Auto Industry Woes Reverberate in San Diego

The U.S. auto industry is in big trouble. It's being hammered by costly pensions and health care for retired employees but mostly by a terrible economy, which has resulted in (even more) abysmal sales and very tight credit. These Days looks at the state of the industry, how the recession is affecting local car dealers, what the Big 3 are asking for this week from Congress, and what the ramifications would be if one or all went under.

 Will Obama Be the Next FDR?

Barack Obama made history this month by becoming the first African-American president of the U.S. Some are now comparing him to Pres. Franklin Roosevelt. Can Obama save the country from economic ruin? We'll explore the future of America with KPBS TV's "Envision San Diego: Change."

 State of SDSU Athletic Department Discussed

What can we expect from the SDSU Men's Basketball team this season? Host Lee Hamilton speaks to Men's Basketball Coach Steve Fisher about the team's goals for the season. We also discuss the general state of the SDSU Athletic Department with two local sports reporters.

 How to Raise Good Kids in Today's Hectic World

How do you raise good, decent kids in today's fast-paced, high-achieving, conflict-driven world? Is it harder to raise kids today than in years past? We'll talk with an author of a new book on parenting and a child psychologist about raising kids with character in today's world.

 ‘The Big Sort’ Examines America’s Cultural Isolation

“The Big Sort” examines the increasing cultural segregation of America, and the way people of different views and backgrounds are being isolated from each other.

 Legal Analyst Covers Title IX, Sonar & Profanity

Are women getting equal access to college sports? We'll take a look at a recent case in California that gets to the heart of Title IX, the law that forbids discrimination based on sex in higher education. We'll also look at the Supreme Court's recent ruling on sonar testing by the Navy. And the use of fleeting expletives in broadcasting.

 Water Expert Explains How to Get the Most From Our Annual Supply

What are some of the more innovative, impactful things you can do to conserve water at your home? What changes can you make to your landscaping to save water and money in the long run? We speak to Brock Dolman, from the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center's Water Institute, about "thinking like a watershed". Dolman also talks about what we've learned from nature that can be applied to our home's landscaping.

 LA Times Reporter Tony Perry Discusses Changes in Iraq, Afghanistan

What's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan these days? Now that the election is over, will changes be made to the United States' strategies in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Host Lee Hamilton speaks to Tony Perry, who joins us from Iraq. Tony updates us on the morale of the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, and discusses how things have changed since the last time he was in the Middle East.

 County Updates General Plan for the Future, Calls for Less Growth

Are you concerned about growth in San Diego County? If so, you might want to check out the first draft of the County's General Plan Update, which was released last Friday. Host Alison St. John speaks to a representative from the County about the General Plan Update. One of the highlights from this most recent update, is a plan to reduce growth by 15 percent.

 Orchids and Onions Winners and Losers

The Orchids and Onions awards ceremony celebrating San Diego's built environment took place last Thursday. We'll talk about the winners and losers with some of the jurors who doled out the praise and the barbs.

 SD City Council Holds Hearing on Water Rate Increases

The San Diego City Council will hold a public hearing this afternoon to discuss two proposed water rate increases for the city. One of the proposed increases is due to an increase in the water rates from the San Diego County Water Authority, which is the agency that provides imported water to the city. The second proposed rate increase would pay for a "Demonstration Project to help determine the feasibility of using reclaimed drinking water to augment local drinking water supplies." Host Alison St. John speaks to Jim Barrett, Director of Public Utilities for the City of San Diego, about the proposed rate increases. We also speak with Bruce Reznik, from San Diego Coastkeeper, about the water reclamation pilot project.

 State Budget Deficit Dominates Discussions in Sacramento

What options do California lawmakers have for cutting down the state's $27.8 billion budget deficit? Host Alison St. John speaks to Marianne Russ, with Capital Public Radio, about the debate over how to close the state's budget gap. We also discuss a plan in Sacramento to reduce the number of foreclosures in California.

 Sushi Performance and Visual Art Finds a Permanent Home

We'll talk about Sushi's new digs downtown and their upcoming season as well as a farce currently on stage at North Coast Rep. San Diego Rep features a play from Culture Clash and we'll preview some holiday plays on this Weekend Preview.

 Wildlife Artist Discusses His Passion for Natural World

The San Diego Natural History Museum has a new exhibit called "The Art of Robert Bateman." A renowned wildlife painter and conservationist, Bateman will talk about his 70-plus years of painting the natural world and his efforts to bring attention to the need to protect it. We'll also talk with the exhibit's curator.

 A Musical Journey Along the Silk Road

The San Diego Chamber Orchestra under Jung-Ho Pak presents Asian Silk Road a concert featuring both traditional western music and exotic eastern instruments. The concert features instruments rarely heard in San Diego: the Chinese pipa (guitar), the Japanese Koto and the Turkish oud as well as music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Puccini.

 Reflecting on the Tragedy of Jonestown 30 Years Later

Thirty years ago, on November 18, 1978, more than 900 people died in what became known as the Jonestown Massacre. Most of the dead were members of People Temple, a religious cult founded by Jim Jones. We'll talk about Peoples Temple and the tragedy at Jonestown as well as new religious groups today.

 Dede Alpert Talks about Redistricting and the Budget Mess

California voters approved Prop 11, which reforms the state's system of legislative redistricting. But the budget is also a big concern for the state. We'll talk about redistricting and the budget on These Days.

 Citizen Voices Bloggers Reflect on the Year in Politics

Over two years in the making, the historic presidential race peaked last week with the election of Barack Obama, America's first black president. In California, voters were also subjected to an onslaught of local and state races and propositions, including several controversial measures like same-sex marriage, abortion and animal rights. We'll talk to a group of novice politicals bloggers about the year in politics and what it was like putting their opinions on line for the world to see.

 Millions Prepare for the Big One in Southern California

The Great Southern California Shakeout is a major earthquake drill that will simulate a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. At 10 a.m. on November 13, 2008, over five million people throughout Southern California will participate in the ShakeOut Drill, the largest earthquake preparedness activity in U.S. history. What will San Diego look like following the big one? We'll talk with geologists and emergency services personnel about preparing for, and responding to, a major earthquake in Southern California.

 San Diego Judge Tells Lessons From the Nuremberg Trials

Sixty-three years ago, the Nuremberg Trials of accused Nazi war criminals began. One of the reporters who covered the trials is a retired San Diego judge who's still alive today. For Norbert Ehrenfreund, the Nuremberg Trials taught the world how to seek post-war justice rather than simply revenge. He joins us to talk about his experience and the book he's written called “The Nuremberg Legacy: How the Nazi War Crimes Trials Changed the Course of History.”