A massive tsunami triggered by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded smashed into Japan Friday, killing hundreds of people as it swept away boats, cars and homes.

A local leader of that group says the allegation proves the hearing was a witch-hunt.

San Diego’s largest school district is bracing for drastic budget cuts. Board members are set to vote tonight on whether to send layoff warnings to more than 1,500 personnel, 900 of them teachers.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first new drug in 56 years to treat lupus.

Actor-activist Sean Penn and California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom are among those set to take part in the fourth annual Clinton Global Initiative University Meeting next month at UC San Diego, former President Bill Clinton announced today.

California consumers gave most HMOs poor grades on getting timely care. That's a key finding in the California Office of the Patient Advocate 10th annual report card on health plans.

City Council members referred a package of federal-funds allocations to community organizations to the full council for approval.

Science magazine has compiled data made available for the first time on Afghan civilian deaths. The magazine’s research shows the number of Afghan civilians killed during the last two years is on the rise.

It looks like negotiations that could lead to a state budget deal will continue over the weekend – and a vote could come very early next week.

Researchers are gearing up for a study on whether dietary changes, exercise and telephone counseling can stop or delay the progression of prostate cancer, the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center announced today.

This morning, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced she will run for mayor in the next election.

A woman whose leg was crushed when a taxi rolled into a crowd outside a San Diego nightclub has undergone reconstructive surgery.

Thursday was Gov. Jerry Brown’s self-imposed deadline for a budget deal. But the Governor has now asked lawmakers to delay votes on a spending plan.

The scandal over Juan Williams' firing made NPR look bad. But the careless comments of Ron Schiller have made it look much worse.

The 2010 Census reveals a more ethnically diverse county than ever before. We've started to pour through the numbers and we'll have an early look at what they mean.

What are the latest trends in the local commercial and residential real estate markets? Why are some areas of the market improving, while others are still struggling? Local real estate experts discuss what changes we've seen in 2011, and offer their predictions for what could happen in the spring and summer months.

But the White House notes domestic production last year rose to its highest level since 2003.

Hundreds of people turned up at San Diego City Hall Thursday pleading on behalf of various social service programs. But there's just not enough money to go around.

Republican Congressman Peter King’s hearing today on homegrown terrorism has outraged some local American Muslims and raised questions about whether the event undercuts counterterrorism efforts.

The San Diego Latino Film Festival is screening 185 films this year and close to 140 actors and directors will be in town. How does one even begin to decide what to see and do? Our KPBS film critic has some strategy tips and recommendations for you.

Stravinsky created "A Soldier's Tale" as a road show, with a pared down ensemble that included actors and dancers. UCSD's Camera Lucida will keep their version on the stage. We'll talk with the musicians and performers behind this musical tale of a deal with the devil.

Musical performances by Pamela Z and Marshall Crenshaw top our weekend to-do list, along with TNT and a family friendly St. Patrick's Day parade.

Filmgoers have two film events to choose from this weekend as IndieFest and the San Diego Latino Film Festival both open. IndieFest is a relative newcomer but the San Diego Latino Film Festival is now in its 18th year. Listen to my radio feature.