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Haitham Jasim served as a translator for the U.S. Marines in his native Iraq. With the help of some local Marines, he has now moved his family to San Jose. For many other Iraqis and Afghans who have assisted the U.S. war effort and are trying to emigrate, it has been a much slower process. We explore that process with Jasim and other guests.

A new congressional study shows that tough economic times are forcing women out of the workplace. According to the data, they're not dropping out to raise families. We look at the study and its implications.

Join QUEST in our latest photography feature about viewers like you who love documenting science, environment and nature imagery here in the Bay Area. This week, meet Erin Malone, who makes beautiful, impressionistic images in a place that many overlook or see as ugly-- the subtly hued mud and marsh of South San Francisco Bay.

We all rely on the water cycle, but how does it really work? Scientists at UC Berkeley are embarking on a new project to understand how global warming is affecting our fresh water supply. And they're doing it by tracking individual raindrops in Mendocino and north of Lake Tahoe.

Physicists can't see it and don't know much about what it is, but dark energy makes up 70 percent of the universe. Meet one of the country's leading scientists trying to understand dark energy and the role it plays in causing our universe to expand.

Physics can help inform our understanding of such hot-button topics as climate change, energy consumption, space exploration, weapons and war. Professor Muller joins us for a conversation on his new book, "Physics for Future Presidents." The text explains the basics of physics that all voters and politicians should know in order to make educated decisions.

As Senator Obama tours Europe and the Middle East this week, we'll witness the development and elaboration of his foreign policy. We look at both Obama and McCain's respective plans with a panel of experts.

Ethan Canin graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1991, but left medicine to pursue writing in 1998. He's now on the faculty of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Canin joins us to discuss his writing and his fourth novel, "America America." The book is a sweeping coming of age story and an examination of the American dream.

The prospect of a peripheral canal to divert water around the Delta is being raised again in a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California. We look at the pros and cons.

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and former president of South Africa turns 90 today. We discuss his life and legacy.

According to new statistics from the California Department of Education, one of every four students drops out before finishing high school. We look at the reasons and some possible solutions.

Very few small town weekly newspapers can boast of a national readership, but Mendocino County's Anderson Valley Advertiser has fans sprinkled across the country. We talk with Bruce Anderson, the paper's colorful and controversial editor and publisher about his new memoir, "The Mendocino Papers."

Banks and other financial institutions are being buffeted by bearish forecasts following the failure of IndyMac Bank and continued concerns about mortgage losses. We look at whether consumers should be worried about their money.

In the wild, mating is anything but tender. Watch how one shark couple's attempt at mating leads to another shark's dinner.

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed a fee that would be added to homeowner insurance bills to pay for disasters in California. While costly wildfires rage, debate also rages in Sacramento over whether the fee should be levied.

California's prisons face a host of challenges. They're at nearly double capacity, the Supreme Court has ordered the state to stop segregating prisoners by race, and a recent state watchdog report calls for California's juvenile inmates to be shuttered. We take up these and other issues with California's recently appointed secretary of corrections and rehabilitation.

Are we in danger of running out of water? California's population is growing by 600,000 people a year, but much of the state receives as much annual rainfall as Morocco. With fish populations crashing, global warming, and the demands of the country's largest agricultural industry, the pressures on our water supply are increasing.

In his new book "After Bush: The Case for Continuity in American Foreign Policy," author Timothy J. Lynch argues that George W. Bush's unpopular foreign policy will and should continue when the new president is elected. Lynch joins us to explain his argument.

This episode is presented by KQED Interactive. This week s podcast features Two Sheds, a band whose melodic folk-rock songwriting has impressed us since we first heard their terrific debut Strange Ammunition a couple years ago. At that time, the group resided in Sacramento, where husband and wife duo Caitlin and John Gutenberger still live, but with two band members now based in the City and frequent performances here, we re proud to consider them rising stars in the Bay Area indie music scene. We certainly aren t the only ones, as the group s local profile has been aided by some supportive bands and bloggers. It was a bit disarming to learn that this is Caitlin s first band, and even more unsettling to find out that the singer-guitarist began writing songs just four years ago. Already, it seems she s able to build both quiet moody pieces and uptempo rockers, while the band s mix of folk, rock, pop and Americana stays uncluttered, raw, and beautiful. With a new self-titled EP released in May on the Fllter label and scattered touring throughout the summer and fall, Two Sheds is poised to reach an even bigger audience, and that s a development we eagerly await. We sat down with Caitlin and John at in our studio a few weeks ago to discuss their new release, the group s origins, and life and music in Sacramento. Along with the interview, the episode features two songs from the new EP and two from Strange Ammunition. Upcoming Shows: Thursday, August 14th Sophia’s Thai Kitchen (Davis, CA) with Or, the Whale 10pm, $tba Friday, August 15th The Blackwater Cafe (Stockton, CA) with Birds Batteries 8pm, $tba Thursday, August 21st Cafe du Nord with Jackpot, Kings Queens and Bark Hide and Horn 9pm, $10 Links: - Visit Two Sheds MySpace page and web site - Purchase the Two Sheds EP on iTunes, the group s split 7 with Dame Satan from Ghost Mansion, and Strange Ammunition at Insound Are you subscribed to the The Bay Bridged weekly podcast? Click here to get each new episode downloaded free to your iTunes the moment it is published! ShareThis

Service employees of the University of California have gone on a five day strike to demand wage increases despite a court injunction. We talk to both sides of the bargaining table in the first half hour. In the second half hour, we talk with Malalai Joya, the youngest person elected to Afghanistan's national parliament. Joya worked to press the case for democracy and women's rights, but was suspended for speaking out against the country's former leaders.

The short story is a powerful and beloved medium -- but there are very few mainstream outlets that publish short fiction. We discuss the future of the short story with a panel of writers and editors.

Some Alameda County general assistance recipients are trying to stop a plan to cut welfare benefits after six months to those deemed employable. On July 15, both sides will make their respective cases in court. We discuss the issues.

Many of the most successful global corporations started out as family businesses -- but from sibling rivalries to succession dispute issues, these companies face numerous challenges. We examine the trials, tribulations and joys of the family business.

The nation's largest mortgage finance companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are in trouble. The companies' shares are plummeting and the stock market seems to be following suit. We discuss the latest developments in the first half hour. Then, a recent study by the Environmental Working Group raises questions about the safety and effectiveness of sunscreen. In the second half hour we talk to experts about the latest research on skin cancer prevention to find out how to stay safe in the sun this summer.

An exhibit on contemporary Chinese Art opens at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art today. We talk with the curator and several artists about art in a rapidly changing China.

Iran test-fired nine long range missiles on Wednesday, drawing strong condemnation from the U.S. government. We look at the significance of the tests.

We talk with novelist Herbert Gold whose new memoir, "Still Alive: A Temporary Condition" recalls his journey from Cleveland kid to San Francisco literary great. Gold's other books include "Fathers," "Birth of a Hero" and "Salt."

The cost of building a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge would run between $25 and $50 million. That's according to a new report outlining five different possible designs for the proposed barrier. We take up the more than 70 year old discussion of how to prevent suicide from this historical icon.

A former Jordanian ambassador to Israel and the U.S., Marwan Muasher joins us to discuss his new book, "The Arab Center: The Promise of Moderation." Muasher is currently senior vice president of external affairs for the World Bank.

As wildfires continue to threaten Big Sur, we take a look at the rich history and culture of that coastal community. We also talk with residents about the impact the fire is having on their community.