With his time in office winding down, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders took to the stage of downtown’s Balboa Theater last night to give his final State of the City.

An organization focused on helping disadvantaged high school students become the first in their families to go to college is planning to expand.

Two environmental groups say cigarette butts were the most prevalent kind of litter on San Diego's beach again last year, and the problem is getting worse.

San Diego County Supervisors have approved a major new residential development project north of Escondido over objections from Native American tribes.

Anna Deavere Smith interviews an eclectic range of people and then performs as the interviewees in their own words. This new gallery of indelible portraits ranges from boldface names such as cyclist Lance Armstrong, supermodel Lauren Hutton and Texas Governor Ann Richards, to lesser-known but equally memorable characters, including a rodeo bull rider, a New Orleans hospital doctor and the director of a South African orphanage — all sharing their searing experiences in confronting the price and politics of health, facing the end of life and encountering the ultimate resilience of the human spirit.

California’s non-partisan Legislative Analyst says Governor Jerry Brown’s 2012 budget proposal would save the state enough money to “pretty much” close the state’s deficit – now and in future years.

The Chula Vista Nature Center is getting a needed increase in funding with $125,000 from the Port of San Diego.

Joseph continues his Aussie adventure in Australia’s island state Tasmania. From the capital of Hobart and its harbor, markets and elegant neighborhoods he heads out across the state and traces Tasmania’s convict origins in the prisons of Port Arthur, hikes Cradle Mountain National Park, rides out the ups and downs of a fast paced eco-cruise along Tasman National Park’s spectacular coastline and meets the devil –– the Tasmanian Devil, that is.

Vegetables can make some kids turn and run for the hills before they even give them a chance. In this episode, Ming joins forces with a man who specializes in close encounters with icky foods to help make “weird” vegetables more appealing to kids. Andrew Zimmern, Mr. "Bizzare Foods" himself, joins Ming to cook two new dishes your kids will devour: Turkey Spring Rolls with Hoisin-Lime Dipping Sauce with Bacon Brussel Sprouts and Mixed Vegetables and Tofu with a Miso Sabayon.

San Diego County mental health officials say screening and preparation is paying off.

A new report reveals underage drinking cost California more than $6.5 billion in 2010.

During the closing weeks of the Bush White House, 27-year-old environmental activist Tim DeChristopher went to protest the auction of gas and oil drilling rights to more than 150,000 acres of publicly-owned Utah wilderness. But instead of yelling slogans or waving a sign, DeChristopher disrupted the proceedings by starting to bid. He was arrested for criminal fraud, found guilty, and sentenced to two years in federal prison -- even though the new Obama Administration had since declared the oil and gas auction null and void. DeChristopher -- who was released less than a month ago -- joins Bill to talk about the necessity of civil disobedience in the fight for justice, how his jury was ordered to place the strict letter of the law over moral conscience, and the future of the environmental movement.

Journalist Jose Vargas revealed his status as an illegal immigrant a few years ago after living, attending school and working in the United States for nearly 20 years. His status is unchanged, and he talks with us about his life int he shadows.

Are you happy with the direction NPR is going? If you have questions about funding or anything else, today is your day. NPR CEO Gary Knell joins us, and he's taking your calls.

Award-winning actor Martin Shaw stars as Inspector George Gently – an incorruptible, uncompromising cop transplanted from London’s Scotland Yard to England’s North Country in the mid-1960s. Gently’s reputation for honesty and relentlessness makes him almost as feared among his colleagues as he is among criminals. But he finds an odd ally in John Bacchus – an overeager, opinionated young sergeant who plays fast and loose with police procedures.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick is co-sponsoring a bill to give California voters a chance to change their minds on high-speed rail.

The former Marine fired his M-16 alongside his squad leader, shooting off round after round into the dark bedroom of the Iraqi home, fearing he was under attack. But he admits he only saw silhouettes, some small, and he only heard his own squad's gunfire.

Millions of dollars in property values hang in the balance this week, as San Diego County Supervisors consider requests to up-zone or down-zone more than 100 parcels. The board is making last minute tweaks to its General Plan for future growth in the unincorporated areas.

Mayor Jerry Sanders is scheduled to deliver his final State of the City address tonight, when he's expected to provide updates on major municipal construction projects.

Latino students are the largest minority group in the Southwest and the fastest-growing nationally. Federal data shows they consistently perform poorly on state tests and have lower graduation rates than whites. This is especially true for a growing population known as: "English Language Learners."