A SWAT team stormed inside a Navy family's Serra Mesa home to end a three-hour standoff with a domestic-shooting suspect, finding a man and woman dead in an apparent case of murder-suicide.

Despite a continued sluggish economy, tourism picked up this year.

The Salvation Army will collect and distributes gifts to about 44,000 needy children this holiday season.

It’s been one of the driest Decembers on record so far in the Sierra Nevada — which is a key water source for California. But state officials say that’s not something to worry about just yet.

Afghanistan produces more than 90 percent of the world’s illicit opium. Opium farmers have long borrowed money from drug gangs, some with links to the Taliban, to subsidize their crops. Now, as the Afghan government destroys their livelihood in an eradication program, the farmers find themselves in a horrifying situation: repay their debts or give their daughters to drug-traffickers, often to be used for sex. Award-winning Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi takes viewers deep into the remote Afghan countryside to reveal the deadly bargain local farm families have been forced to make with drug smugglers in order to survive.

Doctors are livid about Congress's failure to delay a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments.

A bill that would allow servicemembers and their families to get through airport security screening more quickly cleared its final congressional hurdle Wednesday.

Encountering new extremes of wealth and poverty, altitude and freezing cold, the ex-Python brings his unique brand of wit and wisdom with him as he travels across the roof of the world. Traveling through this awe-inspiring scenery, including rich flora and fauna and dizzying switchback mountain roads, Michael visits the region's cities and makes detours to places - and people - of special interest.

San Diego County health officials today reminded those giving bicycles, skateboards and scooters as presents during the holidays to include properly fitted helmets as part of the gift.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we take a look at top stories that took place across the U.S./Mexico border and the Southwest with our Fronteras Desk reporters.

At the Tampa Convention Center, "Roadshow" appraisers discover some smokin’ finds, including an autographed scrapbook documenting Joe DiMaggio’s 1941 hitting streak; a marriage license issued to Davy Crockett for a wedding that never took place; and a painting by acclaimed 19th-century marine artist James E. Buttersworth, which narrowly escaped serious damage during Hurricane Charley, valued from $250,000 to $500,000.

"We Bought a Zoo" (opening December 23 throughout San Diego) arrives just in time for Christmas.

"Antiques Roadshow" is turning Sweet Sixteen with a jaw-dropping season premiere from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Highlights include a poignant signed note from Mother Teresa to a wood-carver who sent her a walking cane during her final years; a custom model 1894 Winchester rifle that may have been used in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show; and a collection of late 17th/early 18th-century Chinese rhinoceros horn carved libation cups — grabbing the number one spot in the list of all-time highest value "Roadshow" appraisals at $1 to $1.5 million!

Legendary star of stage and screen Julie Andrews returns as host of the festive annual New Year’s celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of guest conductor Mariss Jansons, at Vienna’s Musikverein. The venerable concert is the largest worldwide event in classical music, reaching more than a billion people annually through radio and television in 72 countries.

The revelations about alleged child sex abuse by a former Penn State football coach have caused policymakers to propose new measures to broaden who is required to report suspected abuse.

A military family of five is being treated to a trip to Philadelphia for their first Christmas visit home in five years today thanks to the San Diego-based nonprofit Home for the Holidays and Southwest Airlines.

Although organizers expect Qualcomm Stadium to be less than half-full, fans are being encouraged to take public transportation or if they do drive, to arrive two or three hours before the Poinsettia Bowl game between Louisiana Tech and Texas Christian kicks off.

Tuesday House Republicans rejected a bill that had broad bipartisan support in the Senate.

Dr. Raul Ruiz grew up in a trailer park in this poor district in Southern California’s interior.