The causes of severe or clinical depression are as varied as the current treatments for the condition. We look at what depression is and what can be done about it.

Panelists look at the large amounts of money swirling around local and national politics; the lack of it in East Village businesses during the Padres' off-season; and whether money caused the Pala Band of Indians to expel 154 tribal members.

A nuclear reactor at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station remained off-line today due to an equipment problem that sent a small, non-hazardous amount of radioactive gas into an auxiliary building and possibly into the atmosphere, authorities said.

The 2012 presidential election is expected to be the most expensive election in U.S. history. Observers say it should significantly outpace the $2.4 billion spent in 2008.

Can guest reviewer Pat Finn see past her dislike of director Roman Polanski to appreciate his adaptation of the play "Carnage" (currently playing at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas)?

The trial of Marine Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich comes to an end; Doug Manchester presents his vision for the San Diego waterfront in the pages of the U-T. The city reaches agreement with six unions on retiree health benefits, and the funding for an expanded convention center comes up for a vote.

Cool summer. Warm winter. Wind storms. High pressure. Not much rain. What in the world is going on with our weather? There's an explanation, of course, and it's called La Nina.

SDG&E runs a separate charge to solar owners up the flagpole. No one salutes. Governor Brown's state-of-the-state address asks for temporary tax increases. Republicans are not impressed. The four major candidates for San Diego Mayor mix it up in debates. Sort of.

Today on Roundtable: Jerry Sanders tried to hit it out of the park with the State of the City speech, opening statements and first testimony in the manslaughter trial of Marine Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, and Jerry Brown's proposed budget is very lean and very mean.

Elizabeth George, author of 17 novels featuring British detective Thomas Lynley, is in San Diego to promote her newest book. We ask how an American writer gets into the head of an upper-class British sleuth.

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.

Luis Urrea wrote about his distant Aunt Teresa in the best-selling novel "The Hummingbird's Daughter." His new book, "The Queen of America," continues her saga, this time as a faith healer in the United States.

Editors look ahead at some issues and candidates in this election year in San Diego, including the mayor's race, the Comprehensive Pension Reform Initiative, open primaries and the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District.

"Kardash" and "99-percenters" are just two of Grant Barrett's words of 2011. Which will last and which will die off?

Last week the court upheld a law saying the state may eliminate redevelopment agencies and threw out a law saying the agencies could exist if they paid a portion of their revenue to the state. We discuss the recent history of state revenues and and the consequences of piecemeal reform like Prop 22.

We look at the state Supreme Court's ruling on redevelopment agencies and wrap-up the year's top stories in education (SDUSD's budget woes); public safety (SDPD's bad apples) and media (the UT sale).

Returning veterans who must deal with pain are finding it difficult to reconcile the different rules followed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Justice Department.

Sweetwater Union High School District has had its share of troubles this year, including scandals involving grade-changing and misuse of credit cards, and now the homes and offices of several board members and contractors have been raided by the San Diego County DA's office.

At year's end, we assess the condition and outlook for the military in San Diego at the end of the War in Iraq; the economic climate and costs of and access to healthcare.

Public education is in trouble: More budget cuts in the works and Michelle Rhee was in town to ask for big changes. Also, a county whistle-blower challenges his firing, and The Regional Airport Board has some explaining to do on why they tossed out concessionaire evaluations.

San Diego's City Council is taking steps to create funding for the convention center; a Latino group pushes for district elections in Escondido; and an alleged plot to smuggle a Gadhafi into Mexico.

Calls for a change at the Chargers head office, the public weighs in on Wings of Freedom, and San Diego's former city pension board gets stuck with a big legal tab.

Anyone who follows the news knows that people can serve time in prison — decades even — for crimes they didn't commit. But some law schools, including San Diego's California Western School of Law, are working to free people whom they believe are innocent.

EH Davis moved to San Diego in 1884 and began to photograph Indians in San Diego County, Mexico and Yuma, Arizona and collect artifacts because he thought Indian culture was dying out. The San Diego History Center is digitizing and cataloging hundreds of his photos and creating a website for the public.

The struggling economy has meant more individuals and families going hungry. In 2008, the San Diego Food Bank distributed 9.1 million lbs of food to those in need. The number has more than doubled since. The CEOs of the two largest food distribution organizations in San Diego County talk about how they are coping with the increases, who is needy, and what the public can do to help.

Doug Manchester's purchase of the San Diego Union Tribune; the very deep hole SDUSD finds itself in; and former San Diego redevelopment officials plead guilty to embezzlement.

When United Way's Home Again initiative launched its Project 25 campaign last year, the goal was to move 25 of San Diego County's chronically homeless into permanent housing.

Bookstores are disappearing, leaving book lovers with fewer chances to meet the authors they love. Milane Christiansen, seasoned San Diego bookseller, has joined with Chino Farms to provide onsite book signings. This Sunday, Chino's will host Los Angeles restauranteur and cookbook author Nancy Silverton, co-owner of Pizzeria Mozza.

On the Roundtable today, we look at the city pension reform initiative, the proposed plans for Navy Pier and the many difficulties facing young veterans.

The city of San Diego took out a $100 million loan in 2009 to spend on street repairs and other improvements, but the pothole and paving problems are still around.

Occupy San Diego, medical marijuana shops ordered to close, Tijuana gets new police chief.

Former San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy has now adopted Murphy's law as one of the key explanations of his time in office.

We ask why funding for roadside call boxes has nearly doubled in the past 10 years and if anyone is using them.

Reporters and editors analyze the rise in poverty rates in San Diego County; the end of Don't Ask, Don't Twll for the U.S. Military; and the chargers new stadium idea.

The authors of "Paradise Plundered" tell us about San Diego's failures of governance.

An immigration audit of employees at Escondido Disposal,Inc., found that a quarter of the Edco workforce did not have proper documentation; a major ruling in a legal battle over religious classroom banners in a Rancho Penasquitos high school; and fallout including lawsuits and damage claims, from the recent blackout.

For the last few years, the suicide rate among US Marines has been a concern for military leaders. In fact, suicide rates for members of the armed forces in general have been on the rise since 2004.

Power updates and your stories about San Diego's Big Blackout. We hear from listeners with stories about the blackout and questions about the power outage.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, firefighters and first responders from San Diego and all across the country joined in solidarity with the forces in New York and Washington. That solidarity continues during 10th anniversary remembrances when the drums and pipes of the San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society will be heard aboard the USS Midway and a memorial to the first responders who died on 9/11 will be unveiled at Fire Station 21 in Pacific Beach.

City worker Tommy Salazar, who has taken care of Ski Beach in Mission Bay for 19 years, exemplifies how blue-collar workers are caught up in the debate over pensions for government workers.

Federal cuts to USDA hunger-relief programs could be devastating to the San Diego Food Bank and the people it serves, say officials.

There are several reforms to the process of getting an initiative on the ballot being considered by state legislators. As the legislative session ends, we look at why ths is happening and who's behind the reforms.

The number and frequency of state ballot initiatives is becoming a issue among some politicians in Sacramento. There are several initiative reforms being considered by state legislators.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 is about two weeks away. County officials, warning that the date could trigger some strong emotions which could lead to some dangerous actions, have listed eight things to watch for.

On Wednesday, the San Diego City Council approved new political boundaries for city council districts and added a 9th district. The year-long effort by the Redistricting Commission has changed boundaries and created winners and losers.

This week, Will Carless of Voiceofsandiego,org wrote about the San Diego Housing Commission's "Trojan Horse." The report begins with the Commission's plan to deal with the foreclosure crisis by buying foreclosed properties and making them into affordable homes for needy San Diegans.

A group of community organizations has tried to calculate the cost of foreclosures to San Diego. They've recently released a report, and they are advocating for a new ordinance to protect property values.

Escondido Proposes Bridge To Ethnic Minorities

Roundtable: Friday August 19, 2011

Voters To Decide Oceanside Rent Control Measure.