Metal thieves find markets at illegal scrap yards

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Metal thieves who have stripped wires from streetlights and statues from parks have found markets at illegal scrap yards in Southern California, authorities said. With copper prices soaring, California authorities reported an epidemic of metal thefts. Crooks have torn up train tracks, stolen air conditioners from schools, and earlier this summer made off with a 200-pound brass bell ...

Bill would lower cost of chemo pills

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Patients undergoing chemotherapy would pay less for pill-based treatments under legislation sent to the governor Wednesday over the objections of some health plans and insurers. The state Assembly passed AB1000 on 51-12 vote. It would prohibit health plans and insurance policies from charging more for covering oral chemotherapy than for the intravenous treatment. <p style="line-height: ...

Senate OKs bill targeting unvaccinated students

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The California Senate has approved a bill that would require parents to visit the doctor's office before enrolling their children in school without vaccines. The bill by Democratic Assemblyman Richard Pan of Sacramento passed the Senate Wednesday on a 21-14 vote. It now goes back to the Assembly for a final vote. AB2109 would require ...

State Side

BILL MANDATES QUICK REPORTING OF LOST, STOLEN GUNS: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gun owners would have to report stolen or missing firearms to authorities within 48 hours of discovering them gone under a bill approved by the state Assembly.

Bay Area briefs

Sewage worker's unused sick time worth $145K MARTINEZ (AP) - It seems working with California sewage isn't sickening. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District sewage engineer Alan Grieb cashed in 2,138 hours of unused sick time when he retired last year, adding about $145,000 to his final paycheck. The Contra Costa Times says the district also counted most of that ...

Hollywood tax break prompts economy debate

Endangered whales invade coastal waters

Ballot petitions could come in multiple languages if proposed law passes

Huge fire burns to edge of 3 Northern California towns

Attorney: Skateboarder shouldn't be charged after being beaten by LA cops

State news briefs

AUTHORITIES AMEND NATALIE WOOD'S DEATH CERTIFICATE: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Natalie Wood's death certificate has been changed to reflect some of the uncertainties and lingering questions surrounding the actress' drowning more than 30 years ago in the Pacific Ocean off Southern California.

California public land squeeze helps push marijuana grows to other states

USDA eyes whether tainted beef entered food supply

Feds crack down on S. California medical marijuana

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal prosecutors on Tuesday expanded their crackdown on California medical marijuana dispensaries, filing three lawsuits and sending warning letters to more than 60 clinics in two Orange County cities. The asset-forfeiture lawsuits filed against landlords who own buildings that house six marijuana shops in Anaheim and the letters order the closure of the clinics or possible criminal charges ...

Bay Area briefs

Cell towers blamed for Oakland's police radio ills

Bolts on Bay Bridge that haven't failed may go

OAKLAND (AP) - Long seismic safety bolts on the new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that haven't failed may have to be replaced nonetheless, a regional transportation official said Wednesday.

State news briefs

GROCER TRIES TO PROFIT OFF BOTCHED BURGLARY: REDDING (AP) - A Northern California grocery store owner is trying to profit from a suspected thief's botched burglary attempt that was caught on video and went viral.

2 a.m. still last call for alcohol in California

Educators sued over English instruction