.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERN IS HOW THE CITY'S BUDGET WOES WILL AFFECT THE LAWSUITS GOING FORWARD.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS FOR YEARS STRUGGLED TO RETAIN OFFICERS AND HIRE NEW ONES.

THE RESULT?

IT'S OVERTIME BUDGET BALLOONS.

KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT SAYS SOME WORK SO MUCH OVERTIME THEY ARE NOW THE HIGHEST PAID CITY EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S POLICE CHIEF FOR MANY YEARS MADE THE MOST MONEY IN THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT SOMETHING CHANGED ABOUT A DECADE AGO.

COPS WERE LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT AND THOSE VACANCIES WEREN'T BEING FILLED.

SO OFFICERS STARTED WORKING MORE OVERTIME.

>> A LOT OF OVERTIME.

LIKE, THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF OVERTIME.

>> Reporter: PAUL PARKER IS THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO CIVILIAN POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

HE WORKED AS A POLICE OFFICER AND DEATH INVESTIGATOR FOR DECADES.

>> THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND UNLESS WE ARE ON SOME KIND OF SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT.

EVEN THEN, THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF OVERTIME SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE.

>> Reporter: TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, OFFICER JASON COSTANZA, A KPBS INVESTIGATION FOUND HE WORKED OVER 3,000 HOURS OF OVERTIME IN 2023.

THE YEAR WITH THE MOST RECENTLY AVAILABLE DATA.

THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO ADDING ANOTHER FULL TIME JOB PLUS ANOTHER PART TIME JOB ON TOP OF HIS REGULAR POLICE DUTIES.

FOR PARKER, THAT'S A RED FLAG.

>> I COULD SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.

WHEN YOU WORK EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF HOURS, 19 HOURS SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY EXCESSIVE.

WHEN YOU ARE WORKING 14, 16 HOUR DAYS AND PUT THOSE HOURS BACK TO BACK.

WORKING 14 TO 16, YOU ARE EXHAUSTED.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED.

>> Reporter: COSTANZA HAD TO WORK VERY LONG HOURS TO HIT THAT OVERTIME TOTAL.

WE ARE TALKING 17-HOUR SHIFTS.

SOMETIMES 19 HOUR SHIFTS.

WITH SHORT BREAKS IN BETWEEN.

HE EARNED OVER $400,000 IN 2023.

THE MAJORITY OF IT FROM OVERTIME PAY.

THAT MADE HIM THE CITY'S HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEE.

A KPBS ANALYSIS OF DEPARTMENT DATA FOUND COSTANZA WAS AMONG SEVERAL OFFICERS WHO EARNED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN OVERTIME PAY IN RECENT YEARS.

AND, IT'S MOSTLY THE SAME GROUP.

YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THE DEPARTMENT'S SKYROCKETING OVERTIME BUDGET IS ONE CONCERN.

THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF OFFICER WELL BEING AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER THESE FOLKS ARE ARMED AND THEY ARE TASKED WITH MAKING SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS TO SAVE THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE IS RESEARCH TO BACK UP THESE CONCERNS.

STUDIES AND AUDITS SHOW FATIGUED OFFICERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO FACE COMPLAINTS FROM CIVILIANS.

AND OVERTIME CAN RESULT IN MORE USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS.

>> OFFICERS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY TIRED, THEY ARE LESS ABLE, LESS LIKELY TO DEESCALATE.

THEY ARE LESS ABLE TO KIND OF MANAGE CRISIS ENCOUNTERS OR INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE IMPAIRED IN SOME WAY.

>> Reporter: LOIS JAMES IS DIRECTOR OF THE SLEEP AND PERFORMANCE RESEARCH CENTER AT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY.

SPOKANE.

JAMES HAS WORKED WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT OVERTIME GIVES DEPARTMENTS FLEXIBILITY BUT RELYING ON IT TOO MUCH CAN COST CITIES MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.

>> IT'S WHAT WE CALL THE FATIGUE TAX.

IT IS EASY FOR IT TO GET INTO THIS VICIOUS SPIRAL.

>> Reporter: TONS OF OVERTIME CAN LEAD TO BURNOFF WHICH MEANS MORE SHIFTS TO FILL WHEN THEY TAKE SICK LEAVE.

THERE IS ALSO THE PUBLIC SAFETY RISK OF FATIGUED OFFICERS MAKING MISTAKES ON DUTY.

THAT CAN RESULT IN COSTLY LAWSUITS OR SETTLEMENTS.

SAN DIEGO POLICE CHIEF SCOT WALL SAYS HE IS NOT BOTHERED BY THE HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY OFFICERS ARE MAKING IN OVERTIME.

>> THEY PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HOURS.

THEY EARN THE MONEY THEY HAVE MADE.

AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO PUTTING IN THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: AND HE PUSHED BACK ON THE NOTION THAT EXCESS OVERTIME INCREASES THE RISK OF NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HIS OFFICERS AND THE PUBLIC.

>> I DON'T THINK THE RIGHT WAY TO ANSWER THAT IS TO GIVE YOU A YES OR A NO.

THERE ARE SO MANY FACTORS THAT DEPEND.

>> Reporter: WAHL SAYS HE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST OFFICERS WORKING THE MOST OVERTIME HOURS.

>> IF THEY ARE NOT OUT THERE BEING RESPECTFUL AND TREATING PEOPLE RIGHT, MAKING GOOD DECISIONS, THEN THEY WILL BE PULLED BACK FROM WORKING OVERTIME.

>> Reporter: BUT THE CHIEF SAYS HE IS OPEN TO IMPOSING SOME LIMITS ON OVERTIME.

>> WE DO NEED SOME GUARDRAILS IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: HE SUPPORTS CAPPING SHIFTS AT 16 HOURS WITH A REQUIRED EIGHT-HOUR BREAK AND MANDATING ONE DAY OFF A WEEK.

BUT THOSE CHANGES WOULD NEED TO GO THROUGH WHAT IS A MEET AND CONFER PROCESS WITH THE POLICE OFFICER'S UNION WHICH CAN TAKE MONTHS.

IN THE LONG TERM, WAHL SAID THE DEPARTMENT NEED TO REDOUBLE ITS EFFORTS AT HIRING AND RECRUITING NEW OFFICERS.

SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A WHITE ACTRESS IS SUING THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY FOR NOT ALLOWING HER TO PORTRAY BLACK CIVIL RIGHTS ICONS.

KATIE HEISON SAYS IT'S ONE OF A WAVE OF LAWSUITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CLAIMING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A MAJORITY GROUP.

>> ANNETTE HUBBLE WROTE A ONE WOMAN SHOW.

SHE PORTRAYS HISTORICAL FIGURES.

WHITE LIKE HERSELF AND BLACK.

>> IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT, THAT MIGHT BE AN ISSUE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS RANCHO SANTA FE LIBRARY ASKED HER TO PERFORM FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY.

SHE CHOSE HARRIET BEECHER STOWE, HARRIET TUBMAN WHO ESCAPED SLAVERY AND RESCUED OTHERS.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOW, THEY ASKED HER TO SWAP OUT THE BLACK CHARACTERS FOR WHITE CHARACTERS.

>> THEY SAID IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO BE DOING THIS, YOU ARE A WHITE WOMAN.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I'M HONORING THESE WOMEN.

AND SHE SAID THAT DOESN'T MATTER.

AND I SAID, YOU MEAN I'M ONLY TO PERFORM WOMEN WHOSE STORIES OF BRAVERY AND COURAGE SHOULD BE TOLD IF THEY ARE WHITE?

SHE SAID THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

SO I'M NOT GETTING IT.

SO I SAID, WELL, TELL ME HOW THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE HAMILTON PLAY.

>> Reporter: IN HAMILTON, NON- WHITE ACTORS PORTRAY WHITE HISTORIC FIGURES.

THE DEBATE ESCALATED TO THE LIBRARY'S DIVERSITY INCLUSION TEAM.

HUBBLE REFUSED TO SWAP OUT THE CHARACTERS.

HUBBLE DOESN'T USE MAKEUP FOR HER CHARACTER.

>> I THINK IF PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS DOING BLACK FACE, NOT RESPECTING THEM, THAT MIGHT BE A CAUSE FOR AN OBJECTION.

BUT ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS READ MY STORIES AND THEY WOULD SEE HOW DEEPLY I RESPECT AND HONOR AND ADMIRE THESE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHED AN OPINION PIECE BY THE FORMER SAN DIEGO CITY ATTORNEY SUPPORTING HER AND A LAWYER FROM THE PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION READ IT.

>> AND THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THIS IS HORRIFIC.

I THINK THAT WAS THE VERY WORD THAT CHRIS USED.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> IF THESE WOMEN FOUGHT AGAINST SUCH INJUSTICE AND SUCH EGREGIOUS WRONG DOINGS IN THEIR LIVES, WHO AM I TO STOP AT FIGHTING THIS?

>> Reporter: PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION SAYS IT FIGHTS FOR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

IT HAS FILED SUITS AGAINST IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING, RACE QUOTAS AND PROGRAMS MEANT TO CLOSE RACIAL OPPORTUNITY GAPS.

>> THE GOVERNMENT SIMPLY DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXCLUDE ANYONE BY RACE.

>> IS THERE HOPE WITH ANY OF THESE CASES THAT IT MIGHT SET LEGAL PRECEDENT?

>> FOR SURE, WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE IMPACT.

>> Reporter: SO CALLED REVERSE DISCRIMINATION SUITS STRETCH BACK TO AT LEAST THE 1970s .

RECENTLY, HIGH PROFILE CASES HAVE MADE HEADLINES AGAIN LIKE THE SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST CONSIDERING RACE IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND IN SAN DIEGO, AFTER A WHITE PLAINTIFF SUED, THE CITY REMOVED THE RACE REQUIREMENT FROM A PROGRAM MEANT TO HELP PEOPLE OF COLOR BUY THEIR FIRST HOME.

DAN EATON IS A LEGAL ANALYST.

HE SAYS THESE LAWSUITS RELY ON LAWS ENACTED AFTER SLAVERY AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

>> THE IMPETUS OF THESE LAWS WAS TO ADDRESS THE LEGAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST, PARTICULARLY, FORMERLY ENSLAVED INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AFRICAN AMERICANS.

>> Reporter: BUT THE REASON IT IS LAW WAS WRITTEN DON'T REALLY MATTER IN A COURT OF LAW.

ONLY WHAT THE WORDS SAY.

>> AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING AS THE LAW HAS EVOLVED IS THE APPLICATION OF THESE LAWS OR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AS THE CASE MAY BE.

TO CLAIMS BY MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY.

>> INTERESTING TO SEE ALL THAT TURNED ON ITS HEAD.

>> Reporter: ANGIE CHANDLER HAS ADVISED ARTS INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDEING IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE HAS ALSO PLAYED HARRIET TUBMAN.

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ROLES I HAVE EVER HAD TO PLAY.

>> Reporter: AND SHE WOULD LOVE TO PLAY MARY MCCLOUD BATHOON WHOSE BODY WAS CENTRAL TO HER EXPERIENCE.

>> A WOMAN OVER 200 POUNDS, DARK SKIN BLACK WOMAN LIVING IN THE 1800S AND 1900S IN THIS COUNTRY.

THERE IS NOT A WAY I CAN EVEN INVITE YOU INTO WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WALK AROUND THIS COUNTRY.

IN A SIMILAR BODY IN 2025.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HUBBLE'S PERFORMANCE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE COLOR BLIND CASTING OF HAMILTON.

>> IT IS NOT A TWO-WAY STREET BECAUSE COLOR BLINDNESS IS A RESPONSE.

COLOR BLINDNESS IS A RESPONSE TO HISTORIC EXCLUSION TO THE ERASURE OF OUR STORIES.

>> Reporter: AND SHE SAYS IT IGNORES THE HARMFUL HISTORY OF WHITE PEOPLE PORTRAYING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THE FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN ARTS MOVEMENTS MEANS IT WILL NEVER BE AS SIMPLE, INNOCENT, AND NEUTRAL FOR A WHITE PERSON TO ATTEMPT TO TELL OR PERFORM THE STORY OF A BLACK PERSON.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE LETTER OF THE LAW, THAT MAY NOT MATTER.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> MAKE SURE YOU SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS AND GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

TODD GLORIA'S ADU PROPOSAL WOULD BLOCK HOUSING IN THE WHITEST WEALTHIEST NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND MONTGOMERY FIELD AIRPORT INSTRUMENTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF THE PLANE CRASH.

AND I.C.E.

AGENTS SWARM A SAN DIEGO IMMIGRATION COURT, ARRESTING PEOPLE AFTER THEIR HEARINGS.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS TERMINATING PROTECTIONS FOR THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES EFFECTIVE JULY 12th.

MATTHEW BULLER SAYS MANY AFGHANS LIVING IN SAN DIEGO ARE NOW AT RISK OF BEING SENT BACK.

>> Reporter: DESPERATE AFGHAN CIVILIANS WERE FLEEING FOR THEIR LIVES ABOUT THREE-AND-A- HALF YEARS AGO.

MANY WERE GRANTED TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OR TPS TO STAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A SPECIAL FORM OF DEPORTATION PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE FROM COUNTRIES EXPERIENCING WAR OR OTHER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.

NOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MAY BE SENDING THOSE REFUGEES BACK TO AFGHANISTAN.

IN A STATEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SAID QUOTE AFGHANISTAN HAS HAD AN IMPROVED SECURITY SITUATION AND ITS STABILIZING ECONOMY NO LONGER PREVENT THEM FROM RETURNING TO THEIR HOME COUNTRY.

IN AN INTERVIEW ON KPBS RADIO'S MIDDAY EDITION.

SHAWN VAN DIVER AFGHAN SAYS AFTER TRUMP'S FIRST TERM, THE PRESIDENT APPEARED TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF AFGHAN REFUGEES.

>> I THOUGHT THAT SURELY PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD PROTECT THIS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO PROTECT ALLIES WHO STOOD BESIDE US.

AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IS A STRATEGY TO THROW OUR WARTIME ALLIES UNDER THE BUS.

>> Reporter: VAN DIVER SAYS ABOUT 200,000 AFGHANS HAVE RESETTLED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 2021.

AN ESTIMATED 11,700 AFGHAN NATIONALS IN THE U.S.

CURRENTLY HOLD TPS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

>> YOU CAN HEAR ABOUT IT ON THE MIDDAY EDITION KPBS PODCAST.

YOU CAN LISTEN ON KPBS.ORG, THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE OR WHEREFORE YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AT CSU SAN MARCOS.

EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS SAYS IT HELPS STUDENTS PURSUE RESEARCH DOCTORATE DEGREES.

>> WE HAVE 160 STUDENTS IN THE PIPELINE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER FOR TRAINING RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AT CSU SAN MARCOS SUPPORTS STUDENTS FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO MASTERS PROGRAMS.

>> WHAT WE DO IS HELP STUDENTS GAIN EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: DOING RESEARCH WITH FACULTY MEMBERS, ATTENDING CONFERENCES AND TAKING A WEEKLY DEVELOPMENT CLASS.

>> WE ARE FIRST LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

THESE STUDENTS GAVE STUDENTS STIPENDS AND SO, THAT ALLOWED THEM TO DO RESEARCH IN LABS AND ALLOWED THEM TO GO ONTO GRAD SCHOOL.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION.

>> Reporter: FOUR OF THE CENTER'S PROGRAMS WERE FEDERALLY FUNDED THROUGH GRANT IFS THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

THEY CUT FUNDING SUDDENLY THIS SPRING STARTING WITH U RISE.

>> WE FOUND OUT THAT ONE WAS CUT ON THE END OF MARCH.

AND EVERY WEEK THERE AFTER, WE WOULD GET ANOTHER TERMINATION UNTIL THEY ALL GOT TERMINATED.

>> Reporter: THE NIH TOLD UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS THE TERMINATIONS WERE DUE TO CHANGES IN PRIORITIES.

THE NIH WROTE ITS POLICY IS QUOTE NOT TO PRIORITIZE RESEARCH PROGRAMS RELATED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.

GARCIA SAYS THE LOSS OF FUNDING MEANT 45 STUDENTS WENT WITHOUT PAY FOR MORE THAN A MONTH.

NICHOLAS MENDEZ IS STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY.

>> TO NOT BE CERTAIN WHAT YOUR PAYCHECK WILL LOOK LIKE AND HOW LONG YOU WILL GET THE STIPENDS FOR.

IT'S VERY INTIMIDATING BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH TO LOSE AND WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH WE WANT TO GAIN NOT JUST FOR OURSELVES BUT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MENDEZ HAS DONE RESEARCH ON NICOTINE ADDICTIONS AND WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS AND HOPES TO GO INTO DRUG DEVELOPMENT.

HE SAY IT IS STIPENDS ALLOW HIM TO FOCUS ON RESEARCH RATHER THAN AN OFF CAMPUS JOB.

>> ORIGINALLY, I WORKED A RESTAURANT JOB AND I DECIDED I WANT TODAY BE MORE ON CAMPUS.

IT WAS EASIER TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE ON CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE FOUND ENOUGH GRANTS AND OTHER SOURCES TO PAY STUDENTS APRIL AND MAY STIPENDS.

NOW, THE SCHOOL IS TRYING TO FUND RAISE SO THAT 13 STUDENTS INCLUDING MENDEZ WHO ARE HALFWAY THROUGH THEIR TWO YEAR PROGRAMS CAN FINISH THEM.

HE SAID IT HAS HELPED WITH GAS MONEY AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT BUYING LUNCH AT CONFERENCES.

>> IT GIVES ME THE FREEDOM TO BE A STUDENT AND RESEARCH WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE NITPICKY THINGS I HAVE TO BUDGET IN.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, GARCIA SAY IT IS CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AS MUCH SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AS THEY CAN.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMERS ARE WOMEN.

A STUDY IS TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY AND IF LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN PREVENT IT.

>> Reporter: WOMEN INFLAMMATION IS TRACKING ON WHETHER QUALITIES LIKE SLEEP QUALITY, DIET AND ACTIVITY MIGHT DRIVE UP INFLAMMATION AND HOW IT MAY BE LINKED TO ALZHEIMERS DISEASE.

>> ALONG WITH HOW MAYBE SEX HORMONES MIGHT IMPACT THAT, TOO.

WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW BEST TO INTERVENE TO IMPROVE THINGS WHICH WILL HAVE A COGNITIVE BENEFIT TO WOMEN.

>> Reporter: SARAH BANK IS A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST WHO IS COLEADING THE STUDY.

THE DATA FOUND HOW WOMEN SLEEP MAY BE A RISK FACTOR.

>> SLEEP APNEA IS A HIGHLY TREATABLE COMPONENT THAT MIGHT BE DRIVING SOME OF THE SLEEP AND MEMORY PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: A SURPRISING 70% OF WOMEN IN THE STUDY HAD UNDIAGNOSED SLEEP APNEA.

ERIN IS A COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENTIST WHO COLEADS THE STUDY.

SHE SAID SLEEP DISRUPTION CAN LEAD TO HIGHER LEVELS TAW IN THE BRAIN.

>> IT IS A BUILDUP OF A NORMAL PROTEIN THAT LEAD TO THE MEMORY DEFICITS WE SEE IN ALZHEIMERS DISEASE.

WOMEN TEND TO HAVE MORE AND WE ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY AND WE THINK INFLAMMATION MIGHT BE A CULPRIT.

>> Reporter: A FAMILY HISTORY OF DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMERS MADE JOINING THE STUDY PERSONAL FOR 76-YEAR-OLD SHARON LEE.

>> I EAT PRETTY WELL.

AND I TRY TO EXERCISE, JUST NOT MY BODY, BUT ALSO MY BRAIN.

YOU KNOW.

DO NEW THINGS AND KEEP ACTIVE.

>> Reporter: PARTICIPANTS COMMIT TO MULTIPLE CLINIC VISITS OVER TWO YEARS.

>> THEY DO IMAGES.

THEY DO BLOOD DRAWS.

>> Reporter: PARTICIPANTS GET HEALTH FEEDBACK.

A COGNITIVE SCORE AND A COPY OF THE BRAIN SCAN.

THEY HOPE IT LEADS TO PREVENTION.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR 50 MORE WOMEN OVER 65 TO JOIN.

>> WE HOPE TO GET A DIVERSE GROUP OF WOMEN IN THAT REFLECT THE POPULATION.

SO THAT OUR RESULTS CAN HELP TO GENERALIZE NOT JUST ONE SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP, BUT TO WOMEN IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: IT'S A COMMITMENT.

BUT ONE THAT RESEARCHERS SAY COULD UNLOCK ANSWERS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

HEIDI DE MARKO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK, NUMBERS WERE RELEASED FROM THIS YEAR'S POINT AND TIME COUNT OF THE LOCAL HOMELESS POPULATION.

MOST LOCAL CITIES SAW FEWER UNSHELTERED PEOPLE.

BUT THE BIGGEST CHANGES WERE IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A MILESTONE MOMENT.

HOMELESSNESS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY DECLINED BY 7% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT.

A ONE DAY SNAPSHOT COUNT DONE ANNUALLY IN LATE JANUARY BY THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS.

>> IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE THE NUMBER GO DOWN.

>> Reporter: PAUL ARMSTRONG IS CHIEF OF STAFF AT SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION WHICH OPERATES THE OCEAN SIDE NAVIGATION CENTER.

HE SAYS MANY NORTH COUNTY CITIES ARE NOW GOING BEYOND NUMBERS.

AND USING NAMES TO HUMANIZE EACH PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> SO DO I ACTUALLY KNOW THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN MY CITY?

AND THE MORE EFFECTIVE YOU ARE WITH THE BY NAME LIST, THE MORE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE.

>> Reporter: OUTSIDE THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, SOME OF THE LARGEST DECLINES IN HOMELESSNESS WERE SEEN IN CITIES LIKE CARLSBAD AND SANISAS AND OCEAN SIDE.

>> OCEAN SIDE AND CARLSBAD EACH SECURED STATE GRANTS TO ADDRESSING ENCAMPMENTS AND THEY WORKED WITH PROVIDERS TO CREATE BY NAME LISTS OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND WORK TOGETHER TO HELP THOSE FOLKS GET OFF THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE KEY IN NORTH COUNTY IS COLLABORATION BETWEEN CITIES, NON-PROFITS AND THE COUNTY.

THAT ENCAMPMENT BANS AND ENFORCEMENT ALONE WON'T REDUCE HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE NEED MORE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE SEEN A DECREASE IN UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IN NORTH COUNTY IS IN THE LAST YEAR, MORE OF THOSE PLACES HAVE OPENED.

TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

NAVIGATION CENTERS.

>> Reporter: IF WE LOOK BACK INTO THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE TOTAL HOMELESSNESS COUNT FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS STILL CLOSE TO RECORD HIGHS.

AND, SENIOR HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES TO RISE.

>> AS THE COST OF HOUSING HAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE, THE FIXED INCOME LEVELS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABLING CONDITIONS HAS NOT INCREASED.

THE FIXED INCOME LEVELS OF SENIORS LIVING ON A RETIREMENT INCOME HAVE NOT INCREASED.

>> BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS DECLINED IN THE POST PANDEMIC ERA.

BY THAT MEASURE, THERE ARE SOME SIGNS OF HOPE FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE FUTURE.

JACOB AYER, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND THAT'LL DO IT FOR US.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT THE NEW THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, THANKS FOR JOINING US.