KPBS News: Local Headlines

Barrera Will Lead Labor Council, Remain On School Board

Kyla Calvert — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:38:55 -0700

Richard Barrera will take over as head of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council while remaining on San Diego Unified's Board of Education.

Highlights From 'The State Of The Border Report'

Jill Replogle — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:10:54 -0700

A report on the state of the U.S.-Mexico border calls for more strategic efforts to improve border security, and more emphasis on making trade and travel more efficient.

San Diego County Firefighters Train For Wildfire Season

Susan Murphy — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:53:36 -0700

Nearly 1,000 firefighters from around San Diego County teamed up for three days of wildfire training in preparation for a potentially dangerous fire season.

Calif. Health Exchange Plans, Rates Announced

Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:32:29 -0700

The state's largest health insurers, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente, will be among 13 plans competing for policies from millions of Californians who are expected to purchase coverage through the state's new health exchange.

Pool Safety Tips: Report Finds Most Child Drownings Occur In Backyard Pools

Tom Fudge, Patty Lane, Amita Sharma — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 -0700

Summer is all about family, friends, barbecues and pool parties. But that fun sometimes turns tragic when a child is involved in a drowning. A new report finds most child drownings occur in backyards.

City Considers Taxi Industry Overhaul Amid Reports Of Low Wages And Unsafe Cabs

Megan Burks, Claire Trageser — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:01:00 -0700

The city will not renew its five-year contract with MTS for overseeing San Diego's taxi industry due to complaints about poor working conditions, passenger safety and lax oversight.

Revised Stolen Valor Act Awaits Obama's Signature

Beth Ford Roth — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:50:09 -0700

The Stolen Valor Act has cleared both the Senate and House, and now awaits President Obama's signature to become law. The measure would make it a federal crime for someone to benefit financially from lying about having earned military medals.

State Officials And Local Grocers Pair Up To Encourage Healthier Eating

Erik Anderson — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:10 -0700

California officials are working with grocers in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood to encourage healthier eating – a rare treat for a community where unhealthy foods are easier to find.

Brown Skeptical of LAO's Higher Revenue Projections

Ben Adler, Capital Public Radio — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

California Governor Jerry Brown is dismissing calls from Democrats to increase spending after the state’s non-partisan legislative analyst's office projected higher budget revenues than he did.

AAA: Memorial Holiday Travel Down

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

Fewer Californians intend to travel this Memorial Day Weekend, according to a new survey.

Researchers Size Up San Diego Schools For National Prize

Kyla Calvert — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:20:13 -0700

Broad Foundation researchers are in San Diego this week evaluating city schools for a prestigious national award.

State Capitol Flags Lowered For California Plane Crash Victims

Beth Ford Roth — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:16:41 -0700

Governor Brown has ordered flags above the state capitol lowered to half-staff to honor Air Force Capt. Victoria Pinckney and Tech Sgt. Herman Mackey III, who were killed when their plane crashed in Kyrgyzstan on May 3.

Public Weighs In On San Diego Budget At City Council

Claire Trageser — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:55:37 -0700

The San Diego City Council heard the public's thoughts on Mayor Bob Filner's proposed budget today.

San Diego Charity Turns The Catch Of The Day Over To City's Needy

Tom Fudge, Patty Lane, Amita Sharma — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:00 -0700

A local sports fisherman has found a way to help feed San Diego's hungry. Fish. Food. Feel Good. collects donated fish from sports fishermen and distributes them to local charities that feed the area's seniors, poor and homeless.

UC San Diego Opens Center Devoted To Studying Imagination

Marissa Cabrera, Tom Fudge, Amita Sharma — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:11:34 -0700

UC San Diego has created an innovative academic program called the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination.

Council Committee Requests Details On Proposed Downtown Arts And Entertainment District

City News Service — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:45:41 -0700

A proposed arts and entertainment district meant to enliven a section of downtown San Diego could generate $5 million in revenue within three years, but a City Council committee requested more information on the plan.

San Diegans Urged To Prepare For Dangerous Wildfire Season

Susan Murphy — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:17:08 -0700

California’s wildfire season is off to an early and dangerous start. Firefighters have already battled 1,600 wildfires throughout the state, which is 500 more fires compared to the same period last year and 85 percent more fires than in an average year.

Marines Raise U.S. Flag Over Oklahoma Tornado Rubble (Video)

Beth Ford Roth — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:10:46 -0700

A group of U.S. Marines who were on hand in Moore, Oklahoma to help with search and rescue efforts created a scene of hope and support amid the destruction by raising an American flag found in the rubble.

You Decide What To Change About San Diego's 2014 Budget

Claire Trageser — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

What would you change about the city budget? For each item you add, you need to make a cut to keep it balanced!

Legislative Dems Want to Restore Budget Cuts, but Priorities Differ

Ben Adler, Capital Public Radio — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:00:00 -0700

As budget talks head into their final weeks, supporters of programs suffering from years of cuts are asking for help. Gov. Jerry Brown opposes any new spending. But Assembly and Senate Democrats have different programs in which they'd like to invest.