State news briefs

INTERNAL REPORT: CPUC SAFETY CULTURE IS LAX: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A consultant's confidential report on the California Public Utilities Commission makes sharp criticisms of its executive director and finds the agency's safety culture severely lacking.

Pro athletes fight limits on workers' comp

Death row inmate dies in apparent suicide

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The death row inmate who killed guitarist Elvin Bishop's daughter and four others died of an apparent suicide, California prison officials announced Monday. Justin Alan Helzer, 41, was found dead Sunday night in his single cell at San Quentin Prison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. Corrections Lt. Sam Robinson didn't disclose ...

Attorney general seeks drug database funds

Baseball hits boy, stops heart during game

ROHNERT PARK (AP) - A Northern California family is hailing a set of parents as heroes for helping to save the life of their son after he was hit in the chest during a youth baseball game, causing his heart to stop. The 8-year-old batter was hit by a pitch during a Cal Ripken Baseball game Saturday in Rhonert Park. He took ...

State activates threat review system

Health law expands treatment for addicts

SAN ...

Man killed by explosive called eccentric

State news briefs

BERKELEY FIREMAN ON MEDICAL CALL GRAZED BY BULLET: BERKELEY (AP) - Police in Northern California arrested an 88-year-old man after he started shooting at Berkeley firefighters who were tending to him and grazed one of the responders.

Bill seeks to ban plastic bags at stores

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Business groups are supporting a bill that would ban California grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies from handing out single-use plastic bags.

Assembly OKs bill limiting gun permit to individual by excluding companies

Bay Area briefs

EARTHQUAKES 'APPALLED' BY PLAYER'S ANTI-GAY SLUR: SAN JOSE (AP) - The president of the San Jose Earthquakes says he is appalled that forward Alan Gordon directed an anti-gay slur at an opponent.

Assaulted teen had drawings, name on body

Girl saw details online of sex assault

Brown chooses private donors to pay for cost of China trip

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.

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.