Today's top stories from sunny San Diego:

Father's embrace of earmarks beneficial to candidate Hunter -- SDUT
Rep. Duncan Hunter's deep political and defense contracting ties formed over more than a quarter-century in Congress are paying off for his son at a critical moment.

Criticism boils over in debates for Aguirre challengers -- SDUT
Fed up with attacks by labor unions, Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith ripped into their favored candidate yesterday in a pair of debates that may provide the final verbal jousting of the campaign.

Voters may decide pay raise for city officials -- SDUT
The San Diego City Council, which raised its pay then rescinded it last month following a public outcry, is poised to give voters the final say on salary.

Sanders wants new pension plan on ballot -- SDUT
Mayor Jerry Sanders proposed a new pension plan for city workers yesterday as he pledged two weeks ago, and continued to pressure the San Diego City Council to put the measure on the November ballot.

Prop. 98 opposed; Prop. 99 favored -- SDUT
California voters appear solidly opposed to a measure on Tuesday's ballot that would phase out rent control and greatly limit government's ability to take private property, according to a new poll.

Candidates Embrace Investigative Role Pushed by Aguirre -- VoSD
For the last three and a half years, incumbent City Attorney Mike Aguirre hasn't been shy about conducting investigations.

Francis' Authenticity Question -- VoSD
Three years ago, Steve Francis ran for mayor as a no-new-taxes businessman with the endorsement of the local Republican Party and the financial support of the region's housing developers.

Who Won't the Mayor Accept $ From? -- VoSD
You might remember that I wrote this last month about Mayor Jerry Sanders' decision to turn down campaign contributions from developers and others with city business before the city of San Diego.

Goldsmith Responds -- VoSD
Jan Goldsmith, who has come under fire from opponent Brian Maienschein for his alleged weakness as a conservative and has been attacked by labor unions for alleged arch-conservatism, just left me a voicemail message. (I've been trying to get hold of him, but we're both busy guys.)

Francis on the Powerlink -- VoSD
While I was talking yesterday with Steve Francis, the mayoral candidate, his changing positions on the Sunrise Powerlink came up.

'In the Council's Hands' -- VoSD
Although the latest pension developments seem to be an echo of what has already happened with labor talks -- the mayor says he and the unions are still at impasse, negotiations aren't happening, the City Council is considering another mayoral pension proposal -- this next round of talks may have the potential to be more flexible and attentive to various other pension alternatives.

Perpetual Pension Politics -- VoSD
With less than six days until the June 3 primary election, politics continue to dominate the discourse surrounding Mayor Jerry Sanders' pension proposal for future City Hall employees.  

Mayor Chooses Pension Plan -- VoSD
Mayor Jerry Sanders today unveiled a new pension proposal for new, non-public safety employees that he hopes to take to voters in November.

Candidates weigh in on building height-limit initiative -- SDUT
Height limits: Proposition E, a citizen initiative on the June 3 ballot, would lock in the building-height limits in the 2005 general plan and require voter approval to amend the plans. This would mean an 84-foot limit for new buildings in most areas east of Interstate 5 and a 45-foot limit to preserve community character on Third Avenue between E and G streets. Several areas designated for high-rises in the general plan would be exempt, including the bayfront, areas near mass transit and a future eastern urban center.

Candidates state case on trash collection fees -- SDUT
Garbage fees: Candidates for city office in the June 3 election were asked about 16 issues by The San Diego Union-Tribune. Below are answers to one question from City Council candidates in the 3rd district, which includes Hillcrest, Kensington, Normal Heights, North Park, South Park, Talmadge and University Heights. Explore all the answers at uniontrib.com/more/issues.

California politics often a family affair -- SDUT
Political dynasties are as old as the Republic. Not only is the current president the son of a former president, but the second president, John Adams, sired a future one, John Quincy Adams.

Jury selection begins in first Haditha court-martial -- NCT
Opening statements are set to begin Thursday in the first court-martial to come to trial stemming from the deaths of 24 Iraqis in the town of Haditha. It is the largest war crimes case involving civilian deaths since the start of the Iraq war.