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

Bay Area briefs

Rain, wind batter Northern California SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A late winter storm has brought heavy rain and winds to Central and NBorthern California, flooding roads, downing trees and causing isolated power outages. And more rain is on the way over the next couple of days and the weekend, forecasters say, spelling good news for what has been an unusually dry winter. Marin ...

State news briefs

CODA begins production of electric car in Benicia: BENICIA (AP) - CODA Automotive's assembly plant in Benicia has begun production of the carmaker's all-electric sedan.

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.