State news briefs

EX-MODESTO OFFICER FACING SEX CHARGES: MODESTO (AP) - A former Modesto police officer is facing charges that he sexually assaulted a woman while on duty.

Church regrets pig rodeo, BBQ at retreat

Polling, campaign strategy forced initiative deal

State news briefs

WATER BOARD OKS $3.6M PG&E TOXIC SETTLEMENT CLAIM: HINKLEY . (AP) - A Southern California water board has agreed to accept $3.6 million from Pacific Gas & Electric to settle claims that the utility failed to stem toxic chromium pollution in a Mojave Desert town that inspired the movie "Erin Brockovich."

Feds settle with PG&E over 2004 forest fires with fine of almost $30 million

Rain, wind lead to at least 1 fatality

Beanbag hit Occupy protester, not gas canister

OAKLAND (AP) - An Iraq War veteran whose skull was fractured during an Occupy Oakland protest last fall was hit by a beanbag round fired by a police officer, not a tear gas canister, his lawyer said. Scott Olsen was struck by a beanbag fired from less than 30 feet away during the clash, Olsen's attorney Mark Martel, told the San Francisco ...

California home sales jump in February

Bay Area news briefs

Report: Squabbling over aging SF ambulances SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The firefighters union say aging San Francisco ambulances threaten the safety of paramedics and the public. KTVU-TV has obtained internal documents showing 24 of the department's 41 ambulances have racked up 120,000 miles or more. And half of the 24 well-worn ambulances are in poor condition. Records also show ...

Gov. Brown reaches California tax deal with group for November ballot measure

CalPERS pension fund expects lower investment return impacting state, schools, local jurisdictions

College tries 2-tier prices for in-demand classes with new classes being four times costlier to take

HBO cancels horse racing cable series 'Luck'

State news briefs

SAN QUENTIN DEATH ROW INMATE DIES IN CELL: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A California death row inmate convicted 23 years ago for a Modesto contract killing has died in his San Quentin cell of natural causes.

Solar debate heats up as California farmland is targeted with 11,000 acres in Fresno County

Brown: Review UC graduation rates

Major budget infusion for education

Body of missing 9-year-old found

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

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

Bay Area news briefs

LIVERMORE LAB JURY AWARDS $2.7 MILLION: OAKLAND (AP) - A jury has awarded more than $2.7 million to five former Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory workers in an ongoing wrongful-termination case.