Ripon crime lab analyst pleads in drug theft case

RIPON (AP) - A former state crime lab forensic analyst accused of stealing drugs being held as evidence is facing 16 months behind bars after pleading guilty to an embezzlement charge. Hermon Brown, 43, entered the plea on Tuesday, as his jury trial was under way. Prosecutors say he stole half a pound of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine ...

Brown: Review UC graduation rates

Major budget infusion for education

Body of missing 9-year-old found

CLEARLAKE (AP) - Authorities found the body on Wednesday of an autistic Northern California 9-year-old who went missing from her family's vacation home, ending an exhaustive, emotional search for the girl. A dive team found Mikaela Lynch in a muddy creek near the home in Clearlake, Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen said. He said there was no indication of foul play, but ...

State news briefs

HIKERS WON'T HAVE TO PAY $160K RESCUE COSTS: SANTA ANA (AP) - Two hikers lost for days in the Southern California wilderness won't be charged the $160,000 it took to find them.

SF loses federal grant for new fireboat

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco Fire Department has lost a $7.8 million federal grant for what would have been its first new fireboat in 50 years because it didn't spend the money in time, a newspaper reported on Wednesday. "It's just a huge disappointment," Fire Commission member Steve Nakajo told the San Francisco Chronicle. "And believe me, we want to ...

LA buildings emptied after devices found

Is boy mature enough to aid murder defense?

6 charged with embezzling $15M from SF schools

‘Fighting chance' for 2013 opening

State news briefs

POLICE: MAN DRESSED AS WOMAN IN RESTROOM ARRESTED: PALMDALE (AP) - A Palmdale man has been arrested for allegedly videotaping women in a Macy's restroom while dressed as a woman.

GOV. JERRY BROWN'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AT A GLANCE

911 caller believed stabbed girl, 8, was alive at the time

VALLEY SPRINGS . (AP) - The parents of an 8-year-old Central California girl who was stabbed to death in her home believed she was fine when they made a 911 call to authorities from another location.

Brown budget: An extra $2.9B to education

Brown takes restrained view of spending

Plastic ocean debris bill dies in committee

Bill would treat e-cigarettes like other tobacco

State Senate election might be headed to runoff in 16th district

LA sanitation ends plans for dump near Joshua Tree