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

COMING UP, LIBRARIES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A KEY ELEMENT OF OUR SCHOOLS, BUT THAT IS CHANGING IN EAST COUNTY.

SEE HOW IT IS AFFECTING PUBLIC EDUCATION IN ONE LOCAL DISTRICT.

IT WAS ANOTHER BIG TURNOUT FOR THE LATEST NO KINGS PROTEST.

WE WILL HAVE A RECAP OF THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATION IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

AND A EYES FOOTHOLD IN THE REGION.

WE TALK WITH TECH EXPERTS ABOUT THE WAYS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS BEING USED IN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES.

>>> WE START WITH ONGOING EFFECTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

THERE IS NO SIGN OF A DEAL IN CONGRESS, THAT MEANS MONEY FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IS ABOUT TO DRY UP.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN TELLS US WHAT THAT MEANS FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS THAT ARE EXPECTING A BIG SPIKE IN DEMAND.

>> I NEED MY EBT BUT IT IS THANKSGIVING, TOO, WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS.

>> Reporter: AND SCOTT RODD UNLOADS THE FOOD SHE GOT FROM EATING SAN DIEGO MARKETPLACE, SHE WORRIES ABOUT HOW SHE IS GOING TO FEED HERSELF NEXT MONTH.

>> I'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY OUT OF LINE.

YOU AND -- EXIT SHE RECEIVES CALFRESH BENEFITS WHICH IS CALIFORNIA'S VERSION OF THE FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, THOSE BENEFITS MAY NOT BE COMING NEXT MONTH.

WEBER GOT THE NOTIFICATION FROM THE COUNTY NEXT.

>> THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING, MY MEALS FOR NEXT MONTH, MY THANKSGIVING PLANS, EVERYTHING IS OUT THE WINDOW NOW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO FUND MEALS FOR MYSELF.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE STATE WARNED THE COUNTY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A DISRUPTION IF THE SHUTDOWN CONTINUES PAST THURSDAY.

>> WHEN THE BENEFITS DISAPPEAR, THERE ARE GOING TO BE OVER 400,000 PEOPLE ADDED INTO THE HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK TO RESPOND AND TO MAKE UP THAT GAP.

>> Reporter: TODAY, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED HE WOULD DEPLOY THE NATIONAL GUARD AND FREE OF $80 MILLION TO HELP FOOD BANKS IN ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED DEMAND FOR THE $80 MILLION IS COMING FROM CAL FOOD FUNDING TO HELP PEOPLE BY FITBIT >> BUT THE GOVERNOR DID AS HE IS ADVANCING THOSE DOLLARS, SO WE CAN UTILIZE THEM NOW TO RESPOND TO THE INCREASED DEMAND.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK CEO CASEY CASTILLO SAYS THE NATIONAL GUARD WOULD HELP SORT FOOD IN THE FOOD BANKS WAREHOUSE FOR THE BOTH OF THE FOOD BANK AND FEEDING SAN DIEGO SAY THEY HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN FEDERAL WORKERS AND MILITARY FAMILIES FOR >> LATELY, WE HAVE BEEN ASKED BY MEMBERS OF THE MARINE CORPS UP AT CAMP PENDLETON to do discrete food distributions.

>> As for Weber, feeding San Diego staff is helping her connect to other food distribution networks but if you need food assistance, visit the websites on your screen Alexander Nguyen, KPBS news.

>>> Those who get help paying for health insurance are also waiting for Congress to act.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS THAT INCLUDES 150,000 SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS.

>> COVERED CALIFORNIA SAYS ABOUT 125,000 SAN DIEGO IS DEPEND ON FEDERAL SUBSIDIES TO MAKE THEIR MONTHLY PREMIUMS MORE AFFORDABLE.

THEY WARN IF CONGRESS DOESN'T EXTEND THOSE SUBSIDIES -- >> THE RESULT OF THAT IS MANY OF OUR ENROLLEES WILL RECEIVE MUCH LESS TAX CREDIT THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY RECEIVING, AND THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE MONTHLY COST AFFORDABLE FOR MOST MARKETPLACE ENROLLEES, AND SOME OF OUR ENROLLEES WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDITS AT ALL.

>> Reporter: JESSICA ALTMAN RUNS THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE STATE'S AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MARKETPLACE.

SHE SAYS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> ABOUT A 70% COST INCREASE FOR YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE IS STILL ASTRONOMICAL FOR MOST PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY IMPACT WILL VARY BY REGION.

IN HIGHER INCOME AREAS LIKE LA JOLLA AND RANCHO SANTA FE, PREMIUMS COULD RISE AROUND 65%.

BUT IN SOUTH BAY CITIES LIKE CHULA VISTA AND IMPERIAL BEACH, INCREASES COULD EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE PREMIUM COSTS.

ALTMAN SAYS THE LOSS OF SUBSIDIES WILL HURT ENROLLEES WITH THE LOWEST INCOMES THE MOST.

>> SO, THIS IS SOMEONE MAKING 20,000, $22,000 A YEAR OR SO IN SMALL CHANGES IN COSTS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A NECESSITY LIKE HEALTHCARE CAN HAVE A REALLY BIG IMPACT.

>> Reporter: SHE ESTIMATES ABOUT ONE IN FOUR ENROLLEES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD COVERAGE, AND THOSE WHO STAY INSURED MAY HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES.

>> OR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE A LESS GENEROUS HEALTH PLAN TO BRING THAT MONTHLY COST WITHIN BUDGET FOR THEM, AND THAT CAN ALSO HAVE IMPACTS FOR HEALTH AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING.

>> Reporter: ENROLLMENT BEGINS NOVEMBER 1st.

ALTMAN SAYS CONSUMERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION AS A DEBATE OVER FEDERAL FUNDING CONTINUES.

>> THERE IS NOON NEWS IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAY ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS AND THE TAX CREDITS HAVE TIED INTO THAT, AND SO, THINGS COULD CHANGE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS COVERED CALIFORNIA'S COMMUNITY ENROLLMENT PARTNERS ARE READY TO HELP CONSUMERS NAVIGATE THEIR OPTIONS.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THOSE TWO STORIES ILLUSTRATE HOW POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY ARE CONNECTED.

THAT IS ALSO THE FOCUS OF OUR RECENT PUBLIC MATTERS COVERAGE.

WE SPOKE WITH THE CHIEF ECONOMIST AT THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL POLICY AND INNOVATION CENTER.

♪ >> Reporter: SO, DANIEL, HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE STATE OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY RIGHT NOW, AS WELL AS THE SAN DIEGO ECONOMY?

>> THE STATE OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY IS WEAKENING.

AND IT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN WEAKENING FOR LONGER THAN WE REALIZED.

THE LATEST BIG REVISION, WHICH IS A TYPICAL PROCESS WITH THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THEY GO BACK AND THEY REVISE THEIR NUMBERS BASED ON A MORE COMPLETE CENSUS OF BUSINESSES AND HIRING AND ALL THAT STUFF.

IT WAS THE LARGEST NEGATIVE REVISION IN RECENT HISTORY.

AND SO, THERE WERE ABOUT 900,000 JOBS LESS THAN WE THOUGHT THERE WERE, STARTING IN APRIL 2024, SO THIS IS NOT JUST THE TRUMP ECONOMY, THIS IS ALSO THE BIDEN ECONOMY.

WE SIMPLY HAVEN'T HAD AS MANY JOB -- NEW JOBS CREATED AS WE HAD HOPED, AS WE HAD EXPECTED.

AND SO, WE ARE ALREADY FROM A WEAKER POSITION THAN WE HAD REALIZED, AND IT IS GETTING WORSE MONTH BY MONTH, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> AND HOW IS THAT FILTERING DOWN TO SAN DIEGO?

>> THE YEAH, A LOT OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE DRIVING NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY HIT SAN DIEGO ESPECIALLY HARD.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNCERTAINTY AROUND TRADE POLICY, RIGHT?

THESE HIGH TARIFFS.

WELL, IN YOUR TYPICAL ECONOMY AT ONE-TO-ONE EXAMPLE OF TRADE, YOU THINK TRADE IS COUNTRY AND SELLS APPLES TO COUNTRY B AND COUNTRY B SELLS BANANAS TO COUNTRY A, RIGHT?

THOSE ARE FINISHED GOODS.

BUT WHAT WE DO IN SAN DIEGO IS MORE LIKE COPRODUCTION.

IN FACT, THE REGIONAL EDC HAS ESTIMATED THAT A TYPICAL COMPONENT OF A MEDICAL DEVICE MIGHT CROSS THE BORDER SIX OR EIGHT TIMES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROCESS, RIGHT?

SO, WHEN WE ARE WORKING SO INTIMATELY WITH OUR PARTNERS IN MEXICO, TRADING COMPONENTS BACK AND FORTH IN A SUPPLY CHAIN, WE ARE REALLY, UM, VULNERABLE TO TARIFFS.

AND SO, A PLACE THAT HAS ENGAGED IN AS MUCH TRADE AS WE ARE IS PERHAPS MORE IMPACTED THAN ON AVERAGE.

ANOTHER AREA YOU LOOK AT, A.I.

IS POTENTIALLY UNDERMINING SOME ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS, PARTICULARLY IN THE -- WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL THE INNOVATION SECTOR, WHICH IS A HUGE DRIVER OF SAN DIEGO'S ECONOMY.

>> WHAT WORRIES YOU THE MOST ABOUT WHERE WE MIGHT BE HEADED?

>> I THINK, UM, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT JOB LOSSES.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE -- THE BIGGEST IMPACT WHEN YOU HAVE A DOWNTURN IN AN ECONOMY, EVERYBODY WORRIES ABOUT A RECESSION, RIGHT?

THE BIGGEST NEGATIVE IMPACT OF A RECESSION IS THAT NOT A TON OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE HAD JOBS DON'T HAVE JOBS, IT IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY SMALL PORTION OF THE WORKERS WHO MIGHT BE AFFECTED.

IT IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO FIND A NEW JOB, IT IS MUCH HARDER.

AND SO, WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR JOB, YOU SPEND MORE TIME UNEMPLOYED.

WHEN YOU ADD TO THAT WERE VERY HIGH COST OF LIVING, THAT IS A DANGEROUS RECIPE.

MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT SAN DIEGO BECOMES SANTA BARBARA.

A PLACE THAT IS REALLY NICE FOR RICH PEOPLE TO LIVE, AND WHERE NO ONE ELSE CAN AFFORD TO BE.

>> THAT WAS AMITA SHARMA INTERVIEWING ECONOMIST DANIEL FOR PUBLIC MATTERS.

IT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH KPBS, I NEWS SOURCE, AND VOICES OF SAN DIEGO BUT YOU CAN SEE MORE OF OUR STORY AT KPBS.ORG/ PUBLIC MATTERS.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD VOTED TO GRANT ONE LIBRARIAN POSITION TO SUPERVISE ALL LIBRARIES IN THE DISTRICT BUT IT WAS THE SECOND SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE DISTRICT'S LIBRARIES IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

ALANNA SPOKE WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO SAY THE DECISIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISRUPTIVE.

>> Reporter: THE GRANITE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY WAS LIKE A SECOND HOME FOR JUNIOR KYRA JONES.

SHE WOULD GO THERE TO RELAX IN THE QUIET SANCTUARY, SIFTING THROUGH BOOKS OR ASKING THE LIBRARIAN FOR HELP WITH RESEARCH PAPERS.

>> OUR LIBRARIAN, SHE KNEW EVERY BOOK THAT WAS IN A LIBRARY BUT AS SOON AS YOU SET A TITLE, SHE WOULD SAY THAT WAS CHECKED OUT, OH NO, THAT ONE IS RIGHT OVER THERE.

SO, I WAS THERE PRETTY OFTEN.

>> Reporter: BUT ALL OF THAT CHANGED THIS SCHOOL YEAR FOLLOWING A MARCH VOTE BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO CUT ALL POSITIONS IN THE DISTRICT BUT >> A LOT OF THE TIME, IT HAS BEEN CLOSED, MOST OF IT INTO LUNCH AND A WORK PERIOD, WHICH THOSE ARE THE TIMES THAT I CAN GO TO THE LIBRARY BECAUSE ALL OF MY OTHER CLASSES, LIKE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING TO THE BELL.

>> Reporter: HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR LILLIAN ZEHNDER ALSO FELT THE LOSS OF HER SCHOOL'S LIBRARY AND PICK AS IT HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED.

MOST OF THE WORK THAT OUR LIBRARIAN PUT INTO IT, LIKE DISPLAYING ARTWORK, A LOT OF HER REFERENCES, RECOMMENDATIONS, THAT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE, IT WENT WITH HER.

>> EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE BOARD MAJORITY FOLLOWED UP THERE MARCH DECISION TO APPROVE ONE LIBRARIAN TO OVERSEE ALL LIBRARIES IN THE DISTRICT.

DISTRICT OFFICIALS REFUSED A REQUEST FROM KPBS FOR AN INTERVIEW, BUT IN AN EMAILED STATEMENT SAID KAREN LIBRARY STAFF MEMBERS CAN CHECK OUT BOOKS, HOWEVER THEY CAN'T SUPERVISE STUDENTS LIKE THE FORMER LIBRARIANS COULD STUDENTS SAY THIS MEANS THEY CAN'T STUDY, GATHER FOR CLUBS, OR GET HELP WITH THEIR RESEARCH IN THE LIBRARY.

AMY, PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, SAYS WHEN YOU MOVE A TEACHER LIBRARIAN -- >> THERE IS A BIG, A HUGE ABSENCE OF THOSE TYPES OF LESSONS IN THE DEPTHS OF WHICH ELI BRAND CAN GO.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT SAID, "AS IS NATURAL DURING A PERIOD OF TRANSITION, WE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSING SOME MISUNDERSTANDINGS REGARDING LIBRARY OPERATIONS.

TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, EXCEPT FOR BRIEF PERIODS WHEN A LIBRARY TECHNICIAN MAY BE ON BREAK OR LUNCH."

JACKIE IS A SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AT VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL WHO SPOKE TO KPBS AFTER THE BOARD'S MOST RECENT PUBLIC MEETING.

SHE SAYS THE BOARD'S MOVES LOOK LIKE A STEP TOWARDS CENSORSHIP.

>> I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE SOME CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT LEVEL OF INTERACTION THE BOARD EXPECTED TO HAVE WITH SAID DISTRICT LIBRARIAN, BECAUSE I THINK THEY HAVE OVERSTEPPED IN A LOT OF AREAS, TRYING TO MICROMANAGE DAY-TO-DAY DECISIONS OF STAFF IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THAT IS NOT REALLY BEARABLE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS NOT ALONE IN HER CONCERNS.

TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FORMER LIBRARIANS SAY THE BOARD MAJORITY'S ACTIONS SPEAK TO A LARGER CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL MOVEMENT.

JASON IS A FORMER LIBRARIAN AND NOW TEACHES HISTORY AT MOUNT MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> DEFINITELY IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA, AND IT'S LIKE A FULL FRONT BATTLE ON THE MONEY FRONT.

FEELS LIKE THEY ARE ATTACKING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THEY ARE PAID >> Reporter: BARBARA, WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER, IS ONE OF MULTIPLE TEACHERS WHO SAY THAT ISSUES WITH GETTING APPROVAL FOR NEW BOOKS FEED INTO CENSORSHIP CONCERNS.

>> US TO JUST CONTINUOUSLY BE TOLD NO, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, SUGGESTS THERE IS SOME OTHER CENSORSHIP GOING ON, BECAUSE THEY JUST REFUSED TO TELL US ANYTHING MORE.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT ACKNOWLEDGED THE BOOK REVIEW PROCESS NEEDS CLARIFICATION AND ADDED THAT OFFICIALS HAVE OUTLINED GOALS TO BUILD A CULTURE OF TRUST AND COLLABORATION.

SHE SAYS THE RECENT BOARD DECISIONS HAVE ACTUALLY ERODED TRUST IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THAT IS ACTUALLY A FEAR, THERE AT THE WHIMS OF THE BOARD IN THE DISTRICT.

IT SEEMS THAT SEPARATIONS OF POWER AND CHECKS AND BALANCES HAVE DISAPPEARED, AND NOW IT JUST SEEMS THE BOARD -- I MEAN, THE DISTRICT WILL DO WHATEVER THE BOARD SAYS.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT OFFICIALS HAVE NOT SAID WHEN THEY PLAN TO HIRE THE DISTRICT LIBRARIAN.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GOOD NEWS IS BLOOMING AT THE TIJUANA RIVER COMMUNITY GARDEN.

TAMMY MURGA HAS AN UPDATE ON PLANS TO KEEP GARDENERS PLANTING.

>> Reporter: ANDRADE HAS BEEN GROWING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN HIS PLOT FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] CAULIFLOWER, BROCCOLI, [ SPEAKING IN A NON- ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] , CILANTRO PIT >> Reporter: HE HAS ALSO GROWN MEMORIES THERE WITH HIS GRANDDAUGHTER.

SOME OF THOSE MEMORIES ARE SHOWN ON THE GREAT POSTER HIS NINE-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER MADE.

IT SAYS PLEASE DON'T CLOSE HIS GARDEN.

THE AGENCY MANAGING THE 17 ACRE COMMUNITY GARDEN GAVE THEM 60 DAYS TO LEAVE OVER CROSS-BORDER POLLUTION, BUT ON FRIDAY HAS BEEN HOPEFUL THAT DOZENS OF GROWERS LIKE HIMSELF WILL SOMEHOW GET TO STAY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: HE SAYS IT WON'T CLOSE, THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO HEAR.

THAT IS WHAT THEY HEARD AT A RECENT MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR PALOMA AGGIE RAY.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO THEM THAT THE GARDEN WILL CONTINUE NO MATTER WHAT.

>> THE COUNTY OWNS THE LAND AND IS NOW LOOKING FOR A NEW GARDEN OPERATOR.

A FORMAL SEARCH IS UNDERWAY.

THE DEADLINE FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO APPLY CLOSES FRIDAY.

AGUIRRE SAYS THE COUNTY IS MOVING QUICKLY BECAUSE THE DEADLINE TO VACATE THE GARDEN IS APPROACHING.

>> WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLOTS JUST TO DIG UP EVERYTHING AND EXIT ONLY TO TRY AND RE-ENTER.

>> Reporter: AGUIRRE SAYS SOME LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE ALREADY SHOWN INTEREST RATE TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

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SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS VOTE DOWN A HOMEOWNERSHIP PROPOSAL THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED MORE SCRUTINY ON FOREIGN INVESTORS BUT >>> PLUS, THE CAMP PENDLETON EVENT FEATURING VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE SNARLS TRAFFIC.

>>> AND PROTESTERS GATHERED FOR NO KINGS RALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HERE IS OUR COVERAGE OF SAN DIEGO'S EVENT FROM KPBS REPORTED KATIE ANASTAS.

♪ >> Reporter: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT WATERFRONT PARK SATURDAY MORNING.

THEY HELD COLORFUL, HOMEMADE SIGNS EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS, WORKERS, AND DEMOCRACY.

SOME WERE THERE TO PROTEST RECENT AND AGGRESSIONS BY I.C.E.

FRED RODRIGUEZ CAME TO DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO FROM CHULA VISTA.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE BEING TAKEN WITHOUT DUE PROCESS, PEOPLE BEING SENT OR DEPORTED TO COUNTRIES WHERE THEY DON'T BELONG.

SO MANY THINGS ARE HAPPENING THAT IT IS JUST A VERY SCARY TIME TO BE LIVING RIGHT NOW.

>> WE WILL NOT PUT UP WITH I.C.E.. >> Reporter: OTHERS CALLED FOR STRONGER GUN SAFETY MEASURES.

NIKKI HANDED OUT FLYERS AND BUTTONS WITH MOM'S DEMAND ACTION FOR GUNS IN AMERICA.

SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO WEAKEN THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ROLLING BACK SOME OF OUR PROGRESS ON GUN SAFETY, PROFESSING TO BE A COMBATING CRIME WITH ROLLING OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD, WHEN IN FACT THEY HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY MAKING IT EASIER FOR CRIMINALS TO GET GUNS, DISMANTLING THE ATF, SOME OF THE GAMES WE MADE WITH THE BIPARTISAN COMMUNITY ACT AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> EVERYWHERE WE GO, THE PEOPLE ALWAYS KNOW.

>> Reporter: PROTESTERS WALKED FROM WATERFRONT PARK DOWN HARBOR DRIVE AND BACK DOWN TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

ANOTHER GROUP STARTED AT CIVIC CENTER PLAZA AND JOINED THEM.

MARK GRACE HELD A SIGN THAT SAID HANDS-OFF FEDERAL WORKERS.

HE WORKS AT A LOCAL MILITARY BASE AND WAS FURLOUGHED ON OCTOBER 1st.

>> LUCKILY, MY WIFE AND I, WE ARE IN A STABLE FINANCIAL SITUATION, BUT MANY PEOPLE AREN'T, AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT.

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ SAID THE TURNOUT ON SATURDAY TO GIVE THEM HOPE.

>> WE ARE ALL AMERICAN, WE ARE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME REASON, AND I THINK IT SHOWS A LOT OF THE UNITY THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT FEEL THE FEAR, THAT FEEL THAT THIS IS WRONG, AND I THINK BEING HERE, OUT HERE TODAY, GIVES ME HOPE.

>> Reporter: MANY PARTICIPANTS CARRIED SIGNS URGING PEOPLE TO VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 50.

IT COULD GIVE DEMOCRATS AN ADVANTAGE BY REDRAWING SOME CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT IS A RESPONSE TO TEXAS REDRAWING ITS DISTRICTS TO GIVE REPUBLICANS THE ADVANTAGE.

OPPONENTS SAY VOTING NO WOULD KEEP REDISTRICTING NONPARTISAN.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 4th.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE MORE FROM THE LOCAL NO KINGS RALLY, INCLUDING A PHOTO FROM KPBS STAFF.

YOU CAN FIND IT AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> MOST OF CALIFORNIA'S DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE MARINES FIRED LIVE ARTILLERY OVER INTERSTATE 5 LAST WEEKEND.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS THEY ARE ASKING DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH THE SAME QUESTIONS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING.

>> Reporter: HOW DID THE MARINES PREPARE FOR SATURDAY'S EVENT?

WHO OKAYED ARTILLERY FIRE OVER THE FREEWAY?

AND WHO DECIDED INTERSTATE 5 COULD BE OPEN WALLEYE BRONZE WASTE OVERHEAD?

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS OUTLINED IN THE LETTER TO PETE HEGSETH THIS WEEK BUT >> NEVER IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION DID I EXPECT THEY WOULD FIRE OVER THE FREEWAY, PARTICULARLY ON A SATURDAY, WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY BUSY DAY FOR THE I-5.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE MIKE LEVIN'S DISTRICT INCLUDES CAMP PENDLETON.

HE SAYS MARINES FOLLOW ORDERS.

>> IT APPEARS THE ADMINISTRATION HEARD SAFETY WARNINGS FROM THE MARINE CORPS AND COMPLETELY IGNORED THEM.

>> Reporter: AUTHORS POINT TO CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL REPORT THAT ONE OF THOSE ARTILLERY ROUNDS EXPLODED PREMATURELY OVER A CLOSED I-5 AND STOPPED TWO OF THEIR VEHICLES.

>> CLEARLY, THE MARINE IN CHARGE OF OUR SECTOR FOR THE CHP, A RETIRED MARINE, CLEARLY MADE THE RIGHT CALL, YOU KNOW, TO CLOSE THE FREEWAY DOWN ON SATURDAY, AS EVIDENCED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT PATROL CAR.

>> Reporter: THE MARINES REGULARLY FIRE ARTILLERY EAST OF I-5 AT CAMP PENDLETON, BUT BASE GUIDELINES SHOW NO AUTHORIZED AREAS WEST OF I-5.

OFFICIALS HAVEN'T ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAVE EVER SHOT ARTILLERY OVER I- 5.

AFTER THE EVENT, HEGSETH VISITED TOP GUN SCHOOL AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION IN NEVADA.

VIDEO SHOWS HIM RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF AN UPDATE SUBRA MORAN AS IT MANEUVERS OVER THE DESERT.

♪ >> Reporter: 11 SAYS THE VIDEO SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO TROOPS.

>> NO LEADER SHOULD BE USING THE MILITARY FOR PERSONAL VANITY, FOR SPECTACLE.

>> REPORTER:'S SPOKESPERSON FOR HEGSETH DECLINED TO COMMENT AND SAYS ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD THE MARINES AT CAMP PENDLETON.

A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SPOKESPERSON ALSO DECLINED TO COMMENT.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS A FOOTHOLD IN ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES.

KPBS TECH REPORTER HAS THIS LOOK AT HOW SOME SAN DIEGO'S ARE MANAGING A.I.

IN OUR SCHOOLS, OUR WORKPLACES, AND IN THE GAMES WE PLAY.

>> Reporter: THE VIDEO WE ARE SEEING IS THE WORK OF SORA, ONE OF THE FEATURES OF CHATGPT.

THE FEMALE ELF AND THE SECURITY GUARD OUR CHARACTERS IN A DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CAMPAIGN CREATED BY DUNGEON MASTER MacAULEY.

HE PLAYS HIS VIDEO TO HELP GET THE GAME'S PLAYERS INTO CHARACTER.

>> DOING THINGS THAT ARE EITHER RELEVANT TO THEIR BACKGROUND, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE CAMPAIGN, AND I ADDED THAT INTO AN INTRO VIDEO THAT I PLAY BEFORE OUR SESSIONS, SO MY PLAYERS CAN SEE THEIR CHARACTER IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: MacAULEY LEARNED TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WHILE WORKING FOR AMAZON WEB SERVICES.

WHEN HE GOT INTO DND, ChatGPT BECAME HIS EDITOR BODY WHO GIVES THEM IDEAS BASED ON HIS GAME SCENARIOS, AND HELPS THEM COME UP WITH STORIES SET IN SAN DIEGO.

A.I.

ISN'T GOING TO REPLACE MacAULEY UNLESS IT IS DND FRIENDS WOULD REALLY RATHER HANG OUT WITH AN ALGORITHM.

BUT IS THIS THE KIND OF OUTCOME WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR WORKPLACES?

WILL A.I.

MAKE US WORK BETTER OR WILL IT REPLACE US?

THAT IS A QUESTION HUGO HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH.

>> WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE IT AND HOW TO ENHANCE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE BY LETTING IT DO CERTAIN TASKS.

THAT WILL REQUIRE RETHINKING LARGE ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY, FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: HE IS DEAN OF EXTENDED STUDIES AT UC SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS ROUTINE JOBS THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL ARE ON THE LIST OF PROFESSIONS ALREADY BEING REPLACED BY A.I.

>> SCIENTISTS ARE BEING REPLACED BY A.I.

BECAUSE OF HIGHER SKILLED PROGRAMMERS CAN USE A.I.

TO DO WHAT WAS BEFORE THE REALM OF HAVING HUNDREDS OF PROGRAMMERS PROGRAMMING INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF THE CODE TO CREATE THE SOFTWARE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS BLUE- COLLAR JOBS ARE CERTAINLY IN DEMAND FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE MANY DATA CENTERS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORT A.I., BUT EXPECT THAT TO ALSO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.

>> EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL BE AFFECTED AT THE TIME WHEN A.I.

CONVERGES WITH ROBOTICS, BECAUSE THAT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SET OF THINGS, AND THE TOOLS WILL BECOME INTELLIGENT AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT RIGHT NOW, WE NEED A HUMAN BEING TO DEAL WITH.

>> Reporter: A.I.

MAYBE A MODERN SOLUTION FOR MONDAY AND TASKS, BUT IT HAS TAKEN A SOCRATIC TURN TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN WITH AN A.I.

CHATBOT.

HE IS DESIGNED TO DRAW OUT STUDENTS WITH QUESTIONS.

HE IS THE WORK OF PAUL.

HE AND I ASKED THE BOT TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY FOR ME.

>> IT IS DESIGNED IN A WAY TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A LITTLE NUDGE, SO THIS SAYS, I UNDERSTAND THAT WRITING ESSAYS CAN BE OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, WE REALLY WANT YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN SKILLS, AND IT IS AGAINST THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY GUIDELINES OF THESE SCHOOLS, BUT I WILL BRAINSTORM WITH YOU.

>> THEN I SAY OKAY, HOW DID THE COLD WAR START?

>> GREAT QUESTION, THE START OF THE COLD WAR IS A MAJOR TURNING POINT, AND IT ASKS QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

>> AN ADJUNCT HISTORY PROFESSOR AND AN EDUCATION SPECIALIST AT UC SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS, TODAY STUDENTS REGARD A.I.

IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THEY ARE A MIXED BAG, SO SOME STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED AND EXCITED TO USE IT.

THEIR SKILLS ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ADVANCED, RIGHT?

OTHERS HAVEN'T TOUCHED IT.

>> UCSD HAS CREATED AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, BUT HE SAYS IT HAS MADE A.I.

LITERACY A GOAL FOR STUDENTS IN ALL FIELDS.

HE HAS BEEN PART OF A GROUP OF FACULTY THAT HAS CREATED A CURRICULUM TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE THAT.

WHEN IT COMES TO A.I.

'S ROLE IN LEARNING, HE GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF A STUDENT WHO IS EXPECTED TO ANALYZE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF SOURCES FOR A TERM PAPER.

SHE USED A.I.

TO SUMMARIZE THEM, SO SHE COULD FOCUS ON THE TWO THAT SHE WANTED TO EXAMINE MORE DEEPLY.

>> AND I THINK THE LEARNING HAPPENS NOT FROM THE AMOUNT OF SOURCES, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE ANALYSIS.

>> Reporter: CREATING A PLACE FOR TECHNOLOGIES LIKE A.I.

IS NOTHING NEW, SAYS HUGO.

HE CHOOSES TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL.

>> WE SHOULDN'T BE SCARED ABOUT THAT, WE DID IT BEFORE AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE HUMAN HISTORY, SO I AM OPTIMISTIC.

WE WILL FIND THINGS WHERE HUMANS ARE STILL NEEDED AND THEY HAVE A PLACE.

>> Reporter: DUNGEON MASTER MacAULEY SAYS HE FEELS LIKE WE NEED SOME GUARDRAILS TO PROTECT PEOPLE, BUT HE HOPES THAT A.I.

CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH THE DAY TODAY, AND MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GOOD STORY THERE, WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS A LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JACOB AERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪