>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT A FAST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS.

CALIFORNIA'S PANDEMIC PIVOT.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM OUTLINES A NEW APPROACH TO COVID-19 AS MASK MANDATES AND IN CASE RATES DROP.

>>> KEEPING LOCAL PARKS SAY FOR ALL.

WE RUN ALONG AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY REMINDS PEOPLE IGNORING LEASH LAWS WILL COST THEM.

>>> HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL.

SEE THE NEW INVESTMENT IN e- SPORTS IS VIDEO GAMES BECOME A VALUABLE EDUCATION TOOL.

>>> SAN DIEGO HAS ALWAYS HAD SOME OF THE HIGHEST GAS PRICES IN THE COUNTRY.

IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THIS BAD.

THIS WEEK HIT AN ALL-TIME RECORD.

AS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS, PRICES MAY RISE EVEN HIGHER.

>> IT IS HORRIBLE.

I HATED.

WE ARE GOING BROKE.

>> Reporter: THESE PRICES MAKE FILLING UP MORE LIKE SHEER AGONY.

>> THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

>> Reporter: YOUR THE NUMBERS.

WE ARE PAYING AN AVERAGE OF $4.74 A GALLON.

AT LEAST WE ARE NOT PAYING THE HIGHEST AVERAGE PRICES IN THE STATE.

THAT DUBIOUS HONOR FALLS TO SAN LUIS OBISPO.

THE AVERAGE PRICE IS $4.91 A GALLON.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGES $3.51 A GALLOWS.

THE GAS PRICE HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING SINCE THE END OF 2020.

WHY IS THAT?

THE OTHER CLUBS TOOK SHOOP SAID THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS.

>> THE AGGRESSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE PUTS CRUDE OIL PRICE PRESSURE.

THE MORE EXPENSIVE SUMMER FUEL ALSO IS TO BLAME.

>> Reporter: IF RUSSIA GOES AHEAD AND INVADES UKRAINE WE MAY NOT SEE THE END.

>> WE COULD SEE PUMP PRICES INCREASE ANOTHER $.50-$.70 PER GALLON.

>> Reporter: PROBABLY DOES NOT EXPECT HIGHER PRICES TO LEAD TO ANY SIGNIFICANT CUTBACK IN DRIVING.

>> PEOPLE STILL NEED TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

ESPECIALLY DRIVING TO WORK OR CARING FOR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: SHOOP HAS TIPS.

MAKE SURE YOUR TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED.

LIGHTEN THE LOAD OF YOUR VEHICLE AND DON'T CARRY EXTRA JUNK AROUND.

DON'T SPEED.

SHOP AROUND FOR THE CHEAPEST GAS.

AAA HAS A FREE MOBILE APP THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS IT SHOWS YOU THE CHEAPEST PRICES IN YOUR AREA.

WITH PRICES LIKE THESE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO EASE THE AGONY AT THE PUMP IS WELL WORTH IT.

>>> IF YOU DRIVE ELECTRIC OR RIDE WITH A FRIEND YOU HAVE A NEW CARPOOL LANE TO USE ALL MY FIVE.

NINE ADDITIONAL MILES ON NORTHBOUND LANES BETWEEN SOLANA BEACH AND CARLSBAD.

THE NEW SOUTHBOUND LANE WILL OPEN IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 2016.

AN ADDITIONAL STRESS FROM PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD TO THE 78 FREEWAYS IN PROGRESS.

>>> LOCAL LEADERS WERE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT HUBS.

>> Reporter: IN ABOUT 20 MONTHS THIS LAND WILL BE TURNED INTO 126 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

RIGHT NEXT DOOR, 250 MORE APARTMENTS ARE ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM WHICH HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR MORE DEVELOPMENT ON ITS REAL ESTATE IN PARTICULAR IN PARKING LOTS NEXT TO TROLLEY STATIONS.

>> THIS HOUSING WILL BE PERFECTLY PLACED AS PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO GET TO WORK.

WE KNOW 35,000 STUDENTS AT SAN DIEGO STATE THE TO GET THERE.

WE IDENTIFY THE LAND AND WORK WITH THE CREDIBLE PARTNERS.

WE ARE THRILLED TO BRING THIS TO FRUITION AND GET GOING.

>> Reporter: THE APPEAL OF HOUSING NEXT TO THE PROBABLY IS CLEAR.

MORE PEOPLE WRITING TRANSIT BEADS FEWER CARS ON THE ROAD AND LESS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

BUT STAFF OF THE TROLLEY AND INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF GRANVILLE AND YOU WILL SEE.

IT'S FAR FROM A PEDESTRIAN PARADISE.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAYS TO MEET THE GOALS THAT HAS TO CHANGE.

>> I THINK WE OWE IT TO THEM TO PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE AND MASS TRANSIT OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD MAKE THIS COMMUNITY BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: IS HOSTILE AS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD CAN BE THE CITY WILL MAKE IT EVEN COURT CENTRIC.

A STUDY PRODUCED LAST YEAR CALLS FOR WIDENING STREETS SURROUNDING THE TROLLEY STATION TO ACCOMMODATE MORE CARS.

MAYOR GLORIA SAID THAT IS THE STATUS QUO APPROACH THAT HAS TO BE QUESTIONED.

HE HAS NOT SAID WITH THE IT WILL INTERVENE.

>>> A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WAS CLEANER.

NOW THE CITY IS A SHOOTING CITATIONS TO THOSE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE ENCAMPMENTS IN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT.

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PROBABLY THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE TENSE MOMENTS BETWEEN SAN DIEGO POLICE AND HOMELESS ADVOCATES MONDAY AS THE MIDWAY ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP CONTINUES.

TWO WEEKS AGO THE CITY STARTED CLEANING THIS WAS SPORTS ARENA BOULEVARD AREA.

PEOPLE WERE NOT TOLD TO LEAVE.

THAT IS CHANGING AND LOCAL ADVOCATES DO NOT AGREE.

>> VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT YOUR JOB.

>> Reporter: WE ARE SEEING ENFORCEMENT OUT HERE.

POLICE OF GOING TENT BY 10 AND SO FAR WE HAVE SEEN TICKETS FOR ENCROACHMENT.

>> Reporter: COLLEEN CUSACK WAS OUT TRYING TO HELP SOME OF HER CLIENTS.

SHE IS AN ATTORNEY.

>> POLICE ARE USING CRIMINALIZATION TO DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THE CITY IS MAKING IT HARD FOR THE FOLKS TO BE FOUND.

>> WHEN THEY COME AROUND TO DO THE POINT IN PRIME COUNT, AND THE MAYOR HAS CHASED OF IT OFF THE STREET, HE WILL PAT HIMSELF ON THE BACK.

>> Reporter: TODD GLORIA ORDERED THE CLEANUP AND SAID THE ALLEGATION IS NOT TRUE.

>> THIS IS NORMAL PROCEDURE.

THE ONLY CHANGE AS WE PAUSE SHELTER INTAKES DURING THE OMICRON SEARCH BECAUSE WE HAD SOME OF THE POSITIVES IN OUR AREA.

WE ARE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE VIA OUTREACH.

THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE IMPORTANT AND HOW THE FEDERAL DOLLARS, ONE OF THE CALCULATIONS FOR HOW MUCH WE GET IS THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM.

IT IS IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO HAVE AN ACCURATE COUNT.

>> I DO NOT WANT TO BE BROKEN UP AND GO TO SEPARATE SHELTERS.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE DECIDED TO TAKE THE SERVICES BUT SOME PEOPLE REMAINS RESISTANT SAYING THEY DO NOT WANT THE STATE AND A LARGE SHELTER.

>> COVID-19 HAS HAD IT VERY UNSAFE FOR PEOPLE TO STAY IN CONGREGATE CARE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT SINGLE ROOMS SHELTERS TO STAY SAFE.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS TO GET PEOPLE IN THE SHELTERS BUT THEY HAVE ONGOING CONCERNS ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY.

THEY SAY ENFORCEMENT WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THERE IS SPACE INSIDE OF SHELTERS.

>>> CALIFORNIA SHIFTING ITS APPROACH TO COVID-19 WITH MASKS NO LONGER REQUIRED IN THOSE SETTINGS.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM EXPLAINED WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO TRY GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> IT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM THAT WE NOW MOVE INTO A NEW PHASE.

AND ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES AND REALITIES.

WE MOVE INTO A PHASE WHICH ALLOW CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY.

WE ARE TAKING THE LESSONS LEARNED AND LEADING INTO THE FUTURE.

>>> RECENT TRENDS SUBMIT THE MOVE.

1300 NEW COVID-19 CASES.

THAT IS ROUGHLY 1/10 OF WHAT WE SAW ON DAILY CASE NUMBERS DURING THE RECENT OMICRON PEAK.

KPBS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE COVERAGE AND RESOURCES FOR THE PANDEMIC.

GO TO THE TRACTING COVID-19 AND YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION FOR ALL OF OUR KPBS PLATFORMS.

>>> LOTS OF PEOPLE ADOPT A DOG STORY COVID-19 AND WHILE A NEW LEASH WILL COST YOU AROUND $10, NOT USING ONE CAN COST YOU HUNDREDS.

A NEW PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO GET PET OWNERS TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

>> Reporter: SIERRA DOCKERY SPOTS IN FROM THE PARKING LOT.

A LOOSE PITBULL RUNNING AROUND A FENCED IN BASKETBALL COURT.

SHE PARKS HER SUV AND HOPS OUT.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE SIGNS I SEE RIGHT NOW.

DOGS HAVE TO BE ON A LEASH.

>> Reporter: THE DOGS OWNER IS NOT HAPPY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT.

NO ONE HAS ASKED US TO LEAVE BEFORE.

>> GO AHEAD AND LEASE THE DOG FOR MY SAFETY.

>> Reporter: SHE LISTENS TO THE WOMAN WITH A CALM AND GENTLE DEMEANOR BUT STAYS FOR.

SHE WRITES A TICKET WHICH COULD END UP COSTING HER THE MOST $300.

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE.

SHE LOOKS A LOT LIKE A POLICE OFFICER IN HER TIGHT BUN, NAVY BLUE UNIFORM, AND UTILITY BELT.

BUT HER EMPLOYER IS NOT A POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

SHE IS PART OF A NEW PARK TROLL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM THAT THE HUMANE SOCIETY STARTED IN 2021 TO ADDRESS A PANDEMIC ERA PROBLEM.

THE NUMBER OF SCOFFED LEASH DOG OWNERS BALLOONS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS NOW GIVING OUT ABOUT 200 CITATIONS A MONTH.

THAT IS A FIVE FOLD INCREASE FROM EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

ABOUT A THIRD WENT TO PARKS AND PACIFIC BEACH AND OCEAN BEACH.

AND SHE SAYS THEY PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SCHOOL FIELDS.

>> SOME SPECIFIC AREAS HAVE BECOME UNOFFICIAL BALLPARKS.

>> Reporter: THAT CREATES PROBLEMS WITH DOGS LEAVING WASTE.

AT TROLLEY BARN PARK IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS WE LEFT THE HOSPITAL.

SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD TO GET STITCHES AND STRUGGLES WITH A DEEP FEAR OF DOGS.

HE WILL INSIST THE DOG IS FRIENDLY AND WILL BEHAVED BUT THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> IT REALLY CHANGED OUR WHOLE FAMILY DYNAMIC IN THE WAY WE SPEND OUR FREE TIME.

WE COULD COME HERE.

DOGS WERE OFF LEASH.

MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAUMATIZED WITH ALL THAT HAPPENED HERE.

AND THEN IF YOU GO TO ANY OTHER PARK WE FOUND IT HAPPENS THE SAME.

>> Reporter: ON A RECENT WEDNESDAY EVENING SEVERAL BLOCKS FROM FREELY AT A FIELD IN ALLIED GARDENS THAT IS ALSO BEING USED FOR KIDS SOCCER BASEBALL GAMES.

MARTY LETS HIS DOG OFF LEASH AND SHE BARKS AND RUNS IN CIRCLES AS HE TALKS.

>> MOST PEOPLE WHO COME DOWN HERE TO CONTROL THE DOGS.

MINUS PARKING LOT.

SHE LIKES TO RUN AND PLAY.

OUTSIDE OF THAT MOST OF THE DOGS DOWN HERE OR REASONABLY WELL BEHAVED.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE DOES WORRY ABOUT GETTING A CITATION.

>> DOGS STILL NEED EXERCISE AND THERE ARE VERY FEW DOG PARKS IN THE AREA.

>> THIS DOG IS ACTIVELY DIGGING A HOLE.

>> Reporter: BACK ON HER PATROL SHE ROLLS THROUGH BUSY PARKING SPOTS TO PEOPLE WATCHING THEIR DOGS RUN OFF LEASH.

>> THERE LOOKING AT IT AND NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE DRIVES UP TO THE YOUNG COUPLE AND WRITES THE METER CITATION.

THE COUPLE EXCEPTS THEIR $300 TICKETS AND PROMISES THEY WILL NOT BREAK THE RULES AGAIN.

>>> THAT STORY WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK AT WWW.KPBS.ORG .

TANIA THORNE LOOKS AT A NEW SURVEY THAT RANKS SAN DIEGO IS THE LEAST AFFORDABLE METRO AREA IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ALSO EXPLAIN WHY THE NEW MESA BORDER CROSSING MY BE ON TRACK TO OPEN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

>>> LIKE COMICS LAUNCHED IN 2018 JUSTICE MORALS BLACK PANTHER HIT THEATERS.

THE FREE MINI CONVENTION RETURNS THIS WEEKEND AFTER BEING ON A FORCED TO YOUR PANDEMIC BREAK.

>> Reporter: MODELS BLACK PANTHER GAVE A BLACK SUPERHERO PEOPLE COULD CELEBRATE.

BLACK COMIC STAY WAS LAUNCHED IN 2018.

>> YOU SEE THE COMIC MOVIES BUT YOU DON'T SEE THE FOLKS WHO CREATED THESE CHARACTERS.

THE SHOW UNCOVERS THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO UNCOVERS THE BREATHTAKING DIVERSITY OF CHARACTERS BEYOND BLACK PANTHER.

THAT MARVEL SUPERHERO WAS CREATED BY TWO WHITE MEN IN BLACK COMICS THEY HIGHLIGHT TO WORK WITH BLACK COMICS CREATORS.

>> IT'S A BLACK FOCUS EVENT AND IT MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL FOR PEOPLE WHO SEE THEMSELVES NOT ONLY IN THE WORK OF THE CREATIVE FORCE BEHIND IT.

>> I THINK -- IS MY SUPERHERO.

>> Reporter: -- IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WORLDBEAT CULTURAL CENTER.

>> TO SEAL THE BLACK COMICS AND PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS GENRE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR PEOPLE AND ALL PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WITH ITS AFRO CENTRAL FOCUS THE CULTURAL CENTER PROVIDES THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR THE EVENT.

>> BLACK COMIC STAY IS A FOCUS ON WHERE CREATORS WHERE YOU CAN MEET AND GREET AND INTERACT WITH THEM AND SEE EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: BLACK CHILDREN, THIS IS FOR THEM TO SEE THEY DON'T JUST HAVE TO BE CONSUMERS OF THIS CONTENT.

THEY CAN BE CREATORS AS WELL.

AND SEEING BLACK CREATORS IN ONE SPACE AND SEEING SO MANY UNDER ONE ROOF HELPS TO DRIVE THAT POINT HOME.

>> Reporter: IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN PROVIDING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CHARACTERS WHO LOOK LIKE THEM.

>> IT CREATES POSSIBILITIES AND CHILDREN'S MINDS IN LIFE IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: RICHMOND WILL BE ON TWO PANELS AT THE CONVENTION.

ONE CALLED EMPOWERED WHICH ADDRESSES THE PACK OF BEING A BLACK CREATOR.

>> A REAL JOB CAN BE A DREAM JOB.

>> THIS IS MY COMIC BOOK TRINITY PLAYED.

IT IS A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED VANITY.

SWORD SWINGING IN SWASHBUCKLING AND DRAGON'S.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT EASY AT ALL.

ALL THE LONG HOURS REQUIRED.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE WORKING A FEW OTHER JOBS THAT CAN BE TOUGH STEALING TIME FOR THIS PASSION PROJECT.

I WANTED A BOOK CENTERED AROUND A BLACK CHARACTER.

YOU WANT TO TELL THE STORY.

DON'T HESITATE.

PUT PENCIL TO PAPER.

BE A WRITER, ARTIST, WHATEVER YOU CAN DO.

CREATE THE STORY THAT YOU IMAGINE.

>> Reporter: HE FLEA LANCES AS AN ARTIST AND RUNS, BOOKS.

HE FIGHTS TO ORGANIZE BLACK COMIC STAY.

THE SMORGASBORD OF CONTRACT COMING FROM BLACK CREATORS.

>> EVERY ARTIST IS DIFFERENT AND THE STORIES THEY CREATE.

EVERYTHING YOU WILL SEE IN YOUR LOCAL BOOK SHOP IS ALSO HERE.

IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE CREATED BY BLACK CREATORS.

THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY DIFFERENCE.

IT'S FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW WHICH IS WHAT I THINK THE UNIQUENESS IS.

>> Reporter: THE BEST ARTIST ALWAYS PUTS A BIT OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR WORK.

WHETHER IT IS FICTION OR NONFICTION.

YOU PUT UP WITH PEACE OF YOURSELF IN IT.

THAT'S WHERE THE ORIGINAL ELEMENT COMES FROM.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE IN ART.

MAC THAT'S ALSO WHICH WILL MAKES BLACK COMIC STAY IN EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN JUST A CONVENTION.

>> THIS IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT OR EXPOSED TO.

ON THAT ALONE I THINK IT'S WORTHWHILE.

JUST TO HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE AND ALSO HAVE FUN AND BE ENTERTAINED.

>> Reporter: DISCOVER SUPERHEROES EXIST NOT ONLY ON THE PAGES OF COMICS IN THE BIG SCREEN BUT ALSO BEHIND ARTIST TABLES AT LIKE COMICS DAY.

>>> LIKE COMIC BOOKS VIDEO GAMES ARE A MAJOR FORCE IN POP CULTURE AND INCREASINGLY IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE VISITED HUBER HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE HOW e-SPORTS ARE BEING USED AS A PATHWAY TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: AND ALREADY THRIVING TEAM GOT AN UPGRADE NOT IN A VIDEO GAME BUT IN REAL LIFE.

THE CLUB HAS A BRAND-NEW SPACE ON CAMPUS DEDICATED TO COMPETITIVE GAMING.

IT IS FULLY STOCKED WITH COMPUTERS GAMING CHAIRS HEADPHONES A LOT MORE.

>> THE MOST POPULAR GAME RIGHT NOW IS ROCKET LEAK.

>> Reporter: HENRY KWAK SAYS THE NEW ROOM IS A HUGE IMPROVEMENT FROM BEFORE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE SPORTS CLUB IN MY SOPHOMORE YEAR WE HAD A LITTLE UNDERGROUND AREA.

YOU NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT THE COMPUTERS.

>> Reporter: FOR EVERY SPORTS TEAM THERE IS A COACH.

JACK WETZEL TEACHES MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT SCHOOL.

HE IS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM SINCE 2016.

>> I THINK e-SPORTS IS ANY DIGITAL SPORT RANGING FROM ANYTHING FROM CHEST TO THESE COMPETITIVE FIRST-PERSON SHOOTERS.

IF I WAS GOING TO SAY WHAT IT IS HERE AT HOOVER IT IS REALLY A COMMUNITY.

IT IS ABOUT STUDENTS HAVING A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE LIKE- MINDED PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE AND BE FRIENDS WITH.

>> Reporter: YOU SAID e-SPORTS PROVIDE HIM AN ESCAPE FROM THE WORLD DIFFICULTIES WAS SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FRIENDS.

IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO TALK ABOUT JUST PLAY GAMES AND HAVING SOCIAL INTERACTION.

HOOVER HIGH IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THE SPORTS SCENE IN SAN DIEGO.

SAN DIEGO STATE WILL LAUNCH A NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAM CALLED BUSINESS OF e-SPORTS WHICH IS OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

-- WILL BE ONE OF THE PROFESSORS.

HE SEES e-SPORTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND SAYS THEY OFFER COMPETITION FOR ALL AND ARE MORE INCLUSIVE THAN TRADITIONAL SPORTS.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE, ANY DIFFERENCE, EVERYONE CAN COMPETE IN THE SAME GAMES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE NEW -- IS JUST A START.

THEY ALREADY HAVE OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE AREA AND THEY PLAN TO MAKE e-SPORTS A LETTER EXPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HIGH SCHOOL e-SPORTS LEAK IS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS HELPING GATHER EVERYBODY TOGETHER.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT HOST THE GAMES.

FROM THERE THE COLLEGES ARE LOOKING ON THE WEBSITES TO SEE WHICH TEAMS ARE SCORING HIGHEST AND DOING WELL DURING THE COMPETITIONS.

ON TOP OF THAT THERE IS ACTUAL SCHOLARSHIPS FROM HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES.

>> Reporter: THE FUTURE OF e- SPORTS IS VERY BRIGHT.

HE SEES THE NEW e-SPORTS PROGRAM AND OTHER SIMILAR EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS AS A GATEWAY INTO THE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS FIELDS.

>> STUDENTS ARE CURIOUS.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE A PROFESSIONAL GAMER BUT I CAN DECIDE WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I CAN DO ANIMATION.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR LEE SAID ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE SPORTS INDUSTRY IS THE NEED TO INTRODUCE MORE WOMEN.

HE SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE NUMBER PLAYERS CREATING A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN IN ONLINE GAMING CIRCLES.

THERE ARE EFFORTS UNDERWAY SUCH AS CREATING MORE COLLABORATIVE AND LESS VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES TO BRIDGE THE GENDER GAP AND OPEN THE VIRTUAL TOUR OF e-SPORTS TO ALL.

>>> TRADITIONAL SPORTS HAVE LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT LEARNING TOOL FOR KIDS.

EDUCATION REPORTER -- PEREZ WENT TO AN ICE RINK AND FOUND A NEW GENERATION INSPIRED BY WHAT THEY ARE SEEING AT THIS YEAR'S WINTER OLYMPICS.

>> Reporter: FIGURE SKATING PRACTICE STARTS EARLY HERE AT THE KROC CENTER ICE RINK WHERE ALMOST 20 YEARS SKATERS HAVE COME TO PLAY HOCKEY, MOVE IS A COUPLE, AND LEARN THE UPS AND DOWNS OF FIGURE SKATING.

CHRISTOPHER -- IS A FIGURE SKATING COACH AND TEACHER.

HE IS ALSO AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITOR AND FRIEND OF DONOVAN --, THE MEXICAN FIGURE SKATER WHO MADE HISTORY THIS WEEK AT THE BEIJING OLYMPICS.

HE SAYS -- AS AN INSPIRATION FOR YOUNG SKATERS LEARNING THE SPORT WITH SUCH A RICH HISTORY.

>> WHAT WE SEE IN SKATING IS NOT ONLY ABOUT JOHNSON'S BINS.

FIGURE SKATING BACK THEN WAS ABOUT CREATING FIGURES ON THE ICE.

THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED FIGURE SKATING.

IT IS DRAWING ON THE ICE AND THEN YOU HAVE TO RETRACE THE.

>> Reporter: 15 ROLLED -- IS TAKING NOTES FROM THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS WEEK'S U.S. GOLD MEDAL WINNER.

>> IS INSPIRING.

IT'S COOL TO SEE HIS SKATING PERFORMANCE AND LIKE TRY AND TAKE THINGS AND APPLY IT TO YOUR OWN SKATING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM.

IT IS A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN AND MAKE MISTAKES.

WE ARE TOLD THE KROC RINK IS THE BEST PLACE IN TOWN.

IT IS SO POPULAR SKATERS COME FROM AS FAR AWAY AS LOS ANGELES.

I SKATING AT ANY LEVEL COSTS MONEY.

HERE ARE THE KROC CENTER THERE IS FUNDRAISING FOR $100,000 EVERY YEAR TO GIVE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LESSONS AND REMAKING.

>> CHILDREN WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD FIGURE SKATING, OR SOCCER, OR ANY OF THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE HERE WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO OFFSET THE COST OF THE PROGRAM FROM THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> Reporter: TERRY GILBERT STARTED SKATING LATER IN LIFE.

SHE IS A MOTHER ALSO WHO ENCOURAGES LIFE LESSONS TO HER CHILDREN.

>> THEY LEARNED DISCIPLINE, THEY LEARN TO BE PROUD OF THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A LESSON AS VALUABLE AS ANY OLYMPIC MEDAL.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.