Today's top stories from sunny San Diego:

Francis Jumps in From the Left -- and Right -- VoSD
The Republican businessman who ran on his CEO credentials in 2005 adopts a more populist pitch for his challenge of Mayor Jerry Sanders.

Francis says he will run for mayor -- SDUT
Republican businessman Steve Francis jumped into the San Diego mayor's race yesterday with a new strategy for landing the job that eluded him three years ago: Snag votes from Mayor Jerry Sanders' right and his left.

Charter-altering measures to go to voters in '08, '10 -- SDUT
San Diego voters will have a chance in June to make the city's financial auditing arm less connected to the Mayor's Office, but they'll have to wait another two years to increase the number of City Council districts from eight to nine.

Dramatic Losses Force Union-Tribune to Lay Off Employees -- VoSD
The 27 cuts mark a turning point for the downsizing newspaper, which had previously relied on voluntary methods to address its fiscal woes.

Will wins land Chargers a deal? -- SDUT
Playoffs helped Padres, others get new homes.

Governor's cuts could hurt county, residents -- NCT
Officials say public safety, health, social programs could be hit.

City will pay legal fees in Mount Soledad case -- SDUT
The city will pay up to $760,000 to close another chapter in the long-running saga of the Mount Soledad cross.

County planning to close erosion-control centers -- SDUT
The county plans to close four erosion-control centers it opened after the October wildfires.