Washington Mutual Collapse

The collapse of Washington Mutual is by far the largest bank failure in U.S. history. Unsettling as it may be to see a major bank suddenly fail, many analysts seem to think it will be good for the national economy. Here in California, customers may benefit too. Reporter: Oanh Ha

Wall Street and California

It's only natural to ask how the turmoil on Wall Street will ripple back to California. But Christopher Thornburg of Beacon Economics in Los Angeles thinks WAMU's failure was driven in part by problems in the Golden State. Guest: Christopher Thornburg, principal with Beacon Economics.

Obscene in the Extreme

Suitable or not, the economic meltdown is conjuring memories of the Great Depression. John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" captured that era, and exposed the plight of migrant workers who came to work the fields in California. It wasn't a very flattering portrayal of land owners, and one of them helped convince Kern County Supervisors to ban the book shortly after it was published in 1939. Guest: Rick Wartzman, author of the new book, "Obscene in the Extreme: The Burning and Banning of John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath" .

Success at Alta Vista

New numbers from the State Department of Education show that one in five students drops out of high school in California. For students at risk of dropping out, continuation schools may provide a second chance. They're designed to help kids who have a hard time fitting into typical public schools. Reporter: Kathryn Baron

Oakland's New Cathedral

Catholic leaders from around the world traveled to Oakland this week for the opening of the Church's newest Cathedral. The Cathedral of Christ the Light is made of concrete, wood and large panels of lightweight glass. Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron presided over the formal dedication. We present an audio postcard. Reporter: Stephanie Martin

• More: Photos from the cathedral's dedication