What's the name for that little dent in your upper lip? It's called a "philtrum." Martha reveals the erotic origins of this word, and proves once again that etymology is nothing if not sexy.

A lawyer for a defense contractor accused of bribing former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham has agreed to withdraw subpoenas sent last month to a dozen House members.

San Diego County Treasurer/Tax Collector Dan McAllister says property taxes will set a record this year in spite of a slow-down in the number of new homes added to the rolls. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

State lawmakers, professors and students are urging the governor to sign legislation that would reform higher education in California. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Clean water advocates are pushing the federal government to boost the amount of money available for projects that help keep local waters clean. Food and Water Watch issued a new report today that says federal funding for clean water projects is woefully inadequate.

United States drug czar John Walters was in San Diego today to announce what he says are the best results in the war on drugs in 20 years. Walter's comments come on the eve of the Bush administration seeking a massive aid package to help Mexico fight drugs. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

The Department of Energy designated most of Southern California and part of Arizona as a key transmission corridor today. The designation means a federal agency could trump state regulators when it comes to transmission projects. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The debate over the Iraq war is taking a backseat to domestic issues this week in Congress. We speak to Eric Niiler from Capitol News Connection about the issues that will be discussed in the next couple weeks in the Senate and House of Representatives. One of the first issues on the agenda is a $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which the president has threatened to veto. We'll also get an update on the cases that will be heard by the United States Supreme Court this term and the 2008 presidential election race.

A proposed toll road in north San Diego County faces criticism from environmentalists, politicians and the California Coastal Commission. Is the 16-mile toll road necessary to mitigate inevitable traffic increases in the coming years, or does it unnecessarily damage the environment and adversely affect sensitive habitats? Representatives from both sides of the issue argue their perspective.

U.S. pop culture is like a bad cold you just can't get rid of. No matter how open-minded you think you are, you're still stuck with those pervasive caricatures. Stereotypes are the shorthand of mass communication. They're handy, and we use them all the time. But they bear little more than a passing resemblance to the real thing. Pop culture, and what it's done to the Mexican, is the subject of a new book called "Tex(t) Mex," by San Diego State professor Bill Nericcio.

The political tussle between San Diego's city attorney and the mayor continues at City Hall. Mike Aguirre accused Jerry Sanders Monday of ignoring a mountain of pension debt and building a molehill of a case to discredit him. But the mayor's office fired back. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The new water year has started -- that's the time between now and the end of September snow and rain is measured. California scientists will let us know how much water farms and homes can expect next year. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

A crackdown on rats in Mission Bay Park appears to be working. San Diego County health officials began attacking an infestation over the summer. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.

It was shaping up to be a compelling