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

COMING UP, HOW IS SAN DIEGO GOING TO CLIMB OUT OF ITS MAJOR MONEY HOLE?

THE MAYOR'S BUDGET PLAN IS ALREADY BEING CRITICIZED BY THOSE WHO WILL ULTIMATE LETTER HAVE TO VOTE FOR IT.

>>> PAYING IT FORWARD, DAVID'S HARP PUTTING A BILLIONAIRE'S GIFT TO GOOD USE.

HOW THEY'RE GIVING LOCAL AT RISK YOUTH SUPPORT NEEDED TO THRIVE.

>>> CHULA VISTA HAS BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THIS WEEKEND.

THE NEW GAYLORD PACIFIC RESORT AS IT OPENS FOR BUSINESS.

>>> WE START WITH A KPBS INVESTIGATION.

IMMIGRATION LAWYERS SAY ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE INCREASE INCREASINGLY DENIED DUE PROCESS.

A STORY OF ONE DISABLED MAN IN A SAN DIEGO AREA DETENTION CENTER.

>> A DEAF AND MUTE MONGOLIAN MAN HAS SPENT MORE THAN 80 DAYS AT THE DETENTION CENTER.

HIS SISTER IS READY TO SPONSOR HIM BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DEPORT HIM.

LAWYERS SAY THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ORDERS HAVE ELIMINATED DUE PROCESS.

HER CLIENT CROSSED THE BORDER IN FEBRUARY AND TURNED HIMSELF IN TO BORDER PATROL AGENTS.

>> HE GAVE THEM A LETTER WRITTEN IN MONGOLIAN AND TRANSLATED TO ENGLISH AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT.

THAT EXPLAINED THAT HE FEARED RETURNING TO AMONG OL' -- MONGOLIA AND WANTED TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM.

>> THE BORDER PATROL HANDED BAY TO IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WHO TOOK HIM TO THE PRIVATELY RUN DETENTION CENTER.

BAY WAS PLACED IN A FAST TRACKED DEPORTATION PROCESS CALLED EXPEDITED REMOVAL.

NORMALLY PEOPLE WHO EXPRESS FEAR OF RETURNING HOME ARE GIVEN A SCREENING WITH A TRAINED ASYLUM OFFICER.

IF THEY ESTABLISH CREDIBLE FEAR THEY GET TO SEE IMMIGRATION JUDGE.

TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER REMOVED THAT PROCESS.

INSTEAD BAY WENT THROUGH A DIFFERENT ASSESSMENT WITHOUT HIS LAWYER PRESENT.

>> THE MOST HE COULD DO WAS WRITE ON A PIECE OF PAPER MONGOLIA AND THEN MAKE, USE BODY LANGUAGE TO INDICATE THAT HE IS AFRAID.

THAT'S ALL HE COULD DO.

>> IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE I.C.E.

INTERPRETER USED AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, NOT MONGOLIAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

BAY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND MOST OF THE SIGNS.

>> SO HE IS LOOKING AT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER THROUGH A SCREEN WHO HE CAN'T, HE CAN BARELY UNDERSTAND.

HE UNDERSTANDS MAYBE A FEW SIGNS HERE AND THERE.

>> YET THE OFFICER DETERMINED BAY WAS NOT IN DANGER BACK HOME PUTTING HIM AT RISK OF BEING DEPORTED.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW IMMIGRANTS ARE RECEIVING NO DUE PROCESS.

I MEAN, YOU ARE INTERVIEWED IN A LANGUAGE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND BY SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR DHS AS A DHS EMPLOYEE.

YOU ARE NOT TAKEN IN FRONT OF A JUDGE.

YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY NEUTRAL OR UNBIASED WHO IS LOOKING AT YOUR CASE.

>> THE EXECUTIVE ORDER I.C.E.

IS USING TO JUSTIFY THIS TREATMENT IS CALLED GUARANTEEING THE STATE'S PROTECTION AGAINST INVASION.

IT PORTRAYS IMMIGRANTS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS AS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK.

SHE SAYS BAY IS NOT A CRIMINAL AND THERE IS EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE FOR HIM BEING PERSECUTED IN MONGOLIA.

>> HE WAS SEEN AS DEFECTIVE, LESS THAN HUMAN.

AND HE WAS BEATEN SEVERELY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY BAD ACTORS.

HE REPORTED THEM TO THE POLICE.

THE POLICE DID NOTHING.

THESE PEOPLE WERE NEVER ARRESTED.

IN ONE CASE IN 2020, HE ENDED UP WITH A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

ANOTHER OCCASION, HE HAD BONES BROKEN.

THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR HIM.

>> KPBS CONFIRMED BAY IS IN A PRIVATE DETENTION CENTER RUN BY COMPANY CORE CIVIC.

SHE SAYS HE HAS BEEN THERE 80 DAYS.

I.C.E.

DID NOT IMMEDIATE IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

ACCORDING TO BUDGET AND IS US IT COSTS TAXPAYERS $217 A DAY TO DETAIN SOMEONE IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT'S MORE THAN $17,000 OF TAXPAYER MONEY SPENT KEEPING HIM.

HIS SISTER IS WILL BE TO HOUSE HIM FOR -- WILLING TO HOUSE HIM FOR FREE.

>> I HAVE A ROOM FOR HIM AND I HAVE A TOWN HOME IN VIRGINIA.

>> LIKE BAY, SHE ASKED NOT TO ASK HER FULL NAME.

SHE'S AFRAID OF SPEAKING OUT BUT FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO HEAR HER BROTHER'S STORY.

ALL SHE WANTS IS FOR HIM TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT AT HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION.

>> GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO TELL HIS STORY.

ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS FAIRNESS ON HIS PART.

>> SHE SAYS HER BROTHER FEELS COMPLETELY ALONE IN THE DETENTION CENTER MOSTLY BECAUSE HE IS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE FROM STAFF, MEDICAL WORKERS, OTHER DETAINEES.

>> IT IS NOT JUST THAT HE'S BEEN DETAINED.

BUT IT'S THAT HE IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF FROM UNDERSTANDING OR PARTICIPATING IN WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HIM.

THAT'S WHAT BREAKS MY HEART.

>> EARLY THIS WEEK, A MOTION WAS FILED TO PREVENT THE DEPORTATION.

>>> A LOGAN HEIGHTS PARISH IS JOINING A LAWSUIT TO KEEP CHURCHES OFF LIMITS TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

OUR KPBS REPORTER VISITED TO SEE WHY.

>> Reporter: OUR LADY OF GUADELUPE PARISH CALLS ITSELF AN IMMIGRANT CHURCH.

A POLICY SAID CHURCHES, SCHOOLS WERE GENERALLY OFF LIMITS TO IMMIGRATION ARRESTS.

>> THAT SENT FEAR THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS ONE CHURCH MEMBER PUT IT THIS WAY.

>> SHE SAID IT'S AS IF THEY'RE HUNTING US, AS IF WE'RE ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: WHEN CHURCHES FIRST BECAME FAIR GAME, PEWS WERE NOTICEABLY EMITTER -- EMPTY.

BUT THEN ATTENDANCE ROSE AGAIN.

>> A LOT OF PARENTS WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED SEND THEIR ADULT CHILDREN TO DO ERRANDS FOR THEM.

THE ONLY THING THEY DO IS GO TO WORK AND COME TO CHURCH.

BUT WHAT THEY CAN'T SEND THEIR KID TO DO IS GO TO CHURCH FOR THEM.

THEY NEED TO COME THEMSELVES.

I THINK THEY'RE MAKING THAT DECISION, WEIGHING IT AND TAKING THE RISK.

>> THEY SUSPENDED THE MIGRANT SHELTER THEY USED TO RUN OUT OF THE COMMUNITY RUN.

STILL SANTA ROSA SAYS IMMIGRATION CHALLENGES ARE CONSUMING THEM, MAKING IT HARD FOR STAFF TO SERVE IN OTHER WAYS.

IN A DIVISIVE TIME HE BELIEVES THE LAWSUIT WILL FIND COMMON GROUND.

>> GOD DOESN'T REALLY ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER WE HAVE DOCUMENTS OR WHERE WE WERE BORN OR WHETHER WE ARE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OR A PRIEST, WHETHER WE ARE RICH, WHETHER WE ARE POOR.

GOD LOVES US ALL BECAUSE WE ARE GOD'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

I HAVE THINK EVERYONE WOULD AGREE.

>> Reporter: THE PARISH IS ONE OF FIVE PLAINTIFFS IN THE SUIT INCLUDING FOUR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

>>> THIS WAS A BIG WEEK FOR HOW THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO SPENDS TAXPAYER MONEY.

THERE IS LESS TO GO AROUND IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE.

OUR KPBS METRO REPORTER TELLS US ABOUT THE LATEST PROPOSAL TO BALANCE PUBLIC SERVICES WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Reporter: GLORIA IS STILL PROPOSING TO SHUTTER ALL CITY LIBRARIES ON SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS TO HELP CLOSE A DEFICIT OF MORE THAN $300 MILLION.

PLANS FOR PAID PARKING IN BALBOA PARK AND NEW FEES FOR TRASH COLLECTION AT SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ALSO HAVEN'T CHANGED.

GLORIA IS BACKING OFF A PROPOSAL TO CONSOLIDATE POLICE OPERATIONS IN AND AROUND CARMEL VALLEY.

HE'S ALSO PROPOSING MORE MODEST CUTS TO THE CITY'S ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> THESE ARE TARGETED, THOUGHTFUL RESTORATIONS THAT SHOW WE HAVE LISTENED TO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT WE ARE OPERATOR EYEING SAFETY.

THAT'S THE CRUX OF THIS BUDGET.

NO GIMICS, NO HAIL MARY PASSES, JUST RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS BASED UPON WHAT IS BEST FOR SAN DIEGO'S FUTURE.

>> CRITICS BLASTED THE PROPOSAL TO CUT LIBRARY AND REC CENTER HOURS EQUALLY ACROSS THE CITY.

THEY SAY WEALTHIER COMMUNITIES CAN ABSORB BUDGET CUTS MORE EASILY THAN THOSE WITH LESS RESOURCES AND THAT CUTS SHOULD BE TAILORED TO EACH COMMUNITY'S NEEDS.

AFTER THE REVISED BUDGET WAS RELEASED, A COUNCILMEMBER PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING QUOTE, UNFORTUNATELY THE RESIZED -- REVISED BUDGET.

THE MAYOR FAILED TO DELIVER FOR COMMUNITIES COUNTING ON HIM BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.

GLORIA DISAGREES AND SAID HIS BUDGET DOES MAKE EQUITABLE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED MOST.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE LIKE TO PICK AND CHOOSE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WANTED TO OVER SIMPLIFY, OVERLOOK OTHER THINGS GOING ON OR ADVANCE GENDER OR PRIORITY THEY HAVE.

THIS WAS BUILT WITH EQUITY AT THE CENTER OF IT AND I AM VERY PROUD OF WHAT IS IN HERE.

I BELIEVE THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY CITY COUNCIL WILL ADOPT THE BUDGET.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL IS HOLDING A BUDGET HEARING ON THE REVISED PROPOSAL MONDAY AT 6:00 P.M. WITH FINAL VOTE SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10 INTERESTS AS WE SAW IN THAT STORY, BALANCING THE CITY'S BUDGET ISN'T EASY.

FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TO HOUSING, PARKS, POT HOLES, EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS.

IN OUR NEW INTERACTIVE GAME, YOU MAKE TOUGH CALLS.

RAISE REVENUE, CUT SPENDING, CHOOSE WHAT SAN DIEGO CAN AFFORD.

CAN YOU BALANCE THE BUDGET?

PLAY AT KPBS.ORG/BUDGETCHALLENGE OR SCAN THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN.

>>> LAST YEAR, CALIFORNIA VOTERS CHOSE TO INVEST MORE MONEY INTO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WE KNOW WHERE SOME OF THE MONEY WILL GO LOCALLY.

TONYA THORN UPDATES US ON THE IMPACT OF PROP ONE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS URGING CALIFORNIA CITIES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS WITH URGENCY AND DIGNITY.

>> THE PUBLIC IS EXHAUSTED BY THE CONVERSATION AROUND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CONVERSATION AROUND HOMELESSNESS AND CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE NOT JUST IN CALIFORNIA BUT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

>> HE IS BACKING THAT PUSH WITH $3 BILLION IN PROPOSITION ONE FUNDING TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOUSING AND TREATMENT OPTIONS.

>> THEY WANTED TO SEE ACTION.

THEY WANTED TO SEE RESULTS.

THEY WANTED TO SEE -- WANTED TO SEE INTENTIONAL AT.

>> IT WILL GOAF CROSS THE COUNTY.

THE LARGEST AWARD WENT TO A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.

NEARLY 50 MILLION TO HELP BUILD A 120 BED FACILITY TO ADDRESS CRITICAL BEHAVIORAL SERVICES.

THAT'S EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2026.

THREE OTHER NONPROFITS ALSO GOT AWARDS INCLUDING IN SAN MARCOS.

>> IT'S NOT EASY RAISING MONEY AS A SMALLER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BUT TO HAVE THE STATE STEP IN AND REALIZE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS CRITICAL, IT'S A BOLD MOVE.

>> THE CEO, THE PROPERTY SERVES VULNERABLE YOUTH AND FOSTER CHILDREN.

THERE WAS A $19 MILLION AWARD TO HELP BUILD A PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY ON THE PROPERTY.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE WILL BE SERVING KIDS THAT NEED IT THAT ARE ALREADY HOUSED IN OUR PROGRAMS.

BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO OPEN UP TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE SYSTEM INVOLVED MEANING YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IF YOU SPECIFICALLY NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF THIS NATURE.

WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT UP.

>> THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO GOT TWO GRANTS AND ONE MORE TO INNER TRIBAL WELLNESS.

NOT ON THE LIST WAS A CONTROVERSIAL DETOX FACILITY IN SAN MARCOS PROPOSED BY INNER FAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE 150 BED FACILITY WAS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED NEAR SEVERAL SCHOOLS.

INTERFAITH SAYS THAT PROJECT IS NOW SUSPENDED.

>>> WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS NO STRANGES ATTACHED?

IN 2021, A LOCAL NONPROFIT ACTUALLY GOT $1 MILLION FROM A BILLIONAIRE MAKENZIE SCOTT.

MELISSA TOLD YOU ABOUT DAVID'S HARP FOUNDATION AND SHE CHECKED IN TO SEE HOW THEY SPENT THE SEVEN FIGURE GIFT.

>> WELCOME.

COME IN.

COOL.

RIGHT HERE WE HAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN.

>> Reporter: FOR ADRIENNE, HIS HOME FOR THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS REPRESENTS SOMETHING BIGGER.

>> A TRUE LOVING ECOSYSTEM.

I LOOK AT PLANTS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PLANTS AROUND HERE.

IF YOU LOOK AT A PLANT THAT MIGHT BE DEHYDRATED OR DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD, YOU PUT IT IN AN ECOSYSTEM THAT'S THRIVING AND IT IS ABLE TO TRANSFORM IT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS TRANSFORMATION HOUSE ECOSYSTEM CREATES A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR YOUTH EXITING JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM HELPING PREPARE THEM FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IS STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO COME IN AND NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY NEED BUT ARE ABLE TO BE TRANSFORMED BY COMMUNITY AND LOVE, STABILITY IN THIS PLACE WHILE ALSO SETTING THEM UP FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THE HOUSE MANAGER, HELPING RESIDENTS LEARN TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.

>> WHAT IT IS TO PREP FOOD AND MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD, THAT'S A THING.

DOING LAUNDRY ALL THE TIME, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

CLEANING AND DOING HOUSE CHORES.

SOMETIMES AS A YOUNG PERSON, IT IS HARD TO DO ALL THESE THINGS.

SO YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO BE LIKE HEY, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.

>> IT'S PART OF A PROGRAM RUN BY THE DAVID'S HEART FOUNDATION IN ADDITION TO GIVING YOUTH AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS A PLACE TO LIVE, THEY TEACH ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND JOB TRAINING THROUGH MUSIC AND MEDIA.

>> BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ART, EARNING RELATIONSHIPS AND WALKING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH A TRUSTED MENTOR TO WALK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PROBATION.

>> DAVID'S HARP IS BRANDON'S VISION.

>> CHALLENGES AS THEY COME BACK TO THE COMMUNITY FROM DETENTION ARE A LOT.

EVERYTHING LITERALLY FROM HOUSING TO WORKFORCE AND JOB THINGS BUT ALSO REALLY CONNECTION AND RELATIONSHIP.

>> Reporter: IN 2021, MAKENZIE SCOTT SELECTED DAVID'S HARP TO RECEIVE A $1 MILLION GIFT, NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

AT FIRST, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

>> I WAS DRIVING DOWNTOWN COMING DOWN THE 94 FREEWAY WHERE PEOPLE ARE BUILDING BUSINESSES.

AT THE TIME A LITTLE OVER 60% OF THE KIDS WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

SO YOU HAD KIDS THAT WERE SHOWING UP, BRINGING THEIR FULL SELF, INVESTING IN THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEEDED TO RUN BUSINESSES BUT HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.

SLEEPING IN CARS, ON FRIENDS' COUCHES, COUCH SURFING.

IT DAWNED ON ME WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE WHERE THE KIDS CAN LAUNCH OUT FROM A HOUSE INTO THEIR OWN HOUSING.

WE NEEDED OUR OWN HOUSE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

WE PURCHASED A HOME.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY FOUR YOUTH LIVE AT THE HOUSE AND THERE ARE PLANS FOR EXPANDING IT INTO A VILLAGE.

>> THEY'RE ABLE TO PAY $500 A MONTH IN RENT.

THAT $500 IS SAVED FOR THEM IN ESCROW.

AFTER 12 MONTHS, THEY GET ALL OF IT BACK AS FIRST, LAST, MOVE ON THEIR OWN SPACE.

>> WHILE IT WENT TO PURCHASING AND RENOVATING, THE FOUNDATION HAS ALSO GROWN.

>> WE WENT FROM 2000 SQUARE FEET DOWNSTAIRS TO 45, ALMOST 5000 SQUARE FEET UPSTAIRS IN MONICA WAREHOUSE IN THE EAST VILLAGE.

>> BEFORE THE DONATION THE FOUNDATION SERVED 220 YOUTH EACH YEAR.

NOW THEY'RE UP TO MORE THAN 500.

>> INCLUDING 95% OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE PROGRAM IS DOUBLED BUT IT IS ALSO DOUBLED IN OUTPUT.

>> THEY'VE ALSO DOUBLED THEIR STAFF INCLUDING GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM.

>> I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT DAVID'S HARP.

LIKE KIND OF JUST FROM BEING LOCKED UP IN EAST MESA, I KIND OF JUST HAD A VISION OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

I HAD MY GOALS WRITTEN DOWN.

>> RILEY HAS GROWN A LOT SINCE WE FIRST MET HIM IN 2021.

HE HAS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND SERVES AS A FULL TIME ARTIST MENTOR FOR DAVID'S HARP.

>> I REALLY JUST WANT TO HELP KIDS WHO ARE KIND OF GOING THROUGH THE STRUGGLE AND JUST KNOW THAT IT IS BETTER ON THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE AND YOU CAN CHANGE AND BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE AND BE POSITIVE WITH IT, YOU KNOW.

>> SINCE 2007, STEP SAYS THE FOUNDATION HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF YOUTH AND THAT MILLION DOLLARS HAS HELPED THEM HAVE A GREATER IMPACT.

>> WHAT WE CHOSE TO DO WAS GO ALL IN WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND INVEST IT DIRECTLY IN THEIR FUTURE.

>> STEP HOPES ONE DAY SOON THE COURTS WILL CONSIDER TRANSFORMATION HOUSE AND THE FOUNDATION'S WORKFORCE PROGRAM AN OFFICIAL ALTERNATIVE FOR YOUTH FACING INCARCERATION.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR DECADES, ANIMAL TESTING HAS HELPED SCIENTISTS DEVELOP TREATMENTS FOR HUMAN AILMENTS.

NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS INCHING AWAY FROM THE CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE.

OUR KPBS SSCI TECH REPORTER EXPLORES WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> IN A LAB AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, WE SEE A VIDEO OF A HUMAN LUNG WITH A FORM OF FIBROSIS SHOWN IN RED.

BUT THIS ISN'T REALLY A LUNG.

IT'S A MINIATURE MODEL OF A LUNG MADE FROM HUMAN STEM CELLS.

IT IS CALLED AN ORGANOID.

>> WE HAVE A WAY TO SCREEN THE DRUGS ON THIS TO REVERSE THIS EXACT CONDITION.

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINE THAT WITHOUT THE CELLS, YOU CANNOT FIBROSA LUNG, CANNOT SCAR A LUNG.

>> Reporter: A PROFESSOR OF CELLULAR MEDICINE WHO IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING DRUG DISCOVERY BY TESTING WITH HUMAN TISSUE, SAYS THE PROBLEM WITH ANIMAL TRIALS AND CURRENT SYSTEM OF DRUG APPROVAL IS PRETTY CLEAR.

>> WE HAVE A REPORT CARD THAT WE CAN'T REALLY IGNORE, CAN WE?

OUR REPORT CARD SAYS WE GET IT NINE OUT OF TEN TIMES WRONG.

THAT IS A DRUG AT LEAST.

>> YES, ABOUT 90% OF DRUGS UNDER DEVELOPMENT FAIL IN HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS.

FINAL STAGE OF THE APPROVAL PROCESS.

TESTING A NEW DRUG FROM END TO END USUALLY TAKES A DECADE AND CAN COST MORE THAN $1 BILLION WHETHER EVENTUALLY APPROVED OR NOT.

SHE SAYS SHORTCOMINGS OF ANIMAL TESTING IS ONE PROBLEM.

YOU SEE, PEOPLE ARE NOT MICE.

>> WE HAVE EVOLVED DIFFERENTLY.

WE KNOW OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT.

>> NEWS ON CHANGING POLICIES ON DRUG TRIALS WERE ANNOUNCED BY FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

>> WE ANNOUNCE A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN ANIMAL TESTING AT NIH AND FDA.

>> NIH ANNOUNCED IT WILL CREATE A NEW OFFICE TO DEVELOP USE OF NONANE MALL APPROACHES.

ITS DIRECTOR SAID QUOTE THIS HUMAN BASED APPROACH WILL ACCELERATE INNOVATION, IMPROVE HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES, MARK A CRITICAL STEP FORWARD FOR SCIENCE.

SHE FAVORS A TIERED APPROACH TO DRUG DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES ORGANOID TESTING AND COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS.

ADOPTING NEW HUMAN BASED FORMS OF TESTING PRESENTS SOME CHALLENGES.

>> COST IS HIGH.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, LIMITED TO A FEW LABS STILL IN THE WORLD.

>> THIS IS AT A TIME WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING DRAMATIC CUTS PERHAPS MORE THAN 40% TO THE BUDGETS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

TO HER, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> HOW DO YOU INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES MORE SKILLS, REQUIRES MORE RESOURCES, REQUIRES MORE INFRASTRUCTURE?

OH AND BY THE WAY IN THE BACKDROP OF LESS FUNDING, THAT COULD BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TASK.

>> SOME PEOPLE STILL DEFEND ANIMAL TESTING.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH SAID COMPUTATIONAL MODELS AND ORGANOIDS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF REPLICATING INTRICACIES OF LIVING SYSTEMS.

>>> THERE IS A GROWING CAMPAIGN IN SAN DIEGO HE TO CHANGE A NOTORIOUS INTERSECTION IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.

AS WE SAW EARLIER, MONEY IS TIGHT.

BREAKING DOWN COSTS, BOTH HUMAN AND FINANCIAL.

>> IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH THE FIVE WAY INTERSECTION OF ELCAHON, PARK, AND NORMAL STREET YOU HAVE PROBABLY EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE.

IT IS CONFUSING AND SEES CLOSE CALLS ALMOST DAILY.

TWO YEARS AGO A PEDESTRIAN NAMED JOSH WAS STRUCK AND KILLED TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET.

THE ONLINE PETITION IS ASKING THE CITY TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO DO A TRAFFIC STUDY AND COME UP WITH OPTIONS FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE STUDY WOULD COST ABOUT $600,000.

A CITY COUNCILMEMBER SAYS THAT'S THE COST THE CITY CAN AFFORD.

>> PARKING METER RATES WENT UP THIS YEAR.

THAT WILL ADD TENS OF MILLIONS IN REVENUE.

WE SHOULD USE A PORTION OF THE NEW PARKING METER REVENUE TO FUND THE STUDY AND BEGIN IMPROVING THE INTERSECTION TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS, MOTORISTS.

>> CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS CALL FOR A ROUND ABOUT AT THE INTERSECTION.

THERE IS A POTENTIAL MODEL A FEW MILES AWAY ON FLORIDA STREET IN BALBOA PARK.

IN 2022 THE CITY INSTALLED WHAT IT CALLS A QUICK BUILD ROUND ABOUT.

INSTEAD OF POURING NEW CONCRETE THEY DRILLED PLASTIC BUMPS INTO THE ASPHALT.

THAT SAVED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND DELIVERED THE PROJECT YEARS FASTER THAN A MORE CONVENTIONAL DESIGN.

ADVOCATES SAY THE CITY'S BUDGET DEFICIT IS PRECISELY WHY A CHEAPER, FASTER IMPROVEMENT TO THE INTERSECTION IS NECESSARY.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE CITY IS FACING SERIOUS FINANCIAL CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW, AND WE APPRECIATE THE WORK BEING DONE TO CONTINUE IT MOVING REGARDLESS.

BUT IN TOUGH TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN TOUGH TIMES, GOVERNMENT MUST FULFILL IT'S CORE RESPONSIBILITIES.

BALANCING POWER BETWEEN THE STRONG AND WEAK, BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE, PROTECTING ITS PEOPLE.

>> CITY COUNCIL IS DUE TO VOTE ON THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IN JUNE BUT SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ARE URGENT.

A DOG PARK NEXT TO THE INTERSECTION RECENTLY CLOSED AFTER A DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE FENCING.

THAT'S HAPPENED THREE TIMES JUST IN THE PAST YEAR.

>> ANDREW COVERS LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR KPBS AND A LOT MORE.

HE ALSO HOSTS PODCAST FREEWAY EXIT ABOUT IMPACT FREEWAYS HAVE HAD NOT JUST ON LOCAL TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITIES.

STREAM IT ON THE PAGE AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCAST.

>>> YEARS IN THE MAKING AND TONIGHT THE CENTER PIECE OF THE PROJECT IS OPEN.

IT INCLUDES PARKS, OPEN SPACE, A HUGE NEW HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTER.

AN EARLY LOOK.

>> CHAIRS ARE LAID BY THE POOL.

LAZY RIVER AND SLIDES ARE READY AND MAR MARTINI GLASSES POLISHED AND HUNG AT THE GAYLORD PACIFIC.

>> ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENTS.

>> THAT ANTICIPATION NOT JUST HERE BUT NATIONWIDE.

THIS IS THE SIXTH RESORT FOR GAYLORD HOTELS AND THEIR LARGEST EVER.

THE PACIFIC MARKETING AND PR DIRECTOR SAYS GUESTS CAN EXPECT A LARGER THAN LIFE EXPERIENCE.

>> WHATEVER YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF A HOTEL, THIS IS BIGGER AND BOLDER, HAS MORE INTERESTING COMPONENTS.

>> 1600 ROOMS, 12 BARS AND RESTAURANTS, A FOUR AND A QUARTER ACRE WATER PARK WITH A VIEW OF SAN DIEGO BAY.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE THE TOWN CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> GETTING HERE WAS A CHALLENGE.

PLANS TO REVITALIZE STARTED IN 2002.

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVED THE MASTER PLAN IN 2012.

>> COVID, INFLATION, INTEREST RATE RISE, ET CETERA.

>> THE GROUND BREAKING HAPPENED IN 2022.

THE CEO OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND GAYLORD PACIFIC MANAGING PARTNERS.

>> DAD WANTS TO COME WITH HIS SON TO SEE A SOCCER OR BASKETBALL GAME.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO OUR SPORTS BAR.

MOM AND DAUGHTER WILL COME AND HAVE A SPA DAY.

>> IT IS EXPECTED TO BE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CATALYST FOR EMPTY LOTS NEXT DOOR.

THE RESORT IS EMPLOYING MORE THAN 1800 PEOPLE AND EXPECTS TO HIRE MORE THAN 1600 WHEN IT IS ALL SAID AND DONE.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.