News Panel: SF City College Troubles, High Speed Rail Developments, and more

Will City College of San Francisco, the largest community college in California, be shut down? Interim Chancellor Pamila Fisher has tried to calm fears after the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges granted CCSF eight months to make tough financial and leadership decisions or lose its accreditation, and subsequently its public funding. Now that the first phase of funding for California's High-Speed Rail plan has been approved by the state Legislature, what lies ahead for this ambitious and controversial project? Construction of a 130-mile stretch between Madera and Bakersfield in the Central Valley is scheduled to begin early next year, but the high speed rail authority must first fend off five law suits. An East Bay doctor is the subject of a federal investigation for prescribing high doses of opiate pain pills, such as OxyContin, to his patients. The practice is drawing widespread attention throughout the state and the country as more patients die from overdoses of these highly addictive medications.

"Occupy Art"

Since its inception in September 2011, the Occupy movement has resonated with artists worldwide, resulting in a distinct visual aesthetic of imagery designed to inspire and mobilize support. "Occupy Bay Area" at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is a new exhibition showcasing the work of Bay Area artists who've played a significant role in giving voice to the 99%.

• Occupy Bay Area