A judge on Wednesday accused the Colorado parents who falsely claimed their son drifted away in a balloon of exploiting their children in a bid for a reality TV show, sentencing the father to jail and the mother to an alternative sentencing program.

The Senate is set to pass a landmark health bill early Thursday morning that would bring President Obama and Democrats a step closer to the most sweeping change in the nation's health system since Medicare was created more than four decades ago.

Much of the rest of the country is either recovering from snowstorms or expecting them. But San Diego should have a typically mild Christmas weekend.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to slash health care spending if Congress doesn't give California more money. Critics say the governor is staking out territory for next year's state budget negotiations.

President Obama hit back at critics within his own party over the landmark health care overhaul packages moving through Congress during an interview with NPR's All Things Considered.

If you're a last minute shopper for holiday gifts and you have a music lover on your list, consider the new album from Tom Waits, "Glitter and Doom Live." Culture Lust contributor and Waits fan Andy Trimlett has this recommendation.

We'll find out if James Cameron's "Avatar" was worth its $500 million dollar price tag and whether George Clooney or Colin Firth deserve the best actor buzz. We'll give you the goods on what will be in theaters this Christmas season.

Adam Lambert shocked audiences at the American Music Awards, Glee becomes an unlikely hit, and Mad Men grabbed the spotlight. Television in 2009 had some hits and misses and we'll talk about both.

More than 30,000 people are expected to turn out Wednesday for the fifth annual Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Organizers are happy with how the bowl game has developed.

You see the big red bins for food donations all over San Diego this time of year. But what happens to the cans and boxes of food after they’re donated? KPBS reporter Susan Murphy followed some donated items from red bin to final destination.