It is September. The schools are full, the kids are in motion, and for the past few weeks parents have been buying shoes, backpacks and computers by the busload. The children, their families, and everyone involved with the schools have commenced.

After 9/11, homeland security was expected to become a growth industry. And San Diego, with its background as a major player in the defense industry, appeared to be well positioned to cash in on the boom. But in fact, there has not been a windfall of lucrative contracts in San Diego for either big or small businesses in the fledgling homeland security marketplace.

The board of San Diego's Economic Development Corporation has voted in favor of the Airport Ballot Initiative. Proposition A advocates negotiating with the military to use part of Miramar as a commercial airport for San Diego in the future.

Author Amy Wilentz talks about the fall gubernatorial election, the intersection between show business and politics, and her view of California politicians.

We talk with Lori Holt Pfeiler, mayor of Escondido, about hot topics in her city – including the controversy over proposals to outlaw renting to undocumented immigrations.

UCSD's Peter Cowhey, dean of the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies reflects on how American foreign policy has changed since 9/11 and its impact on our nation’s international relations.

This week, the White House announced that Americans are "safer, but we are not yet safe." Tom Fudge asks the experts about how U.S. foreign policy has changed in the last five years.

Host Tom Fudge talks with UCSD Music professor Steve Schick about his experiences walking from the Mexico border to San Francisco to capture the sounds of the landscape.

Two propositions on California’s 2006 general election ballot deal with transportation infrastructure. Both opponents and supporters debate the issues behind each proposition.

Host Tom Fudge speaks with actress Molly Ringwald about her stage and film career. Ringwald is the lead in the nationwide tour of the musical Sweet Charity.

San Diego's downtown redevelopment agency has invited several notable architects and urban designers to review the plans for the Navy Broadway complex. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.