The American Lung Association is out with its report card for the nation's air quality. As KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce tells us, San Diego and Imperial Counties are failing the sniff test.

The brand new Children's Museum in downtown San Diego makes its debut this weekend after running into some money problems several years ago. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis more.

Authoritesin Tijuana are investigating two state policemen in connection with Saturday's bloody shootout. Authorities say a municipal policeman is among the dead in the gun battle between rival drug gangs. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Home values in San Diego continue to plummet. But city officials are still projecting a jump in property tax revenue. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

The price of gasoline is in record territory again this week in San Diego. Prices are hovering just below four dollars a gallon. The steady price hikes around California are also convincing motorists to cut back how much gas they're using. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.

Ed McMahon was an entertainment icon, spending 30 years on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and delivering million-dollar checks for national sweepstakes. Tom Fudge interviewed him in 2007.

San Diego-based Ion Theatre Company's newest work is La Gaviota, based on and inspired by Anton Chekhov's “The Seagull.” Set in Mexico during the Revolution of 1910, the play explores love and loss in a time of catastrophe and change.

The US Supreme Court on Monday upheld Indiana's voter ID law, considered the strictest in the country. Proponents say voter ID laws prevent voter fraud while opponents say they disenfranchise the poor and elderly, who are more likely not to have the necessary ID. We take a look at the voter ID issue and what it means for the presidential election.

Do embryonic stem cells hold the key to regenerative medicine that will cure diseases? Are there other kinds of stem cells that can do the same but without the controversial use of embryos? Scientists say there are at least four alternative methods to obtaining cells similar to those of embryonic stem cells. Will people continue to grapple with ethical issues? We talk about the ethics of stem cell research.

Three million and counting… That's the number of Californians who have signed up on the state's organ donor registry. Governor Schwarzenegger praised that milestone Wednesday.

The San Diego City Council budget committee begins public hearings at City Hall today to consider the mayor's 2009 budget. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more on cost cutting measures that will erode city services next year.

Gay rights is an issue in several San Diego city council races this June. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Governor Schwarzenegger set off a fury in Sacramento Monday when he said the state's budget deficit could balloon to $20-billion next year. That's a lot bigger than the deficit projected back in January. A big scary deficit could strengthen the case the Governor's been making for budget reform. But KPCC's Julie Small reports Sacramento's professional number crunchers say it's a bit too early to say the Governor's math will come true.

Summer is two months away, but San Diego fire officials are worried. Four brush fires last weekend may be the start of a long fire season. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The Governor's latest deficit projection means the San Diego Unified School District may need to find $30 million to $40 million in additional savings for next school year. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Authorities say a woman who escaped from a Detroit prison 32 years ago has been arrested in San Diego, where she was a wife and mother living under a false name.

It seems no matter what the economy looks like, self-storage is big business. An estimated 2 billion square feet of space is for rent in the United States. Most of that is in California. With foreclosures displacing families, and deployments sending service members overseas, demand for storage space keeps rising. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps decided to revisit his own space.

The San Diego Public Library will present "Women of Islam: Veiling and Seclusion" as part of its ongoing One Book, One San Diego reading campaign for the book "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Last month the Library screened Majid Majidi's "Children of Heaven." For "Women of Islam," Ghada Osman, Ph.D. will facilitate a discussion after the screening, which begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 in the auditorium of the Central Library, located at 820 E Street in dowtown San Diego. This event is free to the public. "Women of Islam" was made by Farheen Umar and was screened on KPBS-TV back in 2004. At that time I had a chance to interview the San Diego filmmaker. Umar is currently working for CNBC Pakistan.

Summer is two months away, but fire officials in San Diego are worried. Four brush fires last weekend may be a sign of things to come. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

A new report shows home prices are continuing to plummet in San Diego, declining more than 19 percent in February from a year earlier That follows a drop of 16 percent just one month before. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

Sixteen Western Indian tribes are in San Diego today in an effort to preserve their native language. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Federal, state and local authorities gathered in Tijuana Tuesday to show a united front in the battle against drug traffickers in Baja California. This comes on the heels of a bloody shootout last weekend and a letter that named dozens of corrupt law enforcement officials. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Gardening experts Nan Sterman and Tom Piergrossi fill us in on spring plantings, garden tours, and how to say ‘goodbye’ to your pesky lawn.

Who is Steve Francis, and why does he want to be the next mayor of San Diego? Francis joins us in-studio to discuss his mayoral campaign. We speak to Francis about his campaign strategies, goals for San Diego, and his political background.

It was just over 25 years ago that the Vietnam War memorial opened on Washington D.C.'s capital mall. The run-up to creating the monument was rough, with politicians and conservative veterans calling the monument disrespectful. Today, we talk to the wall’s founder, Jan Scruggs, about his mission to create the tribute to Americans lost in the war.

Six students have been suspended amidst an investigation into an alleged cheating scandal at a high school in San Diego's affluent Rancho Bernardo neighborhood where officials say grades appear to have been changed by computer hackers.

Residents of neighborhoods around Lindbergh Field will rally Tuesday to protest plans for a new multi-story parking garage for airport passengers. They worry the Airport Authority's Master Plan will lead to gridlock on Harbor Drive. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A shark expert says an autopsy has confirmed it was a great white that killed a 66-year-old swimmer in the waters off San Diego County last week.

Baja California law enforcement officials have tied guns used in Saturday’s bloody shootout to some of the most spectacular crimes committed in the region during the last few years. Saturday’s shootout in Tijuana killed 13 people and injured nine. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says insurance companies cannot force owners who lost their homes to rebuild on the same site. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Some students at San Diego's Mission Bay High School say they're getting placed into Junior ROTC classes against their will. They're urging school district officials to do something about it. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

California should have enough power to keep the lights on and air conditioners humming this summer. The operators of the state's power grid say some voluntary conservation measures may be needed in Southern California to reduce strain on the system. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Most people agree the Internet is the future of the news media. On one level, it's simply a new platform for journalistic stories. But the platform is opening up the profession to a multitude of new players who don't enter the profession in the conventional way. We talk about the age of the blog and ask whether it represents a new approach to a journalism that has a very different set of values.

Are you financially prepared for your retirement years? How much money do you need to save to live comfortably? Is the baby boomer generation ready for what's ahead? We talk with a financial planner who's landmark research on what people will need when they retire is nationally recognized as wise retirement planning.

President Felipe Calderon wants to reform Mexico's oil industry. Jeremy Martin from the Institute of the Americas at UCSD explains how this might impact gas prices here in the U.S.

U.S. authorities say a boat carrying 17 people suspected of crossing illegally from Mexico has been found about 10 miles off the coast of San Diego.

A bloody gun fight in Tijuana early Saturday morning was one of the deadliest incidents in years along the U.S.-Mexico border. Fifteen people were killed and nine injured. It's the latest battle in a long-running drug war raging in Mexico. KPBS Border Reporter Amy Isackson covered the story from Tijuana over the weekend.

The sagging real estate market has prompted thousands of San Diegans to ask for a cut in their property tax bills. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has details.

The high price of gasoline in Southern California is hitting retailers on two fronts. Stores are paying more to bring in their merchandise and their customers have less money to spend. All that pressure is adding up to tough times for the retail industry. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

Overcoming an overnight flare-up, fire officials made headway Monday against a stubborn wildfire east of Los Angeles.

The victim of a fatal shark attack is remembered as a man who loved the water. 66-year-old Dave Martin was killed by what might have been a Great White Shark off the coast of Solana Beach.

A gun battle between rival drug gangs left 15 people dead and nine injured in Tijuana early Saturday morning. Mexican law enforcement say this is just one battle in the drug war raging across Mexico's northern border.

A number of Southbay community leaders say Blackwater’s presence near the border in Otay Mesa will complicate U.S.-Mexico relations and pose a danger to the border region. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Three San Diego County beaches are shut down today after a great white shark attacked and killed a man in Solana Beach this morning. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders’ plans to fix potholes and leaky roofs using a private $100 million loan could be stymied if city attorney Mike Aguirre refuses to sign off on the deal. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

San Diego County prosecutors are defending the use of key evidence in the murder trial against Cynthia Sommer — even though experts had reservations from the beginning. Sommer was released from jail after that evidence was found to be contaminated. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps explains.

A shark attacked and killed a swimmer training in the ocean off San Diego County with a group of local triathletes early Friday, authorities said. The shark was believed to be a great white.

What will the Democrats do now? Hillary Clinton claims victory in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary. Barack Obama and Clinton now turn their sights to Indiana and North Carolina, where primaries will be held on May 6. Also, the proposal to build a $115 million stem cell research center near the Torrey Pines Gliderport has glider pilots concerned about the future of the airstrip. And, Jerry Sanders admits to cursing at his main challenger in the mayor's race.

Republican state lawmakers have put out a new budget plan that they say will mean more money for schools. Governor Schwarzenegger had proposed over four billion dollars in cuts to schools next year to help balance the state budget.

California health plans are still waiting to find out which policies they have to reinstate. Last week, the Department of Managed Health Care says 26 policies were cancelled illegally. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

Governor Schwarzenegger says the state's budget deficit is climbing. He said the state's revenues keep falling short and current budget formulas require spending increases.

San Diego Unified’s JROTC air-rifle training program will continue to take place at local high schools despite mounting community pressure to end the practice. A community-based group called The Education Not Arms Coalition asked the San Diego school board earlier this week to adopt a resolution which would have suspended such training from taking place.

Tijuana will host the Diving World Series starting Friday. The two day event is a prelude to this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has more.

The race between San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and his leading opponent, businessman Steve Francis, is heating up. Sanders is defending himself for using a profanity, as he and Francis were leaving a mayoral forum last weekend. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A new state report finds more San Diego County students who are learning English as a second language are performing better on an English language test this year compared to last year. However the majority of these students are still woefully behind. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Who is Leon Redbone, really? The man in the mask is one of the musical acts coming to San Diego this weekend. He's one of the musicians and other artists we talk about during today's Weekend Preview.

What's the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emission? The president of the Environmental Defense Fund thinks the marketplace holds the key. Fred Krupp has written a book called “Earth the Sequel: the Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming.” We talk with him about how businesses can capitalize upon the push for cleaner energy and reduce global warming at the same time.

City Attorney Mike Aguirre joins us in studio to talk about his re-election campaign. We speak to Aguirre about the highlights and lowlights of his first term as city attorney. We also talk to Aguirre about his goals for the future, and how he thinks San Diego City government can be improved.

Blackwater Worldwide, more commonly known as Blackwater USA, plans to build a military training center in Otay Mesa. The contractor's plans to build a training facility in the rural East County city of Potrero recently fell apart. KPBS investigative reporter Amita Sharma explains why the company wants a presence in San Diego County.

San Diego's district attorney will conduct an internal review of the Cynthia Sommer case. Sommer went from convicted murderer to free woman last week after prosecutors dropped charges against her. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.

A new federal report says neither a government plan nor a competing private venture can meet a Sept. 30 deadline to treat sewage from Tijuana, Mexico, that flows into the United States.

San Diego Unified school officials will launch a study to determine if there's enough public support to place a school parcel tax on the November ballot. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

An independent investigation determined there was no favoritism when two La Mesa police officers drove drunken Mayor Art Madrid and a city employee to the mayor's home.

California may end up taking the federal government to court once again. The Schwarzenegger Administration is pledging to fight a federal proposal that would prevent the state from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

Advocates for injured workers are pushing a measure that would increase benefits to Californians who suffer permanently disabling injuries on the job. Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed similar bills the last two years in a row. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

There's a survey out today that shows California's legal system is among the worst in the nation for businesses. From Sacramento Steve Shadley reports that the study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks each state based on attorney interviews and the outcome of class action lawsuits.

San Diego County Supervisors today passed a Boutique Winery Ordinance. It allows small vineyards in San Diego's backcountry to open wine tasking rooms without expensive permits. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Four multimillion dollar homes in San Diego's upscale La Jolla area have been evacuated as a precaution after a landslide cut a 30-foot-deep crevice in a nearby canyon.

We talk about Wong Kar-Wai's first English language film “My Blueberry Nights” and Phil Donahue joins Beth Accomando and Scott Marks to talk about his new documentary “Body of War.”

We talk about Wong Kar-Wai's first English language film “My Blueberry Nights” and Phil Donahue joins Beth Accomando and Scott Marks to talk about his new documentary “Body of War.”

Which Democratic candidate won the presidential primary in Pennsylvania on Tuesday? We have post-election analysis with Gloria Penner on the results of the election and what it means for Democrats to win the general election in November. Also, we get an overview of the San Diego City Council District 1 race.

Local home foreclosures slowed last month, but the rate of mortgage failures is still much higher than last year. Is this a sign of improvement in the housing market, or an indication that the worst is yet to come? We speak to Andrew LePage with DataQuick Information Systems, and Union-Tribune reporter Dean Calbreath about the latest news on local real estate.

Six months after the fire, displaced survivors are still struggling to put their lives together. KPBS Reporter Nicole Lozare spent some time with two families in Ramona -- one of the most hard hit places during the 2007 wildfires. Both families owned their own homes before the fires, but now it's doubtful they will ever be able to own again.

Last October's wildfires ravaged much of San Diego County's native plants and animals. The fires burned nearly 600 undeveloped acres that are part of the Wild Animal Park near Escondido. This week a team of ecologists are taking stock of how the burned area is recovering. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

The future of Lindbergh Field moves into another phase this morning with the first in a series of joint meetings to work on a long-term vision of expansion. But there are still serious questions swirling around the Airport Authority's short term Master Plan. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Even though it's been six months since wildfires ravaged more than 1,600 homes in the San Diego area, only a handful have begun to rebuild. That's because for many wildfire survivors, dealing with their insurance companies was like a second disaster. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

The San Diego Unified school board voted yesterday to eliminate 1,200 school employees jobs. That means teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians and other school workers will be out of a job by the end of this school year. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Blackwater USA has resurrected plans to open a military training center in San Diego County. The private security contractor abandoned a bid last month to build a facility in the small town of Potrero in East County amid protests from local residents. KPBS reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Lawmakers and other state officials could be looking at a pay cut. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ explains.

Custodians, teaching assistants and other school employees are at the San Diego Unified school board meeting right now to protest another round of possible layoff notices. The school board is expected to vote on whether to issue roughly 1,100 notices. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis is at district headquarters.

Junk mail sent to San Diego city residents each year would cover the entire football field at Qualcomm Stadium - 45 feet deep. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Wildfire season typically begins around the middle of May in California, but there already have been a few flare-ups in the Central Valley. That means the season could be starting early this year. From Sacramento, Steve Shadley reports.

The U.S. Supreme Court rules on the legality of lethal injection and whether prior DUI convictions can add time to a convicted felon's sentence. Meanwhile, the Ninth District Court of Appeals decides to take a second look at a case in which a Mexican national could be deported for aggravated DUI. These Days legal analyst Dan Eaton fills us in on four different legal cases.

Today is Earth Day, but chances are, if you're like most Americans who do not drive eco-friendly cars, you weren't helping the environment today. But as gas prices continue to soar higher and higher, Americans are starting to think about alternative fuel cars. But even if most Americans decided to do the right thing for the earth and switch to low or zero-emission cars, are there enough out there to satisfy demand?

How important is Pennsylvania to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's hopes of winning the Democratic nomination for president? What kind of impact will the protracted Democratic contest have on that party's chances of winning the general election? We speak to Democratic political activist Ira Lechner, and the Union-Tribune's Michael Smolens about the latest news on the presidential race.

The San Diego City Council decided to not seek a pay raise. But more than 3,000 city employees do make more than the city council, whose salary is $75,000 per year.

Should wildfires be allowed to burn out, or should they be suppressed to prevent further damage? Why do wildfires happen, and what affects do they have on our ecosystem? We speak to a couple fire ecologists about the environmental impact of wildfires.

The San Diego City Council will not get a pay raise. They let the mayor's veto of their vote for a raise stand. However, they voted to keep their car allowance. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The FBI reports mortgage fraud cases are skyrocketing nationally. Yesterday, a key figure in a San Diego scheme admitted to forging documents to secure loans for mostly Latino borrowers who couldn't afford them. A judge then sentenced Alejandro Lopez to three months in prison and four months in a residential re-entry center.

Firefighters get a 5 percent pay hike under a one-year contract given preliminary approval by the San Diego City Council.

For one victim of last October's wildfires in San Diego County, losing her home has been a blessing of sorts. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce first introduced us to Linda Laird at her sifting party last year. Six months later, here's an update on her recovery.

San Diego County's district attorney says three police officers should not face criminal charges in the death of a man who resisted arrest. Darryl Johnson struggled with police after he was stopped on his bicycle in 2006. Here's KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps with the DA's side of the story.

A measure that would decriminalize marijuana in California faces a deadline later this week. Supporters need to turn in more than 433,000 signatures to qualify the initiative for the November ballot. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The ACLU and Mexico’s Commission on Human Rights have pledged to work together to protect migrants' human rights along the U.S.-Mexico border. The groups say they'll challenge Operation Gatekeeper and other federal programs that put migrants' lives in danger. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

San Diego County college students say proposed budget cuts to California's higher education will force public universities to act more like private institutions. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

A former real estate agent who helped broker home loans to 200 people who could not afford them is headed to prison. The man and his brother ran a Century 21 real estate office in San Marcos. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Have you noticed your food bills creeping up? You're not the only one. Food costs have risen globally and it's impacting the wallets of shoppers in San Diego. Marney Cox from SANDAG and Janet Little from Henry's Farmers Market join us to help explain why food is so expensive right now and what consumers can do about it.

What is life like aboard an aircraft carrier? In the new PBS series “Carrier,” a film crew traveled for six months on the San Diego-based USS Nimitz nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to find out. We go behind the scenes with the director and producer of series for a glimpse of life on an aircraft carrier.

On the six month anniversary of the 2007 wildfires, San Diego County homeowners are in the process of rebuilding their homes and their lives. We talk about the rebuilding efforts and find out what resources are available to help homeowners wade through the difficult process.

KPBS education reporter Ana Tintocalis attends education rallies around San Diego County. She tells us why teachers are frustrated, what is being done, and what cuts are expected.

A new nonprofit institution plans to build a $115 million stem cell research facility in San Diego that would open by 2010.

The city has committed to leasing a new helicopter, and this week two County Supervisors suggested leasing air tankers during the peak fire season. But last year valuable time was lost when bureaucratic hurdles prevented military aircraft from mobilizing to battle the flames. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more on what’s changed and what hasn’t, in the effort to use airpower more effectively next time.

Later today, the San Diego City Council will consider the mayor's proposal to give firefighters a 5 percent raise next year. Other city workers are still in labor negotiations, and one of the key sticking points is a new kind of pension plan. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more on changing city salaries and benefits.

California's Insurance Commissioner says it's time for more options for earthquake insurance. The call comes on the heels of a study that found the next "big one" is pretty much guaranteed within 30 years. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

Health insurance companies are crying foul over a number of bills moving through the California Legislature. The measures would require insurers to add coverage for a variety of medical services. Health plans warn the mandates would drive up costs. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Three firefighting aircraft will cost $3 million during the fast-approaching San Diego County wildfire season.

Teenagers at two of San Diego’s biggest high schools are taking part in student-led protests today. They’re rallying against teacher layoff notices and statewide cuts to education funding. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Hundreds of doctors in Tijuana stopped work and attended only to emergencies today to protest kidnappings and crime in the city. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

San Diego's average gasoline price reached another record today. The Utility Consumer's Action Network says it costs three dollars 86 cents for a gallon of regular. That's ten cents more than a week ago and 22 cents a gallon higher than the price just two weeks ago.

A newly freed Cynthia Sommer has sharp words for San Diego County's district attorney. Sommer was released from jail last night after Bonnie Dumanis dropped the murder case against her. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.

The Democratic candidates are preparing for next week's presidential primary in Pennsylvania. Also, the City Council votes to give itself a raise, and quickly changes its mind after an influx of criticism from concerned voters. And, the local housing market continues to slide as the median home price dipped below $400,000 for the first time in five years.

That's the sound of students from three San Diego schools who took to the streets Thursday to protest teacher layoff notices at their campuses. One of the hardest hit campuses is Jackson Elementary near City Heights. Twenty-four out of 26 Jackson teachers recently got notices. It's the only school in the San Diego Unified School District where 90-percent of the teaching staff could lose its job.

Two California lawmakers are calling for better supervision of sex offenders. Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Republican Assemblyman Anthony Adams are responding to a state audit that found sex offenders living in homes used for foster care and children's day care.

The California Department of Managed Health Care says it will reinstate the insurance policies of 28 people whose coverage was wrongly terminated. Regulators say they're continuing to investigate insurance company practices. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

A new report issued by the American Lung Association of California shows tobacco companies have spent $2 million to lobby state lawmakers during the past year. Association spokesman Paul Knepprath says 37 Assembly-members and 16 Senators received contributions from tobacco companies.

California teacher's union leaders rolled in San Diego today on a school bus to speak out against cuts to state education funding. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

UCSD and Tijuana's College of the Northern Border formalized their collaboration Thursday. The universities will continue to work together on a wide range of academic and research projects. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

A downtown workshop later today will tackle the problem of parking -- or the lack of it -- in San Diego's urban core. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A research firm reports a glut of foreclosed homes led to a sharp drop in California home prices in March. bought near the height of the boom.

As the presidential race roars on, the candidates face a number of issues: slowing economy, rapid climate change, and a push to finish a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep illegal immigrants and terrorists out. We turn to our KPBS Citizen Voices bloggers for their opinions on these issues.

Bahrain is a small country between Middle Eastern countries like Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The ambassador of Bahrain to the U.S. explains our relationship to Bahrain, how oil supports its economy, and why the country officially supports the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Have you noticed an increase in flying bugs around your neighborhood over the last couple weeks? What's causing this influx of insects in the San Diego region? We speak to Michael Wall with the Natural History Museum about what's causing the recent increase in local bug species.

Why do SDG&E and the Imperial Irrigation District disagree about the proposed route for the Sunrise Powerlink? Why is state Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia pushing to give the Coachella Valley more say on the IID? We speak to Brad Jennings from the Imperial Valley Press about the hot stories in the Imperial County.

State lawmakers on Thursday said California needs better long-term supervision of sex offenders after an audit raised concerns that some may be living in homes used for child daycare and foster care.

The San Diego Unified School Board is set to authorize another hefty round of layoff notices. This time the notices will be issued to school employees like campus security guards, teaching assistants and custodians. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

From the buildings we work in, to the homes we live in, energy usage is one of the largest impacts in our carbon footprint. Living in southern California, we are lucky to have plenty of sunshine, and reporter Ed Joyce, shows us how the sun can lesson our impact, and save us money.

Border beaches closed since November because of sewage contamination have been reopened after San Diego County health officials determined they are safe.

Two San Diego city council members who voted for council pay raises have changed their position. They now say would oppose an increase. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.

U.S. and Mexican officials in Tijuana say a recent travel alert for Mexico should not keep tourists from visiting the city. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on lethal injection could open the door for California to resume executions. That’s because California uses the same three-drug cocktail the high court upheld in the Kentucky case. The ruling allows a separate death penalty case in California to now move forward.

San Diego County has received a $2 million federal grant to continue providing mental health services to survivors of the October wildfires. The County has been offering special help ever since the disaster. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

U.S. and Mexican officials at the border in Tijuana say a recent travel alert for Mexico should not deter tourists from visiting Tijuana. About 12 million Americans visit Mexico annually. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

School kids at Torrey Pines Elementary in La Jolla huddled around a classroom table today to watch a doctor dissect a cow's eyeball. It was just one of many experiments that took place in honor of Science Discovery Day. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

New research from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography shows fishing regulations intended to help fish are actually contributing to declining and unstable fish populations. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

FM 94.9's Michael Halloran talks about R.E.M., The Raconteurs, Gnarls Barkley, Why?, and San Diego's own P.O.D.

California's June primary will have two propositions on the ballot: Prop 98 and Prop 99. Both deal with the issue of property rights and eminent domain, though they differ in their approach and scope. We discuss these propositions with KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner.

A year ago, Tom Fudge was hit by a car while riding his bike to work. What followed was a story of hospitalization and medical recovery that continues to this day. We mark the anniversary of his accident by talking about the love of cycling that many people have, and the difficult and sometimes dangerous relationship that bikers have with the roads of our city that are clearly built for cars.

Most Californians probably filed their taxes by last night's deadline, or at least applied for an extension. Many think Californians are taxed more than people in other states, but John Myers, the Sacramento bureau chief for KQED public radio and "The California Report,” begs to differ.

In response to growing greenhouse gas emissions, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law in 2006, the Global Warming Solutions Act. This law requires California's greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. It's the first enforceable state-wide program in the United States. It's bound to affect many industries, including businesses small and large. Tami Rogers and Joanne Faryon have the story.

A utility watchdog group says California regulators are unfairly tacking on new fees to utility bills. The latest fee will pay for a $600-million think tank on climate change. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

It seems solar energy takes more green. The San Diego Unified School District has suspended its solar energy efforts because power bills soared after the green initiative.

San Diego's District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has done an about-face, and agreed to prosecute a former San Diego city employee who became a Sunroad executive. The city council refused the mayor's request to hire a special prosecutor. KPBS reporter Alison St John explains.

San Diego County has ended $227,000 in contracts with Escondido's nonprofit St. Clare's Home, which cares for homeless and abuse women with children.

San Diego is usually praised for being cutting edge with new policies or programs. But the Securities and Exchange Commission may be using the city as an example to other local governments. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

A judge heard closing arguments today in a case that pits the San Diego teachers union against the San Diego Unified School District. They're fighting over layoff notices that were sent to hundreds of teachers last month. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Law enforcement officials in San Diego say street gangs here continue to have strong ties to organized crime groups in Tijuana. A gunman killed recently in an attack in Tijuana is believed to belong to both a gang in Barrio Logan and the Arellano Felix Drug Cartel. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has more.

San Diego County's winter rains are getting the blame for a massive swarm of insects. Thousands of moths, butterflies and long-legged crane flies have been spreading across the county this past week.

California regulators voted to make state ratepayers foot the $600 million-dollar cost for a new institute on climate change. Which means San Diego Gas and Electric bills will be going up. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

San Diego County's median home price has dropped nearly $100,000 in one year. A new report from DataQuick Information Systems says home sales have also dropped sharply. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.

What's in a name? For Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the names given to new species involve a lot of research...and money. Scripps is offering the public the naming rights to new ocean species for a donation of cash. We find out why Scripps is using this novel approach to fundraising and how it will help science.

The Crooked Road winds through the mountains, ridges and valleys of southern Virginia. The communities along this road have produced talented musicians performing bluegrass and mountain-style music. We'll talk to some of those musicians and listen to their in-studio performance.

Who is Jan Goldsmith, and why does he appear to be the Republican front-runner for San Diego city attorney? Judge Goldsmith joins us in-studio to talk about his legal career, his political background, and what he would like to bring to San Diego’s government.

What's this hand basket we're in and where is it going? That's the question a lot of people are asking in America today, as the war in Iraq wears on and the economy goes down the tubes. But where's all that audacious hope? Joe Mathews, the long-time politics writer, tries to answer that question. He talks about the latest on the presidential election and the horrors of the California budget dilemma.

The number of foreclosed homes in California went up more than 20-percent in March. It was the second highest month nationally since the firm RealtyTrac began keeping track at the start of 2005. From Sacramento, Ben Adler reports.

The San Diego City Council has voted itself a 24 percent pay raise as well as a 29 percent hike for the mayor.

Four of the eight San Diego city council seats are up for election this year. In District One, three candidates are vying to take over from Council President Scott Peters, who will be termed out. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more on where the candidates stand on the question of privatizing city jobs.

An El Cajon father cleaning his swimming pool was killed by a big rig that crashed through a fence and into his backyard.

Two gunmen died and eight people were injured when gunmen tried to kill a high ranking police official in Tijuana over the weekend. Baja California's Attorney General says the attack is revenge for cracking down on organized crime. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

It's almost 100-percent certain that a quake like the one that rocked Northridge in 1994 will hit again within the next thirty years. That's the finding of a report by the U.S. Geological Survey, the California Geological Survey and others.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders wants to hire a special prosecutor to decide whether the city should resurrect a case against a Sunroad executive. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable neurological disease that affects 400,000 Americans. But MS is not considered a fatal disease. In fact, many people with MS live long, productive lives. We talk about what its like to live with MS, and what research is being done to find a cure.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders has begun unveiling his $1.2 billion budget for the new fiscal year. Some city services like pools, parks, and libraries would be negatively impacted by the proposed budget. Despite a diminishment in services, the overall budget will grow by 7.4 percent. We get some analysis of the budget and the hurdles ahead to pass it.

Lawmakers are expected to vote today on a bill to ban certain toxic chemicals from baby products like toys and shampoos. But the bill is getting a lot of push-back from manufacturers, who say the science isn't there. From Sacramento Marianne Russ reports.

The San Diego Police department is handing out 15 citations each week to people drinking alcohol on public beaches and in public parks. The ban was enacted by the city council after a Labor Day riot on Pacific Beach made headlines around the world.

San Diego public school teachers who got pink slips last month are taking the school district to court this week. They're hoping to force the district to rescind layoff notices. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Breast cancer research in the state will be getting a major boost. The publicly-funded California Breast Cancer Research Program is launching a $23 million initiative. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

State inmate camps in San Diego County spend barely a third as much time clearing brush in wildfire prevention as the now disbanded county camps did in the 1980s.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in California in response to the closure of salmon fishing season along the West Coast. The decision was made Thursday by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Recruiters from top-notch universities around the country are in San Diego today hoping to attract gay and lesbian students to their campuses. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

A new law in Mexico makes it easier for non-profits there to receive charitable donations from outside the country. The law also streamlines process for people who want to give something to groups south of the border. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he would fight a ballot measure that bans same-sex marriage in that state. David Nogueras has that story.

Two recently-married marines reported missing from Camp Pendleton 12 days ago have been spotted in Missouri. The Naval Criminal Investigation Service has called off its search for the pair. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A new poll shows no clear-cut leader in the race for San Diego City Attorney. Incumbent Mike Aguirre and ex-judge Jan Goldsmith are the likeliest candidates for a November runoff election. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.

With the reality of how much cars are polluting the air, and the ever increasing gas prices, reporter Pat Finn takes a look at some of the options in choosing an environmentally friendly car.

President Bush says he will not authorize a troop withdrawal from Iraq during his presidency. Also, the dispute over a proposed toll road through San Onofre State Beach has resurfaced. And, five former City of San Diego officials are charged with fraud by the SEC.

Log Cabin Republicans meet in San Diego for their annual convention this weekend. Among the speakers: Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sexual preference transcends political party. And gay Republicans are out to prove they're no oxymoron. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story.

This fall, California voters will weigh in on the issue of how some farm animals are caged. The Secretary of State says an initiative that's sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States has qualified for the November ballot.

Two measures aimed at changing the way health insurers cancel policies have cleared their first hurdle in the California Assembly. Supporters say the bills would reign in a practice that's gotten out of hand. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

San Diego and it's Police Officers Union have reached an agreement on two controversial pension programs. Both have agreed to move the question off the negotiating table and into the courtroom. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

A group of Republican lawmakers and the California District Attorneys Association are pushing reforms aimed at speeding up the death penalty process. And they're prepared to take the measure to the ballot if they aren't successful in the legislature. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

American Airlines cancelled flights in and out of San Diego for a third day today. Officials are inspecting the wiring on MD-80 jets after federal inspectors raised safety concerns. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps met some stranded travelers at Lindbergh Field.

A new study shows the Pacific Ocean off California is severely over-fished. The federal government is now drafting new rules that will govern how much fishing is allowed off the coast in the future. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

There's a new sushi restaurant in North Park and the Farm House opens in University Heights. We talk about new restaurants on this week’s Weekend Preview.

There may be nothing new under the sun, but San Diego County has many plant species yet to be discovered. The San Diego Natural History Museum wants to find and catalogue the county's diverse flora under the San Diego County Plant Atlas Project. We talk about how plants are discovered and the importance of the project.

What does the average American consume, and discard, over a lifetime? It adds up to about 43,371 cans of soda, 5,067 bananas, and 64 tons of waste. National Geographic chronicles the impact of humans in the new documentary “Human Footprint.” We talk with an ecologist who helped create the Human Footprint map.

Have you completed your State and Federal income taxes yet? If not, then it's time to start on your tax return because the deadline is only five days away. We speak to representatives from the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board about what you need to know if you are last minute tax filer.

The city of El Cajon has a new police chief. Pat Sprecco has worked for the city for over three decades. He explains what he plans to do with the department.

American children are fatter than ever. The Centers for Disease Control says between 1980 and 2000, the percentage of children who were overweight doubled in the U.S. The agency says today, more than nine million American kids are obese. A clinical trial is underway to see whether a particular type of surgery is a safe way for severely obese children to lose weight. KPBS Health Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

Some 100,000 cubic yards of dirt dumped on the edge of Loma Alta Creek to elevate Sprinter light rail tracks could be costly for nearby residents and business owners.

A Texas school district is trying to recruit San Diego public school teachers who got layoff notices last month. Local union leaders are worried many talented educators will leave for greener pastures. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

California Senator Barbara Boxer is pushing for a bill that she says will restore federal protection for waterways and wetlands such as San Diego County's Vernal Pools. From Washington Eric Niiler has the story.

The leader of a San Diego homeless veterans' treatment facility came to Capitol Hill Wednesday. He told congress members the need is going up with returning veterans from the Middle East. From Washington Jodi Breisler has more.

All American Airlines flights in and out of Lindbergh Field are canceled today. Airport officials are warning travelers of long lines. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has details.

EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. Produced by more than 400 volunteers, San Diego’s Earth Day observance is celebrating its 19th anniversary on Sunday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 60,000 visitors attend EarthFair each year to celebrate our home planet and learn ways to sustain it for generations to come.

A California state senator wants to ban those shiny mylar party balloons. He says they’re increasingly causing power shortages. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

What is the nature of obsession? We explore Beethoven's obsession with a mediocre waltz as it's dramatized in the La Jolla Playhouse's new production of writer and director Moises Kaufman's “33 Variations.”

Gov. Schwarzenegger proposes to cut $4.8 billion in education funding in the new fiscal year. This at a time when many high-tech and biotech companies feel that American students are not prepared to enter the workforce, forcing them to hire foreign workers or send jobs oversees.

Why does City Councilman Brian Maienschein want to be the next city attorney of San Diego? How does the low-key councilman plan to distinguish himself from the other candidates in the race? We speak to Maienschein about his legal background and the motivating factors behind his candidacy.

In December, the San Diego City Council raised the fee guests pay while staying in hotels by 2 percent. The extra $29 million the city is expected to raise will go back to the hotels for marketing purposes. Opponents say some of that money should go back to help the city's ailing public safety sector.

A new study from SANDAG analyzes crime statistics in San Diego County over the past 25 years. We ask the study's author how crime trends changed, what the statistics mean, and how the city of San Diego compares to other big U.S. cities.

Composer Marvin Hamlisch is responsible for some of the most recognizable music in recent American memory. He composed the music for A Chorus Line, The Sting, and for Barbara Streisand's famous ballad The Way We Were. Hamlisch joins us to talk about composing music for the stage and screen.

Four candidates for San Diego City Attorney agree on one thing: They want Mike Aguirre voted out of office in June. The challengers made their cases at a candidates forum yesterday. One notable no-show was Aguirre himself. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has this debrief.

The San Diego Unified school board approved a plan yesterday that will give Barrio Logan its first and only high school. The board also heard plans for two more charter schools in other parts of the district. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Most middle school busing is being eliminated by the budget-strapped Oceanside Unified School District.

A proposed initiative requiring more of California's electricity to come from renewable sources is drawing criticism from some environmental groups. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

San Diego voters have twice rejected increasing the hotel room tax, even though some of the money would have paid for badly needed firefighters and equipment. But in December, just five weeks after wildfires burned down 365 homes in San Diego the city council raised the hotel tax on its own and handed over the extra tax dollars to a group of hoteliers to promote tourism. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Four people vying to replace San Diego city attorney Mike Aguirre debated today about how they'd run the office differently. Aguirre was a no-show. The five are competing in a primary election in June. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil suit against five former San Diego city employees is not the only case pending that involves alleged city pension fund wrongdoing. Two criminal suits at the state and federal level are still in the works. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A California Congressman says the Bush administration is taking unconstitutional steps to build the border fence. Congressman Bob Filner says the administration has no right to waive laws along the border to speed construction. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A new report says nursing home care in California hasn't improved in recent years, despite an influx of money from the state. The UC San Francisco study says nursing homes have largely used the new funding to pad their bottom lines. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders has revealed the first details of his proposed city budget for next year. It includes more money for firefighters and less for libraries and parks. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Lawyers for a Marine captain deployed in Iraq say a San Diego jury has awarded their client $3.5 million in punitive damages from a servicemembers' insurance company.

Kate Mosse's novel “Labyrinth” was a hit in both the UK and the United States. In fact, it was the biggest selling title in the UK for 2006. Mosse's second novel is called “Sepulchre” and is also a time-traveling thriller set in southwest France. We talk with Mosse about “Sepulchre,” the Orange Prize for Fiction, which she helped found, and the current literary landscape.

Retirement doesn't necessarily mean kicking back in a rocking chair any more. The baby boom generation is the fastest-growing group of travel consumers. Many of these mature travelers want adventure. We talk about traveling the globe and tips for seniors to get the most out of their vacations.

Diesel fuel has reached an all-time high, with prices in some regions of the country hovering over $4 a gallon. Why are diesel prices so high right now? And, how are the high fuel prices impacting workers who drive a lot for their jobs? We speak to a representative from UCAN, and the president of America's Independent Truckers' Association about the impact of high diesel prices.

The Securities and Exchange Commission files civil fraud charges against five former San Diego city employees. KPBS reporter Alison St John explains the charges, how city officials are responding to the big news, and whether we can expect more charges from the SEC.

More than half-a-dozen bills aimed at improving the state's response to oil spills cleared a key legislative committee Monday. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

California high school officials are taking part in a statewide summit today about school shootings. The summit comes at a time when there's mounting pressure in the San Diego Unified School District to end a Junior ROTC air-rifle training program. Community activists say having guns on campus sends the wrong message to students. But district officials say the training instills confidence and discipline. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has this report.

San Diegans don’t like taxes. Even taxes they can dump on out-of-town guests. Twice in the last four years, San Diegans have rejected proposals to increase the hotel tax in order to pay for much needed firefighting tools. Last December, just weeks after wildfires had destroyed hundreds of homes in the city, the hotel tax WAS increased but not for firefighting. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has the details.

A former San Diego councilman currently running for a seat in this year's City Council election pleaded no contest Monday to a misdemeanor charge of committing a lewd act in public.

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint Monday against five former San Diego city officials, alleging they committed fraud by concealing a ballooning shortfall in the city pension fund.

San Diego Police have changed how they handle stolen car reports because they suspect fraudulent reports in the border region are on the rise. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A bill in the California Assembly would require companies that sell long-term care insurance to justify policy cancellations. Currently, insurers simply have to tell state regulators about their decisions. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

A state senate bill seeks to limit the power of the California Coastal Commission. San Diego State Senator Denise Ducheny's bill would remove the right of coastal commissioners to appeal local land use decisions. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce explains.

Violent crime continues to decline in San Diego County. However the latest regional crime statistics shows a troubling trend in robberies. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Swedish construction firm Skanska AB said Monday it has received a $68 million order from California's state department of transportation to build a new highway in the Imperial Valley.

More than 1,400 property owners in San Diego County are getting a tax break.

Did you know that you actually can't be woken up by the smell of coffee? This is because you cannot smell when you are asleep. You can learn lots of interesting facts about smell from Rachel Herz, author of the book “The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell.”

Carl Sandburg once called folk musician and activist Pete Seeger "America's Tuning Fork." We talk about the life, music, and activism of the legendary Pete Seeger with his biographer, David Dunaway.

Homelessness is an enduring problem in San Diego, and there are people who spend their lives trying to help the homeless. But they don't always receive the thanks of their neighbors. They are often accused of enabling homelessness or attracting the homeless to certain parts of town with their services. Herb Johnson is the president of San Diego Rescue Mission and he joins us in studio to talk about the difficult and controversial business of helping people who live on the street.

The USNS Amelia Earhart plunged into the San Diego Bay for the first time last night. The ship is nearly 700ft. long and weighs in at 25,000 tons, and will deliver supplies to U.S. and allied warships at sea. We learn how the San Diego General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard, the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast, builds both military and commercial ships.

A measure introduced in the California legislature would increase the energy efficiency of all new residential construction. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce tells us future buildings would provide their own energy.

Workers will cut down a giant sugar gum tree today in Balboa park. The tree is over 100 feet high and stands in front of the Old Globe Theater. It was planted during the great depression. Reporter David Nogueras has more.

For the first time, firefighters from different unions around San Diego County are joining forces. The "County Council of Firefighters" wants the priorities of crews on the ground considered, when public officials debate ways to strengthen fire protection around San Diego. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A judge in San Diego has ruled a defense contractor can be freed while he appeals his conviction for bribing former Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham - but only if puts forward $1.4 million in collateral for a bond.

The Border Patrol reports a big drop in drug seizures in the Imperial Sand Dunes and other parts of southeastern California.

Listen to the best musical interludes heard throughout the week on These Days. This week's picks include tracks from Eric Clapton, the Beatles, Limp, Pigeon John, Bn Loco, Beastie Boys, Booker T. and the MG's, Mad Professor, and Fugazi.

California’s largest health insurer says it will no longer reimburse hospitals for additional care that stems from preventable medical errors. Anthem Blue Cross says it hopes the policy will force hospitals to cut down on mistakes. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

The San Diego region will get one new fire engine from Governor Schwarzenegger's s Office of Emergency Services. But at the same time, cuts called for in the governor's state budget could reduce firefighting resources in San Diego County. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana has broken ground on a new facility. Consular officials say the new building will let them help more people more efficiently. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

One water specialist says the future water supply for our region doesn't look promising. That's because climate change models suggest that key supply sources will provide less water ten years from now. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Assembly Republicans say they won't support new taxes to get through the state's budget crisis. But, they're offering bills they say will free up funding for schools in the face of potential cuts. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

The Regional Fire Protection Committee convened by County Supervisor Ron Roberts and Mayor Jerry Sanders held its third meeting this week. The goal of the group is to forge a regional solution to the lack of firefighting resources in San Diego County. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The Bush administration pledges to add 470 miles to the border fence by the end of the year, and it is willing to forgo multiple environmental laws in order to complete the project. Also, the upcoming Beijing Olympics have become a hot-button issue, with international concern about China's human rights record. Plus, a local candidate is accused of indecent exposure in a Kensington neighborhood.

The San Diego County district attorney is asking for patience as officials investigate a shooting by an off-duty police officer that injured a woman and her 8-year-old son.

A new study from the University of California finds Latino and African Americans are under-represented in the ranks of the state's doctors. The report comes from researchers at UC San Francisco. Reporter Kelley Weiss has the story.

Fire chiefs around the San Diego region are asking for 25 more fire engines immediately to help them build so-called “surge capacity” in the event of another wildfire. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A new report estimates more than eight Californians die every day due to a lack of health insurance. The report comes from the non-profit advocacy group Families USA. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

Senator Diane Feinstein says she wants to crack down on shady mortgage lenders. She says California is bearing a disproportionate burden of the country's home foreclosure crisis. Eric Niiler reports from Capitol Hill.

UC San Diego aims to become one of the “greenest” universities in the country. The school is known for its global warming research. Now the campus is taking steps to practice what it preaches. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

How do contracts amongst parties in the entertainment industry impact the general public? Associate professor of law Kevin J. Greene discusses the ins-and-outs of litigation in Hollywood.

We talk about a rapper named Pigeon John, a silent film called “His People,” and a new club opening in Hillcrest called Universal.

Pattie Boyd spent over 20 years immersed in rock and roll history through her marriages to The Beatle’s George Harrison and Eric Clapton. She has written a memoir of that time called “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me.” An exhibition of Boyd's photography opens at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla this weekend.

Terrorism is something we all fear, yet understand little. SDSU scholar Dipak Gupta has spent many years studying terrorism. In fact, he was a member of a violent, radical group when he was a college student in India. He's come out with a new book that examines the life cycles of terrorist groups and the reasons why they thrive, if only for short periods of time.

The federal government wants to expedite plans to build a border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Environmentalists are critical of the move to skirt laws protecting wildlife, while border security advocates applaud the plan.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are tinkering with tools to stop the nation's economic engine from sputtering to a halt. Senators Wednesday agreed on a package of tax breaks and housing bonds to help slow down a nationwide wave of foreclosures. In Sacramento, state lawmakers are doing some economic tinkering of their own. Julie Small says they're working on a number of lending reforms.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders' plan to borrow $100 million from Bank of America to fix streets and crumbling buildings has hit a snag. The city council didn't approve it. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

A fired card dealer accused of leading a crew that swindled casinos out of $7 million has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in what federal prosecutors called one of largest cheating schemes ever broken up.

KPBS News has learned the California Air Board has been under-estimating greenhouse gases from San Diego County landfills. Landfills create methane gas – 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Joanne Faryon has more.

The Department of Homeland Security's recent waiver of laws along hundreds of miles of the U.S. Mexico border puts endangered plant and animal species in Southern California at further risk. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

UCSD Medical Center has expanded its intensive care unit that cares for premature babies and other newborns. The expansion is part of a regional trend. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials have discovered a small cross-border tunnel just east of the Otay Mesa border crossing. Officials say it was most likely used to smuggle people into the United States. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

The online company Google will begin digitizing tens of thousands of UC San Diego library books this month. Its part of a larger effort to make university-level research and literature accessible to the masses. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

Classical Persian music and contemporary technology form the music for “Stay the Hand,” a project that incorporates dance, poetry, and ancient Persian myths. We talk with composer Shahrokh Yadegari about composing the music for “Stay the Hand,” and with John Malashock, the project's choreographer.

As fears of a recession loom, consumer confidence has fallen. Consumer spending has slowed and businesses are beginning to feel the pinch. We take a look how the economy got to the state it is, and how consumer behavior is changing.

The state of California requires all cities to recycle 50% of their garbage. Most residents probably think that the yard waste they separate out and place in green bins for curbside pickup is being diverted from landfills and used a mulch and compost. But KPBS Reporter Joanne Faryon's “Envision San Diego” investigation has found many cities in the county put yard waste right back into the landfill as cover and get credit for recycling.

Most San Diegans know Jerry Coleman as the longtime Padres broadcaster, but there is a lot more to this local broadcasting legend than his signature voice over the airwaves. Coleman tells us about serving in two wars and playing baseball for the Yankees during the Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle era.

A beachfront bacteria zapper will make sure sewage treatment plant water is safe before release to the sea at Oceanside's Buccaneer Beach.

The Chula Vista City Council adopted seven new measures last night to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions. The plan includes increasing the use of solar and requiring green building standards. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

A recent poll by the Union Tribune shows gang violence and wildfires tops the list of issues San Diego city voters want addressed by the mayor, city attorney and city council this. San Diego police reported 28 gang-related murders in the city last year compared to 18 in 2006. In part two of our report on gangs we speak to the chair of San Diego's Commission on Gang Prevention and a San Diego State researcher.

Green yard waste from recycling bins is being buried in county landfills by the ton. It’s happening in several communities in San Diego County. It’s legal. In fact, the state of California calls it recycling. KPBS reporter Joanne Faryon has more.

The Independent Consultant hired by San Diego to help restore Wall Street's confidence in the city, presented his first annual report to the council today. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Laws will not stand in the way of completing 670 miles of fencing along the U.S. Mexico Border, including here in California. The Department of Homeland Security announced it will bypass all laws that would block construction. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A new private school dedicated only to teaching autistic kids is getting ready to open in Carlsbad. The campus will be the first of its kind in the country. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.

The Chula Vista City Council is expected to vote on a plan tonight to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions. The council is considering seven recommendations from adding solar to requiring green building standards. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

When bad things happen, how far can the government go as punisher or protector? These Days legal analyst Dan Eaton analyzes three court cases which weigh government interest against individual rights.

What's it like being a reporter in the press corps covering the presidential candidates? NPR's Scott Horsley gives us a firsthand account of following along the campaign trail with Mitt Romney and John McCain.

The U.S. war in Iraq hit two major milestones this month - its 5th anniversary and the 4,000th U.S. military personnel to die. As the war lingers on and the nature of the mission changes, some on the frontlines are experiencing fatigue and frustration. Frontline follows two members of the California National Guard platoon Bad Voodoo during their latest deployment in Iraq as they record their daily, personal experience fighting the war.

Do the Padres have enough offensive fire-power to contend for the National League West crown again this year? We speak to Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton about the Padres off-season moves, and what the team needs to do to improve on last season. "Hacksaw" also breaks down the NCAA Final Four, and tells us if he thinks the UCLA Bruins have what it takes to win it all.

Following a trend of banning alcohol at the beach, the California State Park will ban booze at Torrey Pines State Beach and State Nature Reserve beginning April 1. According to the Park Service, underage drinking and alcohol-related drowning are the main reasons for the new ban. Last November, the San Diego City Council passed a 1-year ban on alcohol at all city beaches, bay shores, and coastal parks.

They are all examples of human suffering: genocide in Darfur, conflicts and war in the Middle East and the way sexual offenders are treated in the United States. What can be done? Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, talks about inspiring others to take action against human rights abuses and the relationship between democracy and environmental health.

Reports of violent crime were down last year in the city and county of San Diego. However, the number of crimes committed by gang members was up. KPBS Morning Edition hosts Dwane Brown and Maureen Cavanaugh talk to a researcher on gangs and a county supervisor working to curb the problem in his district.

The Department of Justice is stepping into the debate over the Navy's use of sonar. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Some San Diego and Los Angeles voters are complaining their party affiliations were changed when they notified the Department of Motor Vehicles that they had moved.