
KPBS News This Week: Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
School is back in session at San Diego Unified with a big change.
School is back in session at San Diego Unified with a big change; a new smartphone policy aimed at cutting down on screen time. Then, the end of an era in Imperial Valley, as an agricultural jobs hub shuts down, dealing the region an economic blow. Plus, haircuts and healing. See how a barber in Vista is using his skills to change young lives.
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KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

KPBS News This Week: Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
School is back in session at San Diego Unified with a big change; a new smartphone policy aimed at cutting down on screen time. Then, the end of an era in Imperial Valley, as an agricultural jobs hub shuts down, dealing the region an economic blow. Plus, haircuts and healing. See how a barber in Vista is using his skills to change young lives.
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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.
I'M JACOB AERE.
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION AND IT COMES WITH A BIG CHANGE AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CELL PHONE POLICY THAT CUTS DOWN ON SCREEN TIME.
THEN THE ENDS OF AN ERA AT IMPERIAL GARDEN AND DEALING THE REGION AN ECONOMIC BLOW.
PLUS HAIRCUTS AND HEALING.
SEE HOW A LOCAL BARBER IS USING HAIRCUTS TO HEAL LIVES.
>>> THIS YEAR THE GOVERNORS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEPORTATION BILL.
BUT SOME RESIDENTS ARE PUSHING BACK.
>> Reporter: WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EL CAJON.
THE WORDS FRACTURED, FEARFUL COME UP.
ALSO JUST THIS FEELING THAT THERE IS SOME SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS.
>> Reporter: THAT'S VIVEKA RAYLASUNDO, AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY.
AND AN AMERICAN MAYOR EAGER TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION POLICY.
THE RESOLUTION WAS POLITICAL THEATER.
THE EL CAJON POLICE DEPARTMENT MUST STILL OBEY STATE SANCTUARY JOBS.
WHICH PREVENTS OFFICERS FROM ASKING PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.
BUT THE MAYOR'S MESSAGE IS CLEAR, EL CAJON IS EITHER WITH TRUMP OR AGAINST HIM.
>> LET ME TELL YOU WHAT I THINK IS REALLY GOING ON HERE.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS ABOUT IMMIGRATION.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS ABOUT RACISM.
THIS IS TRUMP VERSUS NONTRUMP.
THIS IS PROGRESSIVISM VERSUS CONSERVISM.
THIS IS THE CULTURAL WAR THAT WE'RE INVOLVED IN RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: THAT WAS WELLS AT A COUNCIL MEETING.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THE PEOPLE THAT, THAT SAY THEY'RE GOING TO BE LIVING IF FEAR.
THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE LIVING IN FEAR IS PEOPLE TERRORIZING THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER THEY'RE IMMIGRATION OR NOT.
>> Reporter: THAT RHETORIC COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
BUT IT'S BECOMING CLEAR UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT CRIMINAL RECORDS ARE GETTING CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE DEPORTATION DATA PROPBLGTS.
AND THE MOST RECENT DATA FROM THE MESA DETENTION CENTER SAY THAT 80% OF THE PEOPLE BEING HELD THERE HAVE NO CRIMINAL RECORD.
MARIENE BANA, FOUNDER OF A GROUP CALLED LATINOS EN ACCION, SAID THAT IT SEEMED LIKE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS ARE BACKING THE TRUMP LAW BUT THEY'RE NOT.
THE EL CAJON POLICE CHIEF ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TRUST HAS TAKEN A HIT.
>> WE TRY TO DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO HELP BUILD THE TRUST BACK, THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN ERODED FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: LARSSON SAYS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE TEND TO LUMP ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TOGETHER.
>> IT'S TOUGH FOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO DELINATE BETWEEN SAN DIEGO PD AND CHULA VISTA PD AND EL CAJON PD.
NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US.
>> MEANWHILE, THEY CONTINUE TO PASS TRUMP LAWS, TRYING TO WEAKEN IMMIGRATION LAWS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
ALREADY DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.
INCLUDING A HIGH PROFILE WORKPLACE RAID AT AN INDUSTRIAL PAINT SHOP.
BUT BRENHAM AND OTHER ADVOCATES HAVE THEIR OWN PLANS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL.
LATINOS EN ACCION LAUNCHED A COUNCIL AGAINST ORTIZ.
>> WE WANT TO PUSH FOR A NEW ELECTION.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHO PHIL ORTIZ IS, WHO HE STANDS WITH.
AND IF HIS DISTRICT IS MOSTLY BLUE BUT IS IGNORED WHEN THEY COME TO THESE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE PUSHING FOR THAT RECALL.
>> Reporter: THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO FORCE A RECALL ELECTION.
THEY NEED 3,000 FROM REGISTERED VOTERS IN DISTRICT FOUR WHICH IS THE SOUTHERN PART OF EL CAJON.
GUSTAVO SOLIS.
KPBS NEWS.
>> GUSTAVO SOLIS IS THE INVESTIGATOR FOR BORDER AND POLICE.
>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF AFGHAN OFFICERS WHO LEFT.
WHAT'S BEING DONE AND WHAT'S BEING SAID ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
>> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY NAME IS MUHAMMAD RAHIMI I'M A PROUD AFGHAN-AMERICAN.
>> Reporter: RAHIMI IS A U.S. ATTORNEY.
HE PLAYED CLOSE ATTENTION WHEN TRUMP WAS ASKED LAST MONTH ABOUT RESETTLING HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS WHO HELPED U.S.
SOLDIERS DURING THE WAR.
>> WE KNOW THE GOOD ONES, WE KNOW THE ONES THAT MAYBE AREN'T SO GOOD.
SOME CAME OVER THAT AREN'T SO GOOD AND WE'RE GOING TAKE CARE OF THOSE PEOPLE.
THE ONES THAT DID A JOB, THE ONES THAT WERE TOLD CERTAIN THINGS.
>> Reporter: RAHIMI SAYS TRUMPS WORDS ARE AT ODDS WITH THE COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCE SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.
>> IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
BECAUSE WE SEE ONE THING, I MEAN WE HEAR ONE THING FROM THE PRESIDENT, BUT WE SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT ACTUALLY IN EVERY DAY LIFE.
IF PRESIDENT TRUMP, REALLY MEANS THAT HE WANTS TO SUPPORT THESE AFGHAN ALLIES THEN WHY DON'T WE SEE IT RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THEY'RE FRUSTRATED WITH THE SUSPENSION OF REFUGEE TRAVEL AND THE SHUTTER OF THE AFGHAN OFFICE IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
>> IT'S A GUT PUNCH BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT ALL THIS WORK THAT WAS DONE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS.
>> Reporter: THIS YEAR, RASHLEY WAS A COORDINATOR FOR AFGHAN RELOCATION EFFORTS.
BETTER KNOWN AS C.A.R.E.
>> CARE THE OFFICE WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT WAS SUCH A UNIQUE PLACE BECAUSE IT WAS AN OPERATION RIGHT.
IT WASN'T JUST A POLICY DESK THAT TALKED ABOUT THEORY, WE WERE PHYSICALLY ENGAGED IN RELOCATING FOLKS AND CHANGING THEIR LIVES.
>> Reporter: THE ADMINISTRATION TOLD CONGRESSMAN JUNE IT WAS SHUTTERING THE CARE OFFICE WITHIN A MONTH.
ITS STAFFERS WERE AMONG THE MORE THAN 1,300 EMPLOYEES LAID OFF.
IT'S NOT JUST THE SHUTTERING OF ONE OFFICE.
SINCE 2021, HIS ORGANIZATION NONPROFITS AND MANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO HELP THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS LEFT BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN BUT NOW.
>> THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY'VE DONE SINCE JANUARY 20th.
ON DAY ONE, THEY SHUT DOWN REFUGEE PROCESSING WHICH MEANS NO ACTIVE U.S. MILITARY, NO LAWYERS AND PROSECUTORS WHO PUT THE TALIBAN AWAY.
NO PLATOON COMMANDERS, NOBODY WHO WASN'T A DIRECT EMPLOYEE OF THE UNITED STATES.
NO FAMILY REUNIFICATION.
NO RELOCATION FLIGHTS.
THEY HAVE ENDED TPS, THEY ENDED PAROL, BOTH CBP1 PAROL THEY TERMINATED, OAW, OPERATION ALWAYS WELCOME PAROL, THEY'RE JUST GOING TO LET IT EXPIRE.
>> Reporter: SO WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN FOR AFGHANS.
GETTING THAT STRAIGHT ANSWER HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.
A STATES DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE FUNCTION OF THE CARE OFFICE NOW FALL UNDER THE OFFICE OF AFGHANISTAN AFFAIRS.
IT'S REORGANIZATION PART OF THE AMERICA FIRST.
WE ASKED THE SPENCER CREATON FROM THE MIGRATION BUREAU, BOTH REQUESTS WERE DENIED.
A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TELLS KPBS, SPECIAL VISAS ARE BEING PROCESSED WITH HUNDREDS OF DECISIONS EVERY WEEK AND THAT T PS TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE TEMPORARY AND THAT THOSE WHO LOST IT CAN STILL REQUEST ASYLUM.
>> I ON A DAILY BASIS HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY AFGHAN MEMBERS, NOT ONLY JUST HERE IN SAN DIEGO OR CALIFORNIA BUT FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THEY'RE ASKING ME THEY HAVE THEIR APPOINTMENT.
BUT WHAT IS MY ANSWER TO THEM.
HOW CAN THEY GO TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS, FINISH THE APPOINTMENT AND LEAVE THE COURTHOUSE SAFELY WITHOUT BEING DETAINED.
WE HAVE NO ANSWER.
>> Reporter: ONE ANSWER CAME LAST WEEK IN SAN DIEGO, MORE THAN A DOZEN VETERANS ATTENDED AN IMMIGRATION HEARING ALONGSIDE A FORMER AFGHAN JOURNALISTIST.
JOURNALIST JONATHAN LOU WAS ONE OF THEM.
>> I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT WORK WE'RE DOING.
STANDING WITH AFGHANS, WE SHOULDN'T TURN OUR BACKS ON THEM.
>> BEFORE COMING TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY, FOR THE VALUES THIS COUNTRY IS BASED ON.
THEY FOUGHT FOR OUR FUTURE, FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY.
THEY FOUGHT AGAINST OUR ENEMIES.
>> Reporter: ANDREW DIRE, KPBS NEWS.
>> THAT WAS PART ONE OF A TWO PART REPORT.
AFTER AN EXTENDED DEPLOYMENT IN THE PACIFIC AND MIDDLE EAST.
YOU CAN WATCH THAT STORY ON THE KPBS YOU TUBE PAGE.
>>> SUMMER BREAK IS OVER FOR THE COUNTY'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SAN DIEGO UNIFIED WELCOMED BACK THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ON THURSDAY.
KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS VISITED THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CAPE TERRANCES FOR THE FIRST DAY.
>> Reporter: STUDENTS RETURNED FOR THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.
THEY PICKED UP THEIR CLASS SCHEDULES AND SAID GOODBYE TO THEIR PARENTS.
CHRISTOPHER PALMER WAS READY FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SIXTH GRADE.
>> I GET TO SEE MY OLD FRIENDS, SOME, SOME.
>> Reporter: THAT TRANSITION DESERVES MORE ATTENTION FROM DISTRICT LEADERS.
>> I PAY ATTENTION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL DATA AND WHAT I SEE IS ACTUALLY THEIR ACADEMICS TAKE A DIP RIGHT WHEN THEY ENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ALSO RIGHT WHEN THEY ENTER HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS PARTICULAR GROUP ON BOTH ENDS, TAKE A DIP BEFORE ANY TRANSITION AND THEY ALSO HAVE AN INCREASE OF BEHAVIOR ISSUES.
>> Reporter: BELL MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS DONE A LOT TO SUPPORT ITS STUDENTS SAYS MAGULA.
ONE EXAMPLE IS A WELLNESS CENTER.
IT'S A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN RELAX AND TALK TO A A TRUSTED ADULT.
THEY ALSO RECOMMEND HELP.
>> IT'S NOT THE FAULT OF A PARENT.
THAT'S THE SITUATION THEY'RE IN.
THE PARENT HAS TO WORK THREE JOBS.
SOMETIMES THIS REALLY IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT, ANOTHER ADULT CAN REALLY SIT DOWN AND REALLY SEE WHO THEY ARE.
>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT HAS ALSO EXPANDED MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
LONNIE JONES COORDINATES THE PROGRAM AND HE SAYS IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I PERSONALLY TAKE PRIDE IN, WHEN I HEAR ADMINISTRATORS THAT CULTURE IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS HAS CHANGED.
A LITTLE MORE MATURITY NOW.
KIDS ARE NOW TELLING THEIR FRIENDS, HEY THROW YOUR TRASH AWAY.
HEY WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT PLAYING SPORTS AND ANY AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.
>> Reporter: THIS IS ALSO THE FIRST YEAR WITH A DISTRICT WIDE PHONE POLICY.
STUDENTS MUST KEEP THEIR PHONES STORED AWAY FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL DAY.
HE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS TO BE PRESENT.
>> THEY HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.
I DON'T EVEN CALL THEM KIDS, THEY'RE JUST LITTLE HUMANS.
THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WE DO, WE JUST HAVE TO BE PRESENT.
>> Reporter: THEY'RE ALLOWED TO USE PHONES DURING LUNCH AND PASSING PERIODS.
>>> SAN DIEGO STATE WILL ALSO WELCOME STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS NEXT WEEK.
THE UNIVERSITY IS MAKING PROGRESS IN BUILDING MORE HOUSING IN THE COLLEGE AREA.
AND THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES AND APARTMENTS ARE UNDER WAY.
ONCE AGAIN HERE IS KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS.
>> SAN DIEGO'S COMMUNITY PLANS GUIDE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
THE COLLEGE AREA COMMUNITY PLAN HASN'T BEEN UPDATED SINCE 1989.
CITY PLANNING DIRECTOR HEIDI BLOOM SAYS IT'S BECOME A PLACE FOR HOUSING.
>> THERE'S A TROLLEY LINE THERE.
AND THE UNIVERSITY WHICH EXISTED HAS CHANGED FROM A COMMUNITY SCHOOL TOLL A RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS.
>> Reporter: 30 YEARS AGO, SAN DIEGO STATE HAD ROOM FOR ABOUT 2,100 STUDENTS.
NOW THAT NUMBER IS ABOUT 8,500.
UNIVERSITY LEADERS SAY THE DEMAND FOR ON CAMPUS FUNDING IS STILL GROWING.
THEY SAY STUDENTS WHO DO BETTER.
>> A HIGHER STUDENT SUCCESS FACTOR COMPARED TO OUR STUDENTS WHO LIVE OFF CAMPUS.
>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO STATE HAS TWO NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS UNDER WAY TO HELP MEET THAT DEMAND.
TOGETHER THEY'LL ADD MORE THAN 1,000 BEDS.
PLANS FOR ANOTHER 3,000 BEDS ARE PENDING APPROVAL BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD.
>> WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS HERE AND TO OFFER IS FINANCIALLY COMPETITIVE ON CAMPUS HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
AND TO ALSO MEET THE ADDRESS THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM OUR CURRENT STUDENT POPULATION.
>> Reporter: THE CITY IS ALSO PLANNING FOR GROWTH IN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
A DRAFT COMMUNITY PLAN WOULD ALLOW FOR 18,000 NEW HOMES IN THE COLLEGE AREA, MOSTLY ALONG MONTEZUMA ROAD, COLLEGE AVENUE AND EL CAJON BOULEVARD.
A PLAN UPDATE ALLOWS THE CITY TO INCREASE DENSITY.
BUILDING MORE HOMES WOULD BE UP TO PROPERTY OWNERS.
A STATE ASSESSMENT FOUND THAT SAN DIEGO AS A WHOLE HAS TO BUILD 178,000 UNITS BY 2029 TO MEET HOUSING NEEDS.
ST. BLOOM SAYS THEY'RE HALF WAY THERE.
>> WE'RE LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCOMMODATE THAT ADDITIONAL GROWTH.
>> Reporter: THE CITY IS HOSTING A Q & A SECTION ON THE COLLEGE AREA PLAN AUGUST 21st.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN SUBMIT COMMENT UNTIL -- >> GO TO KPBS.ORG/ WHO'SBACKYARD.
>>> JOIN US FOR THE BOOK FESTIVAL.
THE BOOK FESTIVAL IS A FREE EVENT FOR BOOK LOVERS OF ALL AGES.
PARTICIPATE WITH AWARD WINNING AUTHORS, ENJOY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ENGAGE WITH EXHIBITORS, INCLUDING INDEPENDENT BOOK SELLERS AND MORE.
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SAVE THE DATE, YOU ARE BOOKED ON AUGUST 23rd.
TO LEARN MORE VISIT KPBS.ORG/SDBOOKFESTIVAL.
>>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS FOR A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.
HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.
PARKING LOT FREES THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO PUSH CAMPERS.
THEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE ARREST OF A PARENT OUTSIDE OF A CHULA VISTA SCHOOL.
>>> THE IMPERIAL VALLEY GROWS SOME OF THE SWEETEST SUGAR BEATS IN THE WORLD.
THE VALLEY'S ONLY PROCESSING PLANT FOR SUGAR BEETS PREPARES TO SHUT FOR GOOD.
KORY SUZUKI HAS THE STORY.
>> Reporter: BENA BODY THE III CRADLES IT AND CUTS IT OPEN.
REVEALS A WHITE CORE.
>> HOPEFULLY THIS IS WHAT GOES TO THE FACTORY.
LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF GREEN THAT GOES IN THERE.
AND YOU JUST HAVE A RAW SUGAR BEET.
>> WE'RE STANDING ON A FARM, A FAMILY HAS BEEN FARMING HERE FOR GENERATIONS.
THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO GROW SUGAR BEETS.
WHICH TURNS BEETS INTO SUGAR BY THE TRUCKLOAD HERE IN THE VALLEY.
>> YOU CAN SEE HOW SWEET IT IS.
AND YOU TAKE A BITE OF IT.
YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT IT BUT, IT'S STILL FAIRLY SWEET.
YOU CAN TASTE THE SUGAR.
>> Reporter: BUT THIS COULD BE THE IMPERIAL VALLEY'S LAST SUGAR BEET.
THEY'RE PLANNING TO CLOSE IT DOWN AND MOVE THEIR OPERATIONS BACK TO THE NORTHWEST.
THAT MEANS BEET FARMERS WILL HAVE NOWHERE IN THE VALLEY FOR THEIR BEETS TO GO.
>> WE'RE ALREADY IN A ECONOMY THAT'S STRUGGLING A LIT BIT.
-- LITTLE BIT AND TO LOSE A CROP IS NOT GOOD.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 400 WORKERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOB AT THE FACTORY ALONE.
>> BUT MORE THAN WHAT WE LOST AS A COUNTY IS, WHAT OUR UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU LOSE 400, 500 JOBS.
AND IT'S NOT JUST LOSING THOSE JOBS, YOU LOOK AT ALL THE OUTSIDE JOBS.
>> Reporter: THE CLOSURE WILL ALSO CREATE BROADER RIPPLES, AFFECTING OPERATORS AND OTHER WORKERS WHO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.
WHERE AGRICULTURE IS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER.
IT'S NOT THAT THERE WON'T BE DEMAND FOR SUGAR BEETS.
THE CROP IS HUGE IN THE UNITED STATES.
MORE THAN HALF OF ALL THE SUGAR COMES IN THE CROP.
>> SINCE THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION THERE'S BEEN PUBLIC POLICIES THAT HAVE SOUGHT TO PROTECT OR STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.
>> Reporter: THE WAY IT WORKS IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES OUT BEET SUGAR ALLOCATIONS OR QUOTAS TO SUGAR BEET COMPANIES THEN THOSE COMPANIES GET TO DECIDE WHICH FARMS GROW SUGAR BEETS.
THOSE WERE MEANT TO SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES BY GIVING THE INDUSTRY AN ADVANTAGE.
BUT WHEN A COMPANY DECIDES TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR OPERATION THAT CAN HURT PLACES LIKE THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.
>> THAT'S THEIR INTENTION TO MOVE BACK TO MINNESOTA.
>> Reporter: A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTHERN MINNESOTA DID NOT AGREE TO AN INTERVIEW WITH KPBS.
THEY SAID IT WAS A DIFFICULT DECISION BUT THAT A 200-YEAR- OLD PLANT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN.
THIS SUMMER THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO SEE IF CONGRESS WOULD GIVE THEM THE RIGHTS TO BUILD A NEW SUGAR PLANT IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.
BUT THEY SAY IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL VALLEY.
HERE'S HAWK AGAIN.
>> WHEN WE WENT TO WASHINGTON, THE ANSWER WAS IT'S GOING TO BE VERY TOUGH.
THE SUGAR LOBBY IS VERY, VERY CONTROLLED.
THEY ARE NOT ABOUT TO JUST GIVE US MARKET SHARE.
>> Reporter: BACK IN THE OBADIE FAMILY FIELDS, GONZALEZ IS GETTING READY FOR A SHIFT.
GONZALEZ HAS BEEN SHIFTING BEETS SINCE HE WAS 15.
AND CARRIED THEM NORTH TO THE FACTORY.
HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE OBADIE'S FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
>> THIS IS MORE THAN 50% OF MY INCOME.
WE WERE DOING HAULS EVERY DAY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE HEARD THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE HERE.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO STAY BUSY HAULING, CONSTRUCTION, TRUCKING, WHATEVER I CAN GET.
WHATEVER I CAN DO TO STAY AFLOAT.
WE'LL SEE.
DAY BY DAY.
RIGHT NOW I WANT A VACATION AFTER WE FINISH THIS LONG ROUGH SEASON AND THEN WE'LL SEE.
>> Reporter: FOR NOW GONZALEZ SAYS HE'S PLANNING TO FINISH OUT THIS YEAR'S HARVEST.
AFTER AUGUST, THEY'LL SEE WHAT COMES NEXT.
IN EL CENTRO, CORY SUZUKI.
>> HE ESCAPED GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE.
AND NOW A BARBER IN VISTA IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME WHILE LEARNING THE TRADE AND GIVE BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE THE STORY OF HAIRCUTS AND HEALING.
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING.
>> STEVE JAIMES GREW UP IN THE STREETS OF CHICAGO.
>> I'M ALWAYS A FOLLOWER OF THE WRONG THINGS.
>> Reporter: HE SAW HIS FRIEND DIE.
>> I SAW A HOLE IN MY FRIEND'S NECK, I SAW A HOLE ON HIS SIDE.
I TRIED APPLYING PRESSURE BUT IT WAS OF NO GOOD USE, AND YEAH, FROM ONE BLINK OF AN EYE HIS LIFE WAS GONE.
>> Reporter: THAT MOMENT CHANGED HIS LIFE.
HE JOINED THE MARINE CORP.
THE NEXT YEAR WHICH ULTIMATELY LED HIM TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
>> I FOUND LOTS OF LOVE AND LOTS OF STRUCTURE, BUT I DIDN'T FIND THE HEALING THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> Reporter: BUT HE DID FIND HEALING IN BARBERING.
>> A HAIRCUT IS LIKE HEALING.
IT UPLIFTS YOU.
A LOT OF MEN THIS IS THE ONLY THING THEY LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND FEELING BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES, RIGHT.
>> Reporter: JAIME STARTING BARBER WHEN HE WAS 18, NOW HE'S PASSING THE SKILL TO OTHER YOUTHS.
>> THEY BUILD COMRADERY, BUILD COMMUNITY, AND ULTIMATELY KIDS AND SOME ADULTS FROM LIKE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS HERE IN NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO.
>> I WANTED TO CUT HAIR.
AND LIKE, YEAH, I DON'T KNOW, I WAS GOING THROUGH STUFF.
>> Reporter: JAYDEN GARCIA IS A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.
BEFORE HE STARTED CUTTING HAIR, HE WANTED TO FOLLOW HIS DAD'S FOOTSTEPS AND JOIN A GANG BUT HIS FATHER DIED AND THREE YEARS AGO, HE MET JAIMEZ.
>> HE JUST TOLD ME NOT TO BE DOING THAT STUPID -- HE SAID IT'S NOT COOL.
HE SAID YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO CUT HAIR.
>> Reporter: GARCIA BECAME PART OF THE HUMANITY BARBERS WORKSHOP.
THEN THERE'S NICOLAS FROM COLOMBIA WHO HAD LOOKED FOR LESSONS BUT FOUND THEM TOO EXPENSIVE.
>> [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE WORKSHOP OFFERS MORE THAN JUST CLASSES.
>> [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: HE SAYS THE GROUP HAS BECOME LIKE FAMILY AND HE LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING THE GROUP EACH WEEK.
THE GROUP MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AT CALLIE CLIPS DELUXE IN VISTA TO LEARN AND PRACTICE CUTTING HAIR.
BUT THE SPACE ALSO KEEPS MANY OF THE YOUTH OUT OF TROUBLE.
RAMIRO DIAZ OWNS THE BARBER SHOP.
>> I JUST LET HIM DO HIS THING.
BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GROW HERE AND, I MEAN, BE ALLOW INCOME.
TRY TO HAVE, A GOOD OPPORTUNITY IN LIFE, YOU KNOW.
TO BE SOMEBODY.
I MEAN IT'S HARD TO GO TO SCHOOL AND AND GO TO COLLEGE AND EVERYTHING.
WILL BE ON BARBER SKEULS.
BY CUTTING >> MORE SO A BETTER HUMAN.
LEADING WITH LOVE.
LEADING WITH COMPASSION.
>> I HOPE THAT LITTLE BY LITTLE, THEY GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY ALREADY ACCOMPLISHING.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT YOUNG INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.
THEY'RE SOMETIMES FOCUSED ON THEMSELVES.
>> AND THEIR VISION EXTENDS BEYOND THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.
>> THESE GUYS COME FROM ALL THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND SOMETIMES THERE'S DIFFERENCES.
AND BECAUSE, OF THE ENERGY THAT IS BUILT IN THIS ROOM, THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO LET GO OF A LOT OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU POSSIBLY WERE, THAT POSSIBLY WERE HINDERING YOU FROM CREATING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GUYS RIGHT NEXT BLOCK, YOU KNOW.
>> THEY WOULD LIKE TO EVENTUALLY UNITE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.
FOR NOW THEY'RE TAKING THE SKILLS ON THE ROAD TO BARBERING SHOWCASES.
JAIMES HOPES TO MENTOR THE YOUTH.
>> ONCE THEY GET TO THAT AGE WHEN THEY CAN HIGH.
THEY'RE GOING TO FLY.
SO SO HIGH THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE ME SEEM LIKE A LITTLE BIRD.
AND I AM GOING TO BE SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK.
I'M JACOB AERE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
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