Imagine if “The Insider” had been done as a comedy by the Coen Brothers and you’ll have an inkling of what “The Informant!” (opening September 18 throughout San Diego) tries to do. The story that inspired it was the topic of a "This American Life" episode from 2000.

The Schwarzenegger Administration is submitting a plan to shrink the prison population that falls short of what a panel of federal judges ordered. The panel gave the state until Friday to figure out how to cut 40,000 inmates over two years to address overcrowding.

The link between soda and obesity is getting more attention in California. A state senator from Los Angeles says he plans to hold hearings on the connection soon.

Thousands of volunteers are expected to scour the coast and inland waterways Saturday in San Diego County. It's all part of the 25th anniversary of California Coastal Cleanup Day.

The city of San Diego will have to pay $225 million to its pension fund next year. That’s the largest single pension payment the city’s ever had to make. The pension board decided on Friday not to reduce the size of the payment.

An ACORN employee in National City seen on videotape offering a duo posing as a prostitute and her pimp advice on getting 12 young girls across the border from Mexico has been fired.

A new Absolut Vodka commercial is not just visually inspiring, its soundtrack pays homage to the seminal Manchester bands, Joy Division and New Order.

Today is the last day San Diego Unified School Superintendent Terry Grier will be working at district headquarters. Some people still can't believe he's leaving after just 18 months. Grier says one reason he resigned is people in the district focused too much on the needs of adults, not children.

Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said more U.S. combat troops are needed to accomplish our goals in Afghanistan. President Obama responded by saying he will not be rushed into a decision over whether to send more troops.

Mayor Sanders encouraged San Diego to move forward with $1.6 billion in building projects that include a new City Hall, a new library downtown, and an expansion of the convention center. Why does the mayor believe these projects will help San Diego become a "great city"?

Have we seen the worst of this economic recession, or are more difficult times ahead? President Barack Obama says the worst of the recession is behind us, but more financial regulations are needed to prevent future crises.

Hard-liners attacked senior pro-reform leaders in the streets as tens of thousands marched in competing mass demonstrations by the opposition and government supporters. Opposition protesters, chanting "death to the dictator," hurled stones and bricks in clashes with security forces firing tear gas.

California's Poison Control system is on life support. The 24-7 operation lost half of its funding in the new state budget. Poison control officials say if they don't find an additional $6 million soon, the system will have to close.