Police force tests online chat system

California home prices climb 8% in June

Crews gain ground on Calif. wildfires

FORESTHILL. (AP) - Fire crews aided by cooler temperatures and higher humidity made significant gains Wednesday against California's wildfires. Most of the evacuations ordered in Placer County were lifted by morning, as firefighters made progress overnight against a blaze that has burned for a week and threatened dozens of homes. State fire ...

Slain Marine's wife targeted by sex ring

209 News

STANISLAUS COUNTY GIRL HAS WEST NILE, 3RD CASE IN STATE: MODESTO (AP) - A 6-year-old California girl has the West Nile virus, the third confirmed case in the state this year.

Brown signs Galgiani’s bill allowing death row inmate help find victims

SACRAMENTO . (AP) - California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to allow a death-row inmate to help authorities search for the remains of his long-dead victims, the governor's office announced Tuesday. The governor signed AB2357 by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Tracy, which gives California's corrections secretary the authority to let convicted serial killer Wesley Shermantine help ...

SoCal home prices match 2-year high in June

Restaurants duck weak state foie gras ban

Bay Area briefs

SF MAYOR CLARIFIES STOP-AND-FRISK POLICY COMMENTS: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is clarifying his comments about a controversial stop-and-frisk policy used to reduce violent crime in other major cities, including New York and Philadelphia.

State news briefs

Man built makeshift home in wildlife sanctuary

State news briefs

EXPANSION OF AMERICAN RIVER ALCOHOL BAN CONSIDERED: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Sacramento officials are mulling whether to expand a holiday ban on alcohol on the American River after a recent event was marred by violence and arrests.

LA prosecutor calls US Bank a slumlord in lawsuit due to condition of foreclosures

CSU mulls fiscal woes, pending deficit, but OKs president pay hikes of 10%

Canadian elephants flying to California

Teen reaches deal in classroom hazing case

SAN BERNARDINO (AP) - An 18-year-old student charged in a brutal California classroom hazing case that allegedly involved sex crimes reached a plea deal Monday and will testify against his teacher, prosecutors said. Fernando Salgado agreed to plead guilty to one count each of attempted sexual penetration by a foreign object and assault with a deadly weapon, said Christopher Lee, a spokesman ...

Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies at 49

Fire forces evacuation of CSU campus, homes in Camarillo area west of LA

New '3 Strikes' law varies by county

Bill gives parents control of networking sites

Bay Area briefs

OFFICIAL: SHINY DOG BOWL SPARKS CALIF. HOUSE FIRE: SANTA ROSA (AP) - A Northern California couple might be able to blame this one on the dog.

Bad news: Snowpack at 17%

State to say how it will cut prison crowding

Rail contractor gets additional $96M

Judge axes federal suit filed by LA over new Owens Lake dust control measures

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