Stories for November 20, 2008
County Spends $24 million on Airport Termiinal
San Diego County has opened a new $24 million terminal at the McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.
Pot Smugglers Toss 5 Tons of Marijuana into Sea
Marijuana smugglers dumped bales of pot worth $32 million into the sea when a Newport Beach-based Coast Guard cutter started chasing a suspicious boat about 100 miles southwest of San Diego.
Senator Boxer Announces New Global Warming Legislation
Senator Barbara Boxer joined other Democrats in announcing new legislation they hope will put the brakes on global warming - without stalling the economy. Eric Niiler reports from Capitol Hill.
Combining Vocational Ed with Academics
Should every high school student be prepared to go to college? Or should those who will never go to college get vocational education on a separate track? SDUSD is interested in multiple pathways as a way to combat low graduation and high dropout rates.
Documentary Looks at the Tragic History of the Salton Sea and Its Eccentric Residents
A new documentary looks at this dramatic turn of events and the motley group of real eccentrics who still live there. It's called Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea and it's narrated by another true eccentric, filmmaker John Waters.
Exploring the Future of Gay Rights
On November 4, Californians passed Prop. 8 by a vote of 52 to 48. The measure reversed a California Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in the state. How did this happen in a blue state where 61% of the population voted Barack Obama, an African-American Democrat, for president? What role did religion and race place? And what's the future of the gay rights movement and same-sex marriage? We'll explore gender, race, religion and the law in a hour-long These Days special.
DoD Denies Posthumous Medal of Honor
The Department of Defense has reaffirmed its decision not to award the Medal of Honor to a San Diego Marine who witnesses say threw himself on a grenade to save his colleagues during fierce fighting in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004.
High Healthcare Costs Hurting California Farmers
A new survey reveals one in five California farmers is struggling financially because of the high cost of health insurance. A large percentage of farmers and ranchers say they have to buy insurance on the individual market. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The Next Step Toward a Greener San Diego
Both of California's green propositions were defeated on Nov. 4, so where is the state headed to ensure it utilizes clean energy? SDSU backpack journalist Amanda Strouse has the story.
Student Discipline Problems A Growing Concern
School records show far too many San Diego students are getting suspended and expelled at local campuses. District officials hope a $175,000 plan will curb the problem. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the details.
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