Steve Kay, Dean of the Division of Biological Studies at UC San Diego. Dr. Kay discusses biofuels and the possibilities of moving from fossil fuels to plant-based fuels to protect the environment.

Prof. Dean Nelson, founder and director of the journalism program at Point Loma Nazarene University. We discuss media trends and how the presidential campaign is effected by new media.

Jean Ross, director of the California Budget Project. Ms. Ross discusses the state budget and the effect of the economy on working people.

Sherman D. Harmer Jr., the 2008 president of the San Diego County Building Industry Association, discusses the county housing market. Even with the slump, Harmer says it is a good time to buy a home in San Diego County.

San Diego Union-Tribune columnist and editorial board member Ruben Navarrette discusses the presidential campaign, with a focus on the Feb. 5 primaries in California and many other states. Navarrette's columns appears Wednesdays and Fridays in the Union-Tribune.

Tomas Jimenez, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California San Diego and a fellow at the New America foundation discusses immigration and how well immigrants eventually blend into the society of their new country. Jimenez's most recent column, "Immigrants and what's good for society," appeared Dec. 7.

Richard Norris, a professor of geosciences at UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, talks about climate change trends and the research he and others at Scripps Institution are doing on the subject. Norris' column, "Global instability / Climate Change is about to come home to roost, " appeared Dec. 6.

Donald Cohen, president and executive director of the nonprofit Center for Policy Initiatives, discusses funding for firefighting and other issues affecting the region and its governments' budgets. Cohen's column, Fighting wildfires / We must prepare for the inevitable," appeared Nov. 29.

Robert Fellmeth, founder of the University of San Diego's Center for Public Interest Law and an affiliated organization, The Children's Advocacy Institute, discusses children's issues in California and consumer advocacy issues. Fellmeth's latest column, "Medically cover our children," appeared Nov. 30.

Lorie Zapf, president of the San Diego chapter Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, discusses efforts by her group and others like it across the nation to protect businesses and individuals against what they see as unnecessary lawsuits. Zapf's column, "Environment protection gone awry," appeared Nov. 25.

John Reaves, a San Diego attorney who focuses on environmental issues, talks about how the law is being used in an attempt to help slow climate change and address other environmental concerns. Reaves' column, "Global warming and San Diego," appeared Nov. 13.

Rob Rynearson, director of FreePB.org, which opposes a ban on alcohol and San Diego beaches, and Scott Chipman, a member of SafeBeaches.org, which supports a ban, argue their cases. Rynearson's and Chipman's columns appeared Nov. 2.