Consumer

Politics

San Diego Considers Raising Water Rates — Again

Kelly Thornton, Investigative Newsource

In the coming months, San Diego officials will contemplate another series of water-rate increases to fund infrastructure improvements, but the Public Utilities Department will have to answer a lot of questions first about how money was spent from the previous series of rate hikes.
Quality of Life

Settlement Reached With Banks On Relief For Some Homeowners

Mark Memmott, NPR Two-Way Blog

Federal officials say the five largest mortgage lenders have reached a $25 billion settlement with 49 states over foreclosure abuses that took place after the housing bubble burst.
Environment

SDG&E Wants Ratepayers To Pay For Costs Of Wildfires, Retroactive To '07

Amita Sharma

Ratepayer advocates are accusing the power company of pulling an end-run.
Economy

California Cantaloupe Growers Call For More Oversight

Erik Anderson

California Cantaloupe growers are calling for stricter food handling procedures and government oversight in the wake of a fatal listeria outbreak in September.
Economy

Virtual Stock Pays Real Money To High School Students

Peggy Pico

Chula Vista High School students were paid $10,000 in real cash for virtual investment in the stock market.
KPBS Evening Edition

Organization Offers Unusual Work For Those With Autism

Peggy Pico

A San Diego organization called Jobs for Autism helps adults with autism spectrum disorder find unique work.
Economy

Black Friday Isn't The Only Game In Town

Associated Press

Retailers are coming up with names for just about every day of the week during the holiday shopping season.
KPBS Evening Edition

Mexican Consumers Flock to the U.S. for Holiday Sales

Jill Replogle

Some Mexican shoppers traveled a long way to get in on Black Friday sales along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Economy

Earlier Deals, Longer Hours Woo U.S. Shoppers

Associated Press

Thousands of shoppers lined up at Macy's, Best Buy and other stores nationwide to buy everything from toys to tablets on Black Friday despite the economic downturn and some planned protests of the shopping holiday.
KPBS Evening Edition

Expensive Gas May Drain Holiday Budgets

Erik Anderson

A new survey finds record high gas prices have the state's drivers thinking about spending less on gifts during the upcoming holidays. The average price is holding steady at about $3.84 a gallon.