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.

The business of the United States has come to be none of our business. Most disheartening and gut-punching about Bush's strongman tactics is the ease with which he pulled it off. The war mongering was recognized, analyzed and written about from the start & ndash; but chest thumping trumps rational argument in a primate world.

After having a three day weekend, I've been scouring the Internets to get my mind back in the swing of things. By the way, was anyone at

The Morning Post

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.