Boston bomb investigation extends to Russia; terror list had one brother

Government reviewing prison phone charges

Texas plant blast loss likely exceeds $100M

WEST, Texas (AP) - The damage to surrounding homes and businesses caused by an explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant was estimated Wednesday to exceed $100 million, as crews continued to sift through a 90-foot-wide crater searching for answers. The Insurance Council of Texas released its estimate after speaking to numerous adjusters and agents in West, Texas, where officials and displaced residents ...

Mississippi men's feud looms over ricin probe

Obama administration missed Fisker clues

White House open to fix on FAA furloughs

Brown pushing school-funding changes

L.A. tops cities with worst traffic

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles has the worst traffic in the nation and it's gotten worse as the economy improves, according to a report released Wednesday. Because of congestion, the average motorist in the Los Angeles metropolitan area spent an extra 59 hours in traffic during 2012, according to a national scorecard from traffic information firm INRIX. <p style="line-height: 18pt; background: ...

209 News

PIT BULLS KILL NEARLY 200 GOATS: FRENCH CAMP - Concerned residents and workers at a French Camp livestock auction yard are worried that a pack of pit bulls will return to attack their animals.

Bolts on Bay Bridge that haven't failed may go

OAKLAND (AP) - Long seismic safety bolts on the new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that haven't failed may have to be replaced nonetheless, a regional transportation official said Wednesday.

State news briefs

GROCER TRIES TO PROFIT OFF BOTCHED BURGLARY: REDDING (AP) - A Northern California grocery store owner is trying to profit from a suspected thief's botched burglary attempt that was caught on video and went viral.

2 a.m. still last call for alcohol in California

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have permitted bartenders to serve drinks until 4 a.m., two hours later than the current last call for alcohol. Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, had said the extended hours would draw tourists, create jobs and help California cities compete with New York, Las Vegas, Miami and other areas that serve alcohol ...

Educators sued over English instruction

Rankin Ranch: Family favorite for generation

By CARY ORDWAY Of CaliforniaWeekend.com CALIENTE - Bill Rankin takes a minute to reflect about the people who have come to stay at his Rankin Guest Ranch over the years. He says he just got an email about one of his favorite guests passing away. He sadly names a few more longtime guests who are now gone, but then he quickly perks up as he recalls one family in particular who invited the Rankins to ...

Toyota’s hybrid vehicle sales pass 5 million

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota's global sales of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have surpassed 5 million in a milestone for a technology that was initially greeted with skepticism.

49ers thrilled to have Super Bowl come to town

SANTA CLARA - Only a Colin Kaepernick deep ball away from the San Francisco 49ers' practice field, Levi's Stadium is taking shape in a hurry.

Tales of the over-ripe athlete

The ball was over-inflated and under-used, but that wasn't the real issue.

Stockton pushed to the brink with loss to Reading

STOCKTON &ndash; Yannick Tifu's two unanswered goals helped send the Stockton Thunder to a 3-1 loss to the Reading Royals in Game 3 of the Kelly Cup Finals in front of 4,379 fans at Stockton Arena on Tuesday.

Sharks tie series with win over Kings

SAN JOSE (AP) - Brent Burns helped San Jose jump off to a fast start with his second goal of the postseason and the Sharks tied their second-round series against Los Angeles at two games with a 2-1 victory over the Kings in Game 4 on Tuesday night.

Spurs blow late lead, beat Grizzlies 93-89 in OT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - When Tony Parker started running low on masterful plays, Tim Duncan was there to take over and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Sandoval’s HR lifts Giants past Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning after Gregor Blanco's tying triple in the ninth, and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Straily, Cespedes push A’s past Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Oakland rookie right-hander Dan Straily was well aware of the ace pitcher and the powerful lineup he was facing.

Affeldt has grown to love open-minded Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - When Jeremy Affeldt came to the Bay Area as an opposing player, he refused to leave his hotel room aside from going to and from the ballpark. He was admittedly homophobic.

Veteran DB Charles Woodson returns to Raiders

ALAMEDA (AP) - Charles Woodson is coming back home to Oakland.

Transgenders, schools & using girls’ bathrooms

Editor, Manteca Bulletin

Appreciates improved Manteca railroad crossings

Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

Gang of eight betrays Americans

The Gang of Eight immigration bill can be summed up as amnesty now, border closing never. The Department of Homeland Security is not required to build a fence (which was ordered by the Secure Fence Act signed by President George W. Bush). DHS is required only to submit a plan.

Housing recovery boosts Home Depot

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Apple's Cook faces taxing questions

Eminem's publisher sues Facebook over song