State news briefs

SCHOOL VANDALS CUT DOWN 70-FOOT TREE: SANTA CLARITA (AP) - Authorities say it may have been intended as a prank but it wasn't funny when vandals chopped down a 70-foot pine tree at a northern Los Angeles County high school.

Democrats, Gov. Brown discuss bridging $2B divide to avoid welfare reductions

Elections officials: Get used to uncounted votes due to mail-in

SF mulls tour bus limits in historic district

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Residents of San Francisco's Alamo Square have learned that living in a neighborhood pictured on postcards and television shows such as "Full House" has challenges as well as charms. The historic district famous for its colorful Victorian houses and a park with stunning views has become a popular stop for an increasing number of tour buses, at least ...

San Onofre nuke plant likely offline for summer

Remodels of CSU presidents' homes cause outcry on cash strapped college campuses

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California State University has spent $1 million in public and private funds over the past year renovating houses used by campus presidents, causing some to wonder why the system does not sell the homes in a time of fiscal austerity. The renovations at four of the 11 houses at different campuses has caused consternation at a time when ...

Bay Area briefs

Court upholds hit man case against ex-politician

State news briefs

Ex-NBA star Johnson back in as Sac mayor SACRAMENTO (AP) - Former NBA star point guard Kevin Johnson won a second term as mayor of Sacramento. With all precincts reporting, Johnson was ahead Wednesday with 58 percent of the vote. His closest rival, city Parks Commissioner Jonathan Rewers, had 24 percent. Johnson, a Democrat, declared victory late Tuesday at ...

Report blasts handling of Occupy Berkeley protests

San Jose, San Diego voter imposed pension cuts may have ripple effect

At least 800,000 ballots still uncounted

Push to quash tobacco tax could echo beyond state

Push to quash tobacco tax could echo beyond state

PG&E making emergency gas 180 segments of pipeline system checks for corrosive leaks

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Pacific Gas & Electric is checking for leaks in 180 segments of its natural gas pipeline system, including part of a line where an explosion killed eight people in 2010. PG&E said Tuesday it is conducting the emergency surveys after acknowledging it had ignored vulnerability to corrosion on the lines, in some cases for years, the San Francisco ...

What $40,000 for Obama gets you in presidential fundraising

Calif approves north coast marine protection zones

State news briefs

Bay Area briefs

KAYAKER MISSING AFTER FALLING INTO LIVERMORE LAKE: LIVERMORE (AP) - A 30-year-old man is missing after falling out of a kayak at a lake in Livermore.

Four lawsuits filed against Delta Plan

Port of LA unveils plan for marine research center

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles port officials on Monday unveiled plans to create a $500 million marine research center called AltaSea. The project, developed through a public-private partnership between the port and universities, will be built on a 100-year-old wharf on the San Pedro waterfront. Officials cited Los Angeles' urban environment as a reason to invest in research at the port, which had been looking to diversify its uses - in addition to cargo ...

Cancer killed serial killer Richard Ramirez

LA elementary teacher arrested in estranged wife's stabbing death

Legislature passes $96.3B budget

State news briefs

BILLY RAY CYRUS HAS AN ACKY BREAKY HEART AS HE AND WIFE OF 19 YEARS, GETTING DIVORCE: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Billy Ray Cyrus' wife has filed for divorce from the country singer after 19 years of marriage.

Coastal board hikes SoCal beach parking fees, may impose NorCal parking fees

New York, San Francisco plan tech summits

License of Davis group home revoked over sex case

3 found dead in burning stolen car near Paradise

PARADISE . (AP) - Authorities in rural Northern California have found a burning stolen car with three people dead inside. Butte County sheriff's Sgt. Jason Hail says deputies and firefighters responded to reports of a vehicle fire on a road in Magalia 10 miles northeast of Chico early Thursday. They arrived to find a green Acura sedan engulfed in flames when it was out found three bodies. Undersheriff Kory Honea tells the Chico Enterprise-Record that ...

San Francisco parking spot sells for $82,000

San Francisco parking spot sells for $82,000

Bay Area briefs

SF DEVELOPER LOOKS TO MAKE MORTUARY INTO MINI-GOLF: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Developers in San Francisco want to turn a funeral home into a fun zone.

Federal board OKs high-speed rail work