With all that's on President Obama's plate (recession, wars, swine flu!), what if Obama added people like Philip Roth, W.S. Merwin, Yo-Yo Ma, or Barbara Kruger to his advisory team? Would these artists come up with a different approach to solving our country's problems? Would they provide unique insight?

One of the artist-painted cows in the La Jolla CowParade was stolen from a La Jolla sidewalk sometime between April 25th and 26th, according to organizers of CowParade La Jolla, a public art project that includes 40 cows designed and painted by local artists. The stolen cow (above) was painted by San Diego artist Werc Alvarez, who is also a graffiti artist. The cows in CowParade are auctioned off to benefit Rady Children's Hospital and the Zoological Society of San Diego. Michael Kinsman, Operations Director for CowParade La Jolla, says this cow was estimated to raise between $5,000 and $10,000 at auction on July 11th.

Every year Hollywood tries to kick off the summer blockbuster season earlier and earlier. So spring might still be in the air, but for the major studios tomorrow May 1 will officially launch the summer blockbuster season. Here's a look at what's coming up, including "Wolverine," "Star Trek" and "Terminator Salvation."

The last survey of the season in the Sierra shows that the snowpack is at two-thirds of normal for this time of year. The lack of snow may further restrict the water supply for cities and farms. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

Baja California's Governor has asked people to stay home. He's also closed all non essential government offices closed in the Mexican state for five days. This despite the fact that no cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Baja. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

The first town hall meeting on San Diego Unified's budget crisis takes place tonight at Kearny High School. District officials will talk about budget cuts and how federal stimulus money might help. It’s the first in a series of expected meetings that districts around the county will hold.

The San Diego County Water Authority, state and federal water agencies will celebrate the lining of the All-American Canal in Imperial County this Thursday morning. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce says the project is intended to boost San Diego water supplies.

A UC San Diego study shows that climate change is altering the ocean ecosystem. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce tells us what the scientists have discovered.

Freedom of the press in the U.S. is granted in the Constitution. But a third of the world's people live in countries with no press freedom and no democratic system of governance. How does intimidation and violence against journalists pose a threat to democracies young and old? We'll talk about the problem of silencing the press and how Mexico has emerged as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world.

Key facts on swine flu and what is being done to better understand and combat the virus.

Matthew McConnaughey plays a womanizing photographer who's about to be taught a lesson in life by the ghosts of his past girlfriends. Jennifer Garner plays the real thing and Michael Douglas is the playboy uncle who returns from the grave to help his nephew discover what really matters in life.

Have you ever wondered how many species of plants and animals live in San Diego? If so, the BioBlitz event going on this weekend will interest you. Teams of volunteers, scientists, and educators will be participating in a 24-hour "rapid biodiversity assessment" at Mission Trails Regional Park this Saturday. The goal of the event is to identify and document the total number of species living in the park. We speak to Dr. Michael Wall, from the San Diego Natural History Museum, about what's been learned from previous BioBlitz events. And, we talk to a ranger to discuss what's unique about Mission Trails Regional Park.

As of Wednesday, eight countries confirmed cases of swine flu and the World Health Organization raised the alert to "pandemic is imminent" level. Health officials continue to try to get a handle on the outbreak. We'll get a report of the latest news on the virus, and what people can do to keep themselves from contracting it.

If you're a fan of pop culture, or if you go to Comic Con every year, then you'll be thrilled to hear about the the work of artist Isabel Samaras. She's been a cult favorite for years, and on May 1st, Chronicle Books is publishing a beautiful, hardcover monograph of her work called On Tender Hooks: The Art of Isabel Samaras.

State heath officials have issued new guidelines for schools that have students who become infected with swine flu. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

With many of California's swine flu cases and investigations among children, officials are giving special attention to the rich breeding grounds that are schools.

The Pentagon says a Marine based in Southern California has been confirmed to be ill with swine flu and is under quarantine, along with his roommate.

Customs agents have stopped and cleared 41 people with flulike symptoms at U.S. borders and are awaiting test results on eight more.

The Army Corps of Engineers released its list of studies and projects that would be funded with federal stimulus money. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce tells us that sand replacement projects in San Diego County won't be funded.

Three more people in San Diego County have tested positive for swine flu, bringing the total number of local cases to eight, the county Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

San Diego State University is investigating a suspected case of swine flu. But closing the campus won't necessarily happen, even if the case is confirmed. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

As California's unemployment rate hits its highest level since the state began keeping records, the impact of the global recession is taking its toll on San Diegans. We'll examine the resources available to help San Diegans obtain food, housing and jobs as the recession lingers on.

Is Dada really dead? Not according to NPR commentator Andrei Codrescu. He'll talk about how his new impractical handbook for practical living, "The Posthuman Dada Guide," can save us from the modern high-tech world.

The unemployment rate is nearly 9 percent in this county. People are losing their jobs and their homes. That's making a growing number of San Diegans homeless, hungry and desperate.

Who will be the new sheriff in town? San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender is set to resign his seat in July, a year ahead of the 2010 election. An interim sheriff will be appointed to fill the position until the election. What advantages will the interim sheriff have? We'll talk about the politics of law enforcement with KPBS political correspondent Gloria Penner.

The movement of goods through the port of San Diego via ships, trucks and trains spews about 256 million pounds of greenhouse gases each year. Many of the city's poorest people live near the port's 10th Avenue Marine Terminal in Barrio Logan and they say the bad air is making them sick. Their complaints have spurred little action until recently. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.

Fewer than 800 people in San Diego County collect General Relief. That's a public assistance program for people living in poverty. In Los Angeles County, more than 75,000 people are enrolled. Joanne Faryon has more on the disparity in numbers.

Join now at the $60 level or above and enjoy benefits at hundreds of restaurants and attractions with the KPBS MemberCard. Join or renew today!

Signs of the times are showing up in lunchrooms at San Diego schools. At one elementary school, enrollment in the free and reduced lunch program has increased dramatically. Joanne Faryon tells us why.

In "The General," which has its U.S. premiere with the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus this weekend, author Paul Griffiths draws a composite score from Beethoven and adds text to create a dramatic work for orchestra, chorus, and actor that tells the story of the Rwandan tragedy through the eyes of the general leading the U.N. peacekeeping mission.

While one private school has been shut down due to swine flu, San Diego County public schools remain open. In fact, school officials are trying to alleviate concerns about swine flu on local campuses. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Why would a healthy person want to be a human guinea pig, subjecting himself to hundreds of medical tests? If you're a biotech writer, maybe it's because it provides a great deal of rich information for your work. Journalist and author David Ewing Duncan talks about why he decided to be an experimental man.

What's the secret to good storytelling? Can anyone be trained to tell a story well? We'll talk with Jay Allison, the creator of the NPR series "This I Believe" about the art of citizen storytelling.

Human cases of an outbreak of swine flu have been confirmed in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Spain. Public health officials are trying to get a handle on the outbreak. We'll get a report of the latest news on the virus, and what people can do to keep themselves from contracting it.

With childhood obesity increasing at staggering rates, parents and caregivers must play an active role in protecting children's health. Eating healthy foods is a key factor in maintaining their overall wellbeing. But, this has to be balanced with regular physical activity.

Happy Monday, everyone. I had a busy, but fun weekend. We went to Chicano Park Day, the Robert Whitaker opening at the Morrison Gallery, the Adams Avenue Roots Festival, and we went and saw the grunions on Saturday night at Scripps Pier. There were tons of them glowing along the coast. Here's what other San Diegans were up to with cameras in tow.

When Jennifer Stoneburner graduated from San Diego State University last year, she had everything going for her: good grades, a steady circle of friends, involvement in campus organizations and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

"Crank: High Voltage" may be the first film to accurately capture what it feels like to play a video game. This rude, crude, lewd sequel defies all logic and sense of narrative structure as it runs roughshod over the action genre. Jason Statham returns as Chev Chelios for another adrenaline rush of a film.

I just wanted to share the photos and applaud all the talented teachers and students who took part in the event. Kudos, too, to the San Diego Shakespeare Society for putting it all together.

What's life like under the ocean? Del Mar residents Howard and Michele Hall know first hand. They are world-renown underwater filmmakers whose newest IMAX film, Under the Sea, explore the depths of the ocean in remote places from South Australia to the Coral Triangle islands of Papua New Guinea.

Confirming 40 cases of swine flu in the U.S., the Obama administration said Monday it was responding aggressively as if the outbreak would spread into a full pandemic. Officials urged Americans against most travel to Mexico as the virus that began there spread to the United States and beyond.

How has religion and culture affected the way we view our bodies over time? When and why did the study of anatomy begin? How do different cultures around the world view the body differently? We speak to Professor Kevin Petti about his upcoming lecture on "Connecting Art and Science: The Historical Influence of Culture on Anatomy."

Many people dream of traveling the world. For Frances Mayes, author of "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "A Year in the World," traveling is a reality. The author talks about transporting her readers to the places near and far to experience the riches of the world.

Can we expect to see local gas prices increase in the next few months? What kind of factors are influencing gas prices right now? And, why are some oil companies stockpiling crude oil in off-shore supertankers? We speak to Charles Langley, with UCAN, about what's going on with gas prices nowadays.

School officials can play a key role in stemming the spread of swine flu, which has infected seven people across Southern California, state schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell said in San Diego today

The City of Coronado is considering reinstating tolls on the Coronado Bridge to pay for ways to relieve traffic congestion. Much of the increased congestion on the island is due to Navy expansion. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Being healthy (or being unhealthy) is really just a result of the sum of our habits; the more healthy habits we have, the more likely we will benefit by having good health. The good news about habits is that they can be developed or changed, with a little focus and a plan.

Local filmmaker and USD Professor John Halaka will have a free screening of his documentary "Wounds of the Heart: An Artist and Her Nation" on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 pm at the University of San Diego's SOLES Theater. The film focuses on Palestinian artist Rana Bishara.

The San Diego Student Shakespeare Festival enters its fourth year with nearly 400 students performing on five stages in Balboa Park. Check out video highlights from this year's festival including works by The Bishop's School, Valhalla High School and Castle Park.

You say, "It's time for bed." "It's time to go." "It's time for homework." "It's dinnertime!" But your child says, "Five more minutes." You are tired of saying "No" and tired of fighting. So, what do you do? Give in? Blow up? Or — negotiate?

Mayor Sanders and the San Diego City Council have now agreed to new contracts with five city labor unions, resulting in $43 million in savings. Supporters of the new contracts hail the move as a victory in the Mayor's efforts to reduce excessive employee compensation costs. While many city workers, on the other hand, say they are being punished for a problem they didn't create. Plus, President Barack Obama will reach 100 days in office next Wednesday. What grade does President Obama deserve so far?

The San Diego Shakespeare Society brings us the Fourth Annual San Diego Student Shakespeare Festival in which students from local elementary, middle and high schools perform scenes from Shakespeare on five festival stages. Here's a preview of this year's event.

Real life brothers Derick and Steven Martini collaborate on a film about growing up in 1970s New Jersey. Then they cast real life brothers Kieran and Rory Culkin as the brothers in the film. It's one more coming of age film in a season that's chock full of them.

Recently, I grabbed my friend Lee and embarked on a grand quest to find cool t-shirts in San Diego. In normal times, shops that sell artistic t-shirts appear and disappear at Whack-a-Mole speed. But this economy has turned the San Diego t-shirt industry into a horror movie.

Trouble the Water is one of the most powerful documentaries I've seen in a long time. It deservingly won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance last year, and is now getting a broadcast run on HBO (I watched it last night). Watch it On Demand, rent it (when it comes out), do what you have to do, but don't miss it.

The story of the "butcher cover" has become the stuff of rock legend. Today on These Days, we'll be talking to the man who started it all, photographer Robert Whitaker. He was the Beatles' photographer between 1964 and 1966 and came up with the idea for this photo shoot.

Scientists at San Diego's Scripps Research Institute say they've found a way to reprogram adult stem cells to make them work even better than embryonic stem cells.

A San Diego based think tank says the city lags behind Los Angeles in policies and programs to reduce energy use. The Center for Policy Initiatives says San Diegans also use more energy per person than Los Angeles residents.

Robert Whitaker is the photographer behind one of the most controversial album covers ever released. It was called "The Butcher Cover" and featured The Beatles in white lab coats covered in blood, raw meat, and dismembered baby dolls. It was recalled almost immediately because it was so outrageous. Robert was also a war correspondent during the Vietnam War. His photographs will be on view at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla.

Is it possible to learn the history of America in just 90 minutes? The Reduced Shakespeare Company thinks so and they've brought their slap-stick act to the San Diego Rep.

The arrest of a high ranking member of Tijuana's Arellano Felix Cartel means US officials can cross one man off the cartel's alleged "new guard". Mexican authorities arrested the man in Tijuana earlier this week. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Avocado growers are reporting a light crop in all California growing regions including San Diego County. Growers here faced a double whammy from weather and wildfire.

In Mexico's drug war, Tijuana tells the story of a government that says it's winning, even as the battle gets bloodier.

California is a step closer to requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. A bill to mandate sick time was approved by a key Assembly committee Wednesday.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently voted in favor of a plan to boost food stamp enrollment in the county. Why does San Diego currently have one of the lowest food stamp enrollment rates in the nation? And, how can this new plan increase awareness and participation in the local food stamp program? We speak to KPBS reporter Joanne Faryon about her on-going investigation into the problems with the county's food stamp program.

So you thought you had done your good citizen job when you voted last November. Well, you're not off the hook yet. California is in big financial trouble and your vote may be the answer that the state Legislature is looking for to plug a multi-billion dollar gap between what the state takes in and what it spends. But then again, you may decide that you don't want to do the Legislature's job. After all, that's what they get paid those big bucks to do. Or perhaps after reading through the six propositions, you don't like the choices that that Propositions 1A through 1F offer.

Disney is never one to miss an opportunity so this Earth Day the studio has decided to launch its new Disneynature brand with "Earth" (opening April 22 throughout San Diego) the feature film version of the BBC TV series "Planet Earth."

John Woo was one of the leaders of Hong Kong's New Wave in the late 1980s and early 90s. His heroic bloodshed style of filmmaking is best epitomized by "The Killer" starring Chow Yun-Fat. Now author Ken Hall focuses an entire volume on the Hong Kong New Wave.

Last night’s One Book, One San Diego event with author Diane Ackerman proved to be a wildly popular ticket-- the security guard urgently waved people away from the JCC’s full parking lot as early as 6:30. The auditorium was packed, many people clutching their well thumbed copies of “The Zookeeper’s Wife.”

This is such a great project I had to share it with you. A British photographer named Stuart Pilkington picked a photographer who lives and works in each of the 50 states and asked him/her to participate in a year-long project documenting their state.

I'm totally going to this year's Bark in the Park at Balboa Park's Spreckles Organ Pavillion this Sunday, April 26th at 2pm (proceeds benefit the San Diego Humane Society). Organ music for pups and a dog parade are the highlights. Chew will love it. Take a look at last year's Bark in the Park. It's quite the to-do!

When people make a run on a bank, it’s usually to get their money out. But there’s been a different bank run of sorts in San Diego over the past few months. An increasing number of people are turning to the area food banks to try and get by after losing their jobs.

The American Civil Liberties Union and a coalition of Hispanic groups have demanded that the city of Escondido change its driver's license checkpoints, calling them "fishing expeditions" that are intended to identify and deport illegal immigrants.

California's high school exit exam is under attack in a Stanford University report which concludes the test is not working the way it was intended. The conclusion is based on data collected from urban school districts including San Diego Unified.

Modern medicine can perform miracles. But it can't offer spiritual guidance or emotional support when a person is sick or dying. While doctors and nurses work to cure the body, hospital chaplains try to heal the soul.

How have modern technologies like computers and cell phones changed the brains of young people? What are the benefits and downsides of the newly evolving brain wired on microprocessors and limitless information? We'll explore these issues with a UCLA brain and memory expert.

A financial evaluation out today finds building a new San Diego City Hall could cost the city less than maintaining the current building.

Somali families in City Heights want the San Diego Unified school board to approve a charter high school that caters to Somali students. But some question whether ethnically-themed schools are a good idea. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

What are some of the signs that the Imperial Valley economy is starting to improve? Why are certain Imperial County residents concerned about a plan to eradicate non-native fish from the Colorado River? And, can bargains be found right now in the IV housing market? Brad Jennings, editor of the Imperial Valley Press, join us to talk about the latest news out in the Imperial Valley. Jennings also talks about concerns that were recently raised relating to the quality of the teacher education program at San Diego State University's Imperial Valley campus.

How do our bodies change when we reach middle age? How can we keep ourselves happy and healthy when battling the stresses of the current economic climate? We'll talk with a doctor who focuses on the connection between weight, mood and sex in midlife.

The new Dreamworks/Universal Studios film "The Soloist" is inspired by the true story of journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy Lopez finds playing the violin on the streets of L.A.

The San Diego County Supervisors voted yesterday to enact a new plan meant to increase the number of people participating in the food stamp program. But critics say some of the steps required to get assistance actually deter people from signing up.

A young boy in San Diego County and a young girl in Imperial County have been infected with swine flu. Health officials say the strain of the disease has been seen before in the United States.

A report released recently by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy shows that US cocaine prices hit a 26 year low in 2007. This undermines repeated claims by the Bush administration that there were unprecedented cocaine shortages at the time.

I just finished watching the new HBO feature film Grey Gardens, based on the acclaimed 1975 documentary by the Maysles brothers. Both tell the story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little Edie," Manhatten socialites and kin to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.

Who would have thought the world of stamp collecting could be so shady? Apparently there's an underbelly to philately, and it's given dramatic treatment in Mauritius, the new comic thriller at Cygnet Theater.

The Pulitzer Prizes were announced yesterday. Here's a recap of all the arts-related winners.

Health officials have diagnosed a unique type of swine flu in two California children, but it's unclear whether many people will be susceptible to the infection.

Californians should take shorter showers, wash only full loads of laundry and use a broom instead of a hose to clean their driveways.

San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders says the labor agreements being hammered out with city employee unions will do more than help plug this year’s budget gap, they will save the city millions of dollars in pension and health benefits in the future.

A Washington DC gun control group says President Barack Obama should ban the import of assault weapons and make public a database that traces guns.

San Diego County school districts are submitting the paperwork needed to secure their fair share of federal economic stimulus money for education.

San Diego Community College's West City campus in Point Loma opens next month. The new facility is built with the three "R's" in mind: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Most people agree the U.S. needs to reduce the cost of health care. The problem is how to do it. Some say the key is changing the way this country practices medicine. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has the story.

The Colorado River system supplies water to tens of millions of people and millions of acres of farmland. But researchers at UCSD say climate change will likely mean the river won't meet future demands.

How is a South Bay high school violating Title IX, the federal law that forbids sex discrimination in schools? We'll find out about that, and whether Mother's Day giveaways are illegal, with KPBS legal analyst Dan Eaton.

Want to know how we got in this economic mess? Want to know what kind of trouble America's banks are in? Want to know how to translate finance speak? If you're confused, there's nobody better at clearing the fog than NPR's Adam Davidson. Davidson stops by the studio to explain the status of America's banking system.

One Book - One San Diego author reveals an amazing story of courage and creativity during WWII. Diane Ackerman talks about her quest to tell the story of the Polish couple who saved hundreds of Jews by hiding them in the Warsaw Zoo, right under the noses of the Nazis.

A UCSD psychologist says kids with autism see the world in a different way, and that may actually cause their behavior problems.

Captain Hammer from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was in Oceanside this weekend while Balboa Park hosted Earth Day, 2009. Here are some goodies from cameras far and wide...including an excellent sports shot.

Cancer has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of death among San Diego County residents, it was announced today.

Coronado officials looking to raise money for a proposed tunnel and other projects aimed at easing traffic congestion are considering charging a toll that could take the cost of a round trip across the San Diego-Coronado Bridge to $10.

As Americans celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this week, more and more San Diegans are turning their green thumbs to the garden. We'll talk about easy and sustainable ways to get an edible garden started and the benefits to you, your family and the earth from growing your own food.

What role do the oceans play in sustaining life on Earth? How have humans altered the oceans and will they, and us, survive? We'll talk with ocean expert Paul Falkowski about the once and future oceans.

Is justice blind? Not according to Former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico, David Iglesias. He'll talk about why he and seven other prosecutors were fired by the Bush administration.

Bike riders, runners and skaters turned out this weekend to celebrate the opening of a new bike trail in Imperial Beach.

California is sweltering under summer-like temperatures. Record heat is forecast statewide again Monday.

A bill to make it easier to get concealed weapons permits in California is stirring up controversy at the state capitol.

More than 200 teenage girls in San Diego whose families are struggling economically got free prom dresses over the weekend. Its part of an outreach campaign that comes just as the high school prom season gets underway.

Coming of age films are filling the theaters these days. Recently we have seen coming of age tales play out in 1980s Pittsburgh ("Adventureland") and Northern Australia ("The Black Balloon"), and coming up we travel to 1970s New Jersey ("Lymelife").

Here are the players in the mix of "State of Play" (opened April 17 throughout San Diego): a hotshot congressman in the midst of a scandal, his reporter friend who wants to help but also smells a story, a doe-eyed cub reporter (read blogger) who senses a big break, and a British female editor-in-chief who employs colorful language as she juggles new owners and a changing media landscape.

Earlier this month "Fast and Furious" scored a surprising hit at the box office bringing in $72 million in three days. What's also surprising is that at the helm of this $80 million dollar Hollywood sequel is one time indie film darling Justin Lin. Today, "17 Again" -- the new film with Disney star Zac Efron -- opens, and in the director's chair is another independent filmmaker, Burr Steers.

President Barack Obama is in Latin America and the Caribbean this weekend to meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, and to participate in the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier in the week, President Obama tapped former San Diego school superintendent and airport authority chairman Alan Bersin to serve as U.S. border czar. Plus, the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to impose new labor contracts on the police officers and blue collar workers. And, California will hold a special election on May 19 where voters will be asked to decide on six budget-related ballot measures.

Join the editors at the roundtable Fridays at 9 a.m. for a lively discussion of local, national and international news.

Two San Diego congressmen are hosting big fundraisers over their spring break recess -- one in Florida... and one on Mission Bay. Some critics say these events shut out voters in favor of wealthy donors who are buying access to power.

San Diego State University students are spending time and their own money on campus environmental projects.

UCSD and UC Davis are working together to expand solar energy development in California.

San Diego’s firefighters union ratified a labor contract with the city today. The union president says the deal is bittersweet.

Try dropping the words "statistical sampling" while in conversation with a Republican politician and watch the sizzle. Why does such a nerdy blending of adjective and noun inflame GOP lawmakers like House Minority Leader John Boehner and Vista's conservative Congressman Darrell Issa? Issa is the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar holds a public hearing in San Francisco this at nine o'clock Thursday morning to sample opinion on offshore oil drilling. If plans are approved, oil rigs could spring up in ocean waters from San Diego to Northern California.

UCLA researchers have found a way to determine whether cancer drugs are working for sarcoma patients after a single dose of chemotherapy.

Given the state of the economy, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is questioning the $600,000 in raises and bonuses that a city agency has budgeted for its 250 employees this year, it was reported today.

The economy is forcing many school districts to do more than just teach. They're having to take care of families. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis looked at how the region's skyrocketing unemployment and foreclosure rates are racking up a human cost.

A small earthquake struck a sparsely populated section of San Diego County, but no damage or injuries has been reported.

The state Senate voted 30-4 today to approve legislation aimed at blocking the court-ordered removal of a colony of harbor seals from Children's Pool in La Jolla.

David Benioff's second novel, City of Thieves, has just come out in paperback to great acclaim and a debut at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Set during the 1942 siege of Leningrad, it tells the story of a young man, his bigger-than-life sidekick, and one unlikely mission that will save their very lives.

We've got some reading to recommend in between your bouts of spring cleaning. We'll talk about a number of impressive debut novels, as well as a panoramic look at America in book form and a comprehensive study of debt from an unlikely source, celebrated novelist Margaret Atwood.

San Diego Mayor's says the choice of local resident Alan Bersin as the country's new Border Czar could benefit the city.

San Diego County District Attorney's Office is launching a new campaign designed to curb the number of rapes involving alcohol or drugs.

Next week, the nation will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. And, this Sunday, the 20th Annual San Diego EarthFair will take place in Balboa Park. This year's EarthFair will feature 400 exhibitors offering information about recycling, solar power, water conservation, and the latest in "green" technology.

For families struggling to make ends meet during the recession, making sure their children are doing well in school is an additional struggle. School teachers and administrators in the Imperial Valley are grappling with budget cuts as well as providing food and other social services to students and their families. We'll find out what impact this is having on education.

In "17 Again" (opening April 17 throughout San Diego) Mike O'Donnell (Disney star Zac Efron of "High School Musical" fame) is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp.

The San Diego Italian Film Festival may be the new kid on the block but they have been actively bringing films to San Diego both at their festival and for single screening film events. These are films that have not played in San Diego before and are unlikely to receive any kind of release here.

It may soon cost more money to use public transit in San Diego. Fare increases are being considered for two regional transit providers.

The US Department of Homeland Security has assigned extra border security officials to San Diego and Imperial Counties and to Tijuana. The additional agents are part of the Obama Administration's effort to crack down on cross-border drug trafficking.

A subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy is proposing to build what the company says would be the largest solar energy plant in North America.

San Diego Unified school officials say all of the district's central office managers might not have their same jobs next year as a result of the district's money problems.

A new study calls for a more regional approach to land-use planning in order to protect California's wildlife corridors.

A new study from UCSD reveals two-thirds of IV drug users in Tijuana test positive for tuberculosis. People who shoot drugs are also at high risk for HIV infection.

The Preuss School, a public charter middle and high school run by UCSD, has come a long way in its short 10-year history. We'll talk about its focus on getting low-income kids to college and the challenges that the recession and pressures to success put on the school.

What does it mean to be a Catholic today? And what role has America played in shaping the Church and world religion? We'll talk with author and Boston Globe columnist James Carroll about his new book Practicing Catholic.

The Census Bureau is gearing up for the big count in 2010. But many questions are being raised, from the high cost (estimated $15 billion) to the accuracy of the count to political partisan motivations. The outcome of the census will be watched closely by states like California, with a high number of minorities and a problem with out migration.

How is the nation's economic crisis impacting the San Diego Food Bank? KPBS Metro Reporter Katie Orr joins us to talk about her recent report on the increased demand at the local Food Bank. We also speak to a Food Bank board member about how the organization is dealing with the increased demand, what challenges they are facing right now, and how they are expanding the services they offer through the San Diego Food Bank's Community Cares Project.

Seth Rogen has become an unlikely star through a series of projects with Judd Apatow beginning with the TV series "Freaks and Geeks" in 1999 and reaching a peak with the feature film "Knocked Up" in 2007. Those projects played on Rogen's slacker appeal. Now Rogen tries something a little different with "Observe and Report" (opened April 10 throughout San Diego).

For last year's closing night, FilmOut San Diego presented the world premiere of James Vasquez' homegrown film "Ready? Okay!" This San Diego-based charmer concerns a young boy named Josh who wants to join his school's cheer squad.

You've probably seen this video by now, as it's been viewed over a million times on YouTube. But, in case you haven't...it's like swallowing a happy pill. Just once, I want to be be walking around in public, say, in Target (probability high), and have one of these dancing or singing public art performances/publicity stunts break out. I'd be just giddy. Giddy, I tell you.

I love this contest to see who can come up with the best tweet summarizing an opera plot. If you go see "Peter Grimes" this weekend at San Diego Opera (and you should!), then I challenge you to tweet the plot. For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter, it's a micro-blogging site in which one's posts are limited to 140 characters. Make sure to let me know if you do it and I'll retweet them all.

I produced two segments about books this week for These Days, which means it was a banner week. Lucia Silva and Tiffany Fox recommended some good fiction, along with a book of essays about America and Margaret Atwood's prescient book on debt. Here's what they recommended, listed in no particular order.

Spring is here. Farmers markets are filling up with tenders fruits and vegetables of the season and restaurants are dusting off their patio tables. But the recession is dampening everyone's spirits. So our monthly food segment will focus on when to splurge and when to save when it comes to good food and drink.

How is the nation's economic downturn, and the high rate of unemployment affecting military recruiting in the United States? As part of our series, Rough Water: Navigating San Diego's Economy, we speak with reporter Alison St. John about how the poor job market is affecting recruiting and retention in our nation's military.

More than 150,000 Americans die from trauma each year. It is the leading cause of death for people aged 1-45, and a growing problem for seniors who are living longer, more active lives. Unfortunately, most people do not think trauma will happen to them. We'll explore trauma care in San Diego and what you need to know to prevent - and survive - trauma.

The dark clouds hanging over the nation’s economic future have a silver lining for one profession: military recruiters. KPBS reporter Alison St John explains how high unemployment is benefiting recruitment and retention in the armed forces.

Hope everyone had a great Easter. I spent the day eating yummy food with different groups of friends in various locales. There was also the obligatory Easter jumping. Here's what a few other San Diegans were up to...

What are the biggest challenges parolees face upon their release from prison? What can California do to reduce the cycle of recidivism that has plagued our state's over-crowded prison population? Host Tom Fudge speaks to Second Chance Founder Scott Silverman about the Prisoner Reentry Employment Program (PREP). We also hear from Regina Nolte-Ware, who is a PREP graduate, about how the program has impacted her life.

Last week, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced a major reshaping of the Pentagon. We explore how cultural and priority changes in the defense department will impact the military in San Diego. And we'll find out who the local military is fairing in this recession.

What does California need to do to meet its full, global potential? We speak to Dr. Abraham Lowenthal about his new book Global California: Rising to the Cosmopolitan Challenge. Dr. Lowenthal talks about what the state can do to promote itself internationally, and how the state can benefit from the growing global economy.

Are San Diego home prices now reasonable? It depends on how you define reasonable. According to the most recent Standard & Poor's home price index, local home prices have dropped 40 percent from the market peak in November 2005. But, local home prices are still almost 50 percent higher than they were in 2000. We speak to a local realtor and a financial advisor about whether prices are expected to continue to drop, and what you should consider if you are thinking about buying a new home right now.

Lawmakers are back from spring break Monday with a full agenda, but how much can they get done in the shadow of a new budget deficit? From Sacramento, Marianne Russ explains.

The San Diego Padres have a full week of games under their belt... and they're three games over .500! We're joined on Morning Edition by North County Times sports columnist Jay Paris.

We've heard how the recession has affected large-scale industries, but what about the mom and pop stores? Today, we have another segment in our KPBS "Rough Water" series. Joining us on Morning Edition is Marc Adam, owner of Encinitas Surfboards in North San Diego County.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders will present his budget to the city council this week. The city is facing a 60 million dollar budget shortfall. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.

The San Diego Unified school board might backtrack on its promise not to send layoff notices to teachers. Tomorrow the panel will consider telling more than 250 workers they might lose their jobs. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Sugar (opened April 10 at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas) is a baseball movie in the same way that Eight Men Out was a baseball movie. You cannot conceive of either film without the baseball backdrop but neither film is a formula sports movie in the sense of putting primary importance on the winning or losing of games.

"Observe and Report" (opening in San Diego theaters April 10) is directed by Jody Hill ("The Foot Fist Way") who returns to serve up a cold dish of justice with a side order of awesome this time around in his new mall cop blockbuster. The main character is Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen), a loose cannon mall cop who's on the edge with nothing to lose. He's also a little obsessed with the department store make-up girl Brandi (Anna Faris) from across the way. When a series of indecent exposures shocks the mall populace, the police are called into action led by Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta). This sparks a rivalry as Ronnie feels threatened by having two "cooks" in his one "cook" kitchen.

Chula Vista is looking for a new police chief. The man who currently holds the position has decided to step down after 17 years in the job. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.

A new survey reveals residents of San Diego's South Bay think there's an over-abundance of alcohol advertising in their community. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Border analysts say searching for illegal guns in cars headed south to Mexico is largely ineffective. Wednesday, law enforcement authorities searched 3000 cars crossing from San Diego to Tijuana and did not find any firearms. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

The county grand jury released a report this week advocating for the repeal of The People's Ordinance, which prohibits San Diego from charging city residents a fee for trash pick up. Plus, a task force created by Mayor Jerry Sanders is considering a proposal to expand the 600,000-square-foot San Diego Convention Center. And, President Barack Obama returned home from his trip to Europe and the Middle East. While the president and First Lady Michelle Obama were the toast of Europe, critics at home continue to hammer away at Obama's $787 billion stimulus package.

Earlier this week I highlighted the film "Immobilité" that's being touted as the first "feature-length foreign film shot entirely on a mobile phone." The film by artist Mark Amerikia is showing in The Project Room for New Media at Chelsea Art Museum in New York through May 9, with a remix version exhibited in the Streaming Museum that presents exhibitions in cyberspace. The unique nature of the project inspired me to seek Amerika out for an interview. Here's what he had to say about his provocative new film.

A California lawmaker says the state may be violating its own regulation requiring gas stations to meet new clean air standards. Steve Shadley (SHAD-Lee) explains why State Senator Dave Cox wants to know if gas pumps the state uses to fuel its vehicles are legal.

There's a new group mixing things up in Congress. One San Diego Congressman is dusting off his activist roots and hoping to find a new role for an old brand of politics: Populism. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports from Washington.

I never really was a big fan of the popular TV show "Hannah Montana." It was always just something I watched when I was bored. So I never would have put "Hannah Montana: The Movie" (opening April 10 throughout San Diego) at the top of my list for spring break 2009 movies. This movie tells the story of a pop princess, Hannah Montana (played by Miley Cyrus), trying to live and deal with her normal life and double life as Miley Stewart. When her father, Billy Ray Stewart (played by her real life father Billy Ray Cyrus), sees her struggles and notices that she chooses Hannah Montana over her friends, family and responsibilities, he decides to take her back to her roots and out of all the glamor of being Hannah Montana.

Cal Trans officials in San Diego are worried plans on both sides of the border to check vehicles headed south into Mexico could cause traffic jams on San Diego freeways. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

A federal appeals court has blocked the state of California from imposing a five percent cut in the rate Medi-Cal pays hospitals. State lawmakers argue the rate reduction would have saved California 80-million dollars a year. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking the federal government for nearly five billion dollars in economic stimulus money for California schools. School officials in the Imperial Valley hope the money will save teaching jobs there. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Researchers at UC Berkeley say climate change will bring about major shifts in worldwide fire patterns, and those changes are coming fast. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce says the findings show fire risk increasing in Southern California.

If you are looking for a movie travel destination then plan a trip to "Tokyo!" (opening April 10 at Landmark's Ken Cinema). This new film takes us to Tokyo by way of France and South Korea. The French omnibus production "Tokyo!" (yes the exclamation point is part of the title!) serves up a trio of tales in which the Japanese capitol becomes a character as well defined as the people. The first two stories are by French directors Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") and Leos Carax ("The Lovers on the Bridge"), and the concluding segment is by South Korea's Bong Joon-ho ("The Host"). The poster promises transformation, anarchy, and rebirth and for once there's truth in advertising as the trio of directors deliver that and more.

These days it seems as if every celebrity has a perfume line aiming to represent their "essence" and increase their marketability. Joining the fray is the Oceanside Museum of Art. Conceptual artist Brian Goeltzenleuchter has designed an environmental fragrance for the museum as part of an installation called Institutional Wellbeing. Brian and Museum Director of Exhibitions Teri Sowell join us to talk about the exhibit.

The Los Angeles Angels' Thursday night game has been postponed following the death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart.

A military jury has acquitted a Marine sergeant on charges of murdering an unarmed detainee during battle in Fallujah, Iraq.

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy for good reason - it's the 400 anniversary of the telescope. We'll talk about the history of the telescope and its impact on astronomy, as well as modern attempts to understand the universe.

When a tragic accident turns a family upside down, how does that family cope with the loss? We'll explore what it is like for parents to lose a child in the North Coast Rep's "Rabbit Hole," which won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

California's pre-school programs got a C-minus grade from a national education group. It's likely the recession will hit middle and low-income students harder than others. Eric Niiler reports from Washington.

What difference can an individual to conserve resources and combat global warming? The answer lies in the collective effort of many people. Stand for Less is a pilot program starting in San Diego that brings encourages all residents to embrace a more conservative, sustainable lifestyle.

A company that wants to turn seawater into fresh water in Carlsbad says it's on track to start construction later this year. But Poseidon Resources has to wait at least another month to find out they get over the last regulatory hurdle in a six-year process. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce explains.

The prescription drug OxyContin is a powerful pain reliever. It's increasingly a popular choice among young people who want to get high. Doctors say when taken incorrectly, OxyContin is highly addictive, and dangerous. KPBS Health Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

"Adventureland" (currently at AMC Mission Valley, Fashion Valley and Plaza Bonitia as well as Edwards Mira Mesa and Reading Grossmont) is a comedy set in the summer of 1987 and centered around a recent college grad forced to take a minimum wage job at a local amusement park only to find it's the perfect course to get him prepared for the real world.

A Google search on scent yields multiple quizzes formulated to determine one's signature scent. I took one. After answering multiple choice questions like "What's your favorite after school activity?"(cooking/art classes) and "What kind of dress do you like to wear to school dances?" (flowy, the options were limited), it was determined that my signature scent is "Woodsy." The explanation: "Woodsy scents from nature are best for you and help you feel more relaxed during the day!" Strangely enough, that's pretty close to the mark. The Oceanside Museum of Art got seemingly more reliable results when they asked conceptual artist Brian Goeltzenleuchter to create an OMA scent, one that would have healing and equilibrium-inducing powers.

Conceptual artist Brian Goeltzenleuchter creates a special scent for Oceanside Museum of Art.

For many people in San Diego, the $50 meal is one of those golden memories from the good ol' days of six months ago. These are the days of cheap food. Thankfully, in San Diego, cheap does not equal bad.

Baja California police have arrested 21 suspected drug cartel hit men in Tecate. Federal police link the men to numerous murders. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

The company that wants to build a desalination plant in Carlsbad will have to wait at least another month for the last step in the approvals process. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

I love this story from San Diego City Beat Associate Editor Kelly Davis about a homeless wedding in San Diego. The story of Patrick and April Chambers is so touching, as are the photos. Thanks for sharing, Kelly.

Reaching the time of the Fall of Rome in the West, this episode of The Story of India, explores the amazing achievements of India’s golden age from 300 to 1000 AD. Viewers learn how India discovered zero, calculated the circumference of the earth and wrote the world’s first sex guide, the Kama Sutra. In the south, he visits the giant temple of Tanjore, meets the current “Senior Prince” and watches traditional bronze casters, working as their ancestors did 1,000 years ago. After sampling southern vegetarian food with a Tamil family, Wood goes on pilgrimage to a sacred mountain, where the annual fire festival was already famous in 700 AD. With unprecedented access to amazing festivals, age-old crafts and intimate family rituals, Wood shows how the Middle Ages laid the social and imaginative foundations of today’s India.

The Cook Islands are made of fifteen small islands in the South Pacific Ocean near New Zealand. Recently Huell Howser spent an entire month in this paradise with a little handheld high definition camera, and put together a one hour special to give you an idea of what this amazing place is all about. It's an island adventure!

About a thousand people turned up at the San Diego Food Bank yesterday to receive food and gather information on social services. The crowd was greeted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.

High levels of lead have been discovered in handbags, purses, and wallets sold at major California retailers. The Center for Environmental Health says some of the items had amounts of the toxin that greatly exceeded the federal lead paint standard. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

Home sales jumped 25 percent in San Diego County in March, compared to the previous month, but the median price declined by 3 percent, according to a housing report released today.

Authorities in Southern California have identified a man they say opened fire at a Korean religious retreat, killing a woman and wounding a man before being beaten and disarmed in a fight with two other people.

Lura sings the music of Cape Verde, which includes styles and rhythms from Portugal, Africa, and Brazil. She performs her music from her latest album "M'bem Di Fora."

The economic recession is having a major impact on individuals and families locally. We'll find out how the San Diego Food Bank's food distribution and resource fair will help people make ends meet.

These Days checks up on the health of the California Republican Party. Has the party made any strides since the election in finding a vision acceptable to voters or in expanding its base? The answer seems to be no.

Ana Rodarte, a young woman born in Tijuana, had suffered from neurofibromatosis, also called "elephant man's disease," for most of her life. At the age of 24, the left side of her face was disfigured by the tumors which grew to surround her nerves. Two surgeons from Scripps Memorial agreed to take her case, although a positive outcome was far from certain. The doctors describe the disease, talk about Ana herself, and the surgeries which have changed the way she looks.

Humans have used native plants for food, shelter, clothing and art for tens of thousands of years. We'll look at how California's Indians used native plants throughout history and into the modern age.

A new study says California could help its budget deficit if it put lottery gambling on the web and sold tickets in big retail stores. Eric Niiler reports from Washington.

A proposed desalination plant in Carlsbad faces another regulatory hurdle Wednesday. A San Diego agency considers whether a plan by the company to offset impacts to marine life is sufficient. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Residents of San Diego’s back country turned out in force last night for a public hearing on San Diego Gas and Electric’s proposed emergency electricity shut-off plan. The utility wants the authority to turn off power to back country customers during days when weather conditions increase the risk of wildfires. KPBS Metro Reporter Katie Orr was at the hearing.

Are You a Remote Control Hog? If so, you'll appreciate this genius advert by a Berlin-based company for the Loewe sound products.

Federal authorities say a San Diego gang member masterminded Southern California's largest mortgage fraud scheme. They say the group swindled millions. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Let's face it, we're all a little bereft since The Wire ended last year.

The public will get a chance to speak at a hearing in Alpine tonight about a controversial proposal from San Diego Gas and Electric. The energy company wants the authority to turn off power in the back country during days when weather conditions increase the risk of wildfires. KPBS reporter Katie Orr reports.

The head of a citizen’s watchdog group is accusing local and federal authorities of overstepping their authority in their effort to root out corruption in the local police force. The army is holding more than 20 agents for ties to organized crime. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

California public health officials are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the state's tobacco control program. While the adult smoking rate continues to decline, some say the program is losing momentum. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

A UCSD psychologist may have found a way to help teenagers ignore environmental cues that make them overeat. And she's looking for volunteers to be part of her research. KPBS reporter Tom Fudge explains.

Obesity may be the single most common health problem of the new generation of Americans. And behaviors learned in childhood can determine whether people will keep their weight under control. Kerri Boutelle has made a study of the psychiatric factors that result in eating disorders, and she's helped to develop parenting strategies that help kids to learn how not to overeat. She joins us to talk about the ways that kids can avoid getting fat.

What are the chances the San Diego Padres will compete for the National League Western Division crown this year? Will pitching ace Jake Peavy be traded? What impact will the ownership change have on the team? We speak to Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton about the top storylines leading into the Padres' 2009 season.

As the economy worsens, a growing number of San Diegans are finding themselves in financial trouble. A local non-profit uses volunteers to help homeowners renovate and fix problems in their homes. We'll talk about how this group is bringing communities together during the recession.

Have you noticed an increase in the local bug population over the last couple weeks? We speak to County Entomologist Dr. David Kellum about what's causing the local bug population to grow. How can you protect yourself from Africanized Honey Bees? What can you do to reduce the number of bugs in your garden? And, why are spiders our friends?

How do some large corporations win their multi-billion dollar government contracts? Sometimes, they use bribery. In fact, the World Bank estimates that corrupt payments total more than $1 trillion each year, and the U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating more than 100 bribery cases. We speak to Lowell Bergman about his new FRONTLINE documentary "Black Money", which details allegations of bribery by arms manufacturer BAE Systems. We also learn about international bribery charges that have been brought against corporations like Halliburton and Siemens.

A new study by the Pew Hispanic Center finds Latinos have less confidence in law enforcement than Whites but more than African Americans. The report finds that more than three-quarters of Latinos say if they were a victim of violent crime, they'd report it to the police. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A San Diego health organization executive is in Washington, DC this week to discuss hospital safety during disasters. Joining us on Morning Edition is Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder.

Taxes or fees? Some Democrats in the California legislature are trying to turn some taxes into fees. But why? We're joined on Morning Edition by independent Sacramento political consultant Leo McElroy (MICK-Elroy).

An environmental group has listed a California river as America's most endangered river. The river is one of the main sources of water for San Diego and millions of Californians. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has the story.

I first met Chad Mossholder through his student work at SDSU. I screened his short films "Phone-Graph" and "The Percussion of Strings" at the 2007 Film School Confidential and I was struck by how radically different his films were from everything else I was showing. His sound design was exceptionally innovative and polished, and his visuals were provocatively experimental. I love keeping up with the Film School Confidential alums and seeing where they go after the festival. So I was pleased but not surprised to find that Mossholder has now contributed a soundtrack to what's being touted as the first "feature-length foreign film shot entirely on a mobile phone." The film, "Immobilité," is the work of artist Mark Amerika. "Immobilité" premieres tonight in New York and opens Wednesday, April 8, in The Project Room for New Media at Chelsea Art Museum (556 West 22nd Street, New York) and remains on view through May 9. Simultaneously, a remix version will be exhibited in the Streaming Museum that presents exhibitions in cyberspace and a network of public spaces on seven continents. Amerika will give a talk about the work on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 PM at Chelsea Art Museum. I had a chance to interview Mossholder about his work on the project.

Sorry it was all tumbleweeds and echoes around Culture Lust last week. I was moving and, well, who has time to blog when you're overwhelmed by how much stuff you own, frustrated by contact paper, and looking for outlets to plug stuff in to?

California political leaders held a statewide health care forum as part of Barack Obama's health reform initiative. San Diego took part in the satellite conference. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

Family members of a group of Tijuana policemen are asking authorities not torture their loved ones. Authorities detained more than 20 police last week for alleged ties to organized crime. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

San Diego County Supervisors will take another stab at figuring out how to build a better regional wild fire protection system. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

Local scientists are using the genetic equilvalent of barcodes to track California fish species. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has more on the UC San Diego project.

State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner was in San Diego today to urge motorists to take part in an affordable automobile insurance program.

The San Diego Unified Port District wants to build a new $28 million cruise-ship terminal on the Broadway Pier. What are the arguments for and against building a new cruise-ship terminal? And, what kind of economic impact does the cruise-ship industry have on San Diego? We speak to KPBS Metro Reporter Katie Orr about a Coastal Commission hearing taking place later this week that could determine if San Diego's cruise-ship infrastructure will be expanded.

How much sugar and fat does your body need, and how much is too much? What kind of impact do sugar and fat have on your body when they are eaten in excess? What's the difference between good and bad fat? And, what are good sugar food sources?

Are you still waiting to do your 2008 income tax returns? Are you confused about a particular element of your federal tax return? What are some of the new tax laws that you should be aware of? We speak to IRS Spokesman Raphael Tulino about what you should know before filing your tax returns, and we take your last-minute tax-related questions. We also talk to Brenda Voet, from the California Franchise Tax Board, about your state tax return.

The new U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke to thousands of school board members attending a national conference in San Diego over the weekend. The event was a chance for Duncan to talk about the educational priorities of the Obama administration. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Thousands of new homebuyers are taking advantage of a state tax credit intended to jumpstart California's slumping housing market.

It's baseball season!The San Diego Padres open the regular season tonight at Petco Park. They take on division rival, the LA Dodgers. We're joined on Morning Edition by North County Times sports columnist Jay Paris.

In 2007, more than 83-thousand Californians visited an emergency room for something that could have been prevented at the dentist's office. A new study from the California HealthCare Foundation says that phenomenon is taking its toll on patients and the medical system. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The Unified Port of San Diego is planning to build a permanent cruise ship terminal at the Broadway Pier on San Diego’s bay front. On Wednesday the California Costal Commission could approve the project. But there are opponents to the plan and they want to be heard before the terminal moves forward. KPBS Metro Reporter Katie Orr has the story.

Immigrants rights activists in San Diego will take to the street this May 1st to ask the President to reform the nation's immigration laws. The coalition announced plans for the march Sunday, which is the fourth march in as many years. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

Find out what your child knows already. If your child asks you a difficult question (about sex, death, politics, etc.), you might simply ask, "What have you heard?" This allows your child to tell you what she understands — or misunderstands — and perhaps what concerns are prompting her question.

See the situation through your child's eyes. You know how you feel when your boss or partner says, "That's ridiculous," or insists you really like something you know you hate? Kids feel the same way when parents say, "You don't really mean that," or "I can't believe you said that!"

Being a teenager and moving to a new town is always difficult. But when Thomas (Rhys Wakefield) and his family move to a new home and he has to start at a new school, everything is complicated by the fact he has an autistic/ADD older brother named Charlie (Luke Ford). That's the spin that Australian writer-director Elissa Down gives to her coming of age tale, "The Black Balloon" (opened April 3 at Landmark's La Jolla Village Theaters).

Take a break and listen to your child. Specific actions — like making eye contact, kneeling down to your child's level and even tilting your head-show your child you are listening. They also help YOU stop and really listen. If you can't talk at that moment, you might say, "Let's talk in a few minutes; I'm in the middle of something."

We haven't heard much about earmarks in San Diego since 2006. That's when former Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham was caught trading earmarks for bribes -- $2.4 million tens of millions worth of quid pro quo defense contracts exchanged for antiques, a lavish home, and other opulent goodies. Perhaps, following months of blistering national coverage and Cunningham's imprisonment for conspiracy and tax evasion resulting from those bribes, one would think earmarks might be out of favor with Congress.

By Darrin Buchanan "Adventureland" (opening April 3 at select San Diego Theaters) was a movie that had me laughing but that still was not enough. The movie had its strong points with the humor but there were also things that weren't clear. The movie takes place in 1987 and yet it still felt like it's modern day. A young man James and his family have to move because his dad got laid off and he needs to get a job to help him pay for grad school. He applies everywhere but the only place that will accept him is this amusment park, Adventureland. His jobs include the games and booths. The park is full of wierd people and of corse the one hot chick that everyone is head over heels for.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visits San Diego tomorrow to talk about federal economic stimulus money for schools and the education priorities of the Obama administration. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

San Diego's wheelchair rugby team, the Sharp Edge, won its first two contests in the Division-One national championships in Louisville today. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

San Diego’s Airport Authority is moving forward with plans to expand on the south side of Lindbergh Field. But officials are also considering the Destination Lindbergh concept which would move many airport operations to the north. KPBS reporter Katie Orr explains.

San Diego home prices have dropped 40 percent from the peak market value in November 2005. Plus, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders is now collecting his full salary and pension after working for three years at about $36,000 annually. President Barack Obama is in Europe this week to talk with world leaders about how to fix the ailing global economy.

Unemployment lines are getting longer and sales taxes are increasing, but California is getting billions of dollars from the federal government. Joining us on Morning Edition is Steven Levy, director of the Center for the Continuing Study of the California Economy.

There's plenty of snow in the Sierra Nevada, but California water officials say it falls short of the amount needed to replenish the state's reservoirs. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has more on what that may mean for San Diego.

"Fast and Furious" (opening April 3 throughout San Diego) is the fourth movie in "The Fast and the Furious" saga. Dom (Vin Diesel) and his girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) along with a few other guys steal some gas, and then Dom gets news of people wanting him dead or in prison so he decides to leave. He leaves Letty in the middle of the night with a bundle of cash and goes out to be on his own without endangering the ones he loves. Soon after leaving he gets news of Letty being murdered and sets out to seek revenge. The rest of the movie is Dom trying to find out who killed his love and kill them. Dom has to enter a race along with an old "friend" Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) who is now undercover for the FBI. They both end up getting hired by the guy that they are looking for; then revenge and duty takes their course. Brian gets the man he is looking for with the help of Dom and Dom gets his revenge.

Department of Homeland Security officials are hosting regular conference calls with law enforcement officials in border communities like San Diego to help inform border policy. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

Following on the heels of the animated "Monsters Vs. Aliens," "Alien Trespass" (opening April 3 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) covers somewhat similar ground. Both films present us with an alien who comes to earth and then the films try to use the trappings of 50s sci-fi movies to sell the premise. But unlike "Monsters Vs. Aliens," "Alien Trespass" is live action. It also comes from R. W. Goodwin who should know what he's doing since he worked on the cult TV show "The X-Files," which frequently dealt with aliens although usually in a more serious vein.

A study of health coverage shows more than twelve million Californians went without health Insurance at some point in the past two years. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

The Imperial Valley's skyrocketing unemployment and foreclosure rates are putting a squeeze on the region's social services. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Researchers at San Diego's Burnham Institute say they've found a process in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease. The discovery may lead to a cure. KPBS Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

Binge drinking, fraternity hazings, sexual violence on campus. What in the world is going on with America's young men? Michael Kimmel's hypothesis is that the line between boys and men, child and adult is increasingly blurred by a generation of young men who act like adolescents afraid to pursue an adult life without the safety net of their "bros." This large group of young men are simply refusing to assume the responsibility of adulthood, preferring to remain in "guyland" well into their late 20s.

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other habitable planets in our galaxy? One of today's guests has been trying to answer that question for more than 20 years. We speak to astronomer Alan Boss, about his new book "The Crowded Universe: The Search for Living Planets."

Dr. Michael Shermer, historian of science, bestselling author and founder of the Skeptics Society and Skeptic Magazine, will discuss how evolution applies to economics, whether being a scientist means not believing in god, and whether science can prove (or disprove) the existence of God.

President Barack Obama has been on the job for less than three months, and the Republicans are already starting to look ahead to 2012. We speak to the former chairman of the Federal Election Commission about how the politicking for the Republican nomination in 2012 has already begun. Who are the early front-runners to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2012? What's happening in the Democratic party in preparation for 2012? What kind of impact does the seemingly constant campaign cycle have on the debates going on in Washington, D.C.?

Most films that deal with border issues focus on immigrants and immigration along the California or Texas state lines. But the new film "Sin Nombre" (opening April 3 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) shows us how people living deeper in Mexico and Central America get to that border. The film played last month at the San Diego Latino Film Festival and just about everyone I spoke to at the fest was recommending it. I spoke with first time feature filmmaker Cary Fukunaga at the festival just before he presented the film to a full house.

The Center for Biological Diversity says a federal agency is not responding fast enough to protect a sea bird that lives off San Diego's coast. The group says the ashy storm petrel is at risk from development and climate change. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Traumatic injury is one of the leading causes of death. But most of us don't consider it a disease. A new research center at UC San Diego is based on the notion that it is a disease. And if we treat it like one, we'll save lives and make all people safer. KPBS Health Reporter Tom Fudge has more.

As parents we spend so much of our time talking to our kids — and then wonder why they don't seem to hear us. In heated moments, we find ourselves stuck in power struggles, but can't figure out what to say to stop the fighting. Sometimes we just don't know how to answer a tough question.

UC San Diego researchers say unless the effects of climate change are reduced, California faces a dismal economic and environmental future. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has more on what's predicted in the latest assessment from the Climate Action Team.

The Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security has announced that the federal government will spend $20 million to improve the Otay Mesa border crossing. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

A new study reveals watching smoking in movies during adolescence greatly increases the risk of becoming a smoker in later life. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

San Diego’s Chief Financial Officer says the city will get about $3 million less in sales tax revenue. KPBS reporter Katie Orr has details.

President Barack Obama says he's still committed to reducing the amount of pork-barrel spending done by individual members of Congress, but outside of Senator John McCain and a few others, he's not getting much support in the effort to reform earmark spending. That's because directing money to specific projects is a time-honored tradition in Congress and has kept many lawmakers in office for many years. KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner is here to discuss the pros and cons of earmark spending, and how much earmarking is going in our local congressional delegation.

The Oxford American magazine explores the American South through writing, photography and, once a year, music. The annual Southern Music Issue has become a favorite among readers and collectors, with its accompanying CD featuring all genres of southern music, from jazz, blues, country and rock and roll, to rockabilly and gospel. This month, the magazine published its 10th Anniversary Southern Music issue. We'll talk with Oxford American founder and editor Marc Smirnoff about the music included in this special edition.

Census workers are gearing up for the 2010 census which is officially one year away. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more on what is at stake.

When they plugged California's $42 billion budget hole in February, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders said everyone had to give up something to repair the state's finances.

Although the state's economy is struggling right now, long-time journalist James Flanigan argues that Southern California should be an economic model for the United States and the rest of the world. What makes the Southern California economy so unique? What sectors of the Southern California economy are likely to grow in the future? What kind of impact has immigration, both legal and illegal, had on the region's workforce? We discuss the new book "Smile Southern California: You're the Center of the Universe."

American auto makers are getting another chance to restructure their business models, but the Obama administration has made it clear they won't be getting a blank check from the government. We're joined on Morning Edition by Phil Flynn Senior Market Analyst at Alaron Trading in Chicago, and a Fox Business News contributor.

Starting Wednesday you'll have to cough up an extra penny on the dollar for just about everything you buy. That's because a temporary state sales tax hike is taking effect. Marianne Russ reports.

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