SF startup makes data science a sport

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Strange secrets hide in numbers. For instance, an orange used car is least likely to be a lemon.

Women linked by Manson murders form odd friendship

CORCORAN (AP) - On August 9, 1969, two naive 17-year-old girls were launched on a path that led to the unlikeliest of friendships.

Multigenerational housing trends prompt redesign of new homes

LOS ANGELES (AP) - It's a home within a home - and it could be coming soon to a home near you.

Rare tragedy at sea hits SF’s sailing community

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A century-old tradition, the Full Crew Farallones Race has never been for the faint of heart: Winds averaging 10 to 20 knots and churning 14-foot Pacific Ocean swells are among the rough conditions typically braved by yachts and their crews during the daylong regatta, a spring favorite of skilled sailors.

AG wants mortgage, homeowner protections

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California's attorney general is seeking to build on a recent nationwide bank settlement over home foreclosures by lobbying state lawmakers to advance a package of mortgage-protection bills, which faces critical tests in legislative committees this week.

State news briefs

• COUPLE DIED IN MALL MURDER-SUICIDE, GIRL SURVIVED: SAN JOSE (AP) - Police say two people found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at a Northern California strip mall parking lot were once a couple and that a toddler found nearby is their daughter.

Police: Guns show Modesto double murder suspect set for confrontation

MODESTO (AP) - Police investigating the death of a man suspected of gunning down a California sheriff's deputy and a civilian say they've found equipment indicating he was preparing for an armed confrontation: a ballistic vest, a gas mask and several weapons including a high-powered assault rifle.

State news briefs

WEIGHTLIFTER SHOT, SAYS DUMBBELL DROPPED ON BULLET: MODESTO (AP) - A California weightlifter says he accidentally shot himself by dropping a dumbbell on a bullet.

Brother: Painter Kinkade relapsed into alcoholism

MONTE SERENO (AP) - Painter Thomas Kinkade battled alcoholism over the past several years and had a relapse just before his death this month at his home in Santa Clara County, his brother, Patrick, said. The self-described "Painter of Light" died in Monte Sereno on April 6 at age 54 of what a spokesman has said was natural causes. An autopsy is ...

Charred body found in burned out home in Modesto standoff

Brown tells state lawmakers time to 'man up' on budget cuts

State treasurer's saga takes odd twist with email about supplying drugs

More than 90 rounds fired at freeway chase suspect

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Officers fired more than 90 rounds at a motorist who was killed on a San Fernando Valley freeway after a wild car chase, police said. A partial transcript of a 911 call placed by 19-year-old Abdul Arian during the Wednesday night pursuit shows Arian claimed he had a gun and would shoot officers. He ...

Deal protects 7-mile North Coast property

VENTURA . (AP) - A pristine swath of California coast that includes redwood groves, agricultural fields and picturesque ocean bluffs west of State Route 1 has been sheltered from developers in a deal approved by the California Coastal Commission. The commission's unanimous approval in Ventura on Thursday protects the sprawling 7&frac12;-mile northern Santa Cruz County stretch known as Coast Dairies. <p style="line-height: ...

Bay Area briefs

Officials scramble to keep Lucas studio SAN RAFAEL . (AP) - Marin County officials are scrambling to convince filmmaker George Lucas not to abandon plans to build a sprawling movie studio north of San Francisco, but the company says it's too late. Lucasfilm Ltd. shocked the community Tuesday when it announced it was scrapping the Grady Ranch project, citing regulatory delays and bitter ...

Bay Bridge base rods can’t be easily inspected

OAKLAND (AP) - More than 400 seismic safety rods that may be vulnerable to cracking or breaking are embedded in the base of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and may be difficult to inspect, remove or replace, according to a newspaper report.

One by one, homes in subdivision sinking

LAKEPORT (AP) - Scott and Robin Spivey had a sinking feeling that something was wrong with their home when cracks began snaking across their walls in March.

Judge denies bid to block Dorner reward payout plan

Immigrant raid rumor fuels fear in SJ Valley

Nevada high school choir will back Rolling Stones at concert

Acting Oakland chief replaced after 2 days

4 pit bulls blamed for SoCal jogger's killing

State. moves to comply with 2011 gay history law

Bold turkey: woman hits cop in bid to kick smoking habit

Compton teen convicted in killing mom, stepfather

Judge: No auction yet of Kobe Bryant's stuff

State news briefs

DRIVER REACHING FOR DRINK HITS WOMAN, 3 CHILDREN: SAN DIEGO (AP) - Authorities say an unlicensed driver reaching for a spilled drink ran onto a sidewalk in San Diego and struck a mother and three children.

Deadly America's Cup boat mishap

Oil industry: BLM prevents job creation

Small quake shakes west side of LA