
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Season 1 Episode 3390 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Hotel workers on strike for the past few weeks received high-profile support today.
Hotel workers on strike for the past few weeks received high-profile support today. Plus, despite political rhetoric, it's often U.S. citizens, not migrants, smuggling drugs across the border, with drug cartels increasingly targeting teens. Meanwhile, local high school students are applying their construction skills by building tiny homes.
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KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Season 1 Episode 3390 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Hotel workers on strike for the past few weeks received high-profile support today. Plus, despite political rhetoric, it's often U.S. citizens, not migrants, smuggling drugs across the border, with drug cartels increasingly targeting teens. Meanwhile, local high school students are applying their construction skills by building tiny homes.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES , PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
CALL BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.
AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.
AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL IS THROWING ITS WEIGHT BEHIND STRIKING WORKERS AT HILTON BAYFRONT HOTEL.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
THIS AFTERNOON THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR A RESOLUTION CALLING ON HILTON TO COME BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE.
KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL IS LIVE OUTSIDE THE HILTON BAYFRONT WITH Y UNION LEADERS SAY HILTON IS ACTING AGAINST ITS OWN BEST INTEREST.
JOHN?
>> Reporter: WE WILL GET TO THAT POINT IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT FIRST OF ALL, THE WORKERS HAVE BEEN OUT HERE MAKING NOISE, GETTING THEIR MESSAGE ACROSS ALL DAY AS YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR.
THEY ARE STILL OUT HERE.
THESE WORKERS ARE REPRESENTED BY UNITE, AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE NOW FOR 17 DAYS.
EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON A GROUP OF HOTEL WORKERS WERE JOINED SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER SEAN ELO-RIVERA, JOE LACAVA, KENT LEE, AND MARNI VON WILPER OUTSIDE CITY HALL.
ROSA WORKS IN HOUSEKEEPING.
SHE SAYS IT IS NOT FAIR THAT SHE AND HER FELLOW WORKERS OFTEN HAVE TO WORK MORE THAN JUST ONE JOB TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.
HER REMARKS WERE TRANSLATED BY UNITE PRESIDENT RICHARD BROWNING.
AFTER CARRILLO, WE WILL HEAR FROM BROWNING ON WHY SHE SAYS THE HILTON IS ACTING AGAINST THEIR OWN SELF-INTEREST.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Translator: WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE JUST ONE JOB.
NOT TWO.
>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Translator: BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TWO JOBS, YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN.
>> I WOULD SAY, MAKE A BUSINESS DECISION.
WE HAVE COST YOU MORE AND LOST BUSINESS THEN THE CONTRACT WOULD COST.
AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR EGO ASIDE AND DO RIGHT BY THE WORKERS.
>> Reporter: BROWNING SAYS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE AT THE TABLE WITH HILTON WAS LAST WEEK.
AT THAT POINT SHE SAYS THE OFFER WAS A $5.50 SENT RAYS OVER FOUR YEARS.
THAT WOULD PUT THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS AT $29.50 AN HOUR.
SHE SAYS THAT IS JUST NOT SUFFICIENT TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.
WE DID REACH OUT TO HILTON FOR COMMENT BUT WE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE.
>> JOHN, ARE THE WORKERS JUST STRIKING AT THAT HOTEL?
IF THAT IS THE CASE, WHY?
>> Reporter: THAT IS A QUESTION I PUT TO BRIDGET BROWNING EARLIER TODAY AND THE ANSWER IS THAT THE CONTRACT HERE AT THE BAYFRONT HILTON WAS THE FIRST ONE TO EXPIRE, SO THEY ARE THE LUCKY ONES THAT GET TO STRIKE.
BROWNING DID SAY THAT OTHER CONTRACTS ARE NOT FAR BEHIND AND SET TO EXPIRE LATER THIS YEAR.
LIVE IN THE EAST VILLAGE, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.
>>> FROM HOSPITALITY TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
PRODUCTION AT BOEING'S WASHINGTON STATE PLANT HAS COME TO A COSTLY HALT AS TALKS BETWEEN UNION WORKERS AND FEDERAL NEGOTIATORS CONTINUE.
THE LATEST ON THAT STRIKE.
>> Reporter: FEDERAL MEDIATORS WORKING TO BRING BOEING AND UNION REPRESENTING 3000 OF ITS WORKERS CLOSER TOGETHER.
>> IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT TALENTED PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM A DECENT PAY RATE.
>> Reporter: LATE LAST WEEK NUMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS UNION REJECTED A DEAL REACHED BETWEEN UNION WORKERS AND BOEING AND WALKED OFF THE JOB .
>> YOU WILL HAVE 33,000 PEOPLE ACTUALLY WILLING TO HELP YOU BUILD AIRPLANES.
>> Reporter: SINCE 2018, A SERIES OF CRASHES AND NEAR DISASTERS HAVE DENTED BOEING'S FINANCES AND REPUTATION.
LAST YEAR, BOEING'S THEN CEO SAW A 45% PAY RAISE WHILE UNION WORKERS STAYED FLAT.
SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR RELATIONS SAYS THE WORKERS HAVE LEVERAGE BECAUSE THEIR WORK IS SO SPECIALIZED.
>> IS A HUGE PROBLEM TRYING TO REPLACE THOSE WORKERS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT KNOW HOW TO BUILD AIRPLANES, ESPECIALLY THESE LARGE AIRPLANES AROUND THE WORLD .
THERE IS A VERY LIMITED SKILL SET FOR THIS PERIOD IN A MONDAY MEMO, BOEING ANNOUNCED TEMPORARY SPENDING CUTS INCLUDING HIRING FREEZE AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, FURLOUGHS OF EMPLOYEES AND EXECUTIVES ARE POSSIBLE.
>> MORE THAN $1 BILLION A WEEK.
THEY REALLY DO NEED TO GET THIS SOLVED QUICKLY.
>> Reporter: UNION MEMBERS SAY THEY WANT A 40% PAY BUMP OVER FOUR YEARS TO MAKE UP FOR RECENT INFLATION AND FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES OF CONTRACTS AND HEALTHCARE BENEFITS.
>>> IT IS COOL OUT THERE IN THE LOW 50s FOR SOME.
43 IN CAMPO.
LOOK OUT FOR THAT MARINE LAYER.
CLOUDS RETURN LATE TONIGHT.
WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME AIR-QUALITY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKE.
A LOT OF THE SMOKE IS A LITTLE BIT THICKER TO THE EAST.
NEAR THE MEXICAN BORDER.
ALSO A COUPLE SPOTS TO THE NORTH DEALING WITH SOME OF THAT.
WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT A GRADUAL WARMING TREND AFTER A PROLONGED COOLING SPELL COMING UP IN JUST A BIT.
AN IN THE AIRPORT FIRE IN ORANGE AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES HAS BURNED OVER 120 HOMES AND FORCED ENTIRE COMMUNITIES TO EVACUATE.
ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE, IT HAS BURNED MORE THAN 23,500 ACRES AND IS 31% CONTAINED.
MORE THAN 2000 FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL ON THE LINES AS CREWS TRY TO SHORE UP THE WEST FLANK BEFORE THE SANTA ANA WINDS ROLL IN.
>> THE FIREFIGHTERS MADE A STAND RIGHT HERE IN MY DRIVEWAY.
THEY USED MY HOSE.
THEY CUT THAT FENCE OUT.
AND THEY FOUGHT THAT PART OF THE FIRE RIGHT THERE AND KEPT MY HOUSE WATERED DOWN.
NEIGHBORHOOD AS A WHOLE -- IT'S LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF.
>> Reporter: CAL FIRE SAYS HIGHWAY 78 IS NOW OPEN AFTER DOWNED LIVE POWER LINES MADE ROADS DANGEROUS, BUT THERE IS STILL INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS HAPPENING SO THEY WARN DRIVERS TO REMAIN CAUTIOUS.
>>> A SENIOR ENLISTED MARINE AT THE SAN DIEGO RECRUIT DEPOT IS IN THE BRIG AND FACING CHARGES.
KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER HAS THE LATEST.
>> UNTIL LAST WEEK, SERGEANT GERARDO WAS THE HIGHEST RANKING ENLISTED MARINE AT THE THIRD RECRUIT TRAINING BATTALION.
HE WAS ARRESTED SEPTEMBER 11th BY THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR SERVICE.
TELLS KPBS TREVINO WAS REMOVED FROM HIS ROLE THE NEXT DAY DUE TO, QUOTE, LOSS IN TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.
THAT IS JARGON USED WHEN LEADERS ARE REMOVED FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS, OFTEN FOR SOME SORT OF MISCONDUCT.
NEITHER THE MARINES NOR IN CIS IS SAYING WHY TREVINO WAS ARRESTED WITH BOTH CITING THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION.
TREVINO REMAINS IN THE BRIG IN PRETRIAL CONFINEMENT.
IN THE MILITARY COURT SYSTEM IT IS UP TO A PERSON'S COMMANDER WHETHER THEY REMAIN BEHIND BARS BEFORE TRIAL.
TREVINO WON'T BE CHARGED UNTIL A PRELIMINARY HEARING CAN BE CONVENED.
THOUSANDS OF MARINE RECRUITS GO THROUGH BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO EVERY YEAR.
ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.
>>> MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS ARE RECRUITING SAN DIEGO'S TO SMUGGLE FENTANYL INTO THE UNITED STATES.
PROSECUTORS TELL GUSTAVO THEY ARE PARTICULARLY WORRIED ABOUT TEENAGERS GETTING CAUGHT UP IN A CROSS-BORDER DRUG TRADE.
>> IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO SEE THESE YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AND THEY ARE CARRYING FENTANYL.
THEY HAVE IT STRAPPED ON THEIR BODY.
RISKING THEIR OWN HEALTH.
>> THAT IS SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, SHE HAS SEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN MINORS PROSECUTED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING.
FOR DECADES MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS HAVE MADE SAN DIEGO A KEY HUB IN THEIR DRUG TRAFFICKING NETWORKS.
CONTRARY TO ELECTION-YEAR RHETORIC, CARTELS RARELY USE MIGRANTS CROSSING IMMEDIATELY -- ILLEGALLY TO SMUGGLE FENTANYL.
INSTEAD THEY USE PEOPLE WHO CROSS THE BORDER THROUGH OFFICIAL PORTS OF ENTRY WITHOUT RAISING SUSPICION.
>> THE ORGANIZED CRIME THAT IS INVOLVED IS SMART ENOUGH TO TRY TO SELECT PEOPLE THAT CAN CROSS THROUGH THE BORDER WITHOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD SO THAT THEIR DETECTION IS AT A LOWER LEVEL.
>> Reporter: FENTANYL IS THE IDEAL DRUG FOR THIS TYPE OF SMUGGLING.
SMALL QUANTITIES OF THE POWERFUL NARCOTIC FETCH BIG PROFITS SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE BOATS, PLANES, AND UNDERGROUND TUNNELS THAT CARTELS HAVE HISTORICALLY USED TO TRANSPORT DRUGS LIKE MARIJUANA AND COCAINE.
FENTANYL CAN BE CARRIED IN A POCKET OR HIDDEN IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT.
DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS AT THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION'S SAN DIEGO FIELD OFFICE.
HE SAYS CARTELS LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO CROSS FREQUENTLY AND ARE DESPERATE FOR CASH.
HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS OFTEN FIT THE BILL.
>> POTENTIALLY IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
THEY UTILIZE THESE INDIVIDUALS TO TRY AND BRING NARCOTICS INTO THE UNITED STATES.
>> Reporter: SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS WITH THE PROMISE OF A SHINY NEW SMART PHONE.
>> THEY ARE GETTING PAID A SMALL NOMINAL FEE.
MAYBE AN iPHONE OR ANDROID PHONE OR SOMETHING TO THAT NATURE.
>> Reporter: THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE SMUGGLING FENTANYL WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT.
THE PRACTICE IS SO COMMON THAT BORDER PATROL AGENTS HAVE A NAME FOR IT.
THEY CALL IT BEING A BLIND MULE THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO TWO STUDENTS AT CHULA VISTA.
GPS TRACKING DEVICES WERE FOUND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THEIR CARS.
SOUTHWESTERN'S CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER.
>> WE WERE ABLE TO SEE WHAT APPEARED TO BE A YOUNG GENTLEMAN GET OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ATTACHED A DEVICE UNDERNEATH THE CAR, WHICH MATCHED THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE STUDENT HAD FOUND IT.
SO THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.
>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES THAT SMUGGLERS TARGETED THE STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY CROSS THE BORDER OFTEN.
DRUGS CAN BE PLANTED IN A CAR IN TIJUANA AND PICKED UP IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PARKING LOT WITHOUT ANYONE FINDING OUT.
>> WE ARE ALL CREATURES OF HABIT.
WE USUALLY PARK IN THE SAME LOCATION BECAUSE IT IS IN PROXIMITY TO YOUR CLASSES.
SO IT IS EASIER TO TRACK THAT CAR.
YOU HAVE IT IDENTIFIED.
YOU KNOW WHERE THEY PARKED.
YOU TRACK IT FOR A FEW DAYS TO SEE WHAT TIMES THEY ARE IN.
>> Reporter: CAMPUS POLICE ARE NOW WARNING NEW STUDENTS DURING ORIENTATION.
>> IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO SAY THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT.
SO WE NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT THIS IS GOING ON.
FOR EVERY TWO OR THREE YOU ACTUALLY SPOT, HOW MANY YOU DON'T?
>> Reporter: ALSO COUNTING ON EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO COMBAT FENTANYL SMUGGLING.
HER OFFICE RECENTLY POSTED A BILLBOARD SHOWING THE FACES OF DOZENS OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS KILLED BY FENTANYL.
>> I WAS JUST WITH 32 SAN DIEGO FAMILIES WHO LOST CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES.
WE WERE PUTTING UP A BILLBOARD THAT WAS DRIVEN BY THESE FAMILIES WITH THE FACES OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR SIBLINGS.
>> Reporter: THAT IS PART OF A LARGER OUTREACH EFFORT THAT INVOLVES VISITING SAN DIEGO'S HIGH SCHOOLS TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE DRUG TRADE.
>> THE RECRUITMENT IS VERY ACTIVE AND WHAT THE CARTELS TELL THESE KIDS IS THAT NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.
>> Reporter: WITH MORE THAN 700 SAN DIEGANS DYING FROM OVERDOSES EVERY YEAR, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE VERY REAL.
GUSTAVO'S RELEASE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> TWO DIFFERENT CITIES IN THE SOUTH BAY ARE HOPING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HOMELESS CRISIS.
CHULA VISTA AND ARE DEBATING ENCAMPMENT BANDS TODAY.
CHULA VISTA IS CONSIDERING A BAN ON ENCAMPMENTS WITHIN 500 FEET OF SCHOOLS.
PARKS TRANSIT STOPS, SHELTERS, AND SAFE SLEEPING SITES.
NATIONAL CITY COULD PASS ITS ORDINANCE AS EARLY AS TONIGHT.
IT WOULD BAN ENCAMPMENTS WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF SCHOOLS AND ALTOGETHER AT TRANSIT STOPS AND WATERWAYS.
>> HUMANITARIAN WAY.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A CLEAN SWEEP.
OKAY, Y'ALL GOT TO MOVE.
WE ARE PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE.
WE ARE PUSHING ON THE COUNTY FOR THE MENTAL RESOURCES AND THINGS THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDING ALSO.
>> IF BOTH ORDINANCES ARE PAST, THEY WOULD TAKE EFFECT 30 DAYS LATER.
THOSE CAUGHT VIOLATING THE ORDINANCES COULD FACE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES.
>>> A $13 MILLION INVESTMENT IN A CONSTRUCTION FACILITY AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IS PAYING OFF.
KPBS REPORTER SAYS THE STUDENTS ARE BUILDING TINY HOMES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS AND LEARNING SKILLS THAT THEY WILL TAKE WITH THEM AFTER GRADUATION.
>> Reporter: A BRAND-NEW CONSTRUCTION FACILITY WITH ALL THE DRILLS AND HAMMERS.
RANCHO BONAVISTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
>> SO MUCH SPACE.
WE CAN DO BIGGER THINGS.
IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT TO TEACH CONSTRUCTION IN A SMALL SPACE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF SPACE.
NOT REALLY ANY LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN DO.
>> Reporter: HE TEACHES THE CONSTRUCTION COURSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
BEFORE THE 9000 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY, HE SAYS PROJECTS WERE SMALLER IN SCALE.
>> SMALL LITTLE TABLES AND BENCHES.
NOW WE ARE BUILDING SHEDS AND TINY HOMES.
WE REALLY EXPANDED THE PROJECT WE ARE DOING.
>> Reporter: THE CLASS IS BUILDING A COUPLE OF TINY HOMES THAT WILL BE DONATED TO HOMELESS VETERANS THROUGH THE WARRIOR VILLAGE PROJECT THIS WEEK.
>> MY FAVORITE PROJECT SO FAR BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING A TINY HOME.
PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL AND EVERYTHING.
REALLY COOL FOR SOMEONE MY AGE TO START DOING.
>> ACTUALLY MAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD.
I FEEL LIKE I AM DOING A GOOD DEED.
>> Reporter: ERIC AND JORGE ARE BOTH SENIORS.
THEY SAY THIS PROJECT AND THE CLASS HAS OPENED UP A NEW WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
>> GOING TO BE A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND SAY, OH, I HAVE WORKED WITH -- I KNOW KIND OF THE BASICS OF PLUMBING AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
IT'S GOING TO OPEN A LOT OF DOORS.
>> YOU IF YOU DON'T GET A JOB, SAY WHEN YOU'RE AT HOME OR ANYTHING AND YOU NEED TO FIX YOUR OWN CAR OR SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY HIGH PRICES WITH OTHER COMPANIES THAT WILL HELP YOU OUT.
BASICALLY DO THINGS ON YOUR OWN.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT IS THE GOAL OF HANDS-ON COURSES.
AS WELL AS GETTING REAL OSHA CERTIFICATIONS AND MEETING WITH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
>> A LOT OF STUDENTS START TO REALIZE IT IS A VIABLE OPTION AND SOMETHING THEY CAN DO IN THEIR FUTURE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD BEFORE THIS CLASS.
COLLEGE ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY.
I DON'T TRY TO NUDGE STUDENTS EITHER DIRECTION.
>> Reporter: IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS HE SAYS HE HAS SEEN STRUGGLING STUDENTS FIND A PASSION IN SCHOOL ONCE AGAIN.
>> THEY ARE STANDING UP AND USING THEIR HANDS.
THEY ARE THINKING AND WORKING TOGETHER.
IT'S AMAZING.
>> Reporter: ON WEDNESDAY, THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS WILL COLLABORATE WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TRADE PROFESSIONALS ON THE TINY HOME PROJECT.
TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY.
IT IS A HOLIDAY DEDICATED TO ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
AND IT IS CELEBRATED EACH SEPTEMBER.
SOUTHWEST COLLEGE HELD A VOTER REGISTRATION EVENT ON CAMPUS TODAY.
THE STUDENTS WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN A POLL AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DATE STARTED BACK IN 2012 AND SINCE THEN IT'S THOUSANDS OF PARTNERS HAVE HELPED GET MORE THAN 5 MILLION PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE.
♪ ♪ >>> WITH AMERICA'S BITTER DIVIDE ON FULL DISPLAY THIS ELECTION SEASON, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE OFTEN BLAMED FOR FANNING POLARIZATION BY FAILING TO REIN IN HATE SPEECH AND MISINFORMATION.
KPBS REPORTS ON NEW RESEARCH SHOWING INSTAGRAM DOES LITTLE TO STEM HARASSMENT OF WOMEN POLITICIANS.
SHE JOINS ME NOW TO TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS.
>> IS RIGHT.
THE CENTER FOR COUNTERING DIGITAL HATE STUDIED MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION INSTAGRAM POSTS RELATED TO 10 WELL-KNOWN WOMEN POLITICIANS -- FIVE DEMOCRATS, FIVE REPUBLICANS.
THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE INCLUDED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ AND NANCY PELOSI.
THE REPUBLICAN SIDE INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, LAUREN BOEBERT, AND SENATOR MARSHA BLACKBURN.
FROM THOSE, HAVE 1 MILLION COMMENTS, RESEARCHERS EXTRACTED 1000 OF THE MOST TOXIC POSTS.
ONE PERSON POSTED IN REFERENCE TO VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, QUOTE, WE DON'T WANT BLACKS AROUND US NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.
ANOTHER PERSON TARGETING SENATOR MARSHA BLACKBURN WROTE, HOPE SOMEONE LEAVES YOU FOR DEAD IN A DITCH.
STARTED THE CENTER FOR COUNTERING DIGITAL HATE DESCRIBING THE OTHER TYPES OF POSTS HE FOUND AIMED AT THESE WOMEN.
>> USING EXTREME LANGUAGE.
THE C WORD REPEATEDLY.
USING RACIST LANGUAGE.
CALLING PEOPLE THE LETTER IN WORD.
ALSO THE CONSTANT DRUMBEAT.
WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF THESE WERE FROM REPEAT OFFENDERS CONSISTENTLY GOING BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN TO THESE WOMEN AND ABUSING THEM SO THAT EVERY TIME THEY POST, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS ON, IT MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE A NEW CHILD CARE POLICY.
IT MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE LOCALLY.
>> THIS IS VERY SERIOUS LANGUAGE.
WHO IS POSTING THESE COMMENTS?
>> MAIA, THERE IS A TIME WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD TELL US THE TROLLS WERE LOANER GUYS IN THEIR PJs SITTING IN THEIR PARENTS' BASEMENTS.
WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE HARASSMENT OF WOMEN POLITICIANS, THAT IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE.
HE SAYS IT IS COMING FROM PEOPLE ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.
IT IS BEING POSTED WITH IMPUNITY AND IT IS BECAUSE ONLINE ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN HAS BEEN NORMALIZED.
>> WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE RESEARCH FINDINGS THEN?
>> WELL, HE SAID THAT THEY TOOK THE THOUSAND TEXT MESSAGES ABOUT THE WOMEN POLITICIANS THAT THEY HAD FERRETED OUT AS BEING TOXIC AND IN VIOLATION OF INSTAGRAM'S OWN RULES AND SUBMITTED THEM TO INSTAGRAM.
HERE HE IS DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.
>> ON A SILVER PLATTER.
THEY TOOK NO ACTION.
SEXIST ABUSE LIKE MAKE RAPE LEGAL, RACIST ABUSE, LIKE WE DON'T WANT BLACKS, AND DEATH TO HER AND HER SUPPORTERS.
>> I SHOULD SAY, MAYA, I REACHED OUT TO META, WHICH OWNS INSTAGRAM, FOR AN INTERVIEW.
THERE IS WHAT THE HEAD OF SAFETY SAID ABOUT THE CENTER FOR COUNTERING DIGITAL HATE REPORT.
QUOTE, WE PROVIDE TOOLS SO THAT ANYONE CAN CONTROL WHO CAN COMMENT ON THEIR POSTS, AUTOMATICALLY FILTER OUT OFFENSIVE COMMENTS, PHRASES, OR IMO GEEZ, AND AUTOMATICALLY HAD COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE WHO DON'T FOLLOW THEM.
WE WORK WITH HUNDREDS OF SAFETY PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE OUR POLICIES, TOOLS, DETECTION AND ENFORCEMENT, AND WE WILL RESUME YOU THE C CDH REPORT AND TAKE ACTION ON ANY CONTENT THAT VIOLATES OUR POLICIES.
THIS IS NOT A CASE WHERE NEW RULES ARE NEEDED.
HE SAYS PLATFORMS JUST NEED TO ENFORCE THEIR CURRENT RULES ON THE BOOKS.
>> YOU YOURSELF HAVE REPORTED ON THREATS TO LOCAL WOMEN BOTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN PERSON AT MEETINGS.
TELL US, WHAT IS BEHIND THESE THREATS?
>> PURE AND SIMPLE, INTIMIDATION.
A YEAR AGO I SPOKE WITH UCSD POLITICAL SCIENTIST BARBARA WALTER ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF INTIMIDATION.
SHE DESCRIBED IT THIS WAY.
>> IT IS A FORM OF VERBAL TERRORISM DESIGNED TO BASICALLY BEAT -- VERBALLY BEAT YOUR TARGET INTO SUBMISSION.
>> SO HOW DO WOMEN HOLDING LOCAL OFFICE -- HOW DO THEY HANDLE THIS?
>> WELL, THE ONES I HAVE INTERVIEWED -- AND I INTERVIEWED THEM A YEAR AGO -- SUCH AS CHULA VISTA AMATEUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER KATE BISHOP -- HAVE ACCEPTED THAT IT IS PART OF THE JOB OF BEING A WOMAN AND HOLDING OFFICE, BUT IT CUTS.
>> I AM A HUMAN BEING.
FOR A SECOND, IT HITS ME HARD.
AND I SAY, GOD, THAT'S SCARY.
WHEN IT IS, LIKE, REALLY GRAPHIC OR SEXUAL, I USUALLY TALK TO MY HUSBAND.
AND THEN I REALIZE THAT THE PERSON MAKING THE THREAT DOESN'T HAVE THE WORDS -- DOESN'T HAVE THE WORDS TO EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS HEALTHILY.
>> THAT IS SOME GREAT REPORTING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, MAYA.
>> TO EXPLORE ALL THE PUBLIC MATTERS STORIES, VISIT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS .
>>> IT HAS BEEN A COOL TIME AND THE COOL AIR IS WITH US FOR MOST OF THIS WEEK.
ESPECIALLY IN THE INTERIOR COMPARED TO NORMAL.
THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE FEELING THE BIGGEST DEPARTURE FROM THE NORM.
BUT IT IS NICE AND COOL ALONG THE COAST AS WELL.
WILDFIRE SMOKE AND EVEN A LITTLE BLOWING DUST HAS BEEN A CONCERN IN SOME AREAS, ESPECIALLY IN SOME OF THE INTERIOR.
WE ARE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.
WE EXPECT GRADUAL IMPROVEMENTS.
AFTER THE SCHOOL WORK WEEK WE WILL TURN WARMER THIS WEEKEND.
TEMPERATURES GOING TO BE RISING ONCE AGAIN.
TONIGHT, DOWN TO 64 IN THE METRO WITH LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST.
SOME OF YOU IN OTHER SPOTS AND LEND MAY BE A LITTLE COLDER THAN THAT TONIGHT.
WEDNESDAY, STILL SOME COOL AIR PREVAILS WITH RAIN SHOWERS.
THERE ARE SPOTS IN THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS OF THE SIERRAS WHERE SNOWFLAKES ARE FALLING.
WE EXPECT IT TO BE DRY INTO MOST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
GLUE ON THE MAP.
A LITTLE BREEZY AND COOL.
WINDS ARE STRONGEST OFF TO OUR EAST.
KEEPING AN EYE ON.
OVERALL IT IS A COOLER TIME.
DEW POINTS HER UP.
THAT IS GOOD FOR MITIGATING SOME OF THE FIRE DANGER.
LOW CLOUDS ARE WITH IS A BIG CHUNK OF THE DAY.
CLOUDIER NEAR THE COAST WITH SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE AFTERNOON.
ELSEWHERE TO THE EAST, ONLY AROUND 59 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.
91 FOR BORREGO SPRINGS.
FUTURE SATELLITE AND RADAR.
MOST OF THE SHOWERS WILL STAY TO THE NORTH.
FOR US, AGAIN, RELATIVELY LIGHTER WINDS BUILDING IN AFTER A DISTURBANCE KEEPS THINGS ACTIVE FOR THE SHORT TERM.
LATER THIS WEEK BY THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING, THERE WILL BE SHOWERS IN NEVADA AND PARTS OF UTAH.
BUT WE SHOULD STAY DRY HERE WITH LOW CLOUDS STILL LOOKING EACH MORNING.
YOU CAN SEE WE ARE AROUND MID- 70s FOR HIGHS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND EVEN FRIDAY.
BACK UP TO 80 FOR THE WEEKEND.
SO THERE WILL BE SOME RISE THERE.
INLAND AREAS, SOME CLOUDS ARE GOING TO HOLD ON FOR A BIT OF TIME HERE.
AT LEAST A FEW DOZEN MILES INLAND.
MAYBE EVEN 50 OR 60 MILES INLAND.
IT WILL TURN MUCH WARMER SUNDAY.
88.
WARMTH BUILDING BACK IN.
INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
BREEZY.
STILL SOME DEGREE OF FIRE DANGER BUT COOL FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS.
WE REALLY BOUNCE BACK UP THIS WEEKEND.
TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE.
INTO THE DESERTS WE GO.
WE FIND TEMPS RANGING FROM THE 80s TO A COOLER SET UP THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
BACK TO THE MID-90s AND EVEN A LITTLE BIT HOTTER THAN 100 ONCE AGAIN ON SUNDAY.
I AM GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.
>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, AN APPARENT ISRAELI ATTACK.
HAS BELOVED PAGERS EXPLODE ACROSS LEBANON.
THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.
>>> TODAY SAN DIEGANS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE MAN WHO WILL BE HEADING ITS NEW MAJOR SOCCER LEAGUE TEAM.
SAN DIEGO FC HELD AN EVENT TO INTRODUCE NEWLY APPOINTED HEAD COACH MIKEY VARGAS.
HE MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS THE INTERIM HEAD COACH OF THE U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM.
AND VARGAS GAVE SOME INSIGHT TO HIS VISION FOR THE CLUB AND WHAT COACHING HERE IN SAN DIEGO MEANS TO HIM.
>> I MET MY WIFE IN SAN DIEGO.
I HAVE MET SOME OF THE BEST FRIENDS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE IN SAN DIEGO.
SOME OF THEM WERE BORN AND RAISED IN SAN DIEGO, BUT MANY WERE NOT.
THIS PLACE DRAWS A CERTAIN TYPE OF ENERGY AND A CERTAIN TYPE OF HUMANITY TO IT.
THE PROJECT IS GREATER THAN JUST A SPORT.
IT IS ABOUT IMPACTING NOT ONLY THE PLAYERS AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND FANS, BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ULTIMATELY TRYING TO INFECT HUMANITY IN A REALLY POSITIVE WAY.
>> AND SAN DIEGO FC KICKS OFF ITS INAUGURAL MLS SEASON IN FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR.
>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM ON NPR'S MORNING EDITION.
LIFE IN MEXICO CITY PRESENTS MANY CHALLENGES FOR PEOPLE THERE, BUT GETTING A DRIVING LICENSE ISN'T ONE OF THEM.
KPBS MID-DAY EDITION IS DISCUSSING THE LINK BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVEN HEAT WAVES AND SOCIAL INEQUITY.
YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .
>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.
I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
♪ ♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
CALL 1-800-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM .
AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.
AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
♪ ♪
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