Challenges remain for high-speed rail plan

State news briefs

REMAINS OF MISSING WWII SOLDIER RETURN TO CALIF.: SAN BRUNO (AP) - A California soldier who died during World War II will be buried near his boyhood home this week after the former Marine's remains were discovered on a remote island in the South Pacific.

Judge clears governor's tax for top billing

Trial under way in deadly 2003 wildfire that killed 5, burned hundreds of homes

Bay Area briefs

Metal thieves take SF park bleachers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Metal thieves have hauled away aluminum bleachers and irrigation pipes at a popular Sa Francisco Park. The San Francisco Chronicle says the brazen thieves also tried to steal the metal frames of soccer goals at Crocker-Amazon Park. The city Recreation and Parks Department estimates hundreds of thousands of dollars ...

Yosemite historic bridges under siege

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (AP) - Perhaps no river crossing in Yosemite Valley has been more photographed than the historic Stoneman Bridge: a single, arching span faced with rough-hewn granite that provides a dramatic foreground to Half Dome, the park's most iconic natural marvel.

Owner drops price for SF Bay island

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An island offering a secluded beach, promises of great fishing and stunning views of the San Francisco skyline is up for sale - and at a discounted price.

Lawmakers depart to prepare for fall election

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California state lawmakers have adjourned for their summer recess after spending months unabashedly positioning themselves to their best competitive advantage going into the fall election campaign.

Illegal weapons seized in search of Bay Point home

BAY POINT (AP) - Dozens of illegal weapons have been seized during a search of a home in an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County, authorities said.

Abandoned horses growing problem

SAN BERNARDINO (AP) - A growing number of horses are being abandoned by owners in San Bernardino County, an apparent lingering effect of the 2007 housing market collapse.

LA schools superintendent shakes up district

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Faced with a shocking case of a teacher accused of playing classroom sex games with children for years, Los Angeles schools Superintendent John Deasy delivered another jolt: He removed the school's entire staff - from custodians to the principal - to smash what he called a "culture of silence."

Dueling restraining orders for council members

SAN FERNANDO (AP) - Two council members of this Los Angeles suburb who admitted to having an affair have taken out restraining orders against each other after an alleged violent spat.

State news briefs

• MAGNITUDE-3.9 QUAKE SHAKES LAKE COUNTY: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two small earthquakes have jolted a remote area of Northern California, startling residents in Lake County.

State news briefs

DA: EVIDENCE SHOWS SUSPECTED PIMP SHOT IN REVENGE: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - District Attorney George Gascon says new evidence shows the parents and two men charged for killing a girl's suspected pimp acted more out of revenge than protection.

Pair of ospreys spotted at San Francisco pier

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Bird watchers in San Francisco are celebrating what they say is the first confirmed sighting of an osprey in the city. A pair of the raptors was recently spotted nesting atop a container crane at Pier 80 in the city's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Bird experts say their presence is a sign that the ...

California unemployment rate drops to 9 percent

Bay Area briefs

OAKLAND FREEWAY REOPENS AFTER FATAL SHOOTING: OAKLAND (AP) - A freeway has reopened early Friday after a shooting left two men dead.

Brown defends education spending in LA

Wildfire forces school lock down

14-year term for doc promising cancer cure

State news briefs

BILL CALLS FOR CONSIDERING BRIDGE SUICIDE BARRIERS: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Suicide barriers could be included on more California bridges as a result of a bill advancing through the Legislature.

Judge will hear lawsuit over high-speed rail bonds

No spike in parolee arrests found in state prison realignment aftermath

Salinas man arrested in kiddie porn case; child is rescued

Delta management plan embraced by Stewardship Council

California fuels $550M Powerball jackpot

Ripon crime lab analyst pleads in drug theft case

Brown: Review UC graduation rates

Major budget infusion for education

Body of missing 9-year-old found