Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

A Water Deal for California

If you had to pick an issue that's been at the heart of California political squabbles over the past forty years or so, you'd be hard pressed to pick a better one than water. So it was understandable that the governor was practically gushing when he signed legislation passed this week to overhaul the state's aging water system. The bills call for new dams and reservoirs, water conservation and restoration of the Sacramento Delta along with monitoring of groundwater -- and voters will be asked to sign off on $11 billion in bonds to pay for it. Guests: Jay Lund, professor of environmental engineering at UC Davis; Peter Glick, president of the Pacific Institute in Oakland.

• More: Map: Where Would the Money Go? : See what the proposed $11.14 billion water bond measure could be funding. (at Google Maps)
• More: Continuing coverage of the California water issues : at KQED's Climate Watch
• More: Graphic: Breakdown of the water bond's proposed spending : at SacBee.com

Budget Cuts Wear on State Parks

For all the celebration around this week's water deal, there was little to cheer about for people who use state parks. Budget cuts demanded by the governor started showing up this week. More than half of California's parks are reducing hours and closing campgrounds. Still more are cutting trash and restroom services. State parks were forced to cut $14 million this year, and years of chronic under funding are beginning to take a toll.Reporter: Andrea Kissack

• More: Reporter's Notes : at KQED's QUEST.

Photo: Mina Kim

Another Mr. McNamara

When former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara died earlier this year, he left behind a complicated legacy. While many still blame him for the deaths of thousands in Vietnam, his son has taken a different path. As an organic walnut farmer in the small Northern California town of Winters, Craig McNamara is disproving the old saying that 'the fruit never falls far from the tree.'Reporter: Mina Kim

Photo: Getty Images

Training Solar Electricians

There was more grim economic news Friday as the national unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent. In California, it's even worse. As the economy continues shedding blue collar jobs, many are looking to the emerging green economy for new job opportunities. This weekend, an electrician's union is hosting a training session to teach its members how to install solar panels.Reporter: Christopher Connelly

Kids' Music Isn't Just for Kids

The release of the movie version of the classic children's book "Where the Wild Things Are" set off a controversy over whether the film was too scary for kids. Pop music critic Steve Hochman had that in mind as he listened to three new albums of music for kids: "My Trampoline" by Peter Himmelman, Kitka's "Cradle Songs" and the self-titled release by Dead Man's Bones.