Today's top stories from sunny San Diego:

Fewer council challengers raises questions - NCT
With fewer candidates than expected running for Escondido City Council this year, local politicians and community leaders said key factors scaring off challengers are probably the need to raise roughly $25,000 and the city's historically high success rate for incumbents.

City audit of agency remains unfinished - SDUT
A city audit of the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. has been delayed repeatedly and - despite last week's revelations about the agency - remains weeks from completion.

Mayor tries to stifle colleague, wins brick - SDUT
the Where's Your Muzzle? award - to Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood for losing his cool while trying to put a sock in Councilman Rocky Chavez during last week's testy debate about the sale of city-owned land under the Marina Towers condominiums.

Council will consider awarding park project at nonunion wages - SDUT
The Carlsbad City Council will get its first shot at deciding whether to hire a builder who pays nonunion wages when it takes up the latest construction plans on Tuesday for Alga Norte Community Park and Aquatic Center. SEDC boss: "I know they're out there." -- SDUT
Southeastern Economic Development Corp. President Carolyn Smith isn't talking now, as San Diego's city establishment is calling for her to step down or be fired by her board.

Dancers, bikers and married couples, too -- SDUT
All the familiar trappings, the flamboyant and the tongue-and-cheek, were there.