The California State Senate is heating up the already boiling debate over whether troops should be withdrawn from Iraq. The Democratic Senate leader Don Perata stoked the fires with his push for a statewide ballot measure to Vote Us Out of Iraq. It handily won approval in the Senate on a partisan 23 to 11 vote. Now it must go to the State Assembly, and if passed there, on to the governor for his approval.

The San Diego County Grand Jury investigates all levels of local government to be sure the public interest is being served. It also checks out written complaints from the public. We talk with outgoing grand jury foreman David Higgins about his year of shining a flashlight into our county's dark corners -- and what value grand jury reports provide.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is off to Pittsburgh Monday for the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. Sanders is meeting with event officials to prepare for next year's tournament at Torrey Pines.

The summer is heating up, and so are San Diegans' energy bills. But what if a few minor improvements or repairs around the house could save you precious pennies in the long run? Full Focus reporter Heather Hill has more information about a program designed to help refurbish your home -- for free.

Political season has begun. The next election in the city of San Diego is for mayor, city attorney and four council seats, and concerns abound regarding the influence of campaign contributions. Does more money from a single source translate into more influence? Do influence-seekers want to see limitations on political contributions? Would candidates benefit from caps on campaign donations? Would the voters benefit from contribution limits?

A Southern California retail analyst doesn't expect the labor talks between the region's largest grocery chains and workers to lead to a strike. Union workers are threatening to walk off the job if there's no new deal with Von's, Ralph's and Albertson's stores by the end of next week.

If you recently bought a new cell phone, you shouldn't be affected by a ruling handed down last week against Qualcomm. It said the chips the San Diego company uses to access high speed data networks in new cell phones violates a patent held by a rival company. KPBS Morning Anchor Dwane Brown spoke with CNET.com Editor-at-Large Brian Cooley about what this could mean in the future.

As lawmakers work out a budget deal some interest groups are putting in their two cents over the airwaves. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Democratic plans to reform California's troubled healthcare system appear to be going full speed ahead in the state legislature. Next stop, after legislative approval, would be negotiations with Governor Schwarzenegger. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Energy experts from California and Mexico will gather in Mexicali on Tuesday. They'll discuss the potential for renewable energy in the border region. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has more.

You may be eligible for some free home or apartment remodeling from a local utility. Yes, I said free. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

New laws to protect California's coast are moving through the state Legislature. But as KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us, it hasn't been smooth sailing for all of the bills.

These Days gardening experts join us to answer listeners' summer gardening questions.

Title IX states that "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." After 35 years of implementation, why is this law still controversial? We speak with the "These Days" legal analyst about why some people think it advances women's access to sports, and why others argue that it is a form of reverse discrimination.

What's the latest hold-up in the plans to line the All-American Canal? Will a sludge-to-waste plant be built in Niland? How do Imperial County residents feel about plans to build the nation's largest landfill near Glamis? Why is the Calexico School District verifying the citizenship of its students? We speak to Brad Jennings, editor of the Imperial Valley Press, about the hot topics in Imperial County.