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Teachers Protest Education Cuts

Thousands of teachers boarded buses and carpooled to Sacramento this week to take part in what they call the "State of Emergency," a week-long series of rallies at the state capitol. They're pressuring lawmakers to approve tax extensions to limit state education cuts. A number of teachers were arrested -- but will their actions make a difference?Reporter: Ana Tintocalis

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Capitol Check-in

Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers joins host Scott Shafer to talk about the week of teacher protests, state park closures and a look ahead to the May revise of the state budget.

• More: View the list of 70 state parks slated to close (PDF) : at Parks.CA.gov

The End of SETI?

Of all the questions in science, few have haunted humans as persistently as this: Are we alone? For more than 50 years, scientists at SETI, now based in Mountain View, have listened for a signal from intelligent life on other planets -- and heard nothing. Now, they're running short of funds. Is it time to give up?Reporter: Amy Standen

• More: Shoud SETI Stop Looking? : from KQED's QUEST
• More: SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array : at SETI.org

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Researching Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is one of the leading causes of birth defects. Babies who are born with fetal alcohol syndrome have physical abnormalities, and a lifetime of learning and behavioral problems. Surprisingly, doctors don't know how prevalent it is. But a new study may turn up some answers.Reporter: Kenny Goldberg

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Petanque Tournament Comes to Fresno

France and Fresno may not have much in common. But the French pastime petanque -- a bit like bocce -- is catching on in the Central Valley. Fresno now has the largest petanque club in the U.S. This weekend, the city hosts a national petanque tournament.Reporter: Alice Daniel

California Songs: 'Oh California!'

For this installment of "California Songs," we reach back to before California was even a state. Karen Arlen is a musician and a retired classroom music teacher who co-founded a group which researches, performs and distributes the traditional music of early California. Arlen gives us the back story about a song called "Oh California!" that became the unofficial theme song of the gold rush in 1849.

• More: About the Calicanto Associates : at CalicantoAssociates.com
• More: California Songs: Music Inspired by the Golden State