Man on freeway sign brings downtown LA gridlock

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A barefoot, shirtless man who climbed down from an overpass on to a freeway sign and appeared ready to jump onto the 110 Freeway below brought traffic to a halt for about two hours in downtown Los Angeles.

Millionaire’s billboard for Latina girlfriend by Christmas is removed

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A billboard put up by a San Diego millionaire who's seeking a Latina girlfriend has been removed.

Fresno man recovering after fall, complex rescue

OAKHURST (AP) - A Fresno man is recovering after a fall during a hike and a complicated rescue in the Sierra Nevada foothills, authorities said.

Union behind Oakland port strike approves contract

OAKLAND (AP) - Members of the union behind a one-day strike that shut down the Port of Oakland last month have ratified a new contract. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the contract with the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 will now go to the board that manages the port for approval. SEIU 1021 represents about 200 ...

Judge: Turn over LA priest files to court

Tribe prepares to bury 5 slain members

Grad student killed by campus police was bipolar, had stopped taking his medications

Some lawyers to seek trial in LA teacher sex case

Bay Area briefs

BART STATION PARKING LOT COSTS COULD TRIPLE: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Commuters in the San Francisco Bay area could see parking lot costs triple at BART stations.

Final action set on Lake Tahoe development plan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (AP) - After nearly a decade of debate, Lake Tahoe land-use regulators are prepared to take action on a sweeping plan that will guide development for decades to come at the Sierra gem.

Pea soup fog makes SJ Valley notorious

FRESNO (AP) - Some fog creeps in poetically on little cat feet through the Golden Gate. And then there is the prosaic fog of California's San Joaquin Valley that erupts from the soil in certain wintry conditions to put a stranglehold on the region.

New lawmakers to join in adding, changing votes allowing them to obscure real positions

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California Assembly leaders say they have no plans to change their longstanding practice of adding and changing thousands of votes after their votes are cast on the Legislature floor, despite criticism from good government groups that say it allows lawmakers to obscure their real positions and curry favor with lobbyists.

Reckless prescribing common in California

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California patients are at risk from reckless prescribing by doctors because of a lack of oversight at the state Medical Board, an investigation has found.

3 dead, 3 children injured in SJ Valley shootings

PORTERVILLE (AP) - A man suspected of fatally shooting three people and wounding three children, including his two daughters, died Sunday from his injuries in a police shootout, authorities said.

Sacramento police kill suspect in hostage standoff

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Police fatally wounded an armed robber who had held two women hostage at a Sacramento restaurant, authorities said.

Brown: Public still confident in Bay Bridge

209 News

MINN. HIKER FOUND DEAD AT CLIFF BOTTOM IN YOSEMITE: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (AP) - A hiker who went missing in Yosemite National Park has been found dead at the bottom of a cliff, authorities said.

Groups want details on license plate readers

Brown mystified at continuing prison legal case; faces possible contempt

Court: Cities can ban medical pot shops

State news briefs

Background on the case, recent developments and what happens next: What is the court case at issue?

CPUC: PG&E should pay $2.25B for blast

Crews mop up coastal mountain wildfire as rain falls

Truckee River flows peak, 3rd lowest in four decades

TRUCKEE (AP) - Some of the lowest season flows in the Truckee River in four decades are raising concerns about Nevada's lingering drought.

If you buy over Internet you’re probably a tax cheat

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Buy anything on the Internet lately without paying sales tax? In all but a few states, you're probably a tax cheat.

Central Coast rancher wins right to help homeless after court fight

SAN LUIS OBISPO (AP) - A Central Coast rancher and local hero to the homeless vowed to finally to build the Sunny Acres sober living facility after more than a decade in court and conflicts.

Rolling Stones launch tour with energetic set; youngest member now 65 years old

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Rolling Stones must have passed through a time machine before taking the Staples Center stage to kick off their "50 and Counting" anniversary tour.

State news briefs

• 2 DEAD, 5 HURT AFTER VAN CRASHES ON HIGHWAY 99: FRESNO (AP) - Two men died and five others were hospitalized with injuries early Saturday after a van carrying farmworkers overturned on a Fresno highway, authorities said.

Brown, Demos in Medicaid expansion tiff

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California was an early booster of President Barack Obama's health care reform law and was the first state to authorize a health insurance exchange in 2010. It also was quick to commit to the optional Medicaid expansion that has been rejected by some Republican states.