Private school vaccine opt-outs rise

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Parents who send their children to private schools in California are much more likely to opt out of immunizations than their public school counterparts, an Associated Press analysis has found, and not even the recent re-emergence of whooping cough has halted the downward trajectory of vaccinations among these students.

‘Red flag warnings of high winds, low humidity for NorCal fire crews

UKIAH (AP) - A change in the weather was making things more difficult for the thousands of firefighters who were struggling to contain a series of wildfires burning across California, fire officials said Sunday.

Metrolink victims claim inadequate compensation for long-term health care due to federal regulation

LOS ANGELES (AP) - As the fourth anniversary of a deadly Metrolink crash approaches, many survivors say a federal liability cap has left them inadequately compensated.

Woman killed, second hurt in sidewalk crash

WALNUT CREEK (AP) - A Southern California woman was killed, a second woman was hospitalized and a Walnut Creek motorist faces charges after a pickup truck jumped a curb and hit the two women on a Walnut Creek sidewalk, police said.

GOP nominee Ryan extols free enterprise in Fresno

FRESNO (AP) - Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan extolled the values of free enterprise and self-determination at a Fresno fundraising dinner Saturday as he swept through California during a western campaign swing.

State news briefs

• FIERY CAR CRASH INTO LA PIZZERIA KILLS 3 PEOPLE: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities say a car has crashed into a pizzeria in Los Angeles, killing three people and triggering a blaze.

Sonoma winery to resume wine-making in old buildings

SONOMA (AP) - Jean-Charles Boisset, new owner of California's oldest premium winery, is building the future of 155-year-old Buena Vista Winery on its rich and eclectic heritage.

State news briefs

MAN PLEADS NO CONTEST TO CHOKING PELICAN AT MALIBU: LOS ANGELES (AP) - A transient pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal cruelty for choking a brown pelican to death near Malibu Pier.

West Nile virus kills woman in Merced County

MERCED (AP) - A Merced County woman has become the fourth person in the state to die of West Nile virus this year. Health officials said Thursday that the 86-year-old woman died this month after becoming infected in August. There have been three other West Nile virus-related deaths in the state in 2012: an elderly Fresno County woman, ...

Quake shakes the 90210, rattling Beverly Hills

No charges in investigation into Lee's campaign

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Prosecutors won't file criminal charges in the case of a property management firm accused of laundering thousands of dollars in contributions to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's election campaign last year. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to support charges. The case had centered around $4,500 in contributions ...

Colusa County wildfires grow, 23 homes in danger

Man pleads guilty in friend's grisly death

CRESCENT CITY (AP) - A Northern California mixed-martial artist accused of ripping out his friend's heart and removing his tongue while the two were on hallucinogenic drugs has pleaded guilty to murder and mayhem charges. Jarrod Wyatt of Crescent City agreed to a plea deal in which he will serve 50 years to life in prison, Del Norte County prosecutors said. His ...

3rd hantavirus death linked to outbreak tied to tent cabins in Yosemite Valley

YOSEMITE (AP) - A West Virginian is the third person to die so far from a rodent-borne illness linked to some tent cabins at Yosemite National Park that has now stricken eight people in all, health officials said Thursday.

State news briefs

SAN DIEGO PARAPLEGIC SKATEBOARDER CRUSHED BY TRUCK: SAN DIEGO (AP) - Police say a 36-year-old paraplegic riding a skateboard on his stomach while hanging onto the undercarriage of a tractor-trailer rig is hospitalized in critical condition after he was crushed by the truck's wheels.

Bill would prohibit ticket-buying software

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Music and sports fans would have one less obstacle in buying tickets to popular events under a bill advancing through the California Legislature. Legislation by Democratic Assemblyman Richard Pan of Sacramento would prohibit the use of robotic ticket-buying software. Supporters of AB329 say scalpers use the software to bombard online box offices and then resell tickets at higher prices. Lawmakers previously deleted a provision that would have allowed transfers of paperless event ...

Professor assigns students to make ad for his campaign

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A San Francisco State University professor considering a run for Oakland mayor is drawing scrutiny for a class assignment that asked students to create a political campaign ad and gave them the option of developing it for him. Joe Tuman said he would use the ad if it were good, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Thursday. But ethics experts said any such use of the students' work could run afoul ...

Bay Area briefs

SWALLOWS LAWSUIT MAY DELAY PETALUMA BRIDGE WORK : PETALUMA (AP) - A lawsuit accuses state and federal regulators of causing the death of dozens of migratory cliff swallows by placing nets on a Sonoma County bridge during a highway widening project.

State releases health reform plans, pricing

OC seeks state permission to charge for rescues

OC seeks state permission to charge for rescues

Injured volunteer seeks payment from lost hiker

6 plead not guilty in school embezzlement

Driver impaled by metal rod on I-580 near Livermore.

Snacking deputy's crash costs Santa Clara County $5M

Brown defends California's business climate

State news briefs

POSTAL WORKER SENTENCED IN MAIL THEFT: SAN CARLOS, Calif. (AP) - A San Francisco Bay area postal worker accused of stealing thousands of pieces of mail to obtain credit cards has been sentenced to 18 months in jail.