Wow. Wowwow. The new album cover for Neko Case's Middle Cyclone, due out in early March. This one could actually get me to

Here's some reading for your morning coffee or lunchtime expresso espresso....

One of the four new San Diego city council member taking office next week has found a way to expand his office staff, while still cutting his budget. Carl DeMaio plans to use a different approach to bolster his agenda KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Senate President Pro Temp Darrell Steinberg says he wants to expand health insurance to all California children within 120 days. Some think his pledge is too ambitious, but others say it's an achievable goal. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The U.S. government has finally released the first part of a $400 aid package to support Mexico's police and soldiers in their fight against drug cartels.

Why are outgoing U.S. presidents lame ducks? Has it always been that way? What's different with the transfer of power to President-elect Obama? We'll explore the waning days of the Bush presidency and the rise of Obama with KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner.

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride rocketed into space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. She was the first American woman to fly in space. On the 25th anniversary of her historic spaceflight, we'll talk with Ride about her space travels and how she's decided her life to science and the education of young people.

The discovery of Mediterranean fruit flies have prompted agriculture officials to put a 107-square-mile quarantine zone around El Cajon. The California Department of Food and Agriculture says keeping fruit and vegetables contained within the zone is critical to preventing the spread of the pest. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

What's the economic forecast for this holiday season? Are experts predicting a decline in retail sales compared to last year? How important is the holiday season to the nation's retailers? And, what can we learn from retail sales data about the overall health of the economy? Host Tom Fudge speaks to experts in consumer attitudes and retail sales about the predictions for the holiday season. We also speak to an attorney about what you need to if you plan to buy gift cards this year.

The son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez was under arrest on suspicion of murder Wednesday, after San Diego police took the 19-year-old and three friends into custody for the stabbing death of a college student, authorities said.

Oil prices continue to drop at an unprecedented pace. It's now the norm to see the price for a gallon of gas in San Diego County below the $2 mark. We're joined on Morning Edition by Phil Flynn... a Senior Market Analyst at Alaron Trading in Chicago, and a Fox Business News contributor.

As San Diego's water shortage worsens, one possible local source remains undrinkable. There's an aquifer under the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot. But it was contaminated by petroleum spills in the 1980s and 90s. The company responsible for the cleanup has repeatedly missed deadlines and is being sued by the city of San Diego. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.