Court reverses order for VA system overhaul; says it is Congress’ concern

Calif. lawmaker proposes to girlfriend in Assembly

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Parliamentary procedure has given way to a parliamentary proposal in the California Assembly. First-term Democratic lawmaker Luis Alejo of Watsonville surprised his girlfriend during Monday's floor session when he took the microphone and proposed as his Assembly colleagues looked on. Karina Cervantez, a 32-year-old doctoral candidate in social psychology at UC Santa Cruz, said she ...

Industry raises millions to fight tobacco tax

Cal State trustees to revisit giving campus presidents 10% pay hikes

Suicide kit lady nailed for failing to file IRS taxes

Bay Area briefs

Sedan in NorCal missing teen case MORGAN HILL (AP) - Authorities say they're looking for a vehicle that they believe is connected to the abduction of a Northern California teenager who's been missing for nearly two months. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office on Monday released a photo of a 1990s red Volkwagen Jetta that's similar to a car linked to the disappearance ...

Chronically unemployed get jobless help cut off Saturday

MERCED (AP) - With her anti-poverty budget stretched beyond its limits, Brenda Callahan-Johnson is braced for next Saturday: the day California's chronically unemployed will be cut off from the nation's jobless benefits.

Study: Sierra range adds about 1-2 millimeters in elevation a year

TRUCKEE (AP) - The Sierra Nevada range continues to grow about one-half inch in elevation every 10 years, and scientists say new technology that allows them to detect the relatively fast rate of uplift in the crust from space is helping shed new light on the origin of the mountains.

Bills adding protections for gays & lesbians dividing California Assembly

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A recent run of bills intended to add more protections for gays and lesbians in California has sparked acrimonious debate in the state Assembly and exposed some of the social fissures that divide the two major parties.

California's 4th year of teacher layoffs spur concerns; 75% getting pink slips still on job

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Unified teacher Mike Newman sighed when he saw the now familiar certified letter in his mailbox last month - a pink slip, for the fourth year in a row.

San Jose police arrest dozens in 2 nights

SAN JOSE (AP) - Officers made dozens of arrests over two nights, but the Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown San Jose during the weekend was mostly free of some of the violence seen during past celebrations, police said Sunday.

State News Briefs

OFFICIALS SAY 37 LEFT HOMELESS IN SF FIRE: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Dozens of people have been burned out their homes and at least four people have been hurt after a fire roared through a four-story apartment building in San Francisco's Mission District, officials said Sunday.

State news briefs

• OC TEACHER ACCUSED OF SENDING STUDENT NUDE PHOTOS: NEWPORT BEACH (AP) - Prosecutors say an Irvine high school teacher has been charged with texting nude pictures of himself to a 15-year-old female student and arranging a sexual rendezvous with her.

University: Mediation, not police, for protests

Octomom: Broke & considering porn

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.