California Democrats gathered in San Diego last weekend. Among the attendees were their party's big name presidential contenders. We'll get a review from KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps.

Immigration activists are urging people across California to miss work or skip school on Tuesday. San Diego school officials say campus police will be out in full force to prevent student walkouts. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis reports.

Copper thieves are preying on local schools, and they are hitting East County schools hard. The spree is part of the widespread and rapidly growing crime of metal theft due to soaring prices of metals.

An investigation by Special Olympics Southern California of its San Diego Office has been criticized for how it's been handled. Officials closed the office in March along with sports events and practice sessions without warning and explanation. Now a group of disenchanted volunteers and coaches is setting up its own nonprofit to host sporting events for athletes with developmental disabilities.

Many college area homeowners are fed up with students packing mini-dorms and hosting loud parties. But starting today, anyone creating a neighborhood nuisance with too much noise will have to pay. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has the story.

A United Nations human rights expert kicked off a three week tour in San Diego today on Monday to look at how undocumented migrants are treated in the United States. Results of the tour will be presented to UN this summer. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Governor Schwarzenegger says he wants to see the collapsed portion of a San Francisco Bay area highway repaired as quickly as possible. Late Sunday night, he toured the destruction caused by a tanker crash and fire in an area known as the “maze.” It's a series of ramps and interchanges near Oakland. Schwarzenegger says it was quite an experience.

California and six other Colorado River states have a plan to share the dwindling resource during drought periods. More than 30 million people rely on the river. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

For the first time in 40 years, tooth decay among young children is rising. A new federal study shows an increase in the incidence of cavities in the baby teeth of children under five. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

A State Assembly committee has narrowly approved a measure that would require warning labels on flavored alcoholic drinks known as “alcopops”. Supporters of the bill say underage drinkers are big consumers of these beverages. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

You might call it an “on-line hall of shame” for tax delinquents. The state has posted the names of the biggest sales tax violators online. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Documentary filmmaker Steve James talks about how he approaches his subjects in the critically-acclaimed films "Hoop Dreams," "Stevie," and "The War Tapes."

Does freedom of speech allow a potential threat against others in a school setting? KPBS "These Days" legal analyst Dan Eaton discusses the social context of the legal system in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings. He tells us how new court cases will determine the "artistic license" of students.

What were the highlights from the California Democratic Party Convention? Host Alan Ray speaks to KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps and San Diego Union-Tribune politics editor Michael Smolens about the big news stories that came out of the convention.

The band Pistolera performs in the KPBS studios and discuss their original brand of Latin pop-folklorico.

The San Diego Police Department starts a new program today to target loud residents in the College Area. The SDPD media services manager explains the purpose behind the 6-month pilot program, how it works, and how it fits into the bigger battle against so-called "mini-dorms" in the College Area.

There's no question the Democratic Party is strong in California. A record 3,400 people turned up for the weekend convention in San Diego. Among them were future politicians, waiting in the wings. It's a group that promises a big turnout in 2008 -- just as it has in past election years. KPBS Reporter Andrew Phelps took the pulse of young Democrats this year, and he has this story.

This week the federal government declared San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles Counties critical to the nation's energy grid. The DOE's two electric transmission corridors are the first of their kind since the passage of a 2005 law that could overcome local objections in order to relieve bottlenecks in the electricity grid.

It's well-known that the mortgage business in San Diego and elsewhere is in trouble. We've heard about the rising rate of defaults and bankruptcies in the subprime business. But now comes word that there is something else the consumer should be on the look out for -- mortgage fraud.

Inadequate. That's how an Army Major General described the Marine Corps's response at the time enlisted soldiers were implicated in killing dozens of civilians in Haditha, Iraq. The general's report found its way into the press this week. It also said there was no deliberate cover-up by the Corps.

By law, grand jury proceedings are carried out in secret. But lawyers for an indicted defense contractor say government prosecutors leaked that secret to the press. Now defense attorneys want conspiracy and bribery charges dismissed. Full Focus Reporter Amita Sharma is here to guide us through the defense motion.

A new study finds teachers care more about their working environment than getting higher salaries. In fact, the study indicates poor campus work environments are driving teachers away. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Two high-ranking members of Tijuana's Arellano-Felix drug cartel have pleaded guilty to racketeering charges connected to their work for the organization. One faces 40 years in prison. The other, 30. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

State health officials have issued a warning about eating certain local shellfish and seafood. Officials say it may be contaminated with a toxic acid. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

All day today in The Prado at Balboa Park is a public conference titled “Great Parks, Squares and Community Gathering Spaces.” The event is sponsored by the San Diego Center City Development Corporation and is intended to discuss ways of making the downtown area more people-friendly and more interesting.

This week, the House and Senate approved a $124 billion Iraq war spending bill that calls for troop withdrawals to begin in the next few months. Also, local neighborhoods with large minority populations are showing a high rate of foreclosures. And, the City Council is set to discuss a proposal to increase San Diego's hotel tax.

California Democrats are gathering in San Diego, and they're drawing their party's big name presidential contenders. What's on the agenda? Who's coming? What will happen? What big themes will the candidates hit? We'll get a preview from the U/T's political editor.

Bank of America is testing a pilot program in Los Angeles that offers credit cards to people without social security cards. Some say other banks will follow, but Congressman Brian Bilbray wants stiffer rules for such programs. He says the bank is profiteering from illegal immigrants. Full Focus reporter Amita Sharma has more.

It's a $38 million sacred cow. Free residential trash pick-up. But this time of year, when the city deliberates on its $3 billion budget, it may not be so sacred. Joanne Faryon is here to explain.

What makes an outstanding leader? The author of "True North" interviewed 125 top execs, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and social innovators -- and found that each discovered their own internal compass in a moment of crisis that clarified their values and what motivates them as they lead.

In Riverside County, one city is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using solar power. As KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us, the energy savings are expected to pay for the project.

The federal government could override state decisions on where new power lines could be built. The Department of Energy has declared two parts of the country critical to the nation's electricity grid. One of those national corridors includes most of Southern California. KPBS environmental reporter Ed Joyce explains.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is thanking lawmakers for their approval Thursday of a bill that's aimed at easing state prison overcrowding. He says the $7 billion-plus agreement will add more than 50,000 beds and is a giant step forward for public safety.

The head of the union representing prison guards in California says the state legislature's plan to address overcrowding will put his members in danger.

Some East County school administrators hope video cameras will prevent crime and violence on campus. A dozen high schools have roughly 300 high-tech cameras monitoring student activity. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

This week, committees in the State Senate and Assembly approved two different Democratic plans to overhaul California’s healthcare system. The governor appears unconcerned that both proposals are quite different from his own. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

A former member of Wu Tang Clan will hit the stage this weekend, and one of the most influential new bands of the decade will play the Spreckles Theater tonight. It's the Weekend Preview.

The exotic animal trade is a $15.8 million industry in the U.S., second only to guns and drugs. Many of the exotic animals are treated poorly and risk abandonment when owners grow tired of the commitment. We hear the story of a local woman who recently acquired three lion cubs and the challenges of creating a home for unwanted lions, tigers and bears.

With the mosquito breeding season getting under way, San Diego County is ramping up its efforts to prevent West Nile Virus by eliminating breeding areas. The county's supervising vector ecologist discusses current efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and how county residents can help.

Freedom's Journal was the first African-American newspaper in the United States. Author Jacqueline Bacon discusses how her new book traces the influence of the newspaper that used information in its columns to create a rich, detailed portrait of African-American life in the late 1820s

San Diego's Young Entrepreneur of the Year is Jeff Jordan. The 23-year-old president of Rescue Social Change Group explains how his company is revolutionizing the behavior change community by applying business models to affect social change.

The Democrats are coming! The Democrats are coming! This weekend, San Diego will play host to the California Democratic Party State Convention. KPBS Reporter Andrew Phelps talks about the big names coming to town, and the main issues they plan to discuss.

San Diegans have grown up seeing dolphins and sea lions perform at Sea World, where they're trained to thrill audiences. But not so far away, at a Navy installation on Point Loma, the highly intelligent marine mammals are undergoing training for very different purposes. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu has more.

How can universities best reach the student body in the case of an emergency? Some say text-messaging might be the quickest and easiest way to reach today's tech-savvy students. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has the story.

More and more Marines are returning from the war in Iraq with brain injuries. Recovering from such trauma can be a long and frustrating process. Some Camp Pendleton Marines are getting back on track with help from a special program at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas. KPBS Health Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

A new study says the influx of Latino immigrants is altering the religious landscape in the United States. The study by the Pew Hispanic Center says Latinos are practicing a different kind of Christianity. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Jahja Ling is now in his third season as the San Diego Symphony’s music director. In addition to conducting, he is showing audiences a different side of himself -- that of a performer. We’ll check in with him about this season’s highlights and what it’s like to trade in the baton for the piano.

Mayor Jerry Sanders wants to shrink the number of health care plans available to city employees from 21 to six and bring them under the city’s control. The mayor's cost-saving measure has been accepted by police officers as part of their new contract -- but firefighters are fighting a pay freeze.

One highlight of San Diego’s summer season is thoroughbred racing at the Del Mar track. But what fans don't see and might not know is that after the race, injuries can prompt prized horses to be euthanized. But there’s a change in store when the track opens this July, and it involves recycled rubber and wax.

San Diego Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter sharply criticized Democratic leaders over the Iraq war spending bill. The bill will be voted on later Wednesday in Washington. Matt Laslo reports from Capitol Hill.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has picked up a key endorsement from a top Democrat in California. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

A new federal report indicates a large number of hospices in California haven’t been inspected in a timely fashion. The report says California led the nation in the percentage of hospices that were past due for inspection. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

California says it plans to sue the Environmental Protection Agency. Governor Schwarzenegger says the EPA has dragged its feet on the state's request to impose stricter auto emission standards. KPBS Environmental reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The California State Senate has passed a bill that aims to clean up our waterways. The legislation would ban certain chemicals from plastic packaging. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

New films by Paul Verhoeven and the team behind "Shaun of the Dead" are currently in area theaters. We'll talk to our film critics Beth Accomando and Scott Marks about what they think about what's on the big screen in San Diego. We'll also get a DVD recommendation from the film curator at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.

New films by Paul Verhoeven and the team behind "Shaun of the Dead" are currently in area theaters. We'll talk to our film critics Beth Accomando and Scott Marks about what they think about what's on the big screen in San Diego. We'll also get a DVD recommendation from the film curator at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.

Does more sex equal safer sex? Conventional wisdom would say probably not, but economist Steven Landsburg explains why things are not always as they seem. We speak with Landsburg, author of "More Sex is Safer Sex," about how some things that seem totally irrational actually make perfect sense.

San Diego Border Patrol officials say during a two-month special operation they arrested almost 5,000 illegal immigrants. The arrests took place in the central section of the border, between the San Ysidro mountains and Campo. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

San Diego school board members approved a plan Tuesday to allow seven elementary schools to provide a kindergarten through eighth grade education. Most elementary schools stop at the fifth grade. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

What warning signs were there before the Virginia Tech massacre? How can individuals recognize a troubled person -- at school, work, or even their own neighborhood? We talk with a UCSD psychologist about recognizing unstable behavior, and how to take action. We'll also look at mental health resources in San Diego County.

The number of people arrested along the San Diego-Mexico border is down -- and so are drug seizures. That's according to the Border Patrol. But some within the agency say the statistics aren’t accurate. Full Focus reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Despite recent rains, Southern California is critically low on water. Officials are encouraging residents to begin conservation now. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce explains the situation.

More than 200 students from more than 20 schools will perform in the second annual Student Shakespeare Festival at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007, along El Prado in Balboa Park. The goal is to celebrate the universality of Shakepeare's plays, the power of language and the relevance of his ideas today. KPBS Film Critic Beth Accomondo talks about the festival.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s plans to build two new dams have been shot down in a Senate committee. But Republicans say they’ll keep trying. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Two San Diego Congressmen are leading an anti-immigration drive this week in Washington. Jodi Breisler reports from Capitol Hill.

For years, kids have been required to get their immunizations before they start school in California. But as of this year, they're also supposed to have their teeth checked. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ has more on the new state law.

The new and improved Lincoln High School in South San Diego is enrolling students all this week. The rebuilt campus is expected to be one of the district's premier high schools. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

The California Avocado Commission is suing to keep Mexican avocados out of the state. San Diego County grows more of the fruit than any other county in the United States. Local growers say Mexican avocados carry harmful pests that could destroy their crops. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Do you know what it's like to live on the streets? Have you ever spent the night searching for a safe place to sleep in downtown San Diego? More than 10,000 men, women and children are homeless in San Diego every night. Today we learn about an event that offers people a chance to see what it's like to be homeless for a night.

The California Innocence Project is a group of legal scholars who defend incarcerated individuals who they think are innocent. We speak with the director of the project, a student who discovered evidence to free an innocent man, and a man who was jailed for 23 years for a crime he didn't commit.

There are at least 100 million players logging in to online games all around the world. Various industries have grown up around gaming, including sweatshops of young players who acquire gaming items that will eventually be sold for real-world money. A UCSD graduate student is making a documentary about a series of these sweatshops in China that practice gold farming.

Multi-player online video games have become big business. They offer players fantasy and escape from their real lives. "Second Life" is a new game that offers both of those things in a landscape that looks very similar to many cities in our country. We talk about the role "Second Life" is playing in the real world.

Memory loss seems to go hand in hand with aging, but when should you be concerned about it? Do the signs of a waning memory warn of Alzheimer's? We speak with investigative journalist Cathryn Jakobson Ramin about her experience of memory loss and her journey in search of an explanation for what's going on with her brain.

Lack of rain and below normal snowpack made last winter one of the driest on record. As a result some of the major sources for our region's water supply are dwindling. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The families of those killed by the bullets fired at Virginia Tech last week have begun their grieving. The rest of us are left with questions: could the massacre have been short-circuited? What might prevent more deaths caused by firearms?

David Halberstam, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who chronicled the Washington press corps, the Vietnam War generation and baseball, was killed in a car crash early Monday, a coroner said. He was 73.

Anthony Davis proves even all-star athletes are not immune to obesity. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2005, a few months before he underwent gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. We speak with Davis about his decision, and how it’s helped reverse weight-related conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea.

An investigation has found San Diego school district officials did not violate any laws by allowing a group of Muslim students to pray at school. Earlier this month, a substitute teacher alleged a school employee at Carver Middle School leads a group of Somali girls in a daily prayer during class.

A bill that would remove the traditional light bulb from California store shelves is moving forward at the state Capitol. An Assembly committee has approved Democrat Lloyd Levine's bill to phase out the basic incandescent bulb by the year 2012.

The leader of the National Border Patrol Union says his group has lost confidence in U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. And they say the Chief should resign. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A broad swath of San Diego celebrated Earth Day at Balboa Park Sunday. As KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps discovered, anyone can be an environmentalist.

The San Diego Unified School District is expected to layoff close to 140 school workers this year. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Brother and sister Michael and Margo Timmons, lead members of the band Cowboy Junkies, perform for us and talk about their new album "At the End of Paths Taken."

It is difficult to make the perfect crepe or master the art of flambé. Chef Bernard Guillas, executive chef at the Marine Room in La Jolla, has some ideas on how to accomplish these and other traditional French dishes.

Earthquakes are part of life in California. Jose Otero, an instrumentation geophysicist from UCSD, describes the major fault lines in our region, the latest research on earthquakes, and how likely the "big one" will hit southern California.

We speak with Eric Niiler of Capitol News Connection about the latest news out of Washington D.C. Niiler talks about the political response to the Virginia Tech massacre, and the House and Senate will start working towards a compromise on their differing Iraq War funding bills. Plus, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' job could be in jeopardy following his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

The Virginia Tech shootings have prompted an international debate on whether to change gun laws. And one California lawmaker is adding his proposal to crack down on the sale of bullets around the state. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

A bill that would create a universal health care system in California has passed its first hurdle in the State Senate. But even if the measure is ultimately approved, it faces a likely veto from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The governor vetoed a similar bill last year. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

It’s a special “Show Us the Money” edition of “A Way with Words.” Think you know a lot about money? Try taking Grant’s trivia quiz about money matters. Verbivore Emeritus Richard Lederer stops by to present a palindromic puzzle. Also, ere-whay id-day ig-pay atin-lay ome-cay om-fray?

On Wednesday, a 5-to-4 Supreme Court ruling upheld a federal law banning late-term abortions. Planned Parenthood officials have reacted strongly against the decision. This is the first time the court has upheld a ban on a specific method of abortion, and analysts say the decision will have far-reaching effects.

Home renovation -- a new kitchen say, or a bathroom –- can create tons of waste, be it remodeling or construction. KPBS recently reported most of that waste goes right into our landfill -- instead of the recycler.

There remains confusion over budget authority and disagreement over pay raises for public safety workers between the mayor and city council. The council may vote on raises for firefighters next week, although the city attorney has said that the council cannot change the mayor's offer to any group, only vote it up or down. Mike Aguirre has also said the 9 percent pay raise for SDPD officers is illegal because it breaks the debt-limit law, and no income stream was identified to pay for it.

It's now firmly established by the scientific community that the earth's climate is getting warmer, and that human beings are a primary cause. Over the last two weeks, KPBS News has been exploring climate change in a series dubbed ‘A Matter of Degrees.’

Governor Schwarzenegger has put a stop to construction on a new death chamber at San Quentin State Prison. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

The bishop of San Diego's Roman Catholic Diocese was in federal court on Friday. He's answering questions about church finances. The diocese seeks bankruptcy protection amid allegations of sexual abuse. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.

The State Senate has approved what some are calling the largest expansion of Indian gambling since it was introduced. One measure established new gaming rights for the Yurok tribe, which its author says is the poorest in California.

District officials want to add sixth, seventh and eighth grade classes to a handful of San Diego elementary schools next year. It’s part a new movement to create more K-8 schools. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

A recent audit shows some county jail inmates have been receiving federal and state payments, despite rules that say they aren't eligible when they're behind bars. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Gasoline prices keep climbing in San Diego. The Auto Club says prices are now moving closer to record territory. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

This week, the nation was shocked and saddened by Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech University. Also, SDSU was on high alert following a threat of violence that later turned out to be a hoax. And, the San Diego City Council is discussing Mayor Jerry Sanders' 2008 budget proposal.

Is America ready for an African-American President? Our guest says attitudes toward black political candidates and leaders have changed since the 60s. Now with the presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama catching fire, the lessons of the past have new relevance.

It's being called a "dark day" by pro-choice advocates in San Diego. They say yesterday's Supreme Court's decision to uphold a federal ban on a controversial abortion procedure has set a dangerous precedent. Joanne Faryon is here with the details.

To save resources, money and public image, Corporate America is getting greener. Companies are streamlining their entire manufacturing process and facilities. They're proactively opting for renewable energy, less toxic chemicals, and mandatory recycling -- with promising results for the bottom line, and the environment. We find out more from Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development in San Diego, and Bentley Prince Street, based in Los Angeles.

A 32-year-old Web designer was charged Thursday with making a hoax threat to San Diego State University claiming the campus would be targeted for violence similar to Virginia Tech's bloodshed.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, the state's Lieutenant Governor is proposing a new warning system that could help to notify students more quickly of a similar emergency. As Marianne Russ reports, it would use cell phones.

A San Diego-based student loan company is under fire for allegedly paying university officials to push its services. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Red Cross officials in Tijuana will meet over the weekend to discuss new security measures. This in the wake of yesterday’s shootout that left three people dead and two Red Cross ambulances out of commission.

Our fresh ocean breezes are not as clean as you think. Polluted air moving from Asia to North America may be affecting California's climate. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Today Lawmakers confronted Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over the firing of former San Diego US Attorney Carol Lam. Todd Zwillich has this from Washington.

New research from the New England Journal of Medicine suggests a drop in hormone use has caused a decline in breast cancer in the United States. Some doctors call the decline dramatic, but others aren’t so sure. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

A new report from the American Rivers group says that the San Mateo Creek in North County is the second-most threatened river in the nation. Plans for a toll road are upsetting environmentalists who say that everything from water quality to waves will be hurt by this massive project. Meanwhile, toll road officials say that they are taking tremendous care to protect the natural resources of the San Onofre State Park. We hear from both sides of this contentious environment-versus-development debate.

A festival of student plays, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, and a new play by Eve Ensler make their way onto San Diego stages this month.

On April 4, the first California condor in over 100 years was spotted flying over San Diego. How did this powerful bird go from the thousands to near extinction and back to a population of over 200 in the wild? We'll chart the rise and fall of the California condor with NPR environmental reporter John Nielsen.

As part of KPBS radio's "A Matter of Degrees: Climate Change in San Diego" special series, guest host Maureen Cavanaugh guides us through a collection of reporter features that look at the impact and response to global warming in our region.

Police believe organized crime to is to blame for a shootout that ended in a Tijuana hospital yesterday. At least three people were killed. The gunbattle began in the streets near the central bus station and continued at the city's general hospital. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

Threats of violence are rattling Southern California campuses, days after the Virginia Tech shooting rampage that killed 33 people.

As the Iraq War enters its fifth year, we turn to those among us who have seen their sons and daughters sent to the battlefields and into the heart of danger. And, what greater challenge is there than for a parent to watch her child prepare for war in a distant and hostile land.

The series of shoot-outs between police and heavily armed men has left three other people injured and led to a temporary evacuation of a hospital.

A new report finds a growing number of immigrant youth in California are not getting any kind of education or schooling. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Most Americans recognize the Clydesdale horse as a mascot for a famous beer company. But the breed originated from hard-working farm horses in Scotland.A small farm in the mountains east of San Diego has a passion for Clydesdales. Producer Elsa Sevilla brings us this story.

How could climate change affect San Diego? How will we cope with the reality of a warmer world -- a world where wildfires and drought would be common. We'll examine the risks to California and San Diego from global warming with Richard Somerville, a leading climate scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

In the wake of community outcry about mini-dorms and growing concern about student overcrowding in the College Area, San Diego State University is proposing a residence hall expansion project. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has more on the campus housing plan and community reaction.

The company that operates California's power grid says a suspect has been arrested in connection with computer tampering at its Folsom headquarters. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Officials at the San Diego chapter of Planned Parenthood say they’re outraged by the Supreme Court decision upholding the federal ban of a particular abortion procedure. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

San Diego State University plans to solve a campus housing shortage by adding high-rise dorms. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Men who were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison are speaking out on behalf of state legislation they say will reduce such errors. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports the three bills cleared a key policy committee on Tuesday.

Police and the FBI say a violent threat targeting San Diego State is a hoax. Officers say they've detained a suspect who so far has no obvious ties to the university. That person threatened to commit an act of violence similar to what happened to Virginia Tech. Police spokesman Robert McManus says they hope to dispel any fears on campus.

National City passed an ordinance last night restricting the operation of diesel trucks. Parents and teachers had complained about a truck driving school being too close to an elementary school. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

How can the average person ensure that they are getting the best possible medical care? When should you seek a second medical opinion, and how can you tell if someone has been misdiagnosed? We’ll talk to Dr. Laura Nathanson about her new book "What You Don't Know Can Kill You." Dr. Nathanson discusses ways the non-medically trained individual can protect themselves from a potentially life-threatening medical mistake.

The California State Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's State Parks. The Southern California director of the foundation identifies the biggest threats to state parks and outlines the organization's Earth Day plans to clean up and help restore three state parks in San Diego County.

A proposal to cut a 16-mile toll road through the San Onofre State Beach has more opposition. A national conversation group says the road threatens a creek in the area. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

By 2012, the Miramar Landfill is expected to be full. What will the City of San Diego do about that? Planners say the city hopes to pile garbage higher and expand the landfill, but is there anything else that can be done? Reporter Joanne Faryon has looked into some possible alternatives, including the recycling of demolition and construction waste.

PETA is the largest animal rights organization in the world. Ingrid Newkirk, the president and co-founder of the organization, talks about what she is trying to accomplish, how the organization is portrayed in the media, and her new book on helping animals.

Miss Mexico will tone down the dress she wears to compete in the Miss Universe Pageant. The dress has caused outrage. The designers are headed back to the drawing board. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has more.

The 18th Annual Earth Day festival kicks off Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Balboa Park. Today we wrap up our series on global warming with someone who’s tried to make a difference in the environment since she was a kid.

Imagine a San Diego without cars. Experts say San Diegans drive more than the rest of Californians. At least half of all greenhouse gases here come from transportation. One man is trying to reduce his carbon footprint. He's giving up the Southern California lifestyle. As part of our special series on global warming, KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps meets someone who lives a carless existence.

"War on Terror." "We will not cut and run.” “Islamo-Facism.” “If you're not with us, you’re against us.” Slogans like these are used repeatedly by President Bush. We look at how these emotion-laden phrases have been used by the president to justify and rally support for the Iraq war.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pushed his universal healthcare plan in San Diego Tuesday. He toured one of the busiest ERs in the county. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps was there.

More illegal aliens are filing income taxes this year with the goal of getting refunds, and the hope that it will make them better candidates for legal permanent residency.

Hurricane Katrina was in the making long before it struck land in August of 2005. A new IMAX film tells the story of Louisiana’s vanishing wetlands and their role in buffering storms.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is starring in a new public service announcement that state officials will release later this month to radio and TV stations, and even YouTube. He wants to persuade military personnel to come to college in California. From Sacramento, Ellen Ciurczak reports.

If State Senator Roy Ashburn has his way, California voters will be deciding some key political reforms in February. The Republican is pushing a mega ballot measure that includes everything from changing the way political lines are drawn to when lawmakers can fundraise. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

A new supermarket in southeast San Diego is helping to keep traditions from old Mexico alive - through foods found only south of the border. North Gate Gonzalez Market recently opened its doors in Southcrest. Producer Elsa Sevilla brings us the flavors of Mexico in this photo essay.

State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell says so far more students are passing the California High School Exit Exam this school year compared to last.

Administrators at six San Diego schools are relying on their students to report suspicious or threatening activity on campus. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

The San Diego City Council refused to force a new contract on firefighters Monday night. Firefighters are at an impasse with the mayor over pay and benefits. The mayor says a raise is off the table. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.

An environmental group and the construction industry battled it out before the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday morning. The outcome could affect San Diego's drinking water. Evelyn Lombardo reports from Washington.

The City Council of National City votes on an ordinance Tuesday night that would restrict the operation of diesel trucks. Residents want to keep the exhaust away from schools and homes. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

If you had to select a year of truly remarkable news, out of the past 50, it would be 1968. And that's exactly what author Mark Kurlansky has done. His book, "1968: The Year That Rocked the World," examines that year of protests, wars and assassinations. But if 1968 rocked America, what direction did this country take after that? An encore presentation of Tom Fudge's interview with Mark Kurlansky examines 1968 and its aftermath.

John Rosemond is one of the most popular family psychologists in the nation. He is the author of 12 parenting books and has a syndicated column, which appears in more than 200 newspapers nationwide. We open up the phone lines for the full hour and take all of your parenting questions.

Two documentaries, including one called Everything’s Cool, will deal with global warming this year. They join The Day After Tomorrow and An Inconvenient Truth as movies concerned with climate change. KPBS film critic Beth Accomando considers how popular entertainment affects us.

There’s broad agreement among scientists that man’s activities are causing global warming. Some scientists believe we have about a ten-year window to do something about it. But whether any broad steps are taken will depend on whether people at large believe in the phenomenon. And at this point, not everyone is convinced. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

At a non-profit social services office in North Park, there aren't enough seats to accommodate everyone who's come to get help filing their taxes. People perch on beat-up desks at the ACORN office or stand.

The police captain at San Diego State says officers are stepping up their presence on campus today. He says the deadly shooting at Virginia Tech University is all too familiar. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

How has life changed for Muslims in America since 9/11? As part of our week-long series in conjuction with the Public TV series, America at a Crossroads, we explore the misperceptions of Islam and the challenges that Muslim Americans face in a post 9/11 world.

Students from the San Diego Jewish Academy will join local Holocaust survivors for a day of remembrance. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has more on the ceremony and their international project for Remembrance and Hope.

More California homeowners are receiving default notices. A real estate tracking firm says the default notices jumped to their highest level in nearly 10 years. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The media frenzy surrounding the recent DUI arrest of actor Mel Gibson is prompting some state legislative action. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

A bill making its way through the State Assembly would prevent the sale of electronic products that contain certain toxins. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Today in our KPBS radio series "A Matter of Degrees: Climate Change in San Diego," we visit the San Diego High Educational Complex in downtown. Students there are cooking up batches of biodiesel. It's part of an alternative energy program that may find its way into more San Diego public schools. KPBS Education Reporter Ana Tintocalis has this report.

Environmental experts say the U.S. Mexico border region is ripe for collaboration to reduce green house gases. But they say governments on both sides of the border stand in the way. KPBS Border Reporter Amy Isackson spoke with SDSU professor Alan Sweedler who has researched and developed energy policy in San Diego for 25 years.

In our series, A Matter of Degrees: Climate Change in San Diego, we ask the city of San Diego why it has yet to enact a recycling ordinance that could significantly reduce what’s buried in the Miramar landfill. KPBS reporter Joanne Faryon tells us the city could legislate companies to recycle their construction waste, but 40 feet stands in their way.

Think spelling’s not important? Think again! This week, Martha and Grant relate the strange tale of the $40,000 typo. They also talk about what it’s like to be “borked,” and advise a third-grade teacher determined to teach students six-syllable words. Puzzle guy Eric Berman welcomes Grant to the show with a quiz designed in his honor.

Details of the Mayor's proposed $2.8 billion budget were released to the public today and will be presented to City Council on Monday. The mayor says the budget will not cut services, but rely on staff layoffs to cover an $87 million funding gap. He plans to cut about 300 employees and 360 budgeted-but-vacant positions. The budget sets aside $38 million to maintain older city facilities -- $25 million of which must be borrowed.

A major defense contractor's plan for a 700-acre training camp in Southern California is running into opposition from a local Democratic congressman who claims the company won initial approval by cozying up to local officials and keeping its plans from the public.

This week Federal Judge Louise DeCarl Adler ordered attorneys and pastors involved in the San Diego Diocese's bankruptcy to explain why they should not be sanctioned for contempt. The judge stated that the diocese's lead attorney and church officials appeared to have “conspired with parishes" to create new bank accounts separate from the diocese. Adler also said that the new Organization of Parishes falsely claimed the judge had authorized moving funds to new accounts.

The SDPD has accepted a contract which offers a nine percent basic pay raise for most officers and a re-formulation of how the city pays for health benefits. City police have not received a pay raise for almost three years. More officers left SDPD in 2006 than in the previous five years combined. 25 left the force in just one month in 2007.

Pink slips are in store for hundreds of city hall workers. But so are smoother roads for San Diego motorists if Mayor Jerry Sanders gets his way. Sanders unveiled a $2.8 billion spending plan today with an eye toward putting the city's troubled finances on more solid ground – without, he says -- cutting services or raising taxes. Full Focus reporter Amita Sharma has more.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case next week that pits the construction industry against environmental groups. And the outcome could affect San Diego's drinking water. Evelyn Lombardo reports from Washington.

A wrongfully convicted man thanked a group of San Diego law students on Friday for helping him get out of prison after 23 years. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders unveiled his $2.9 billion dollar budget today. He says it's a balanced budget that maintains service levels -- while cutting city jobs. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the details.

Gasoline sales in California have dropped for the first time in 14 years. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

This week, the Department of Defense announced that all active-duty soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will have their tours of duty extended to 15 months. Also, the National Association of Realtors is predicting a decline in home prices for the first time since 1968. And, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders released his 2008 budget proposal.

What would it be like to live off the electricity grid? In the next part of our KPBS radio series "A Matter of Degrees: Climate Change in San Diego," we visit Laura Silver. Silver lives in an energy-efficient straw bale house in San Diego's East County and runs her household on electricity from solar panels, supplemented by a small generator in the back yard. KPBS Radio's Alison St John has more.

The founder of super-secret mega-contractor SAIC retired as Chairman of the Board three years ago while his company was still employee-owned. Now he has a book out about building the successful $8 billion major government contractor. It was published the same time as a critical article about SAIC and its practices appeared in Vanity Fair. In a one on one interview, we'll look at the good, the bad and the ugly of SAIC.

A decision today by the California Public Utilities Commission is going to change the way you pay your electric bill. It may even change how much you pay. Joanne Faryon is here to explain.

The Chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee joins us to talk about the struggle between the White House and Congress over Iraq, immigration and more.

A new study finds that the poorest fifth of California's households is paying the most in state and local taxes. Matt Gardner with the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy says that's partly because low-income families spend nearly everything they earn just to get by.

Governor Schwarzenegger is hailing a state Supreme Court ruling on Thursday that he says will make a big difference to commuters. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

SDG&E’s Peter Hidalgo says the smart meters will eventually be able connect with -- and talk to -- home appliances with imbedded chips. To reduce electric use and save money. Hidalgo says the system will be especially valuable when the utilities find supplies tightening.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Advisory until 9 p.m. in the mountains and deserts of San Diego County. The weather service says gusts could clock in at up to 55 miles per hour.

Homes sales in San Diego county fell to a ten year low last month, but home prices were steady.

A new study on global warming pollution shows California led the nation in harmful emissions over a 14-year period. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Do bloggers need a code of conduct? We'll talk with two prominent bloggers about how to regulate threatening comments and cyber-bullying on blogs. Is it just a matter of time before the blogosphere requires a system of legal enforcement?

What do you need to know before filing your federal tax return? IRS spokesman Rafael Tulino offers some last minute tax tips for the millions of people who haven't filed their 2006 return. Tulino talks about the telephone excise tax refund, filing for an extension, and the benefits of filing electronically.

We'll talk about what's happening in music, film and art this weekend in San Diego with critics Anders Wright and Anna Maria Stephens.

This week, the La Jolla Playhouse announced that New York director Christopher Ashley will be the theater's new artistic director, replacing Des McAnuff, who steps into the role of director emeritus for the Playhouse.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Roosevelt Robinson became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. In the 60 years that have passed since his historic first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson's legacy lives on. Host Maureen Cavanaugh speaks to author Cal Fussman about Robinson's first years in the big leagues, and his impact on professional sports and race relations in America.

The debate over global warming has provided considerable information for people to consider. But for students in elementary and middle school, the information may be trickling down in bits and pieces. KPBS’ Beth Accomando sat down with a group of middle school students in Lemon Grove to get their thoughts on global warming.

Imagine a San Diego that is hotter, much hotter, and drier. A place where wildfires and drought make living a daily challenge. The scenario is not science fiction, but one of many possibilities resulting from global climate change. KPBS environmental reporter Ed Joyce examines the risks to California and San Diego from global warming.

Susan Davis, San Diego's democratic congresswoman from the 53rd District, is home for Easter Break. She joins us in studio to talk about Washington's hot-button issues: immigration reform, the looming showdown between Congress and the President over Iraq, and No Child Left Behind Act. We'll also find out about her bill to help states hold mail-in elections.

"Crossing Arizona" puts a human face on the hotly debated issues of illegal immigration and security on the US/Mexico border. Heightened security in California and Texas has pushed illegal border-crossers into the treacherous Arizona desert in unprecedented numbers -- an estimated 4,500 a day. Documentary filmmaker Dan DeVivo examines the crisis through the eyes of those directly affected by it.

Congressman Darrell Issa has been making waves. He talks with Full Focus about his recent talks with Syria's President, and whether his criticism of Carol Lam led to her ousting as U.S. attorney. We'll also talk about the Iraq war and immigration reform.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. He met with California lawmakers and gave a speech at Georgetown University. Benjamin Shaw reports from Capitol Hill.

A Mexican customs official says his agency is feeling more pressure from organized crime groups. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

Under Governor Schwarzenegger's healthcare reform package, all Californians would be required to have health insurance. People who don't comply could be penalized. Critics say that's an outrage. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The Defense Secretary says all active-duty Army soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will serve 15-month tours -- three months longer than the usual standard. San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa supports the change. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Book critics Debra Ginsberg and Tiffany Lee-Youngren discuss their favorite recently published books. Topping the list are a couple of psychological thrillers, a collection of short stories from China, and a memoir from a synesthetic savant with Asperger's syndrome.

Autism is on the rise, yet experts are still searching for what causes it and how to treat those affected by the disorder. Asperger's syndrome is a specific high-functioning form of autism that affects one out of 150 children by the age of eight. An autism expert and author joins us to discuss Asperger's syndrome.

From bills targeting the war in Iraq to considerations for stillborn babies, Marianne Russ, the capitol bureau chief of Capital Public Radio, tells us about the latest news from Sacramento.

Monterey Ridge Elementary in the Poway Unified School District is the newest in a growing list of solar powered schools in San Diego County. KPBS education reporter Ana Tintocalis explains why there’s a lot more to this school than just solar panels.

San Diego is recognized as the leading local government in the United Stated using renewable energy. But is the city taking advantage of its sunny weather to move ahead with solar energy to meet its own goals? In the next installment of our series on what San Diegans are doing about global warming, KPBS reporter Alison St John looks at the city’s use of renewable energy.

Blackwater USA is a private military contractor with a big role in Iraq. Now, in the rural community of Potrero -- a backcountry community in San Diego County -- people are getting riled up over now-peaceful meadows being sold to create a para-military training camp.

Global warming has been a popular topic of conversation recently. But researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography have been talking about it for more than 50 years. The UC San Diego marine laboratory is recognized for sounding early alarm bells about greenhouse gases warming the planet. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce introduces us to three Scripps scientists playing lead roles in global warming research.

Trash in the ocean is killing off sea life, making people sick and hurting California's coastal economy. Now state lawmakers have put together a package of bills they hope will help clean up the sea. Full Focus reporter Amita Sharma has more.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the New Deal, President Franklin Roosevelt's plan to put people back to work and put food on their tables. Producer Pat Finn set out to discover if there was anything left in San Diego from one famous New Deal initiative -- the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Two immigrants rights coalitions used Wednesday’s anniversary of the massive immigration march in San Diego to call, again, for Congress to pass realistic immigration reform. The groups advocate different kinds of reform, but say they have the same end goal in mind. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

On a strict party line vote, Democrats in the Assembly Judiciary committee have approved a bill that would allow same sex marriage in California. Despite threat of a veto if the bill makes it through the legislature, its author says he's making progress. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

A bill will be introduced in Sacramento Wednesday that would require health insurers to get permission from the state before raising premiums. It's modeled after California's law that regulates auto insurance. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

Mission Valley has lots of apartments and condominiums, but few kids and public schools. But administrators at San Diego's High Tech High would like to put a campus there. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

The San Diego City Council struggled once again today with the question of how much the mayor can change the budget after the council approves it. Two competing proposals were discussed, but the power struggle at city hall appears to have dissolved into a decision to continue with the status quo. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Not all snack foods from a vending machine are unhealthy. A Solana Beach-based vending company offers only organic and natural products from its machines -- and the business is growing. The founder and CEO of YoNaturals, Inc. discusses how he came up with the idea for healthy vending machines and why they are gaining popularity.

A local UCSD professor has been studying how air pollution impacts our daily lives, as well as how it impacts our local and global climate. We speak with Kim Prather about her research and why she believes that we should not only focus on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also the impact of aerosols.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is expected to release his 2008 budget proposal this Friday. Guest host Maureen Cavanaugh talks to Sanders' spokesman Fred Sainz about the details of the mayor's budget proposal, which calls for more than $200 million to be spent on the pension debt, street repairs and storm drain maintenance. We also speak to KPBS News reporter Alison St. John about some of the other hot topics that are circulating around City Hall this week.

Solana Beach has a train station, a theatre, several mini shopping centers, some popular boutiques, and the usual assortment of restaurants, homes, and offices that a small beachside city might have. Now there's a proposal for a $50 million mixed use project planned for the area around that train station. Is this the pathway to a refreshed Solana Beach or the start of gridlock?

The East County town of La Mesa may still be small, with some 60,000 residents. But the city has big plans to redevelop its civic center. And that's sparked controversy over a street named for the city's founder.

The nonprofit agency that operates most of San Diego County's Head Start preschool programs has finally reached full compliance with federal standards. In August of 2006 the Board of Directors of the troubled Neighborhood House Association brought in a new management team because of criticisms for improper spending, lax record-keeping, mismanagement, and numerous other deficiencies. We'll hear how after just six months, how San Diego's largest nonprofit was able to rebuild itself.

San Diego's before and after school programs will get an extra $5 million in state funding this year. District officials say more than one hundred campuses will benefit from the hefty increase. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

A new review of California's Tobacco Control Program finds young adults in the state are kicking the habit in record numbers. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

Critics of the Navy’s plans to build a new Regional Headquarters in the middle of downtown San Diego say it would be more appropriate to build the HQ close to the fleet at the 32nd Street Naval Station. The Navy argues there is no space for administrative buildings on the working waterfront. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders laid out the basic elements of his proposed budget Monday. He touted the cost savings achieved by increased efficiency at the city, and announced hundreds more layoffs. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

San Diego City Council voted unanimously today not to take a pay raise this year. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The California Legislature is considering several bills to protect beaches and the Pacific Ocean. One bill would ban the use of certain chemicals in plastic packaging. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

SAN DIEGO – Music aficionados will delight in the lineup KBPBS-FM is offering to its listeners. Those tuning into 89.5 FM will hear the San Diego Opera’s 2007 productions and classical pieces from the 11th Annual Mainly Mozart 2007 Spotlight Series.

San Diego – Beginning on March 5, KPBS will broadcast V-me, a new Spanish-language television network delivering quality and educational entertainment to local Latino viewers.

It's the time of year to plant and plot for summer blooms. We'll talk with gardening experts Mary McBride and Tom Piergrossi about spring time gardening.

The recent pet food recall spurs legal action across the country, but how will pet owners be compensated? These Days legal analyst Dan Eaton tells us what sort of interesting legal questions come about with this massive recall. Also, we find out what the latest Ninth Circuit court decision means for steroids in professional baseball. Finally, what does the Supreme Court's decision on EPA emissions mean for California?

The Neighborhood House Association (NHA), which administers San Diego's Head Start program, among others, is in full compliance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services performance standards and policy requirements for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. An executive from the NHA explains how the formerly troubled agency was able to make a complete and relatively quick turnaround.

Host Tom Fudge talks with Jerry Griswold, director of the National Center for the Study of Children's Literature and professor of English at SDSU. In his new book, "Feeling Like a Kid," Griswold examines the qualities of childhood and how they reappear in children's literature.

Does Grammar weigh less on the moon? Martha and Grant revisit Neil Armstrong's famous pronouncement: "That's one small step for . . ." Why in the world do we call a toilet a “john”? And is it “sherbet” or sherbert”? “Har-RASS” or “HARR-ass”? Martha and Grant will answer these and other nagging questions.

San Diego police and Sherriff's officers were out in force yesterday to keep control of a demonstration outside the County buildings on Ruffin Road. The protestors were there to attend the county's first public meeting about a plan to build a private paramilitary training camp in rural east San Diego county. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Well, it's been on again and off again, and now it looks like the sale of the Tribune Company and the Los Angeles times is really going to happen. Billionaire real estate mogul Sam Zell has agreed to buy the Tribune Company in a deal valued at $8.2 billion, but only costing Zell about $300 million of his own money.

For two weeks, federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided homes in San Diego and Imperial Counties looking for illegal immigrant fugitives who have committed crimes. Of the more than 350 immigrants caught and sent back across the border by Operation Return to Sender, only about 50 or so were criminals.

Mike Aguirre is breaking the mold of the city attorney. He has taken the office from one which provides legal support to the mayor and city council to that of a power-checking oversight agency. Eric Wolff's article looks at the tension between Aguirre and other office holders, as well as between the oversight function and advisory function of the office.

For the first time in almost a hundred years, a California Condor is flying over San Diego County. The young female crossed into the United States from Mexico earlier this week. She's the first to fly across the border since condors were re-introduced to Mexico in 2002. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu has more.

San Diego's city attorney has filed criminal charges against a Sunroad Enterprises executive. The city attorney says developer Tom Story broke ethics laws when planning a new high-rise near Montgomery Field. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.

Southern California's abnormally dry weather season is making life worse for allergy sufferers. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce explains.

This week, President Bush and Democratic lawmakers exchanged verbal jabs after the House and Senate passed military funding bills that called for a specific timeline for withdrawal from Iraq. Also, San Diego leaders are getting creative when it comes to funding development projects. And, the controversy over City Attorney Mike Aguirre's request for a warrant to search the offices of Sunroad Enterprises continues to be a hot topic around San Diego City Hall.

It's spring break for Congress at a time when political battles in Washington over the Iraq war, presidential power and immigration are intensifying. Tonight, we'll find out where 50th Congressional District representative Brian Bilbray stands on these issues and others.

For National Public Health Week, we talk with the county's interim public health director about past achievements and the 21st century's public health concerns. Topics include steps against chronic disease, as well as emerging threats such as pandemic influenza, bioterrorism, West Nile Virus, and the recent meningitis death of a Del Mar teenager.

San Diego beaches are the county's best known natural assets. But several are losing sand. It seems that the natural replenishing processes have been blocked by development. Local officials want state and federal help to fix the problem. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has the story.

California could become the first state to vote on whether the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ explains.

Religious leaders and immigrants' rights activists are urging federal authorities to halt the immigration sweeps that netted more than 350 illegal immigrants in San Diego County during the last two weeks. Activists gathered outside the federal building Thursday afternoon and used various religious themes to convey their message. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

San Diego County holds a public meeting Thursday afternoon to launch an environmental review of a plan to build a private, military-style training camp in San Diego's East County. Residents of Potrero, a small village 45 miles east of downtown on Highway 94, are divided over the proposal by the private military contractor, Blackwater USA. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

New research may help San Diego county officials find offshore sources of sand to restore thinning beaches without disturbing the natural balance of supply. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

On this Weekend Preview, we'll explore the best places to watch the Padres home opener and where you might enjoy an Easter brunch this Sunday.

Michael Tiernan reflects on his experience in the seminary, surviving cancer and the healing powers of making music.

Are civil rights compromised or preserved by fighting terrorism? The former British secretary of state for defence tells us how terrorist acts during the past decade changed his perspective on global extremism, why he thinks Iraq is a just cause, and how the UK treats terror suspects differently than the U.S.

Why does a private military contractor want to build a large training facility in the East County community of Potrero? Why is the majority of the community opposed to the proposal? Host Tom Fudge speaks to opponents and supporters of the proposal to build an 824-acre training facility for Blackwater USA in Potrero.

What is the ethical and moral responsibility of scientists and researchers when it comes to stem cell research? We ask two prominent human embryonic stem cell researchers what considerations they take into account during scientific experiments, and why they think the U.S. is falling behind other countries in biomedical discovery.

Will newspapers go the way of the dinosaur? Is traditional TV news a thing of the past? On Full Focus, we'll take a look at the changing media landscape -- and what folks are doing to keep up. And we'll tell you how to protect yourself against home invasions. Those stories and more, on Wednesday's Full Focus, at 6:30 and 11 p.m., on KPBS Television, channel 15, cable 11.

A group of thieves has been traveling through neighborhoods and using a ruse to gain entry into residences. While they are detracting the resident, another suspect goes inside the home and directly to the master bedroom to steal jewelry and other items.

The City of San Diego has adopted a new program that requires all city departments to consider certain environmental criteria before making routine purchases. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has more on the implementation of the program, and its expected impact.

If you've ever come across an issue or problem and thought, "there oughta be a law" about that, then this next story should interest you. State Senator Joe Simitian has announced the winners of his annual contest to see which Californians could come up with the best new bills. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

The Bush Administration and California officials are at odds over the state's ten-year-old Family Planning program. The federal government wants the state to require undocumented immigrants to show proof of citizenship to get services. State officials say that would be a bad move. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Three rival supermarket chains involved in labor contract talks with thousands of Southern California employees say they will each lock out workers if any of the chains becomes the target of a strike.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today naturalized 59 members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The ceremony was held aboard a Navy ship docked at the San Diego Naval Station. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu has more.

The City of San Diego will use its significant purchasing power to help stimulate the market for recyclable and green products. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

UCSD music professor and composer Anthony Davis talks about his new opera based on the legend of Ponca Chief Standing Bear. Davis's 9-year-old son performs one of the characters in "Wakonda's Dream."

We know it can be hard to find the time it takes to listen and discover music, so we've brought it to you. FM94/9's music director and afternoon DJ, Michael Halloran, joins us to talk about his recent discoveries in the realm of rock and roll music.

CSU faculty members have reached a tentative agreement with university administrators. The deal calls for a nearly 21 percent salary increase over four years. Host Tom Fudge speaks with a faculty union representative from SDSU about the deal, the possibility that it will be approved by rank-and-file faculty and whether it gives Cal State professors what they think they deserve.

What are the biggest problems currently facing Major League Baseball? With Barry Bonds closing in on the all-time home run record, baseball fans all over the world should be celebrating the historic milestone. Yet, many sports fans are turned off by the sport that's been criticized for labor disputes, overpaid athletes, and most recently the use of performance-enhancing drugs by some players. Host Tom Fudge speaks to Hall of Famer Dave Winfield about baseball's troubles, and why they must be solved.

Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing problem and it appears that advertising and the media are contributing to this, according to a new study. Children and teens are bombarded with an average of 21 food ads per day, with about a third of the ads focused on candy and snacks. How far is too far when it comes to influencing children's health? What do parents need to be looking for and how should they counteract the ads that children see?

Host Tom Fudge speaks to Councilman Ben Hueso about his appointment to the California Coastal Commission. We also ask him about the latest news coming out of District 8.

The San Diego police department is having a hard time keeping officers. On Tuesday’s Full Focus, we’ll look at how well the department is doing in keeping the public safe. And find out what San Diego’s new Republican Party chairman will be doing to prepare for the ’08 election -- on Tuesday’s Full Focus, at 6:30 and 11 pm, on KPBS Television, channel 15, cable 11.

The Navy Broadway Complex and the Embarcadero are not the only parts of downtown San Diego on the verge of profound change. The city’s downtown redevelopment arm, the Center City Development Corporation, held a workshop yesterday with several nationally recognized architects, to brainstorm on how to make San Diego’s downtown a place to be proud of. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The dispute over the height of the Sunroad Office Tower project took another turn today. San Diego City Councilwoman Donna Frye called on Mayor Jerry Sanders to step in to prevent a public safety hazard. Full Focus reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Last week, San Diego Republicans elected a new party chairman. Swedish-born Tony Krvaric's hero is Ronald Reagan. We'll find out more about Krvaric's roots, his political philosophy and his plans for San Diego's Republican voters as they approach a new election cycle.

Low pay and other options for potential recruits have triggered a shortage of officers in the San Diego Police Department. Reporter Amita Sharma will look at what the agency is doing to beef up its force.

The California Faculty Association and the California State University reached a tentative labor agreement on Tuesday. The settlement calls off a system-wide strike which was set to begin next week. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Researchers in California are hailing a decision by federal regulators that rejected key patent claims on human embryonic stem cells. Researchers say the move should make it much easier to do their work. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Environmentalists say a federal agency is dragging its feet when it comes to setting ocean water quality standards. The group says the delays are putting swimmers at risk for diseases. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

New research shows that people who begin drinking by age 14 are at great risk of becoming alcoholics. Toren Volkmann and his mother, Chris, join Tom Fudge to tell Toren's story of teenage binge drinking, his road to recovery, and what families can do to help emerging alcoholics.

Academy Award-nominated directors Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan discuss the story of 29-year-old Stephen Heywood’s struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Ascher and Jordan wrote, produced and directed the story for “Frontline,” which airs tonight on KPBS Television.

Will the San Diego Padres win the National League Western Division for the third consecutive year? Hopes are high for the Friars as they get ready to play their first regular season game against the San Francisco Giants this afternoon. Host Tom Fudge speaks to Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton about the team's chances of ‘three-peating’ in the West.

In the event of a tsunami, at least one local community will be prepared. Imperial Beach could soon become one of the few cities along the California coast to be designated "tsunami ready." Imperial Beach lifeguard captain Robert Stabenow talks about what that means, and how the preparedness plan he helped develop is supposed to work.

Crews continue to work at the site of a sewage spill in the Buena Vista Lagoon, on the border between Carlsbad and Oceanside. More than five million gallons of raw sewage spewed into the lagoon after a sewer main broke Sunday evening. KPBS Radio's Andrea Hsu reports.

Federal immigration officials have been raiding homes in neighborhoods throughout San Diego. During the last two weeks, authorities have arrested 340 undocumented immigrants. KPBS Border Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

We often hear that immigrants take jobs. But what about creating them? On Monday’s Full Focus, we’ll talk about the rising number of immigrants who are starting up companies in San Diego. Immigrant entrepreneurs and their contributions to the local economy -- on Monday’s Full Focus, at 6:30 and 11 p.m. on KPBS Television, channel 15, cable 11.

Imagine a society where everything is a renewable resource. Sound unlikely? Not in the Zero Waste movement, where the concept of trash is obsolete. San Diego County has a long way to go, however. San Diegans throw away enough recyclables to fill up Petco park fives times each year. Most of that stuff instead goes to Miramar Landfill, which is predicted to fill up by 2012. Some cities, including El Cajon, are trying to streamline by setting a goal of zero waste.

Gas prices in San Diego hit an all-time high last May at $3.43 cents per gallon. Now analysts say current prices are on track to beat that record. Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has more on the trend that has some San Diegans running on empty.

More of us are still working as we get older -- even after the traditional retirement age. That's the upshot of a new study by the non-profit California Budget Project. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ explains.

A sewer line break is releasing raw sewage into the Buena Vista Lagoon. The main break is downstream from the lagoon at a pump station near the Carlsbad-Oceanside city borders. Denise Vedder is with the city of Carlsbad. She says more than one million gallons of sewage has flowed into the lagoon. Vedder says residents of North Carlsbad and South Vista can help by reducing water use.

Governor Schwarzenegger wants to cut funding for Prop 36, the program that allows non-violent drug offenders to get treatment instead of jail. Researchers say that could cripple the program. Voters approved Prop 36 in 2000. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the federal government to take a new look at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from cars. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce says the ruling may improve California's chances at setting tougher rules on auto emissions.

Palomar College officials appointed a campus investigator to look into whether a veteran administrator illegally changed the grades of a group of students. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Under a new policy, Marines are no longer allowed to get tattoos on certain visible areas of their bodies, such as the arms and legs. Commandant General James Conway says that "tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values," but some Marines wonder what body art has to do with job performance. We talk to a former Marine about the controversy and take calls from the military community.

Host Tom Fudge talks with the director of the School of Art, Design, and Art History at San Diego State University about a photography exhibit currently on view at the University Art Gallery. It's called "Field Work: Documenting California's Migrant Farm Labor Experience 1935 to 2003."

Way before the change in Congress, and way before public opinion changed about the war in Iraq, the Lakeside “war walker” began his journey to Washington D.C. to end the war. Fifty-seven-year-old Bill McDannel is a Vietnam era-veteran and former Methodist minister. He and his wife vowed to sell their worldly possessions, including their East County home, to fund the nearly 3,000 mile journey. KPBS Anchor Dwane Brown talks to McDannel about his progress.

A major San Diego freeway project opens this week at the infamous I-5 and I-805 merge, which will ease congestion and lower commute times. What other transportation infrastructure projects are underway around the county? We speak with executives for Caltrans and San Diego's transportation planning agency, SANDAG, to find out what you can expect to improve traffic flow.

An environmental mitigation project by Southern California Edison is expected to get the San Dieguito Lagoon back in working order. Years of development, erosion and silt deposits have shut down the natural processes that make lagoons important habitats for fish and fowl. We'll hear about the project, which will involve years of work, moving earth and re-establishing wetland vegetation.

The nuclear powered Aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, is scheduled to sail out of San Diego Bay at about 10 a.m. to join two other strike forces already in the Persian Gulf. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.