The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will cast a final vote Wednesday on the controversial Merriam Mountains project. If approved, the proposed housing development will put 2,700 new homes across from the Lawrence Welk Resort, along Interstate 15.

San Diego is on a list of the top 25 U.S. metro areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings. The ranking is from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Doctors at Rady Children's Hospital say they're seeing an unusually high number of kids with Kawasaki disease. The condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels, and can affect the heart.

A “ballet in sneakers” choreographed by the legendary Jerome Robbins in 1958, "NY Export: Opus Jazz" was a breakout success in its day, complete with a world tour and a broadcast on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Set to an evocative jazz score by Robert Prince with original abstract urban sets designed by Ben Shahn, the five movements blend ballet, jazz and ballroom with Latin, African and American rhythms to create a style that remains expressive, sensual and contemporary.

This program centers on Christopher Columbus' historic first voyage, re-created with replicas of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. The documentary tells the timeless story of Columbus' Atlantic crossing, his fateful first encounter with native peoples, his eventful voyage through the Bahamas to Cuba and Hispaniola, and his dramatic return to Europe, bringing with him the news of the land and people.

The parents of Chelsea King are speaking out to push for tougher laws against violent sexual predators. Brent and Kelly King say they want to change laws so other parents don’t have to go through what they’re going through.

The last time California spent more money on students than most other states in the country was 45 years ago.

You know you have to click on a headline that says "Hip Hop Grandma in Beijing." I mean, c'mon!

Some politicians in Sacramento are giving pay raises to staff amidst a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. We're joined on Morning Edition by nonpartisan Sacramento political consultant Leo McElroy.

Puppies, kittens and pandas have all been Internet sensations, but a barn owl from San Marcos named Molly is the latest to grab the attention of millions of cubicle captives. Part of Molly's appeal is her maternal side: one of her six eggs has already hatched (Max!) and her fans are watching a live stream to see the other baby owls - called owlets- break through.

The recession has taken its toll on operators of San Diego County's lone tollway. South Bay Expressway LP and partner California Transportation Ventures Inc. filed Monday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

How will the health care reform bill impact local health care providers? We speak to representatives from hospitals and community clinics about how they will be affected, and get an update on what changes will begin this year and what will take place in 2014.

The San Diego Unified School District says seven middle school students were arrested and could face criminal charges after two guns and ammunition were found on campus last week.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals here in California has once again addressed the issue of the constitutionality of the "under God" reference in the Pledge of Allegiance. But this time its ruling was very different than back in 2002. Also on this Legal Update we'll hear about a decision regarding some very nasty talk on the internet.

Once President Obama signs the health care bill into law, look for opponents of the bill to move quickly to the next front: attacking it as unconstitutional. Opponents have been gearing up for the legal fight for months.

A panel of judges will converge in a San Diego federal courtroom this week to hear where the numerous class action lawsuits against Toyota should be held. Outside the public eye, powerful plaintiff’s attorneys are hotly contesting who among them will lead the fight to extract what could be billions of dollars from the Japanese auto giant.

Ted Kornweibel is the author of "Railroads in the African American Experience: A Photographic Journey," the first book to detail the entire sweep of the African-American experience with America's railroads. Using many dozens of photos, many of which he purchased himself, the book begins with slavery and the birth of Southern Railroading and continues through Jim Crow and 20th century racism.