State parks sought to spend extra money

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The state Department of Parks and Recreation searched for ways to spend extra money every year despite facing the threat of park closures and forgoing upkeep at its 278 properties, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Calif. protests court order for inmate reduction

SACRAMENTO . (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is protesting a federal court order to provide a timetable for releasing prison inmates to ease overcrowding at state prisons.

Tougher heat rules for farmworkers?

FRESNO (AP) - With temperatures in the Central Valley recently surpassing 110 degrees and state regulators investigating two possible heat-related deaths in the fields, the California legislature is considering new laws that would strengthen rules for protecting farmworkers from heat.

Special needs kids stay in traditional schools

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The high cost of educating students with special needs is disproportionately falling on traditional public schools as other students increasingly opt for alternatives that aren't always readily open to those requiring special education.

State news briefs

• STATE MULLS DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR YOUNG MIGRANTS: SACRAMENTO (AP) - The California Department of Motor Vehicles is uncertain whether to issue driver's licenses to young immigrants who obtain temporary residency under President Obama's reprieve program.

State news briefs

WASHINGTON MOVES TO RECYCLE TRANSPORT FUNDS IN CA: LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Obama administration wants to recycle $43 million in unspent highway funds in California.

Twice recalled councilman giving it another try

FULLERTON (AP) - A twice-recalled Southern California councilman is giving it another try. Former Fullerton Councilman Don Bankhead is one of three council members ousted in June in the wake of an uproar over the way the city handled a fatal confrontation between police officers and a mentally ill homeless man. Bankhead is now among 12 candidates vying ...

Brown seeks special session on health care reform issues before year’s end

Trio charged with defrauding tribe of $18M at Thunder Valley casino

Thunderstorms trigger mud flows in SoCal

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fast-moving thunderstorms dumped heavy rain that triggered flash floods and mud flows in rural areas of the San Bernardino Mountains. San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachmann says deputies checked on residents in the Forest Falls and Big Falls areas because of reports of significant mud and debris flowing down the hillsides. Bachmann says no structures were damaged ...

Stockton, other cities dispute amount of redevelopment money sought by state

Trade group sues LA to halt ban on dispensaries

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A medical marijuana trade group is suing Los Angeles to stop the city from implementing a ban on prescription pot dispensaries. The suit filed by Patient Care Alliance alleges the ban violates the constitutional right of freedom of assembly, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. The ordinance passed last month by the City Council ...

Clown had iPad stolen from Steve Jobs' home

Moody's: More cities at risk of bankruptcy

Man dies from rare rodent disease caught in Yosemite

YOSEMITE - (AP) - A man died and a woman became seriously ill after contracting a rare rodent-borne disease that might have been linked to their stay at a popular lodging area in Yosemite National Park, officials said Thursday.

Bay Area briefs

Bay Area briefs

SF OFFICIALS UPSET OVER ANTI-ISRAEL BUS ADS: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Several San Francisco supervisors want the city transit agency to donate revenue from an anti-Israel bus ad campaign to the city's Human Rights Commission after the agency did the same for an ad campaign that targeted Muslims.

Dolphin finds 130-year-old torpedo off San Diego

Man survives 220-foot jump off Golden Gate

Teacher arraigned on molestation charges

Two suspects mistakenly dial 911 during crime

Judge: Workers at UC hospitals can strike

3 charged in LA-area bank robbery

Hantavirus response followed policy

State news briefs

HOMEOWNER KILLS ROBBERY SUSPECT WITH SWORD: FIREBAUGH (AP) - Authorities say a central California homeowner killed a robbery suspect with a samurai sword during a home invasion.

Senate OKs regulations for medicinal pot

Senate OKs regulations for medicinal pot

Bay Area briefs

LONGSHOREMAN DIES AFTER TRUCK PLUNGES IN SF BAY: OAKLAND (AP) - Authorities have identified a 78-year-old Port of Oakland longshoreman who died after his truck plunged into the San Francisco Bay.

Poor are moving to nation's suburbs

Brown cites safety in possible bridge delay

Brown cites safety in possible bridge delay

Legislation adds community college classes at higher cost

SACRAMENTO, (AP) - Students at California community colleges could see additional class options for short summer and winter sessions under a bill that passed the state Assembly on Monday, but those courses would come with a higher price tag.