American Fire Update A spreading fire outside Foresthill is billowing smoke into the foothill sky and creating poor air quality in the Auburn area. Placer County air and health officials have issued an advisory for people in the foothills to avoid prolonged smoke exposure. Air Quality Specialist of Placer County Air Pollution Control District Ann Hobbs joins us to explain health problems the fire is creating. Plus, we’ll get the latest information on the American Fire from the US Forest Service. Find updates on the fire.

 

The Difficulty of Removing a Mayor As Sacramento voters wonder whether they should switch to a strong mayor form of government, San Diego citizens are scrambling to boot out their "strong mayor" as sexual harassment allegations against the city leader pile up. San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is refusing to resign and efforts by state lawmakers and city council members appear fruitless. In a state where a high level of autonomy is awarded to local governments, do strong mayors have too much power? And is there a way to unseat a California mayor like Filner without a lengthy special election? The Voice of San Diego CEO Scott Lewis helps navigate the situation.

 

Kushman by the Bottle If you're asking whether expensive wine tastes better than cheaper wine, you're asking the wrong question. In this month's Kushman by the Bottle, our resident wine expert Rick Kushman explains the inherent cost of producing wine and why value is more important than price.

 

Ivan & Alyosha Seattle band Ivan & Alyosha, none of whose members are actually named Ivan or Alyosha, is coming back to Sacramento on Saturday. The folk-pop group released its first full-length album in February, titled "All The Times We Had," after already earning national attention for their 2011 EP. They'll join us today to share a bit of the old and some of the new music they'll be playing this weekend at Bows & Arrows. (Check out the band's August 2012 Insight interview.)