Bay Area briefs

UC Berkeley behind stadium fund-raising goal BERKELEY. (AP) - The University of California, Berkeley is behind its fund-raising goal to pay for the $321 million renovation of its football stadium. The university was aiming to raise $270 million by summer 2013 for the Memorial Stadium project, but so far has only $35 million in cash. University officials say there ...

Around the state

• PG&E fined $16.8M for failing to check gas pipes: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California regulators upheld a $16.8 million fine against Pacific Gas & Electric for the utility's failure to adequately check for gas leaks in its pipelines as required by state law.

Southern California teacher fired over porn video acting

OXNARD (AP) - A Southern California science teacher was fired Wednesday night for performing in a pornographic video, school district officials said. Oxnard School District trustees voted in closed session to dismiss Stacie Halas, who taught seventh- and eighth-graders at Richard B. Haydock Intermediate School. Veronica Robles-Solis, the board president, said the trustees voted unanimously to dismiss Halas. <p style="line-height: 18pt; background: ...

Ryan Seacrest is heir apparent to Dick Clark's pop music influence

Suspended SF sheriff disputes DA's version

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi disputed prosecutors' version of events that led to domestic violence charges against him, saying much of the case was a fabrication and he was the victim of politics. Mirkarimi was accused of bruising the arm of his wife, Venezuelan actress Eliana Lopez, during a dispute on New Year's Eve. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor ...

Older Asian, Hispanic populations growing

State news briefs

STOCKTON (AP) - The civil lawsuit accusing a Central Valley priest of child abuse is continuing despite the fact that the priest has fled to his native Ireland. The Diocese of Stockton learned this week that Michael Kelly left the country. A civil jury had found Kelly, a former priest in the diocese, liable for the molestation of an altar boy who ...

Analysis: Prison medical costs too high

Lottery pulls ad with slap-happy Lady Luck

LA police union sues over unlicensed driver policy

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles police officers' union has sued the city and police chief over a new policy that allows some unlicensed drivers to keep their cars instead of having them impounded for 30 days. The Police Protective League sued Wednesday in Superior Court. The suit asks the court to block Chief Charlie Beck's new order, which was endorsed ...

Bay Area briefs

TRANSIT WORKER GAVE NEEDY TEEN BART TICKETS: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A San Francisco transit worker is in trouble for giving a needy teenager free BART tickets to get to school.

Around the state

&bull; More bee swarm encounters in Bay Area: VACAVILLE (AP) - A Vacaville elementary school was briefly invaded by tens of thousands of bees in what beekeepers say is a rising number of encounters between bee swarms and people in the San Francisco Bay area.

San Diego scientist uses physics to dodge $400 traffic ticket

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A University of California San Diego scientist was able to use his math and physics knowledge to argue his way out of a $400 traffic ticket.

UC Davis police chief resigning after pepper spray

DAVIS (AP) - The police chief who oversaw the University of California, Davis, police department during its notorious pepper-spraying of Occupy protesters said Wednesday that she is stepping down.

Bay Area news briefs

FUNERAL PLANS FOR DEPUTY KILLED IN EVICTION ATTACK: MODESTO (AP) - Funeral services for a Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice are planned for Friday.

Dad of dead girl says he's unsure why home shot up

Navy official removed from job for flirty texts

Analyst pegs revenue $3.2B higher than Brown

Canada trying to lure Bay Area tech workers

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