Brown, Democrats fail to reach pension reform deal

Ex-Commerce secretary won't be charged in hit-run

State news briefs

LARGEST STATE WORKERS UNION RATIFIES FURLOUGH DEAL: SACRAMENTO, (AP) - California's largest state workers union has ratified a furlough agreement to reduce employees' pay by roughly 5 percent for a year.

Couple tries for year of daily Disneyland visits

ANAHEIM (AP) - It seems like a dream as flighty as Tinkerbell and as quirky as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Yet a Southern California couple have passed the halfway mark in their quest to visit Disneyland every day this year. "We joke around that we're here more than the cast members are," Jeff Reitz said Tuesday. <p style="line-height: ...

Pair agree to plead guilty in TSA bribery scam

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two suspected drug couriers have agreed to plead guilty in a case that involved former Transportation Security Administration screeners who were bribed to smuggle marijuana onto planes leaving Los Angeles International Airport, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Charles Hicks, 24, of Culver City, and Andrew Welter, 25, of Fontana, have agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy, ...

Bay Area briefs

UC Berkeley settles case with photojournalist BERKELEY (AP) - The University of California, Berkeley will pay a photojournalist $162,500 to settle a lawsuit alleging campus police illegally searched his camera for photos of a student protest outside the chancellor's home. Attorneys for 43-year-old David Morse disclosed the settlement on Monday. Morse was arrested on suspicion of rioting while covering ...

‘City councilman faces sex offense charges on SoCal

Children could have more than 2 parents under bill

Controller appeals ruling over pay

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The state controller announced Monday that he is appealing a judge's decision that prevents him from blocking lawmakers' pay if they fail to pass a balanced budget on time. Controller John Chiang filed an appeal notice in Sacramento County Superior Court because the decision "effectively gutted a key provision of Proposition 25," according to Chiang's spokeswoman, Hallye Jordan. California ...

State news briefs

MAMMOTH LAKES VOTES TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY: MAMMOTH LAKES (AP) - Officials in the town of Mammoth Lakes say they've voted unanimously to file for bankruptcy, in the face of a $43 million judgment that's more than twice the town's budget.

Key provisions in state foreclosure bill

rgest government overhaul set to go into effect; may someday save money

La SACRAMENTO (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown's sweeping reorganization of California state government is expected to become law Tuesday. It will be the largest reshuffling of state agencies, boards and commissions in recent state history. The plan does not include significant cost savings, but the Brown administration hopes the housecleaning will save money down the road by increasing efficiency. <p style="line-height: 18pt; ...

Immigrants express shock at return of Mexico's PRI , may stay in USA

Kinkade estate dispute to remain public for now

SAN JOSE (AP) - Hearings in the dispute between Thomas Kinkade's widow and girlfriend over the late artist's $66 million estate will not be conducted behind closed doors - at least for now, a judge ruled on Monday. Kinkade's widow, Nanette Kinkade, had sought to keep the matter private, asking Judge Thomas Cain to immediately send the case to an arbitration panel ...

Homeowner protection before Brown

Divers search reservoirs for murder clues

VALLEY SPRINGS (AP) - Divers are searching two reservoirs and detectives are knocking on doors in Calaveras County as the investigation continues into the killing of 8-year-old Leila Fowler.

Fourth abalone diver dies in NorCal waters

SANTA ROSA (AP) - A diver died Saturday in the quest for abalone that has claimed three other lives in the waters off Northern California the past week.

Cellphone thefts accounts for half of all SF robberies

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Disturbed by the nationwide epidemic of cellphone robberies and thefts, law enforcement officials across the country are looking to the wireless industry to help find a cure.

Beach bonfire spat gets hot in Southern California

HUNTINGTON BEACH (AP) - Anna Abderhalden and her siblings woke before dawn to stake a claim to a coveted beachfront spot where bonfires blaze each night as a rite of summer in this surf-crazy Southern California city.

Fever hits thousands in Valley

FRESNO (AP) - California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.

Cooler weather aids fight against wildfire

CAMARILLO. (AP) - Cool, moist air moving into Southern California on Sunday helped firefighters build containment lines around a huge wildfire burning through coastal mountains.

5 women die in limo fire on San Mateo Bridge

HAYWARD (AP) - A limousine taking nine women to a bachelorette party erupted in flames, killing five of the passengers, including the bride-to-be, authorities and the mother of one of the survivors said Sunday.

State news briefs

SHEEN SUPPORTS SONS' REMOVAL FROM EX-WIFE'S CARE: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Charlie Sheen's spokesman says the actor supports a decision to remove his twin sons from the care of his ex-wife and have them live temporarily with another ex-wife, actress Denise Richards.

Crews seek more success saving homes

Experimental Air Force aircraft goes hypersonic

Drug find means hikers may be charged for search

Bay Area briefs

NO CHARGES FOR TEACHER ACCUSED OF TYING KID: PLEASANTON (AP) - Prosecutors in Northern California have decided not to pursue any criminal charges against a former teacher accused of tying up a 2-year-old girl when she worked at a preschool.

209 News

CALIFORNIA ALMOND CROP TO SURPASS 2B LBS IN 2013: MODESTO (AP) - Federal agricultural officials are predicting another bumper crop for California's almonds this year.

Detectives study knives in girl's stabbing

Solar plane leaves NorCal on start of cross-country trip