PBS NewsHour Weekend; PBS NewsHour Weekend : KQED : October 13, 2018 5:30pm-6:01pm PDT

Captioning sponsored by WNET

>> Sreenivasan: ON THIS EDITION FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13: THE DEATH TOLL RISES AND HUNDREDS ARE MISSING IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE MICHAEL; IOUR SIGNATURE SEGMENT, AN INITIATIVE TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO FORMER FELONS TAKES CENTER STAGE IN FLORIDA; AND GROWING LEATHER, NE ANIMALS INVOLVED. ON PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND.

>> PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY: SUERNARD AND IRENE SCHWARTZ. AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III. ER THE AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY. DR. P. ROY VAGELOS AND DIANA T. VAGELOS. THE J.P.B. FOUNDATION. ROSALIND P. WALTER. BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG. VI CORPORATE FUNDING IS PD BY MUTUAL OF AMERICA-- DESIGNING CUSTOMIZED INDIVIDUAL WND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS. THAT'S WRE YOUR RETIREMENT COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY: AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. FROM THE TISCH WNET STUDIOS AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK HARI SREENIVASAN.

>> Sreenivasan: GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US. THE DEATH TOLL FROM HURRICANE MICHAEL CONTINUES TO RISE. THE FAST-MOVING STORM KILLED AT LET 18 PEOPLE AS IT CROSSE FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA. THE CATEGORY-FOUR HURRICANE WAS THE MOST POWERFUL TO EVER HIT THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE. RESCUE TEAMS ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR SURVIVORS IN THE TOWN OF MEXICO BEACH, FLORIDA, WHERE THE Y.RRICANE MADE LANDFALL ON WEDNES AND THERE ARE REPORTS THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO STAYED IN THEIR HOMES ARE STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR IN AREAS WITHOUT POWER OR COMMUNICATION. UTILITY COMPANIES ARE WORKING TO RESTORE POWER TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS SEVEN STATES. DEVIKA KRISHNA KUMAR IS A REPORTER WITH REUTERS. SHE JOINS US NOW VIAKYPE FROM TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. DEVIKA, YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE TO THE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AREAS, AT LEAST THE FOOTAGE THAT WE SEE. HOW CONFIDENT ARE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY MADE IT TO ALL O THOSE PLACES TO SEE IF THERE ARE MORE VICTIMS OR IF TVE CLEARED ALL THE RUBBLE?

>> IT'S STILL EARLY IN THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY. WE'RE NOT 100% SURETH RESCUERS AND SEARCHERS HAVE BEEN DELE TO MAKE IT TO THE DAMAGED ANROYED AREAS. THERE'S A LOT OF RUBBLE. SOME OF THE ROADS ARE STILL N COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE. THERE'S A LOT OF NATIONAL FOREST, STATE PARKS SURROUNDING THESE AREAS. SO IN MANY OF THESE PLACES, ACCESS AND MAKING SURE YOU REACH THE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE TRAPPED IS ITE A CHALLENGE.

>> Sreenivasan: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S THE KIND OF IMMEDIAT COST, IS THE HUMAN LIVES. AS YOU MENTIONED, THE ROADS TO GET THERE, AOTF THESE PLACES ARE DESTROYED. SO WHAT DOES THE INFRASTRUCTURE LOOK LIKE FOR SOME OF THESE TOWNS WHERE ENTIRE BLOCKS HAVE BEEN SCOURED OFF THE LAND COMPLETELY?

>> YES, YESTERDAY I WAS IN ALLIGATOR POINT, WHICH IS JUST OFF PANACEA, NEAR TALLAHASSEE, AND A VITAL ROAD THAT CONNECTS TO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY INLAND, PEOPLE CAN'T ACCESS THAT ROAD ANYMORE. OFFICIALS THAT I SPOKE TO THERE SAID THEY ARE USING.T.s, DICYCLES TO GET SUPPLIES AND RELIEF TO RESIENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY TRAPPED IN THAT AREA.

>> Sreenivasan: AND, FINALY, LONGER TERM, WHEN WE THINK OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT. THIS IS A REGION THAT ACTUALLY HAD CROPS THAT ARE AFFECTED OR DAMAGED. WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THOSE FARMERS AND, OBVIOUSLY, S THE MARKAT THEY SERVE?

>> A LOT OF THE COMMUNITIES HERE ALSO DEPEND ON FISHING, PARTICULARLY SHRIMPERS AND OYSTER MEN FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD, AND TOURISM IS A BT PF THE ECONOMY AS WELL. SO, OBVIOUSLY, THIS DOES A LOT D AGE THAT. SEVERAL-- YESTERDAY, I VISITED A HOLIDAY CAMPGROUNIN PANACEA, AND IT'S A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS, AND THE OWNER WAS TELLING ME THAT THEY WERE FULL. OCTOBER IS TYPICALLY A TIME WHEN THEY SEE A LOT OF DEMAND, A LOT OF TOURISTS VISITING THE STATE. AND OCTOBER IS ACTUALLY A TIME WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK THE HURRICANE SEASON HAS COME AND GONE. SO WHEN THE HURRICANE CAME, THEY SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE PULL OUT. AND SHE SAID IT WOULD TAKE MONTHS TO REBUILD.

>> Sreenivasan: ALL RIGHT, COUDEVIKA KUMAR FROM REUTERS, JOINING US FRO TALLAHASSEE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Sreenivasan: PRESIDENT TRUMP IS VOWING "SEVERE PUNISHMENT" FOR SAUDI ARABIA IF THE U.S. DETERMINES THAT SAUDI AGENTS KILLED "WASHINGTON POST" COLUMNIST JAMAL KHASHOGGI. KHASHOGGI WAS LAST SEEN ENTERING THE SAUDI CONSULATE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY, ON OCTOBER 2. IN AN EXCERPT FROM AN INTERVIEW CBS' "60 MINUTES" TO BE BROADCAST TOMORROW, MR. TRUMP SAID THE SUSPECTED MURDER IS BEING INVESTIGED. SAUDI ARABIA DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT IN THE JOURNALIST'S STSAPPEARANCE.

>> THERE'S A LOT AE, AND REYBE ESPECIALLY SO BECAUSE THIS MAN WAS RTER. THERE'S SOMETHING-- YOU'LL BE SURPRISED TOEAR ME SAY THAT-- THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY TERRIBLE AND DISGUSTING ABOUT THAT IF THAT WERE TH. SO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE.

>> Sreenivasan: AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP MET WITH FREED AMERICAN PASTOR ANDREW BRUNSON, WHO HAS JUST RETURNED TO THE U.S. AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF DENTION IN TURKEY. A TURKISH COURCONVICTED BRUNSON OF TERRORISM CHARGES YESTERDAY BUT SEENCED HIM TO TIME SERVED. THE PRESIDENT TWEETED BEFORE THE MEETING THAT "NO DEAL" WAS MADE WITH TURKEY FOR THE RELEASE AND RETURN OF BRUNSON. DI>> Sreenivasan: RECENT S SHED NEW LIGHT ON POTENTIAL PRIVACY ISSUES WITH DNA TABASES. READ MORE ON OUR WEB SITE, www.pbs.org/newshour

>> Sreenivasan: THIS ELECTION DAY, MORE THAN SIX MILLION AMERICANS WILL BE UNABLE TO VOTE THCAUSE OF FELONY CONVICTIONS ON R RECORDS. MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEM LIVE IN FLORIDA, WHERE 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE, ABOUT 10% OF THE STATE'S VOTING AGE POPULATION, HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY. FLORIDA IS ONE OF ONLY FOUR STATES WHOSE CONSTITUTIONS PERMANENTLY BAR PEOPLE WITH SUCH CONVICTIONS FROM VOTING. BUT A NEW MEASURE ON FLORI'S NOVEMBER BALLOT MAY BRING A CHANGE AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS TO GAIN BACK A BASIC CIVIL RIGHT, THE RIGHT TO VOTE. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S YVETTE FELICIANO HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: DEMETRIUS JIFUNZA INVER THOUGHT HE WOULD FIND HIMSELRISON. HE SAYS THAT, GROWING UP IN THRASOTA, FLORIDA, HE WAS AN AVERAGE KID SUPPORTIVE OUMILY.

>> SO, YOU SEE HOWWITCHED IT? YOU HAD TEN PLUS FIVE HERE. W>> Reporter: BUT AS HE G OLDER, HE STARTED HANGING OUT WITH A TOUGH CROWD. WHEN HE WAS 17, HE AEE OF HIS FRIENDS HELD UP A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT AT GUNPOINT. DID YOU HAVE A MOMENT BEFORE SING INTO IT WHERE YOU THOUGHT, ULDN'T DO THIS"?

>> YEAH. ACTUALLY, THERE WERE MANY MOITNTS LIKE THAT. AS ONE OF THOSE OF TRYING TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT. I KNEW THIS WASN'T ME OR WHATEVER THE CASE WAS, BUT I DID NOT WANT TO SEEM THAT I WAS THE WEAK ONE. I NEEDED SOME TYPE OF REPUTATION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I JUST-- SOME TYPE OF RCEPTANCE. orter: JIFUNZA EVENTUALLY TOLD HIS MOTHER, WHO HAPPENED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER. HE PLEADED NO CONTEST TO ARMED ROBBERY, AND THOUGH HE WAS A MINOR WHEN HE COMMITTED THE CRIME, HE WAS SENTENCED AS AN ADULT TO ALMOST FOUR YEARS IN PRISON PLUS TWO YES' PROBATION. NOW 41, JIFUNZA HAS TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND. HE'S MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN AND WORKS AS A PARALEGAL. HE'S ALS CHURCH AND IS WORKING ON HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN MENTAL T HE STILL FACES DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE OF HIS 1996 CONVICTION. A RECENT JOB OFFER HE RECEIVED WAS PUT ON HOLD BECAUSE OF IT. HE CAN'T LEGALLY SERVE ON A JURY OR HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE. AND THERE IS ONE OTHER RIGHT DENIED TO HIM: VOTING.

>> WHEN I WALK THROUGH THAT FRONT DOOR AND I LOOK AT MY THREE KIDS, I CAN'T FIGHT FOR THEM USING MY VOICE. I CAN'T CAST A VOTE ON ANYTHING. THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION WHERE MY CHILDREN GO. YOU KNOW, I CAN'T DECIDE WHO'S ARING TO BE ON THE SCHOOL

>> Reporter: FLORIDA'S DISENFRANCHISEMENT LAW DATES BACK TJUST AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, WHEN THE STATE REWROTE ITS CONSTITUTION. FLORIDA'S 1865 CONSTITUTION ENDED SLAVERY, BUT IRETAINED THE PROVISIONS PROHIBITING AFRICAN-AMERICANS FROM VOTG.

>> Reporter: MYRNA PÉREZ IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE VOTING RIGHTS AND ELTIONS PROJECT AT N.Y.U. LAW SCHOOL'S BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE. IT ADVOCATES NATIONALLY FOR JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORVOTING RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RE-ENFRAHISEMENT OF FELONY OFFENDERS. PÉREZ SAYS THAT WHILE FLORIDA'S 68 CONSTITUTION ALLOWED AFRICAN AMERICANS TO VOTE, THE STATE'S LEGISLORS ALSO FOUND WAYS TO DENY THEM THAT RIGHT.

>> THEY EXPANDED WHO COULD BE DISENFRANCHISED AND IMPOSED AFR FELONY DISCHISEMENT IN THE CONSTITUTION. THE SECOND THING THEY DID WAS THEY EXPANDED THE SPECIFIC LIST OF CRIMES THAT WOULD GET ONE DISENFRANCHISED TO INCLUDE THE CRIME OF LARCENY.

>> Reporter: THE POINT, SAYS PÉREZ, WAS TO MAKE VOTING ILLEGAL FOR THOSE WHO COMMITTED CRIMES THE LEGISLATORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEWLY FREED SLAVES, SUCH AS VAGRANCY AND PETTY LARCENY.

>> THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER VIRTUALLY REINFORCED THE PROHIBITION ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTING.

>> Reporter: 100 YEAER, FLORIDA REMOVED THE LANGUAGE SPECIFYING TYPES OF LESSER ONIMES THAT WOULD BAR A PE FROM VOTING. BUT IT STILL DENIES ANYONE CONVICTED OF A FELONY-- BE IT AS SERIOUS AS MURDER OR AS M LATIVELY MINOR AS POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA-- FTING FOR IS NOVEMBER, WHEN FLORIDIANS VOTE ON A BALLOT MEASURE CALLE "AMENDMENT 4." IF PASSED, IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO ALL FELONY OFFENDERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCES, EXCEPT THOSE CONVICTED OF MURDER OR A SEXUAL OFFENSE. THE AMENDMENT HAS NATIONAL BIPARTISAN BACKING. IT'S SUPPORTED BY THE BRENNAN CENTER, AS WELL AS PROGRESSIVE GROUPS LIKE THE A.C.L.U. AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. IT'S ALSO ENDORSED BYVA CONSVE GROUPS LIKE THE CHRISTIAN COALITION AND FREEDOM PARTNERS, WHICH AL ADVOCATES FOR LOWER CORPORATE TAXES AND ENTITLEMENT REFORM. SOME LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AREOR IT, AS WELL, INCLUDING THE FLORIDA RIGHTS RESTORATION COALITION. THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH RECEIVES FUNDING FROM GROUPS LIKE THE FORD FOUNDATION AND THE ALLIANCA FOTY AND JUSTICE, IS LED BY PEOPLE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS. THEY REFER TO THEMSELVES AS "RETURNING CITIZENS."

>> WE COME FROM A PLACE OF UNDERSTANDING THESE ISSUES PERSONALLY.

>> Reporter: NEIL VOLZ, THEGR P'S POLITICAL DIRECTOR, IS A FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LOBBYIST. IN 2006, HE PLEADED GUILTY IN A CONGRESSIONAL BRIBERY CASE AND RECEIVED A FELONY CONVICTION FOR CONSPIRACY.

>> WE FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT ON BEHA OF THE MILLION-PLUS FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND DIRECTLY IMPACTED PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF FIRSTHAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WALK AROUND WITH A FELONY CONVICTION AND TRAND GET A JOB OR TRY AND GET HOUSING OR ANY OF THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCETHAT ULTIMATELY COME ALONG WITH A SENTENCE LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: WHAT WOULD IT MURN TO HAVE OTING RIGHTS RESTORED?

>> I MEAN, FOR ME, IT WOULD BE THE ABILITY TO BE A FULL CITIZEN

>> MY COMMUNITY. OES YOUR MOM STILL USE DRUGS?

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY, RETUING CITIZENS MUST APPLY FLORIDA'S CLEMENCY BOARD IN ORDER TO HAVE THEIR RIGHTS RESTORED.

>> YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STUFF.

>> Reporter: BUT CRITIVI ARGUE THAT CING THAT BOARD IS AN Y EROUS PROCESS. BEFORE THEY CAN APR CLEMENCY, THOSE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS MUST WAIT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS AFTER THEY'VE COMPLETED THEIR SENTENCE, INCLUDING PRISON TIME AND PROBATION. THEN, THEY MUST FILE A WRITTEN APPLICATION TO THE CLEMENCY BOARD, WHICH CONSISTS OF ONLY FOUR PEOPLE: THE GOVERNOR AND THREE CABINET MEMBERS. IT HAS A BACKLOG OF OVER 10,000 CASES. BUT THE PROCESS DOESN'T END THERE. MANY APPLICANTS MUST APPEAR IN-PERSON BEFORE THE BOARD, WHICH MEETS ONLY FOUR TIMES A YEAR AND CAN ARBITRARILY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION. THORIDA'S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, RICK SCOTT, HEADBOARD.

>> THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO STANDARDS, SO WE CAN MAKE ANY DECISIONS WE WANT.

>> Reporter: DURING THE HEARING, THE BOARD CAN ASK AN APPLICANT ANY QUESTION ON ANY SUBJECT.

>> WHEN'S THE LA TIME YOU HAD A DRINK? HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HE?

>> SIX.

>> HOW MANY-- HOW MANY DIFFERENT MOTHERS TO THO CHILDREN? Y'ALL GO TO CHURCH? YOU EVER GO TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO DINNER?

>> Reporter: IN GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT'S FIRST SEVEN YEARS IN OFFICE, ONLY ABOUT 3,000 OUT OF0 MORE THA00 APPLICANTS REGAINED THEIR VOTING RIGHTS. ORBY CONTRAST, HIS PREDECE RESTORED THE RIGHTS OF MORE THAN 155,00 IN ORDER TO CHANGE THAT PROCESS, AMENDMEN4 NEEDS TO WIN WITH MORE THAN 60% OF THE VOTE. A RECENT POLL BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA SHOWS THAT 71% OF LIKELY VOTERS SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT, INCLUNG 83% OF DEMOCRATS AND 62% OF REPUBLICANS. BUT NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD.

>> WE THINK THAT THIS PROPOSED CHANGE IS BAD POLICY.

>> Reporter: RICHARD HARRISON IS A FLORIDA ATTORNEY AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLORIDIANS FOR A SENSIBLE VOTING RIGHTS POLICY, A PRIVATELY-FUNDED NON-PROFIT WHICH ADVOCATES IN FAVOR OF FLORIDA'S DISENFRANCHISEMENT LAW.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND YOU'VINGOT TO CO THE CLEMENCY BOARD AND THE GOVERNOR THAT YOU'VE REALLY CHANGED YOUR LIFE AROUND.

>> A PERSON'S RIGHT TO VOTE HAS BEEN A POLITICAL FOOTBALL, WHERE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE CAN DEPEND UPON WHO'S IN OFFICE AND WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE THAT DAY. PART OF THE BEAUTY OF THE AMENDMENT IS THAT IT SETS FORTH A CLEAR STANDARD THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT DOESN'T HAWH TO DEAL WIT OR DISCRETION BUT WILL ACTUALLY AN ACROSS-THE- BOARD APPLIED RULE.

>> Reporter: BUT RICHARD HARRISON SAYS A SINGLE CLEAR STANDARD IS EXACTLY WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE AMENDMENT.

>> IMAKES NO DISTINCTION. IT DOESN'T TREAT THAT PROPERTY CRIME ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN SOMEBODY WHO SHOOTS A LIQUOR STORE CLERK IN A ROBBERY. IT SAYS, "WE'RE GOING TO TREAT YOU EXACTLY THE SAME." K D THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO US, AND I DON'T TH MAKES SENSE TO MOST REASONABLE PEOPLE.

>> THIS AMENDMENT INCLUDES EXCLUSIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MURDERONVICTIONS AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE VIOLENT SEXUAL FELONIES. BUT IT'S BUILT ON THIS CONCEPT THAT WHEN A DEBT IS PAID, IT'S PAID. WHEN SOMEBODY'S ABLE TO RECONNECT WITH THEIR COMMUNITY QUICKLY, THEY'RE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO RE-OFFEND. SO, YOU CAN SEE THAT ON STUDIES DONE BY THE RIGHT, STUDIES DONE BY THE LEFT, STUDIES DONE IN THE MIDDLE.

>> Reporter: A 2012 STUDY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY'S LA RAZA LAW JOURNAL SUPPORTS THIS ARGUMENT.IT STIMATES THAT PRISONERS IN STATES THAT RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS AFTER RELEASE ARE ABOUT 10% LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND. BUT RECIDIVISM IS FAR FROM THE ONLY ISSUE. THERE ARE POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS, TOO.RI IN FACT, HN SAYS THAT AMENDMENT 4 IS A POLITICAL PLOY TO UPEND FLORIDA'S FAMOUSLYDI DED ELECTORATE.

>> IF THERE'S A MILLION AND A HALF CONVICTED FELONS IN FLORIDA, AND, IN NOVEMBER, THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION, THEY'RE SUDDENLYLL QUALIFIED TO VOTE, WELL, THAT'S A MILLION AND A HALF NEW POTENTIAL VOTERS. EVERYBOD ISSUE SEEMS TO AGREE THAT THAT UNIVERSE OF NEW VOTERS, IF THEY ACTUALLY GO OUT AND REGISTER, ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE INCLINED REGISTRATION-WISE TO FAVOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> Reporter: WHAT DATA IS THERE TO SUPPORT THAT? >>ONE, NONE. BUT...

>> Reporter: I ASK BECAUSE...

>> ...EVERYBODY SEEMS TO AGREE. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY SUGGEST THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT UNIVERSE PEOPLE ARE REALLY A BUNCH OF, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL REPUBLICANS

>> Reporter: NLZ, A CONSERVATIVE, DISAGREES.

>> THE TRUTH IS, I AM A 20-PLUS- YEAR CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. I BRING THAT UP NOT TO MAKE AN ISSUE OF IT BUT TO ACTUALLY NOT MAKE AN ISSUE OF IT. THIS ISSUE ISN'T ABOUT POLITICS. IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE., IT'S ABOU KNOW, WHETHER SOMEONE CAN VOTE AND NOT HOW THEY VOTE. WHEN A DEBT IS PAID, IT'S PAID.

>> Reporter: IF AMENDMENT 4 PASSES, 2018 WOULD BE THE LAST YEAR IN WHICH FLORIDIANS LIKE DEMETRIUS JIFUNZA WOULD BE TURNED AWAY FROM THE BALLOT BOX. HE APPLIED TO HAVE HIS RIGHTS RESTORED 16 YEARS AGO IN 2002. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOVEMENT ON YOUR APPLICATION?

>> I DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: NOT A THING? A WORD. NOT EVEN A PHONE CALL. I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN I WAS 17 YEARS OL I'M HOME NOW. I'VE ACCOMPLISHED MANY, MANY THINGS. I HAVE A LOVING FAMILY. I'M DOING EVERYTHING THAT'S REQUIRED OF MEAND I'VE BEAT ALL STATISTICS. I JUST WANT TOSK FOR MY RIGHTS BACK.

>> Sreenivasan: LEATHER IS ONE OF HUMANKIND'S OLDEST MARIALS FOR MAKING CLOTHING, SHOES, BAGS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. WE TAKE AN ANIMAL SKIN, CLEAN IT OF ITS HAIR, CHEMICALLY TREAT IT AND THEN TAN IT TO MAKE A FABRIC TOUGH, ATTRACTIVE AND USEFUL. BUT WHAT IF WE COULD CREATE THE EXACT SAME PRODUCT WITHOUT INVOLVING AN ANIMAL ? AS IT TURNS OUT, ONE COMPANY IN NEW JERSEY IS USING BIOTECHNOLOGY TO DO JUST THAT. NEWSHOUR WEEKEND'S CHRISTOPHER BOOKER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MODERN MEADOW'S LAB LOOKS MORE BREWERY THAN BIOTECH, BUT IT WON'T BE AN I.P.A. OA PALE ALE ON THE OTHER END OF THIS FERMENTATION.

>> I WISH I HAD A HOMEBREW SET LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: DAVE WILLIAMSON IS THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER ATO MODERN M IT'S BEEN PERFECTING A PRODUCT FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS THAT WILL LOOK, FEEL AND BE BIOLOGICALLY SIMILAR TO ONE OF HUMANKS MOST DURABLE AND VERSATILE MATERIALS: LEATHER.

>> NONE OF OUR D.N.A. ACTUALLY MES FROM AN ANIMAL AT AL IT ALL STARTS SYNTHETICALLY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU THINK WHAT THEY'RE MAKING IS PLEATHER, YOU'D BE WRONG. THE PROCESS THAT STARTS IN THESE LABS IS KNOWAS BIOFABRICATION. THE COMPANY USES A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED D.N.A. SEQUENCE INSTED INTO YEAST LLS. THESE CUSTOM CELLS ARE ENGINEERED TO PRODUCE PROTEIN. IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST STHES IN CREATINGEATHER-LIKE FABRIC.

>> WHAT YOU CAN SEALONG THIS BANK HERE IS SIX DIFFERENT FERMENTERS, AND WE C OUT THE VERY SAME PROCESS THAT YOU WOULD USE IF YOU'RE MAKING BEER OR WINE. WE FEED THEM SUGAR. WE FEED THEM VITAMINS AND MINERALS. AND INSTEAD OF MAKING, YOU KNOW, ALCOHOL, WE MAKE PROTE.

>> Reporter: THE PROTEIN THE COMPANY IS GROWING IS COLLAGEN, HUE SAME PROTEIN FOUND IN N AND ANIMAL SKIN. K IT'S A STEP IN THE BIOFABRICATION PROCESS. THE MORE COLLAGEN GROWN, THEC MORE FABDERN MEADOW CAN PRODUCE. TECHNICIANS THEN PURIFY AND ASSEMBLE THAT PROTEIN INTO A MATERIAL USING A PROPRIETARY TECHNIQUE. THE END RESULT IS A FABRIC THAT LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE LEATHER.

>> BIOFABRICATION IS-- IT'S LIKE A NEW MATERIAL CATEGORY.

>> Reporter: SUZANNE LEE IS THE CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER AT MODERN MEADOW. WITH A BACKGROUND IN DESIGN AND FASHION, SHE WORKS SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH SCIENTISTS TO DESIGN FUNCONAL NEW MATERIALS.

>> SO, IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE SORT OF HISTORY OF MATERIALS, WE'VE HAD NATURAL MATERIALS FROM, YOU KNOW, THE NATURAL WORLD; AND THEN, IN THE 20th CENTURY, MANMADE MATERIALS THAT WERE FROM A PETROCHE SOURCE. THE PROMISE OF BIOFABRICATION IS OTUALLY BRINGING THE BEST BOTH THOSE WORLDS TOGETHER. IT Reporter: LEE ALSO SAYS ANYTHING GROWN ILABS MEANS A REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

>> WE'RE SNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE INPUTS OF THINGS LIKE WATER, LAND, CO2 ANSO FORTH. SO, THE ENVIRONMENTAL OFILE OF A MATERIAL THAT IS BEING MANUFACTURED IN THIS WAY REALLY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE DRAMATICLY DIFFERENT TO TRADITIONAL MATERIALS.

>> LEATHER IS THE NGLE WORST MATERIAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: JOSHUA KATCHER IS THE OWNER CL A MEN'S VEGAN HING LINE IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. HE HAS TAUGHT CLASSES ON SUSTAINABLE FASHN AT PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A DESIGNER, WE LOOK AT THE LEATHER INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW, IT'S BAD DESIGN. IT'S SO INEFFICIT, IT'S SO MESSY, IT'S SO DIRTY, AND YOU END UP WITH A PRODUCT THAT WE CAN MAKE IN OTHER WAYS, THAT WE CAN MAKE BETTER, SUPERIOR.

>> Reporter: PRODUCING TRADITIONAL LEATHER REQUIRES MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER, AND SXIC CHEMICALS USED TO PROCESS THE ANIMAL HIDES CP INTO LOCAL WATERWAYS. IN ADDITION TO THE LAND AND RESOURCES REQUIRED TO RAISE THE ANIMALS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> BIOFABRICATION IS OFFERING AA SOLUTIONSAYS, "HEY, WE DON'T NEED TO RAISE THESE ANIMALS, WE DON'T NEED TO HARM OR KILL THESE ANIMALS, AND WENE DON' TO USE ALL OF THESE RESOURCES TO YIELD SOMETHING LIKE A FIBER.IT WE CAN GRON THE LABORATORY AT A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER IMPACT."

>> Reporter: BUT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IS ABT MORE THAN JUST ATHER. E ZANNE LEE SAYS THE PROMISE OF BIOFABRICATION IS ILITY TO CONTROL THE PROPERTIES OF WHATEVER MATERIALS MODERN MEADOW CRTES. AFOR INSTANCE, IT CAN MAK MATERIAL LESS FLEXIBLE OR MORE BREATHABLE DEPENDING ON WHAT IT WANTS. AND THE APPLICATIONS CAN EXTEND TO HOME INTERIORS OR EVEN CAR SEATS. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE IN THE DESI OF FASHION WITH THIS NE WORLD OF MATERIALS?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE FUN BIT, IN A WAY. IT OPENS UP A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PLORE NEW TEXTURES, THE WAY SOMETHING WHOKS AND FEELS THAT PERHAPS CHALLENGES YOU T YOU EXPECTED. OME IN LIQUID FORM. WE COULD SPRAY IT, WE COULD MOLD IT. THERE ARE MANY, MANY OTH THINGS THAT WE CAN NOW DO THAT WE DIDN'T IMAGINE FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> Rorter: LAST YEAR, THE COMPANY LAUNCHED THE CLOTHING BRAND, ZOA.RS ITS PRODUCT, A WHITE T-SHIRT PIECED TOGETHER USING ITS LEATHER-LIKE BIOFABRICATED MATERIAL, WAS RECENTLY DISPLAYED IN THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART AS PART OF A FASHION EXHIBIT. INVESTORS HAVE POURED MORE THAN $50 MILLION IN VENTURE CAPITAL INTO MODERN MEADOW, BUE COMPANY HAS YET TO PRODUCE ANY CLOTHING THAT'S COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE. SO, IT'S A WAYS OFF FROM, SAY, BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE A SHIRT AT WAL-MART THAT'S BEEN BIOFABRICATED?

>> RIGHT.I AN, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THING IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THAT ANY NEW TECHNOLOGY IS BOTH EXPENSIVE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND LIMITED IN ITS VOLUME. BUT AS ALL THESE COMPANIES SCALE THE TECHNOLOGY, THEN IT WILL COME DOWN IN PRICE AND BECOME MORE AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: MODERN MEADOW ISN'T ALONE IN CREATING BIOFABRICATED FASHION MATERIAL SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH SIMILAR TECHNOLOGY.

>> HERE AT BOLT THREADS, WE'VE DEVELOPED A WAY TO REPLICATE THE PROTEINS FROM SPIDER SILK AND SPIN THEM INTO FIBERS AND YARNS.

>> Reporter:OLT THREADS, AOM CALIFORNIANY, CREATED THIS TIE FROM BIOFABRICATED SILK. JOSHUA KATCHER WAS ONE OF 50 PEOPLE TO BUY ONE FOR ABOUT $300. HE CALLED IT A PIECE OF FASHION. HIST

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ABILITY TO HAVE A FORM OF ULTIMATE CONTROL OVER HOW AN OBJECT FUNCTIONS, WHAT IT LOOK LIKE, HOW IT FEELS. TODAY, WE'RE QUITE LIMITED TO WHAT NATURE ALLOWS, AND WE CAN MOVE BEYOND THAT.

>> THIS IS "PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND,SATURDAY.

>> Sreenivasan: AT LEAST 13LE PEAVE BEEN KILLED AND 32 OTHERS INJURED IN A BOMBING AT AN ELECTION RALLY IN AFGHANISTAN TODAY. THE ATTACK IN THE TAKHAR PROVINCE OCCURRED JUST BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF NAZEFUFI BEG, A FEMALE CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR A SEAT IN PARLIAMENT IN THE OCTOBER TWENTIETH ELECTIONS.Y OFFICIALS BOMB-LADEN MOTORBIKE PACKED WITH EXPLOSIVES DETONATED, KILLING BOTH EDVILIANS AND SECURITY FORCES. NO GROUP HAS CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK, BUT TALIBAN FIGHTERS ARE KNOWN TO BE ACTIVE IN THE PROVINCE. HUNDREDS OF PALEINIANS ATTENDED FUNERALS TODAY IN GAZA AFTER PROTESTORS WERE KILLED ON E ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER YESTERDAY. GAZA HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY SEVEN NDLESTINIANS WERE KILLED A40 OTHERS WERE WOUNDED YESTERDAY DURING CLASHES WITH ISRAELI MILIRY FORCES. ISRAEL CLAIMS THAT ITS TROOPS SHOT AT A GR P OF PEOPLE WHO BROKE THROUGH THE BORDER FENCE CARRYING A BOMB. THE PALESTINIAN HEALTH MINISTRY SAYS THARE THAN 150 GAZANS HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE PROTESTS AGAINST AN ISRAELI AND EGYPTIAN BLOCKADE BEGAN THIS PAST MARCH. TENS OF THOUNDS MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF BERLIN FDAY TO PROTEST RACISM AND THE GROWING POWER OF T RIGHT POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN GERMANY. PRO-REFUGEE AND GAY RITS GROUPS ALONG WITH MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS BACKED THE DEMONSTRATION UNDER THE SLOGAN"" SOLIDARITY INSTEAD OF EXCLUSION FOR AN OPEN AND FREE SOCIETY." THE FAR RIGHT "ALTERNATIVE FOR GERMANY" PARTY ENTERED PARLIAMENT LAST YEAR, AND THERE HAVE BEEN ANTI-MIGRANT PROTESTSE AND VIOLENCETHE SUMMER IN SEVERAL GERMAN CITIES. AND IN PARIS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MARCHERS DEMANDED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DO MORE TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE. THE PROTEST COMES AFTER THE UNITED NATION'S INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE RELEASED THEIRND MOST RECENT GS. THE REPORT WARNS THAT COAL MUST BE PHASED OUT BY THE YEAR 2050 TO LIMIT THE RISE OF GLOBAL TEMPERATURES TO A MAXIMUM OF 1.5 DEGREES CELSIUS.

>> Sreenivasan: FINALLY TONIGHT, WE TAKE YOU TO NORTHEAST CHINA, WHERE THE ARRIVAL T AUTUMN BRINUSANDS OF TOURISTS TO A PARK DEDICATED TO MAPLE TREES. THRMANY SPECIES OF MAPLE CO AND VALLEYS, PAINTING A NATURAL LANDSCAPE THAT CHANGES COLORS AS TEMPERATURES DROP AND THE YELLOWS, ORANGES AS EMERGE. THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND I'M HARI SREENIVASAN. THANKS F WATCHING. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. y Captioning sponsoredET Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

>> PBS NEWSHO WEEKEND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY: BERNARD AND IREN.TZ SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III. THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY. DR. P. ROY VAGELOS AND DIANA T. VAGELOS. THE J.P.B. FOUNDATION. ROSALIND P. WALTER.RB A HOPE ZUCKERBERG. CORPORATE FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY MUTUAL OF AMERISI-- ING CUSTOMIZED INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RETIREMENT PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE YOURME RETI COMPANY. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY: AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU. THANK YOU. BE MORE. PBS. n' Mimonumental cemetery. While there are many evocative cemeteries in Europe, this oneon- with its emoti portrayals of the departed and their heavenly escorts -- in the melodramatic art styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries -- is in a class by itself. It's a vasen art gallery of proud busts and grim reapers, heartbroken angels and weeping widows... t Soldiers too youdie. Acres of grief, hope, and memories. >>> HELLO. I'M GREG SHERWOOD. AND HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WE'RE USED TO EMERGENCIES OR EVERY KIND. IN RECENT YEARS WE'VE DEALT WITE SEROUGHT AND MASSIVE FIRES AND WE'VE LEARNED THE PAINFULSS BUT NECESSARY S ABOUT HOW TO PREPARE. BUT WE ALL KNOW ANOTHER EMERGENCY IS COMING BECAUSE MAJOR EARTHQUAKES THAT CAN STRIKE AT ANY TIME ARE CENTRAL TO OUR HISTORY. WE ALL KNOW ANOTHER ONE WILL HIT, AND OVER THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE LATEST SCIENCE AND EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAN BE PROACTIVE AND PROCT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES. WE'RE GOING TO BE TAING WITH OUR FIRST GUEST IN A FEW INVITE YOU TO SUPPORT NDLIKE TO TAKE A BIG STEP IN YOUR MEERGENCY PLANNING AT THE TIME. NOW, WE'VE GOT TWO LEVELS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER. SO TAKE A LOOK AND THEN MAKE A PLEDGE AT KQED.ORG/DONATE OR GIVE US A CALL AT 1-0-568-9999.