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: ...

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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

Bills would expand Yosemite National Park by 1,600 acres

San Diego teacher to stand trial for gun at school

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A San Diego judge has ordered an English teacher to stand trial on allegations he carried a loaded gun and knife onto the campus of a middle school. Ned Carter Walker, 41, was ordered Tuesday to be tried on the felony charges. Police say Farb Middle School staff members told them Walker expressed love ...

Fewer California homes head for foreclosure

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The number of California homes entering the foreclosure process plunged to a more-than-seven-year low this year thanks to rising home prices, an improving economy and new laws designed to protect homeowners, a research firm reported Tuesday. From January to March, 18,567 default notices were recorded by lenders - down 51.4 percent from the previous three months and down ...

Man caught trying to break into Gov. Brown’s apartment

State news briefs

ORANGE COUNTY SUPERVISORS OPPOSE BEACH BONFIRE BAN: SANTA ANA (AP) - Orange County supervisors have thrown their support behind the California tradition of beach bonfires in the face of a proposed ban.

3 Stockton ZIP codes make top10 pollution list

Bill says homeless have right to be on public streets

State taxes coming in $4B above forecast

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California is on track to collect $4 billion more in personal income taxes than Gov. Jerry Brown had expected, giving a potential boost to education funding, the legislative analyst's office said Tuesday.

Los Angeles settles with women fired on in manhunt

Governor signs bill to speed up gun seizures

State news briefs

COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHING SEASON OPENS: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Commercial salmon fishermen are heading to sea from San Francisco and other area ports in what is expected to be a strong fishing season.

Police doubt kidnapping try in Placerville linked to killing of girl in Valley Springs

PLACERVILLE (AP) - Investigators were trying Wednesday to determine if there's a link between a brazen kidnapping attempt involving a 15-month-old California girl and the killing of an 8-year-old girl in her home - though they acknowledged the likelihood is slim.

Monster suing SF over energy drinks

Woman faces attempted murder charges for tainting OJ at Starbucks

Inmate-removal order over Valley Fever complicates Calif. prison plan

Bay Area briefs

NO BACKPACKS ALLOWED AT 2013 BAY TO BREAKERS IN SF: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - No backpacks, large bags or containers will be allowed at this year's Bay to Breakers footrace in San Francisco as officials heighten security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Vulnerable inmates ordered out of 2 Central Valley prisons

Nesting swallows could delay Petaluma bridge work

State news briefs

SANTA CLARA THREATENS AMBULANCE TERMINATION: SAN JOSE. (AP) - Santa Clara County officials are threatening to terminate the contract of an ambulance company that they say has repeatedly responded too slowly to emergencies.

Killer on the loose: Valley Springs on lockdown

Lawmakers consider moratorium on oil fracking in San Joaquin Valley

3 divers killed over weekend abalone diving off California

SF Bay Bridge has bolts similar to banned bolts

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has more than 1,200 bolts made from galvanized steel that is virtually identical to a high-strength alloy that a nationwide group of transportation officials banned for use on bridges because the bolts can crack, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday.

Fatal stabbing of girl, 8, prompts manhunt

VALLEY SPRINGS (AP) - Residents of a rural Northern California county were being told Sunday to keep their doors locked and report anyone considered suspicious as authorities continued the search for the killer of an 8-year-old girl.