State news briefs

STUDENTS PROTEST ADMISSIONS POLICIES AT UCLA: LOS ANGELES (AP) - About two dozen demonstrators are occupying the admissions office at the University of California, Los Angeles to protest the number of black, Latino and native American students admitted.

Burning rocks had elevated phosphate levels

SAN CLEMENTE (AP) - Additional testing has confirmed beach rocks that spontaneously combusted in a Southern California woman's pocket contained elevated levels of phosphorus, an official said Friday. The source of the substance is still unclear, but an expert says it probably was manmade. Results from an independent lab matched those obtained by the Orange County Public Health ...

Alameda avoids legal woes, allows gun shows with tight rules on county property

Sacramento deputies face charges of selling dozens of weapons illegally

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Family: Rollover survivor found alive is alert

SAN JOSE (AP) - Loved ones said this week that they are delighted that a Northern California motorist found unconscious is alive and awake after spending a week in the woods when his truck overturned near a busy freeway. Michael Sanchez Jr. is increasingly alert but he still can't talk, his sister Priscilla Sanchez told the San Jose Mercury News (http://bit.ly/KEbQtg) on ...

Energy rules increasing cost of new Central Valley housing

It’s Big Tobacco vs Lance Armstrong

Bay Area briefs

City college may close some campuses SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Budget woes may force San Francisco City College to close or combine some of its campuses. City College, one of the nation's largest community colleges with 90,000 full- and part-time students, is facing a $14 million budget shortfall. The college has a $200 million operating budget. Board of Trustees ...

State news briefs

STOCKTON OFFICIAL SEEKS BANKRUPTCY AUTHORITY: STOCKTON (AP) - Stockton's city manager is requesting the authority to declare bankruptcy if the city is unable to reach a deal with its creditors by next month.

California approves new energy efficiency rules for homes, businesses starting in 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California officials on Thursday approved energy efficiency standards for new homes and commercial buildings that officials are describing as the toughest in the nation. Members of the California Energy Commission voted unanimously in favor of amended standards that will require improved windows, more efficient air conditioning and lighting systems, and other features intended to reduce energy consumption. <p ...

Panel cuts pay of governor, lawmakers

At the State Capitol

BILL WOULD END CAR IMPOUNDS FOR UNLICENSED DRIVERS: Illegal immigrants will no longer have to fear losing their vehicles during routine traffic stops if a bill passed by the Assembly becomes law.

California voters not hot for legalizing pot

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Legalizing marijuana is gaining traction in many places but apparently not in California, the state where the idea first took root. Half of California voters surveyed say they oppose broad legalization, while 46 support it, according to a University of Southern California Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll released Thursday. The survey found opinions have not measurably changed since 2010, ...

Panel cuts pay of governor, lawmakers

Bay Area news briefs

Suspect killed during San Ramon robbery attempt

Eleven life insurers to pay $763M over unpaid benefits

Bay Area briefs

APPLE'S NEW HQ COULD WORSEN AREA TRAFFIC: CUPERTINO . (AP) - An environmental review has found that Apple Inc.'s new headquarters will have significant traffic impacts along a nearby freeway and roads.

State news briefs

DISNEY CRACKING DOWN ON DISABLED TOUR GUIDES: ANAHEIM (AP) - Disneyland Resort is cracking down on disabled guests who sell their right to go to the front of the line on rides.

Obama sees 'glimmers of functionality' in DC during fundraiser in Palo Alto

Berries blamed for man's Hepatitis A

Teacher charged with distributing child porn

$985M bullet train contract awarded

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Norcal News

DA ASSIGNS PROSECUTOR TO 1991 FIRE DEATH: MURPHYS (AP) - A California district attorney says she has appointed a prosecutor with experience in arson investigations to the case of a New York man charged with killing his son and now under investigation in the fire death of his wife more than two decades ago.

PUC lawyer says why he resigned from PG&E probe

SAN FRANCICSO (AP) - A lead attorney probing a deadly pipeline explosion for state regulators says he quit the investigation because he disagreed with managers handling of the case. Attorney Robert Cagan called the California Public Utilities Commission's recommended punishment for the responsible utility "unlawful." KQED quoted an email Cagan sent the radio station Thursday. Cagan and three other lawyers who also quit the investigation were the commission's main experts on the 2010 explosion that ...

Latinos stuck in poverty amid bounty of San Joaquin Valley

FBI started asking about state lawmaker back in 2005

Bay Area briefs

BILL WOULD CHARGE 911 FEES ON PREPAID CELLPHONES: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Californians who use prepaid cellphones would pay a little more to add minutes under a bill moving through the Legislature.

State news briefs

SF BAGGAGE HANDLER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO THEFT: REDWOOD CITY (AP) - A San Francisco International Airport baggage handler accused of stealing items from passengers' bags has pleaded not guilty.

Her challenge is to keep Brown focused

CPUC legal team probing PG&E blast resigns