Court hears arguments in clean fuels case

SF phonebook ban in trouble after ruling

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal appeals court decision striking down restrictions on the distribution of Yellow Pages in Seattle has imperiled San Francisco's own phonebook ban. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that Seattle's 2010 law violated the First Amendment. The law created a registry - paid for by fees levied on publishers of the directories - that ...

State news briefs

COALITION RECOMMENDS PROJECTS IN DELTA: SACRAMENTO (AP) - An influential group of farmers, environmentalists and water exporters is recommending $1 billion in short-term projects to help the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

City may allow police to seize skateboards from juveniles

LAGUNA BEACH (AP) - Skateboarders could find themselves without wheels unless they wear helmets under a proposed law by the City Council that comes up for a vote Tuesday night. State law requires youngsters under 18 to wear helmets when skateboarding and the ordinance being considered would allow police to seize violators' boards, the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/QiYotP) reported. <p style="line-height: 18pt; ...

Blood from Yosemite workers could advance research from fatal virus

California voting line gave wrong registration deadline for upcoming November election

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Already bombarded by conflicting campaign ads and ballot propositions, some Californians became even more confused when a message on the state's official voting hotline provided a wrong deadline for voter registration, an election official said Tuesday. Some callers heard a message Monday saying, "Voter registration for the Nov. 6 election is now closed." In fact, voters have until Oct. ...

Bay Area briefs

Authorities say day laborer kidnapped in Lafayette

Campaign cash pours into congressional races with SJ Valley among big spenders

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Millions of dollars in campaign cash have poured into hotly contested congressional races surrounding Sacramento and along a prized slice of California's central coast as candidates battle over competitive seats stretching from the Central Valley to San Diego.

State news briefs

DAUGHTER OF MEXICAN DRUG LORD HELD: SAN DIEGO (AP) - The daughter of one of the world's most sought-after drug lords has been arrested on suspicion of trying to enter the United States on someone else's passport, U.S. officials said Monday.

Del Norte DA accused of corruption on trial before bar

Peace treaty negotiator hired for PG&E, CPUC settlement talks

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A former U.S. senator who helped negotiate a peace treaty in Northern Ireland has been appointed to help California energy regulators and Pacific Gas & Electric reach a settlement over a pipeline explosion that killed eight people, the two sides announced Monday. The California Public Utilities Commission said former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, a Democrat, has agreed ...

Rival to end ad critical of Brown's initiative

Home prices rise in September; sales fall

SAN DIEGO (AP) - California home prices rose in September to a four-year high as the supply of properties for sale remained tight, according to surveys released Monday. The median price for new and existing houses and condominiums in California reached $287,000, up 15.3 percent from $249,000 in September 2011, DataQuick said. The median rose $6,000 from August to reach its highest ...

Feinstein has more than $3M in campaign cash

SACRAMENTO (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has a healthy campaign stash as she seeks re-election to a fourth full term. Federal Election Commission filings due Monday show Feinstein with $3.3 million cash on hand for the period ending in September. Her Republican challenger, Elizabeth Emken, has about $100,000 on hand, said Emken's campaign spokesman, Mark Standriff. He ...

Democrats seek boost from new legislative maps

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The path to a two-thirds legislative majority in the state Senate - the ability for Democrats to change tax policy and override gubernatorial vetoes - runs partly through California's Central Valley.

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.