SF Exploratorium set to open in new $300M digs

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Exploratorium, San Francisco's interactive science and activities museum, is set to open at its new $300 million digs along the bay with more space and new exhibits, including a rain chamber that will allow people to experience past storms. The museum held a walk-thru for members of the media Tuesday. It is scheduled to open to the ...

Ventura County fire contained; mop up underway

FILLMORE (AP) - Ventura County firefighters have contained the remnants of a wildfire that burned two homes and threatened more than 100 others in Fillmore on Tuesday, officials said. The 148-acre fire was 100 percent surrounded by noon, with full control expected Wednesday, said Mike Lindbery, county fire spokesman. The fire broke out Monday afternoon in a mobile ...

209 News

MODESTO LOSES 140 JOBS: MODESTO - The news isn't good for workers at Post cereal's Modesto plant.

Assembly OKs bill limiting high-cost school bonds that can’t be paid off early

Water tunnel plans call for highway rerouting

RIO VISTA (AP) - A proposal to construct two huge water diversion tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta includes plans for rerouting three, two-lane highways - previously undisclosed projects that carry a preliminary price tag of at least $265 million, a newspaper reported. Highway 160 in Sacramento County would be detoured around three water intakes proposed as part of the tunnel project, ...

State news briefs

THOUSAND OAKS THIEVES STEAL $4 FROM STORE: THOUSAND OAKS (AP) - At least three burglars knocked in the door of a Ventura County produce market, fled with cash, and led police on a high speed vehicle chase that ended when their car smashed into a fence.

Feds violated law in Monterey oil leases

Powerful winds lash California

Court: Motorist can't use hand-held map

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Steven Spriggs was stopped in a traffic jam near downtown Fresno and thought nothing of whipping out his iPhone 4 and clicking on the map feature to see if there was an alternate route around the construction mess.

Bay Area briefs

SF BAY AREA CITY LOOKING AT LICENSE PLATE CAMERAS: PIEDMONT (AP) - A small San Francisco Bay area city that has experienced a rash of home-invasion robberies is proposing installing cameras to record the license plate of every vehicle that crosses city limits.

Kayaker helps save family of five after crashing into American River

KYBURZ (AP) - A kayaker was being credited with helping to save a family of five after their SUV had veered off a road and ended up in a Northern California river.

Hiker lost for days released from hospital

MISSION VIEJO (AP) - One of two Southern California teens lost for several days in a rugged mountain wilderness was released Sunday from a hospital after being treated for dehydration and minor injuries.

Church prays for Rick Warren after son’s suicide in Mission Viejo

LAKE FOREST (AP) - Members of Rick Warren's Southern California church began Sunday services with a prayer for the popular evangelical pastor, as he and his family coped with the apparent suicide of his 27-year-old son.

More people tuning out traditional TV sets

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Some people have had it with TV. They've had enough of the 100-plus channel universe. They don't like timing their lives around network show schedules. They're tired of $100-plus monthly bills.

2 shot by officer when person points replica gun

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two people are in the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries after being shot early Sunday by a San Francisco police officer who opened fire when a person pointed what turned out to be an air-powered gun.

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