Lawmakers abandon teacher evaluation bill

SACRAMENTO (AP) - State lawmakers failed to revive a controversial measure that would rewrite state rules on teacher evaluations, but supporters vowed to bring it up again in the next legislative session.

Promoters' email: Concern over Jackson's stability

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Promoters of Michael Jackson's planned 2009 comeback described in emails how they feared for the megastar's stability, saying he was out of shape and consumed with self-doubt.

'Food hubs' connect schools with farmers

TURLOCK (AP) - The school district in Turlock, surrounded by fields and orchards in one of the nation's richest agricultural regions, used to get much of the produce it served to students from national distributors who shipped fruits and vegetables from outside California.

Hollywood's summer heads south as films fizzle

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Studio executives expected their biggest summer ever this year as they loaded their lineup with huge action movies and superhero franchises.

Students face rocky path to graduation from California public higher education

LOS ANGELES (AP) - With state budget cuts forcing California's public universities to shrink their course offerings, earning a bachelor's degree in four years is becoming even more difficult for many students.

State news briefs

MAN GETS YEAR IN JAIL FOR DEATH OF HIS DOG: SACRAMENTO (AP) - A Sacramento man convicted of dragging his dog down a street while it was tied to the back of his pickup truck has been ordered to serve time in jail.

Pension deal reflects Democratic, union ties

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Union leaders grumbled this week when Gov. Jerry Brown released a compromise deal with Democrats to scale back pension benefits for the state's public employees, but it was far less than a resounding victory for the Democratic governor.

Vigil planned for SJ fireman who had heart attack

SAN JOSE (AP) - A veteran San Jose firefighter who suffered a heart attack while battling a fire at a downtown cathedral last week remained in critical but stable condition, while his fellow firefighters kept a round-the-clock vigil at the hospital where he's being cared for, fire officials said Sunday.

Up to 10,000 Yosemite visitors at risk of virus

YOSEMITE (AP) - Up to 10,000 people who were guests in certain lodging cabins at Yosemite National Park might have been exposed to a deadly mouse-borne virus, park officials confirmed Friday as rangers handled a slew of calls from frightened visitors.

State news briefs

HOSPITAL FINED $50K FOR LEAVING TOWEL IN PATIENT: FRESNO (AP) - California regulators have fined a Fresno hospital $50,000 for leaving a towel in a patient who had abdominal surgery.

Assembly passes workers' compensation changes to eliminate fraudulent claims

Assembly passes workers' compensation changes to eliminate fraudulent claims

Investigators: Sick cows not slaughtered for food

California to seek sales tax from online retailers

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California will hire dozens of specialists to enforce a new law requiring Internet merchants to collect state sales tax - an effort that could bring in more than $300 million a year for the cash-strapped state. The state Board of Equalization, which collects taxes, announced Thursday that it will spend $10 million over the next three years to hire ...

Students' English, math scores improving

Bill urges more illegal workers to pay taxes

OC officials keep inmate alive they want to ultimately execute

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A man charged with raping and killing a woman 30 years ago is being kept alive in Orange County with dialysis treatments until officials can win permission to execute him.

Bills aim to protect privacy in drone age

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California lawmakers are attempting to stay ahead of science fiction-style technology as increasingly nimble unmanned aircraft are considered for use in tracking fleeing suspects and monitoring crowded public spaces.