First-term Councilman David Alvarez is said by some to be the progressive voice in this Mayoral special election. We'll find out where he stands on policy and politics.

It's been 40 years since America declared "war on cancer," sinking hundreds of billions of dollars into research. While survival rates for some forms of cancer have improved, many are just as deadly as they were decades ago. Health writer and former cancer patient Clifton Leaf joins us to explore the topic. He will speak tonight at UC San Diego's Exploring Ethics Series.

A dream 30 years in the making is now reality as the new San Diego Central Library opens its doors to the public.

Summer is over, but that doesn't mean the fun is done — if you're into festivals, music and books, there's plenty to choose from this weekend.

California's second Gold Rush is underway as the oil industry converges on an area known as the Monterey Shale, but how that oil is being removed is causing debate. We take a look at hydraulic fracturing, why it's used and new legislation regulating the process.

The inaugural San Diego Night Market will be held Saturday. The event is part of a larger strategy to draw San Diego's attention to Kearny Mesa's Convoy District.

San Diego is a dog-friendly County, with dozens of dog parks dotting the region. Here are some tips for adopting shelter dogs and becoming a better owner.

Online cyberbullying has become a problem for many school districts. How do you solve the problem while respecting a student's rights under the First Amendment?

Health providers, websites and even the new KPBS Second Opinion app are offering information to the public in advance of the Oct. 1 launch of health insurance exchanges.

San Diego Interim Mayor Todd Gloria sits down to talk about his busy month.

Explore the wonders of the insect world as entomologist Dr. Michael Wall takes us behind the scenes of TheNAT's entomology department.

Music, bikes and a dash of wonderfully bizarre art — it's all what's in store for this weekend.

This year San Diego schools start rolling out significant changes in curriculum, testing and funding. Superintendent Cindy Marten joins us for a discussion on a wide range of topics.

The economic recovery might have started taking off, but according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 140,000 San Diego children lived in families with incomes below the poverty level in 2012.

The San Diego City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday night to approve the first update to the Barrio Logan Community Plan in 35 years.

Federal auditors have completed an analysis of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's use of force policies. The audit shows some major problems within the agency that officials say they're trying to correct.

The good news for people here illegally is that they may soon be able to get a driver's license. Yet some say the bad news is those licenses will be different from legal residents because of markings identifying the holders as undocumented.

One homeless advocate in San Diego says ending homelessness in our county is within reach -- but news there's not enough money to fund year-round shelters could set them back. Former Mayor Bob Filner set aside additional funds to keep the city's two winter shelters open year-round, but after crunching the numbers it's learned there's a shortfall. We take a look at how this could impact San Diego's communities.

A San Diego nonprofit is working to mentor fatherless teens. The Boys To Men Mentoring Network gives teens alternatives to getting in trouble by providing role models.

Housing prices and home sales dipped a bit last month, adding just another wrinkle to San Diego's real estate market. Most numbers show great improvement in the housing market since last year. But some people are concerned that the recovery in real estate may slow down. Interest rates are up, and maximum federal loan amounts are about to come down.

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric are asking ratepayers to pick up the investment costs in the generators that failed at San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. They also want more than five percent return on their investment. The California Public Utility Commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates said there should be no profit.

San Diego County Water Authority officials are considering how the huge Bay Delta plan in Northern California will affect our water supply. A public meeting will be held Thursday in San Diego.

From festivals to music and art, here's a look at what's happening around San Diego County this weekend.

Against the backdrop of the 12th anniversary of 9/11, we look back at the lessons learned as the U.S. faces action in another Middle Eastern country.

The stories and faces of people who've suffered the loss of a spouse are profiled in a new book by San Diego writer and photographer Judith Fox.

Donations to veterans and military charities has climbed into the billions since the 9/11 attacks. Most groups do good work, but a report reveals some groups are scams.

A former El Cajon elementary school teacher says she lost her job, because her school was afraid of her abusive ex-husband. Now she's suing the Roman Catholic Diocese because she says the school broke Canon Law when she was terminated. And, California lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would stop employers from firing domestic violence victims.

Exploring the healing energy of sound with a San Diego practitioner of Tibetan singing bowl therapy.

Events are changing rapidly surrounding the issue of chemical weapons in Syria.

Last year 413 people committed suicide in San Diego County. The Not On My Watch campaign is an effort to educate college students about suicide prevention and support resources available.

The Chargers begin their season as San Diegans hear a new proposal for a downtown stadium. The convention center expansion plan is entering its final phase of approvals...but not so fast. The Chargers are once again proposing a new football stadium with additional convention center space.

Get ready for the weekend. We'll tell you what fun and exciting events are happening in and around San Diego from punk rocker dads to a passion for figs.

The U.S. Department of Justice has been tweaking some of its drug policies lately. We'll find out how the changes affect San Diego.

A San Diego writer is on the hunt for a missing Van Gogh painting that hasn't been seen since World War II. It's subject of her new novel, Deadly Provenance.

This week, the local Red Cross is focused on disaster preparedness. At the heart of the initiative is a goal to get one million people prepared for emergencies, such as wildfire or earthquake.

Supporters of a U.S. strike against the Assad regime are working to convince a war weary Congress. What would a strike against Syria mean to opposition forces fighting the Assad regime? A San Diego man who just returned from Syria shares his perspective.

Syria is in the news as the White House reports the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its own citizens. We're joined by Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) for his take on Syria, immigration, jobs in the Imperial County and the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner.

A panel discussion Wednesday night takes a look at ways to engage girls in STEM careers and looks at what the future holds.

Democratic Representative Susan Davis, of San Diego's 53rd District discusses issues ranging from Syria to the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner.

A new book pays homage to Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding, who kept Americans in stitches -- mainly on the radio -- with their deadpan, ultra serious and totally absurd sketches.

On Friday Mayor Bob Filner officially leaves office and San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria steps in as interim mayor. What does this mean for the city? We also hear from City Attorney Jan Goldsmith to breakdown the deal between the city and the mayor.

As we head into what in all likelihood is the most important meeting any member of the San Diego City Council has ever been part of, we look at what we know and what we don't.

This year higher gas prices and payroll taxes may combine with an economy that some experts say is "stuck in a rut" to produce a weak back-to-school shopping season in San Diego and across the country.

To resolve the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Irene McCormack Jackson against Mayor Bob Filner, the parties turned to mediation. The process is gaining in popularity relative to the lengthy court process. How might it work in this case?

Intriguing results from early research into same-sex marriage.

Organizers of an impromptu series of programs beginning this weekend are trying to seize the moment. They want to use San Diego's current focus on sexual harassment to open a wider discussion about women and violence. We'll tell you about the "No More Excuses. Stop It Now!" campaign.

The U.S. Attorney for San Diego says sequestration cuts are about to hit her office hard. U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy warns that she may have to pick and choose which offenders to prosecute if the cuts go through. Government lawyers and federal investigators face furloughs in the new fiscal year. Duffy says cuts to federal courts and probation officers could make San Diego less safe.

The title of M.E. Thomas' book, "Confessions Of A Sociopath: A Life Spent in Hiding in Plain Sight," is startling. A memoir by a sociopath about being a sociopath may be unique.

He was one of the nine teens who desegregated Central High School in 1957; Dr. Terrence Roberts joins us to look at race relations in America today.

Allegations against Mayor Bob Filner give rise to news stories that can puzzle children. The reports about Mayor Filner and other politicians caught up in scandals blare out over the radio and TV. We'll discuss what to say to children who have questions about those lurid headlines.