Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware is Barack Obama's pick as vice presidential running mate, The Associated Press has learned.

I tried to watch with an open mind as first Obama, and then McCain subjected themselves to Pastor Rick's questions. If there was a good outcome, at least Obama's declaration of faith, honed in years of attending a Baptist Church, should lay to rest any discussion of his being a Muslim. & Aside from that, I could see no real value in the remaining hour and 45 minutes of the show. Basically Obama gave complex and philosophical answers to complex issues and McCain generally gave short, knee jerk but semi-effective sound bite answers to complex issues. &

The State Lands Commission today voted 3-to-nothing to approve a lease of state property for a desalination plant in Carlsbad. It's the last major regulatory hurdle the project had to clear before construction could start. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Federal officials say raids are better for arresting illegal immigrants who've ignored deportation orders than inviting people to surrender. Federal officials will not continue their three-week pilot program that tried to entice illegal immigrants to turn themselves in. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Federal authorities in Mexico say they arrested a top ranking member of the Arellano Felix drug cartel at a casino in Tijuana early this morning. The man has strong ties to San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

San Diego's downtown development corporation, CCDC, will review downtown development agreements, to see if they are threatened by financial conflicts of interest. The corporation will also review its ethics procedures. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The race for president is amping up again with the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week. Plus, San Diego two's redevelopment agencies, SEDC and CCDC, are both in the midst of controversy following revelations of improper behavior by their leaders. And, the state budget battle is really starting to take a toll on lawmakers in Sacramento.

Corky Lang, the

The San Miguel Fire District is getting the word out about fire safety this weekend.

The only game the US Women's softball team ever lost in the Olympics may be the last one they ever play. The team's 3-1 gold medal loss to Japan in Beijing ended the team's undefeated Olympic streak.

Some advocates for renewable energy are disappointed with the state's efforts this year when it comes to creating renewable energy plants.

The State Lands Commission today considers granting a lease of state property to a company that wants to build a desalination plant in Carlsbad. It's one of the last regulatory hurdles the project must clear before construction could start. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.