The San Diego Unified School District saw an uptick in the number of seniors who passed California's high school exit exam this year. Test results also show San Diego is doing better compared to the state as a whole. Even so, the district will launch a series of reforms in hopes of getting all students to pass the test with flying colors. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

The U-C-S-D School of Medicine will spearhead a nationwide study to look into the prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder. The Department of Defense is funding the 60-million dollar research program. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

People who want to cross the border more quickly on foot have a new option. Federal officials opened a new fast-pass lane for pedestrians at San Ysidro. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

The United States leads the world in prisoners and the trend continues to spiral upward. In 1970, fewer than 200,000 people were in federal and state prisons. Today, there are more than 1.5 million people in prison with an additional 750,000 in local jails. America spends $60 billion per year on corrections. Have the past three decades of tough-crime policies made America's cities safer? A recent report by the JFA Institute says no. We'll explore the economic and social costs of America's current incarceration policies.

Experts say research on high school dropouts tends to focus on what causes them to give up on school. But a new study sheds light on what happens to dropouts who return to school. Reporter Ana Tintocalis has the details.

A grifter is a petty swindler. In Debra Ginsberg's new novel, "The Grift," the main character, Marina, pretends to be psychic by way of keen observation of people. But she doesn't believe in psychic ability. Not until she awakes one day to find that she in fact does have "the gift" to see into the future. Intrigue and murder follow...

The world's energy needs are increasing rapidly, yet the U.S. still relies primarily on finite fossil fuels like oil and coal. The subject of nuclear energy, pretty much dead in America for the last 30 years, is starting to arise again. We examine the current role and status of nuclear energy in the U.S. and California, whether new nuclear plants are in our future and how they are different from Generation II plants like San Onofre.

People with drug and alcohol problems often times have unhealthy sex lives. Many engage in unsafe sex while under the influence. Kenny Goldberg talks about a local recovery program that teaches healthy sexual behavior along with dealing with addiction.

California senators had the chance to end the 71 day budget impasse yesterday by approving a Republican proposal but it was rejected by Democrats. It called for closing the state's $15.2 billion deficit without raising taxes. Also, the governor, who was elected during a recall, is now facing one himself.