As the sun rises over Tijuana, I start to think about all the changes we’ve seen along this border in the last seven years. We didn’t think twice about heading south to cover immigration issues or other stories, but now, that’s almost out of the question because of the ongoing and brutal drug war. Just two days ago, two more headless bodies were dumped in Tijuana and another bunch of police were arrested for corruption. President Calderon’s office tells me that they’re doing everything they can and by most accounts here on the border, they are making some progress. However, there is still widespread corruption in government and law enforcement south of our border, which makes the job of our border agents that much more difficult and imperative. As we report on the nearly 40 billion in illegal drug profits flowing from the US into Mexico (compared with an estimated 25 billion sent home by immigrant workers), Customs and Border Protection passes along this release and photos:

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at San Diego area ports of entry have noticed a disturbing new trend in the past several months involving an upswing in the use of boys and young adult males to smuggle narcotics taped to their bodies as they enter the U.S. on foot.
Since late August 2008, when CBP officers first noted the upswing, until the end of last month CBP officers at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports apprehended 157 teen and adult pedestrians entering the United States from Mexico carrying a total of 285 pounds of marijuana, 1.2 pounds of heroin, 4.7 pounds of cocaine and over nine pounds of methamphetamine concealed under their clothing.
The majority of the border crossers were young U.S. citizens while the rest were Mexican males. They ranged in age from 15 to 56, with the majority being in their teens or early 20’s. Almost 75 percent of the males were under 29 years of age and 25 percent were under age 18. Most of the males caught smuggling narcotics were wearing loose, multiple layers of clothing to hide the bulging packages taped to their bodies.

Although strapping narcotics to a traveler’s torso is not a new smuggling technique, apprehensions since last August have burgeoned 811 percent at San Ysidro and 316 percent at Otay Mesa compared to the same period the previous year when officers discovered a total of 23 pedestrians entering local ports with concealed narcotics. The trend has continued into this month with the apprehension on March 2 of three 14-year old U.S. citizen boys caught smuggling a total of  over 11 pounds of marijuana as they entered the San Ysidro port pedestrian facility from Mexico.

If you’ve ever been to Rome, you know it’s not hard to find a good meal here, and certainly not if you know where to look. We normally know where to look.”

Art history professor Liz Lev, someone we frequently interview on more intellecutal matters, has also been gaining a reputation as an excellent cook. So Rome producer Mario Biasetti and I, intrepid reporters that we are, went to check out the rumor for ourselves.

Liz was kind enough to invite us into her kitchen to show us how to make pasta all’amatriciana. I’m not a foodie, so I can’t give you an entire history of the dish, but it comes from a town not far from Rome called Amatrice.

It’s simple — pasta, a bit of pork, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, pecorino cheese — and quite filling, the kind of thing shepherds in the area have been eating for centuries. It’s also a classic Roman dish.

Take a look at the video below to see how it’s made!

This is Phil Keating on the scene in Tampa, Florida today for the highly anticipated “face the media” news conference with New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, the highest paid player in Major League Baseball history.  More than 200 representatives from the media showed up at George Steinbrenner Field, where the Yankees hold spring training, which is now underway.  A-Rod, a three-time American League MVP and A.L. leader in home-runs during the three seasons he was at the Texas Rangers, ’01, ’02, ’03.  As it turns out, these were years that he was juicing.  Sports Illustrated broke the story earlier this month that in 2003, he’d tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan, both currently banned by the league but not specifically at that time.

A-Rod confessed he and his cousin injected the steroids about two times a month, for 6 months during those three years.  He blames it in curiosity, immaturity and a desire to have more energy, under the pressure of having signed a 250-million dollar contract with the Rangers.

He says he’s sorry and that he will now participate in doing a nationwide anti-steroids campaign.  During his opening statement, he got to the very end where he said “and to my teammates…,” and as he looked over to the teammates gathered there in support, A-Rod clearly became almost overwhelmed and on the verge of tears.  He bit his lip.  He sat back.  He breathed.  He looked at the packed tent.  And, 37 absolutely silent seconds later, he leaned back up to the mic and said “….thank you.”

The day here, opening for Spring Training, absolutely gorgeous.  Cloudless skies, 74 degrees.  I think I am a little bit sunburned.  Life is good when you work out of the Miami Bureau!!

Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re single or in love, there are many Hollywood heartthrobs in the same boat as you!

Tracee Ellis Ross tells us she’s single and looking for love! Tia Mowry tells Fox, “I’m a sucker for love. I love Valentine’s Day. My husband says that there’s a surprise awaiting me.”

Omar Epps has reservations for romance. He tells Fox, “I think I’m going to keep it simple this year. I think I’m just going to do some dinner. A nice dinner and maybe go out dancing or something.”

Check out the clip for more from Tracee Ellis Ross, and hear what Bret Michaels and Beth Ostrosky and Howard Stern have planned for February 14th!

Don’t miss “Glenn Beck” weeknights at 5p et!

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