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.

Michel Gondry's Interior Design, one of three tales in Tokyo! (Liberation Entertainment)

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.

Do you identify with the twentysomethings of Adventureland? (Miramax)

Institutional Wellbeing, on view through August 9th at Oceanside Museum of Art.

The current slices on offer at Zia's Gourmet Pizza. Photo by Andy Trimlett