A plan to put a half-cent sales tax increase on the City of San Diego November ballot has died. Several city council members said they were not happy with the idea of asking for a half-cent sales tax increase, but most of them said they were willing to put it on the ballot to let the public decide.

French journalist Julien Pearce reflects on his experience visiting the U.S.-Mexico border fence. Immigration issues in Europe are similar to those in the U.S., but the size and scope of the fence is distinctly different.

The most severe types of lawbreaking -- including murder, rape, robbery and assault -- decreased in San Diego over the first half of this year, continuing recent positive crime trends in the city, authorities announced today.

The fourth season of AMC's much heralded drama "Mad Men" began last night. In honor of a new season of swell clothes, office bars, and Don Draper, Culture Lust found this video featuring "The Mad Men School of Seduction."

As the country debates Arizona's controversial new immigration law, KPBS takes a closer look at unauthorized immigration here in San Diego. In a special documentary, we explore why migrants take big risks to work here, and what happens to children of deported parents.

Comic-Con 2010 was marked by record crowds, expanded facilities, long lines and one notable pen stabbing by a frustrated fan in Hall H. Oh, and there were celebrities and comics. We'll talk Comic-Con with three veteran Con-goers.

This week, San Diego City Council will take an important step toward safeguarding a clean supply of drinking water for city residents in the future. A $6-million contract would test the viability of purifying sewage water to meet safe drinking water standards.

San Diego Chargers training camp gets underway later this morning. Joining us on Morning Edition is North County Times sports columnist Jay Paris.

If interest rates are low and local homes are becoming more "affordable," why is the number of home sales declining? We speak to a pair of real estate experts about the latest trends in the San Diego housing market.

What's the motivation behind San Diegans 4 Great Schools? We speak to one of the organizers of the coalition about why they think the city should reexamine the way the San Diego Unified School District is run.

Young girls in poofy skirts, petticoats and large bows mix with stormtroopers and superheroes at Comic-Con. A Tokyo-bred fashion style known as Lolita has a US (and San Diego!) following. Culture Lust talks to and photographs some Sweet Lolitas at this year's Comic-Con.

Floatopia could get deflated Monday. A loophole in San Diego's beach alcohol ban allows people to drink while floating in the water. The City Council will now decide whether to amend the ban to prohibit the parties.

The Oceanside Unified School District is saving $2 million next school year by re-tooling teacher health care benefits. The tactic may prompt other school districts to follow suit.

Imagine a world without apples, almonds and broccoli. It takes honey bees to pollinate most of our favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables -- but the bees are mysteriously disappearing. Some commercial beekeepers in San Diego have already been affected by this phenomenon.

California law requires the state's largest investor-owned utilities to get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the end of this year, but it's likely none of the utilities, including San Diego Gas and Electric, will meet the goal.

Now that Comic-Con is over the big question remains: Can San Diego keep the convention coming back in the future? One organization has been trying to make space for comic books’ smallest fans.