Non-Fiction

A state program that provides health insurance to 900-thousand California children will get a much needed financial shot in the arm. The commission that hands out tobacco tax money says it will give the Healthy Families program nearly 17-million dollars. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Senior citizens in downtown San Diego can look forward to a new state of the art community center slated to be built in the coming year. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has more.

The California EPA says the state should immediately reduce the toxic substances in products and manufacturing processes. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Since the economy has people staying in and eating out less, maybe people will start reading again. To help inspire the trend, we have some recommendations of what to read. We've invited two avid readers to tell us about the books that caught their eye in 2008.

The Mills Act is a state law designed to give California homeowners whose homes are designated historic a break on their property taxes if they work to maintain their property to historic preservation standards. We'll talk about the move to limit the law.

A real estate tracking firm says the median home price in a six-county region of Southern California fell 35 percent in November from a year ago.

The San Diego Police Gang Suppression Unit has arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the fatal shootings of two teen-agers this month. The two victims were profiled by KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis last week. Here's KPBS Reporter Alan Ray

What is former San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre up to now? What issues does Aguirre plan to tackle in his new private law practice? Host Tom Fudge speaks to Mike Aguirre about his plans for the future. We learn more about the work Aguirre is now doing on credit derivatives and banking law issues.

Americans buy billions of dollars worth of cosmetics and body care products every year. And no one uses more of these items than teenage girls. A recent study from the non-profit Environmental Working Group suggests makeup and other cosmetics could pose serious health risks to teens. KPBS Health Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Remember Body Heat? Remember the sweet-faced arsonist with the soft, sexy voice? That was Mickey Rourke in his breakthrough film role. But you might not recognize him in his latest film The Wrestler (opening in San Diego in January) in which he plays a beat up and tired veteran of the wrestling circuit.

Drug war violence in Tijuana has been in the headlines for months now, but what is being done to stop it? KPBS Border reporter Amy Isackson and Vicente Calderon have been given access to some of the intelligence gathered by Mexican authorities.

GOP state lawmakers are calling for cuts to schools and social services to help soak up the red ink in Sacramento. Republicans unveiled a long-awaited budget proposal Monday.

The San Diego Police Gang Suppression Unit has arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with the shooting deaths of two teen-agers earlier this month.