Court reverses order for VA system overhaul; says it is Congress’ concern

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

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.

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