K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune Steve Hendrickx checked out Laird Hamilton's line of apparel Thursday at Steve & Barry's in Horton Plaza.

When renowned extreme surfer Laird Hamilton decided to do his own clothing line, he didn't sign up with an action sports apparel powerhouse such as Quiksilver, Volcom or Hurley. Instead Hamilton has decided to pair up with Steve & Barry's, a retailer that has made a name for itself by providing incredibly low-cost shoes and apparel.

After a sluggish winter, employment in San Diego County rebounded last month, fueled by strong hiring in hotels, restaurants and government work, according to data released yesterday by the state Employment Development Department.

Doctors and hospital officials will square off with health insurers Monday in San Diego over a state plan to ban medical providers from billing emergency room patients for charges not covered by insurance companies.

WASHINGTON – By relaxing down-payment requirements for borrowers in markets where home prices are falling, Fannie Mae aims to both resuscitate the flagging housing market and respond to pressure from industry groups, consumer advocates and lawmakers.

Alvarado Hospital in San Diego has lost its court battle over a contract dispute with Blue Shield of California, demonstrating how challenging it can be for stand-alone hospitals to demand higher prices for their services.