Calif. lawmaker proposes to girlfriend in Assembly

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Parliamentary procedure has given way to a parliamentary proposal in the California Assembly. First-term Democratic lawmaker Luis Alejo of Watsonville surprised his girlfriend during Monday's floor session when he took the microphone and proposed as his Assembly colleagues looked on. Karina Cervantez, a 32-year-old doctoral candidate in social psychology at UC Santa Cruz, said she ...

Industry raises millions to fight tobacco tax

Cal State trustees to revisit giving campus presidents 10% pay hikes

Suicide kit lady nailed for failing to file IRS taxes

Bay Area briefs

Sedan in NorCal missing teen case MORGAN HILL (AP) - Authorities say they're looking for a vehicle that they believe is connected to the abduction of a Northern California teenager who's been missing for nearly two months. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office on Monday released a photo of a 1990s red Volkwagen Jetta that's similar to a car linked to the disappearance ...

Chronically unemployed get jobless help cut off Saturday

MERCED (AP) - With her anti-poverty budget stretched beyond its limits, Brenda Callahan-Johnson is braced for next Saturday: the day California's chronically unemployed will be cut off from the nation's jobless benefits.

Study: Sierra range adds about 1-2 millimeters in elevation a year

TRUCKEE (AP) - The Sierra Nevada range continues to grow about one-half inch in elevation every 10 years, and scientists say new technology that allows them to detect the relatively fast rate of uplift in the crust from space is helping shed new light on the origin of the mountains.

Bills adding protections for gays & lesbians dividing California Assembly

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A recent run of bills intended to add more protections for gays and lesbians in California has sparked acrimonious debate in the state Assembly and exposed some of the social fissures that divide the two major parties.

California's 4th year of teacher layoffs spur concerns; 75% getting pink slips still on job

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Unified teacher Mike Newman sighed when he saw the now familiar certified letter in his mailbox last month - a pink slip, for the fourth year in a row.

San Jose police arrest dozens in 2 nights

SAN JOSE (AP) - Officers made dozens of arrests over two nights, but the Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown San Jose during the weekend was mostly free of some of the violence seen during past celebrations, police said Sunday.

State News Briefs

OFFICIALS SAY 37 LEFT HOMELESS IN SF FIRE: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Dozens of people have been burned out their homes and at least four people have been hurt after a fire roared through a four-story apartment building in San Francisco's Mission District, officials said Sunday.

State news briefs

• OC TEACHER ACCUSED OF SENDING STUDENT NUDE PHOTOS: NEWPORT BEACH (AP) - Prosecutors say an Irvine high school teacher has been charged with texting nude pictures of himself to a 15-year-old female student and arranging a sexual rendezvous with her.

University: Mediation, not police, for protests

Octomom: Broke & considering porn

State news briefs

MOM JAILED AFTER TODDLER FOUND ROAMING PARKING LOT: MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) - Deputies say they have arrested a drug-addled mother after her 3-year-old daughter was found wandering a Southern California apartment complex parking lot late at night.

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

State news briefs

LATER, DAWG: RANDY JACKSON LEAVING 'AMERICAN IDOL' : LOS ANGELES (AP) - Randy Jackson out.

District rejects school drug sting claim

Assembly OKs transgender student accommodations

Bay Area briefs

HUMAN HEAD FOUND AMONG RECYCLING DEBRIS: OAKLAND (AP) - A human head has been found in a load of recycling debris at a facility in Oakland.