Defeat of Calif. teacher bill shows union power

New budget crafted to influence voters

Voters face fall ballot crowded with issues

Key elements of the $92 billion California state budget sent to Gov. Jerry Brown:

Progress in graduation, dropout rates

SoCal should survive summer without blackouts

Priest assault trial resumes with abuse allegation

Bay Area briefs

SANTA CLARA OFFICIALS OK TALKS WITH JOE MONTANA: SANTA CLARA (AP) - Santa Clara officials have given the go-ahead for the city to begin negotiations with legendary quarterback Joe Montana for a hotel and entertainment complex across from the 49ers new stadium.

State news briefs

CAR HITS SO. CAL NURSING HOME, KILLS MAN, 89: LA MESA (AP) - A runaway car has crashed into a San Diego County nursing home and killed an 89-year-old man.

PG&E: 1956 pipeline test caused San Bruno blast that killed eight

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Pacific Gas & Electric Co. told California regulators this week that a pipeline test the company performed in 1956 damaged a weld and led to the 2010 deadly explosion in San Bruno. PG&E made the claim in a filing submitted Tuesday to the California Public Utilities Commission, which has launched numerous investigations into the company that could result ...

Police chief angry over plea deal for dentist in son’s death

FRESNO (AP) - A Coalinga dentist who gave his disabled son a fatal dose of morphine received preferential treatment from prosecutors, said the city's police chief. Dentist Allen Clare, 68, should have faced a second-degree murder or manslaughter charge for last year's death of his 35-year-old son Patrick Clare, Chief Cal Minor told the Fresno Bee. Instead, Clare ...

Famed Crystal Cathedral becoming Catholic Church

Lawmakers finish California budget with $15.7 billion gap

Stockton bankruptcy hard hit for city retirees

State news briefs

DEMOCRATS PUSH TOP BILLING FOR GOVERNOR'S TAX HIKE: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Democratic lawmakers are moving a bill that could give the governor's tax initiative top billing on California's November ballot.

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.