The California Legislature has passed a spending plan that closes the state’s remaining ten billion dollar deficit.

The spending plan put forth by legislative Democrats Wednesday doesn’t include the governor’s proposed tax extensions. Instead, it uses a mix of other solutions to fill that $10 billion gap.

A local man is taking the plunge to raise $210,000. Blair Cannon is training for a special swim to support the city’s school for homeless children and scholarships for military kids.

Now that The Book Works is leaving us, Pat Finn wonders about the fate of the independent bookstore and finds one that is doing okay, thank you.

“Masquerade de Venezia” is a black tie gala to support KPBS’ core programs and services, made possible by the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations.

Taking inspiration from the Masquerade theme, SDSU Opera Director Kellie Evans-O’Connor creates the evening’s featured performance from the world's great opera, operetta, and musical theater works.

The reptile meat goes for as much as $50 in the black market, but it isn't an endangered species.

KPBS is proud to have Mark L. Walberg, the host of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” as our evening’s emcee. As our gala host, he’ll be our guide throughout the evening, as we celebrate another year of exquisite programming and honor the 2011 Hall of Fame inductees.

Through a special partnership with the Evans Hotels, we’re thrilled to have the Lodge at Torrey Pines as our event venue. The sophisticated and elegant ballrooms of this California craftsman-style resort will be transformed into 16th century Venice – the setting of our masquerade ball.

The San Diego Foundation and its partners officially began a year-long process of engaging the public and envisioning the city's future.

“KPBS Celebrates: Masquerade de Venezia” brings together more than 200 friends and supporters for a special celebration of public media. The gala also honors the 2011 KPBS “Hall of Fame” inductees: Gloria Penner, Danah Fayman, and Dick and Carol Hertzberg.

Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional won't be thrown out because the judge is gay. But the same-sex marriage ruling is still being challenged, we'll find out what's next in the process.

Our region provides a new home for tens of thousands of international refugees. This weekend the lives of some of San Diego's refugees will be revealed through photography and film at the first annual World Refugee Day. We'll hear about the contributions refugees have made to San Diego and details about what to expect at the event.

This episode features Japanese photographer Ms. Mayumi Suzuki, who lost her parents on March 11, 2011 during the Great East Japan Earthquake. Her father was a photographer in the town of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. His photo studio was swept away in the tsunami, but the tiled darkroom building withstood the disaster. Ms. Suzuki, who now lives in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, returned to her hometown to fill in for him, and decided to work to revive her father’s photo studio and help revitalize the town with her photos.

Today is the homecoming for the USS Carl Vinson. The aircraft carrier is returning home after a historic seven-month deployment that included the at-sea burial of Osama bin Laden and air support for the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. We speak to KPBS Military Blogger Beth Ford Roth about the return of the Vinson.

Last week, the Rules Committee of the San Diego City Council declined to support the controversial "Jacobs Plan" to remove cars from the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park by building a road around the Museum of Man. What is plan B for removing cars from the Plaza by 2015, the 100th anniversary of the Panama-California Exposition?

The USS Carl Vinson returns home to San Diego this morning. Countless loved ones will be there to hug and hold the crew for the first time since November 30.

The officer recorded license plates of cars visiting the compound where Osama bin Laden was hidden.

From summer concerts in the park to lawn bowling, KPBS has you covered for fun and free activities to enjoy with your family this summer.

On any given day, there are about 37,000 immigrants in detention throughout the U.S. Before they get deported, many are often transferred to remote jails.

The state has repeatedly balked at boosting how much it pays the people who care for society’s mistreated children.