Some PG&E Northern California power customers will get the chance to opt out of getting new wireless, SmartMeters installed on their homes, which are meant to lower the meter reading costs.

The meters were originally mandatory and created some controversy -- even here in the Coachella Valley under Southern California Edison.

"It's supposed to be cheaper and it's like it's more expensive!" said Joe Corona, a Cathedral City SCE customer.

The California Public Utilities Commission approved a proposal, Wednesday, allowing PG&E customers to avoid having SmartMeters installed. Southern California Edison doesn't have the option yet -- but it may.

"I think you should have an option, it shouldn't be mandatory...should be something you can choose," said Shelly Clark, a Cathedral City SCE customer.

PG&E customers have to pay to opt out of having the new SmartMeters. There's an initial fee of $75 and a monthly fee of $10. Low-income customers will pay a $10 initial fee, plus an extra five dollars each month.

Some SCE customers say they wouldn't mind those fees.

"In the longrun, it would be worth it if the price went down," said Corona.

SCE says it may know as soon as Monday if Coachella Valley customers can opt out of SmartMeters.

A mistake by the giant drug manufacturer Pfizer, could lead to unwanted pregnancies.

This week the drug company pulled one million packs of birth control pills from store shelves. The company found out that many of the packages contained too many placebos and others not enough--with too many hormone-based pills.

Pfizer says users will not face any immediate health effects, but they may be at a higher risk of unwanted pregnancy.

"It's pretty risky if it's under-dosed...it's as risky if it is over-dosed," said Steve Pomerance, a Pharmacist at Town Center Compounding Pharmacy in Palm Desert.

The products recalled are marketed by Akrimax Products under the brand Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. They say they've identified and corrected the problem.

It's key that birth control pills are taken in a specific sequence--21 days of drug tablets and 7 days of inactive placebos to regulate menstrual period while providing contraception. The company warns these particular oral contraceptives were packaged out of order.

"I'd be very mad actually, especially with a 10 month old now!" said Ashlie Mcarther, of Palm Desert.

If you think you have been given a recalled pill pack, call your pharmacist or OB-GYN immediately to discuss alternative brands of contraceptives.

The money raised would go toward funding cancer research.

A group of Proposition 29 supporters lined up along Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert Wednesday afternoon.

They were drawing attention to the ballot initiative they hope passes in June.

Two time breast cancer survivor V.J. Sleight of La Quinta was in the group.

"I really feel sorry for all the people still going through the devastating effects of smoking," said Sleight.

Supported by groups like the American Cancer Society, and the American Lung Asocciation, Proposition 29 would generate nearly $600 million dollars a year for cancer research aimed at finding a cure.

Money would also go toward programs aimed at preventing tobacco use and smoking cessation programs.

Marvin Schurgin of Palm Desert lost his wife of 41 years to cancer.

She was a smoker.

"I do this because of her, and this is one way how I can show how I feel about a woman after that many years of marriage," said Schurgin.

At a smoke shop in Palm Desert, it wasn't hard to find anyone who opposes an additional tobacco tax.

"I would rather not have the tax, but I understand why they're trying to do it," said smoker Bo Loeffel.   

Big tobacco companies like Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds are leading the fight against Proposition 29, criticizing the measure calling it "ballot box budgeting".

They say money raised would have little oversight from outside agencies.