 Governor threatens minimum wage
 Associated Press
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, shakes hands with Orange Cove Mayor Victor Lopez, during a water rally held at the Capitol in Sacramento.
Schwarzenegger is threatening to defer wages for 200,000 state employees, paying them minimum wage until lawmakers reach a deal on California's overdue state budget.
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Calif. requires ships to cut pollution off coast
SACRAMENTO, 2:30 p.m. July 24 (AP)
California air regulators on Thursday approved the nation's toughest rules to reduce harmful emissions from ocean-going ships using the state's ports.
The regulations require domestic and foreign cargo ships, tankers and cruise vessels sailing in and out of California ports to use cleaner fuel to power their engines and boilers.
More California & The West News
LOS ANGELES, 8:39 p.m. July 24 (AP)
L.A. prosecutors oppose Spector trial motions: Jurors in Phil Spector's upcoming murder retrial should be allowed to hear testimony about blood evidence and the autopsy of the actress he is accused of shooting, prosecutors argued in court documents filed this week.
INGLEWOOD, 8:29 p.m. July 24 (AP)
911 call: Police at right home during shooting: Transcripts of a 911 call released Thursday show that police were at the correct apartment when they fatally shot an Inglewood man, despite a claim from the man's family that officers went to the wrong door when responding to a domestic disturbance report.
LOS ANGELES, 7:45 p.m. July 24 (AP)
8-year-old girl latest child victim of L.A. gangs: A grief-stricken family mourned the latest child victim of Los Angeles gang violence Thursday as officials vowed to bring to justice whoever killed the 8-year-old girl when they opened fire on a crowd.
WASCO, 7:23 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Officials investigate Wasco inmate death: Authorities said Thursday they are investigating the death of an inmate at Wasco State Prison as a homicide.
LOS ANGELES, 6:49 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Former L.A. city commissioner guilty of corruption: A former Los Angeles city commissioner has been convicted of grand theft, accepting bribes and several other felonies.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, 6:35 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Grizzly bear attacks woman in Alaska near lodge: A 21-year-old woman working at a lodge for the summer was attacked by a grizzly bear about 25 yards outside a building.
RIVERSIDE, 6:08 p.m. July 24 (AP)
2 victims wounded, 1 suspect killed in Riverside: Police say two victims have been shot and wounded and one suspect has been killed in a violent incident at a home in Riverside.
CRESCENT CITY, 6:05 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Arrest in case of missing Crecent City woman: Police on Thursday arrested an acquaintance of a missing Crescent City woman who was found dead at the bottom of Oregon's tallest bridge.
LAS VEGAS, 5:20 p.m. July 24 (AP)
2 patients identified as sources of Vegas outbreak: A hepatitis C outbreak that prompted the largest public health notification operation in U.S. history has been traced to two patients treated at a Las Vegas endoscopy clinic in 2007, and officials said Thursday that clinic workers knew at least one carried the virus before treatment.
LOS ANGELES, 5:03 p.m. July 24 (AP)
First 4 L.A. County West Nile cases confirmed: Three men and a boy have contracted West Nile virus, the first cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Los Angeles County this year, health officials said Thursday.
LOS ANGELES, 4:55 p.m. July 24 (AP)Report: Hate crimes hit 5-year high in L.A. County: Hate crimes in Los Angeles County soared last year to their highest mark in five years even as overall crime dropped across the region, according to a report released Thursday.
SANTA ANA, 4:45 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Grand jury to call reporter on indictment sources: A federal judge decided Thursday that a reporter who used confidential sources in a story on export-conspiracy indictments would not have to reveal those sources to him, but it became public during the hearing that the journalist will be called to appear before a grand jury seeking the same information.
CARSON CITY, Nev., 3:48 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Court says worker comp OK in suicide cases: In a precedent-setting case, the Nevada Supreme Court held Thursday that worker comp benefits can go to families of people who kill themselves if an industrial accident broke down their “rational mental process” and left them suicidal.
RICHMOND, 3:44 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Antioch man gets life for cop slaying: A 21-year-old Antioch man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2005 slaying of a Pittsburg police officer.
RENO, Nev., 3:11 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Tahoe campground closed after bear encounter: State officials Thursday closed the Marlette Peak Campground along the Tahoe Rim Trail after a camper reported being “stepped on” by a black bear while he slept in his tent.
PORTLAND, Ore., 3:07 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Record number of sockeye salmon in Columbia River: Sockeye salmon are heading back up the Columbia River this summer in numbers unseen since 1955, and nobody is sure why.
LOS ANGELES, 2:48 p.m. July 24 (AP)
L.A. County accuses 21 people of welfare fraud: Los Angeles prosecutors have charged 21 people with committing welfare fraud that collectively cost taxpayers more than $2 million.
CARSON CITY, Nev., 2:35 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Man wins 12-year Las Vegas eminent domain case: After more than 12 years, the Nevada Supreme Court says a former Las Vegas resident is entitled to as much as $200,000 in interest money for the seizure of his property next to the Stratosphere hotel-casino.
LOS ANGELES, 2:00 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Inglewood mayor pleads innocent to corruption: Inglewood's mayor has pleaded not guilty to corruption. Roosevelt Dorn, 72, entered the plea Thursday in a Los Angeles court to charges that include conflict-of-interest and misappropriating public funds.
FRESNO, 1:16 p.m. July 24 (AP)
Group sues to ban DDT-related pesticide: Environmental and farmworker groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency to try to outlaw the use of a pesticide related to DDT, which was banned in 1972.
WASHINGTON, 11:09 a.m. July 24 (AP)
White House reverses experts on Yellowstone policy: The National Park Service wanted to close a section of Yellowstone Park in the wintertime because of the risk of avalanche. No way, protested businesses in Cody, Wyo., that wanted to promote more tourism.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, 10:21 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Crane operator pleads to involuntary manslaughter: A crane operator has pleaded no contest to felony involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of three people while moving a 75-foot power pole.
VENTURA, 9:41 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Strawberries lead $1.55B Ventura County ag: Strawberries and nursery stock helped Ventura County agriculture overcome last year's winter freeze for nearly $1.55 billion in earnings.
LOS ANGELES, 9:40 a.m. July 24 (AP)
L.A. to pay $1.75 million to freed murder suspect: Los Angeles will pay $1.75 million to a man who spent nearly 14 years in prison for murder before DNA evidence helped free him.
THOUSAND OAKS, 9:21 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Golfers can puff and putt on Thousand Oaks course: Golfers can puff and putt on the city-owned Los Robles Golf Course in Thousand Oaks. The City Council voted 4-1 to relax the city's tough anti-smoking ordinance so golfers can light up.
LOS ANGELES, 8:40 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Murder charges for parents of malnourished toddler: Murder charges have been filed against a Pomona couple whose malnourished 2-year-old daughter weighed only 19 pounds when she died two months ago.
LOS ANGELES, 8:26 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Teen arrested for $38,000 in graffiti damage: A teenager arrested by sheriff's investigators is believed to be the prolific graffiti vandal whose monicker “Wonka” has been scrawled on buses and trains throughout the Los Angeles area.
RENO, Nev., 7:30 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Saint Mary's warns patient database compromised: Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center has sent letters to about 128,000 patients informing them their personal information may have been compromised.
SANTA ANA, 7:04 a.m. July 24 (AP)
New Orange County Sheriff names her command staff: New Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens has chosen a pair of Los Angeles law enforcement veterans to lead her command staff.
SPARKS, Nev., 6:46 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Sparks police seek man suspected in girl's rape: Sparks police are looking for a man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in a tractor-trailer rig at a truck stop.
HELENA, Mont., 6:23 a.m. July 24 (AP)
State highway patrols struggle with big gas bills: In big, wide-open Montana, a state trooper might have to drive more than 100 miles to answer an emergency call, and routinely puts several hundred miles on the odometer in a day.
BERKELEY, 6:03 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Berkeley man wanted in shooting of four surrenders: An 18-year-old Berkeley man wanted in the shooting of four people over the weekend is in custody after turning himself in.
SAN DIEGO, 5:39 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Otay Mesa border crossing testing more lanes: Four additional passenger vehicle lanes are being added at the busy Otay Mesa border crossing Sunday evening to relieve northbound traffic jams.
PISMO BEACH, 5:36 a.m. July 24 (AP)
High bacteria levels close Pismo waters again: Health officials are warning surfers and swimmers to stay out of the ocean south of Pismo Beach Pier because of high bacteria levels.
LOS ANGELES, 2:48 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Man fatally shot by L.A. sheriff's deputies: A man is dead after being shot by Los Angeles sheriff's deputies in the Lennox area. Sheriff's officials say the shooting occurred shortly before midnight Wednesday, and the “suspect” was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were hurt.
SACRAMENTO, 2:27 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Schwarzenegger threatens minimum wage for workers: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to pay thousands of state employees the federal minimum wage of $6.55 an hour until lawmakers reach a deal on California's overdue state budget.
SAN FRANCISCO, 1:51 a.m. July 24 (AP)
Killings turn focus on San Francisco sanctuary law: The scene repeats itself daily on city streets: a driver gets stuck bumper to bumper, blocking an intersection and preventing another car from turning left.
SALEM, Ore., 5:41 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Western governors offer emissions plan: Seven Western states are joining four Canadian provinces to propose a plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions through use of a “cap and trade” system.
RIPON, 6:09 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Two Calif. farm workers die in rollover accident: The California Highway Patrol says two farm workers were killed and six injured after their van struck a big rig and rolled.
FRESNO, 6:04 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Farm labor contractor fined in worker's death: The company that hired a pregnant teenager who died of heat stroke this spring after laboring in a Central Valley vineyard was hit Wednesday with the highest fine ever issued to a California farming operation.
CARSON CITY, Nev., 5:47 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Study warns of water problems: A new study predicts that climate change will create devastating drought in this state and throughout the Southwest and continue to drop the levels of already low Lake Mead and Lake Powell, threatening the water supply for 2 million Nevadans.
SACRAMENTO, 5:32 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Judge hears evidence on Vallejo budget: A bankruptcy judge heard evidence Wednesday in a hearing to decide whether the financially struggling city of Vallejo can move ahead with its case and ultimately void labor contracts with four public employees unions.
LOS ANGELES, 5:30 p.m. July 23 (AP)
L.A. County approves commercial ethanol plant: A proposal to build the nation's first commercial ethanol production plant using yard trimmings, paper, wheat straws and other green wastes was approved Wednesday by Los Angeles County officials.
LAKE ARROWHEAD, 5:21 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Wood roofs faulted in spread of SoCal wildfire: A crowded neighborhood in the San Bernardino Mountains went up in flames during a wildfire last fall because the homes were close together, had wooden roofs or had other vulnerabilities, new reports concluded.
JUNEAU, Alaska, 5:20 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Fate of Alaska gas pipeline with state Senate: The fate of a multibillion dollar pipeline that could unlock 4.5 billion cubic feet of North Slope gas reserves daily and power North American homes and businesses for decades now rests in the hands of 20 Alaska state senators.
SAN FRANCISCO, 5:20 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Feds charge shipping company in SF Bay oil spill: A Hong Kong-based company that operated the container ship that struck a bridge support in the San Francisco Bay last year has been indicted for allegedly doctoring paperwork in an attempt to thwart investigators looking into the incident.
SAN FRANCISCO, 5:11 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Triple murder turns focus on S.F. sanctuary policy: The scene repeats itself every day on city streets: A driver gets stuck bumper-to-bumper, blocking the intersection and another car's ability to complete a left turn.
LOS ANGELES, 5:08 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Bear sought in Kern County mauling: A woman mauled by a bear in rural Kern County was recovering Wednesday in a Los Angeles hospital as game wardens sought to trap and kill the animal.
FRESNO, 5:06 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Fresno judge orders woman back on life support: A judge is ordering a comatose woman put back on life support after her family objected to the removal of her feeding tubes.
SAN FRANCISCO, 5:04 p.m. July 23 (AP)
U.S. orders clean water rules for ship discharges: A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a ruling ordering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the water discharged from ships often carrying invasive species.
CARSON CITY, Nev., 4:29 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Fire school could close: The state's university regents, trying to cope with budget woes, will consider a proposal at their August meeting in Reno to shut down a debt-laden firefighting academy in eastern Nevada.
SACRAMENTO, 4:16 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Farmworkers rally at state Capitol for water bond: Hundreds of farm workers rallied at the state Capitol in support of placing a water measure on the November ballot.
LOS ANGELES, 3:59 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Dismissal sought in L.A. Internet suicide case: An attorney representing a Missouri woman charged in connection with an Internet hoax that allegedly led a 13-year-old girl to commit suicide filed motions Wednesday seeking dismissal of the case.
BERKELEY, 3:51 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Budget impasse threatens Medi-Cal clinic funding: California lawmakers' inability to pass a budget on time is threatening the cash flow of health clinics that are funded by Medi-Cal and serve some of the state's poorest residents.
LOS ANGELES, 3:38 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Court upholds L.A. conviction on DNA from coffee cup: A California appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man who was found guilty of a murder based on DNA evidence collected from a plastic foam coffee cup 30 years after the murder took place.
LOS ANGELES, 3:32 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Prosecutor says L.A. doctor probe expanding: A physician charged with molesting eight patients is under investigation in seven more possible cases, a prosecutor said Wednesday at a hearing for the doctor, who is the son of Bermuda's premier.
CARSON CITY, Nev., 3:15 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Execution stay lifted: The state Supreme Court has lifted its stay of an execution order following a decision by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada to drop its challenge of the use of lethal injections to execute inmates.
PICO RIVERA, 3:09 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Body of man found in parked car in Pico Rivera: An autopsy was pending Wednesday for a man found dead in the driver's seat of a parked car in an unincorporated area of Pico Rivera, authorities said.
FRESNO, 2:46 p.m. July 23 (AP)
Judge: water managers must protect Calif. salmon: A federal judge on Wednesday ordered California water managers to rethink their plans to make sure pumping systems don't push native, wild salmon closer to extinction over the next eight months.
SAN FRANCISCO, 10:06 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Crews focus on stubborn Shasta-Trinity forest fire: Steep terrain and roadless forest land are hindering the push to get the last of California's wildfires under control.
SANTA ANA, 9:33 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Teen arrested for allegedly assaulting 9-year-old: A Santa Ana teenager has been arrested for allegedly raping a 9-year-old boy with a toy light saber.
RENO, Nev., 9:03 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Reno auto broker pleads guilty to embezzlement: A Reno auto broker has pleaded guilty to five counts of embezzlement and faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced this fall.
LAS VEGAS, 8:45 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Girl found unconscious on Vegas Strip ride dies: A 12-year-old California girl found unconscious after a ride on a Las Vegas Strip roller coaster has died.
EAST PALO ALTO, 6:11 a.m. July 23 (AP)
East Palo Alto, landlord at odds over rent control: East Palo Alto and the city's largest landlord are squaring off over the city's rent control rules.
OAKLAND, 5:41 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Oakland group wants action from city over violence: Members of an Oakland community group are demanding action from officials in slowing a wave of violence gripping the city.
LOS ANGELES, 5:03 a.m. July 23 (REUTERS)
California ports' pollution plan proves a big haul: A short drive from the sandy beaches of Malibu rise two sprawling ports, where goods from around the world enter the United States before fanning out by road and rail to stores from coast to coast.
LOS ANGELES, 5:01 a.m. July 23 (AP)
L.A. committee OKs ban on new fast-food restaurants: A Los Angeles City Council committee has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a 32-square-mile area, mostly in South Los Angeles.
BERKELEY, 3:35 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Judge to lift ban on building Calif sports center: A planned sports center at the University of California at Berkeley that ignited a tree-sitting protest moved a step closer to reality when a judge gave campus officials the go-ahead to build.
LOS ANGELES, 2:50 a.m. July 23 (AP)
No plastic bags in L.A. stores beginning July 2010: Los Angeles shoppers soon won't hear the question, “Paper or plastic?” at the checkout line.
SAN FRANCISCO, 12:21 a.m. July 23 (AP)
Mayor visits city engineer in jail, gets codes: An unusual jailhouse visit by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom yielded the access codes to the city's computer network.
LOS ANGELES, 12:12 a.m. July 23 (AP)
4 arrested, 5,600 pot plants seized in SoCal raids: Federal and local authorities have seized 5,600 marijuana plants and arrested four people in raids in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
SACRAMENTO, 4:05 p.m. July 22
Witch Creek fire study highlights value of fire-safety measures: When the devastating Witch Creek Fire swept through San Diego County last fall, it took with it more than 1,000 homes and cost insurers $1 billion.
EL CENTRO, 8:12 p.m. July 22 (UNION-TRIBUNE)Accused driver in migrant crash pleads not guilty: A Mexican citizen accused of driving a sport utility vehicle into a canal, killing six illegal immigrants, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to smuggling charges. SAN FRANCISCO, 4:09 p.m. July 22 (AP)
End in sight for this round of Calif. wildfires: Officials reported continued progress Tuesday with California's remaining 33 blazes – down from more than 2,000 in the past month – although fire danger remained high in some rural areas. LOS ANGELES, 5:06 p.m. July 22 (AP)
L.A. police board changes officer discipline process: The city Police Commission on Tuesday approved a proposal by Chief William Bratton to loosen the Police Department's review and punishment process for officers who violate use-of-force rules. LOS ANGELES, 5:35 p.m. July 22 (AP)
Inglewood residents demand change after shooting: Friends and neighbors of Kevin Wicks didn't accept the official explanation of why police fatally shot him when they were called to his apartment building. Now they say the officer who pulled the trigger shouldn't even have been there – just two months after being involved in another fatal shooting. LOS ANGELES, 5:38 p.m. July 22 (AP)
L.A. stores to go plastic free: Los Angeles shoppers soon won't hear the question, “Paper or plastic?” at the checkout line. SACRAMENTO, 4:55 p.m. July 22 (AP)
Calif. unemployment board fires top administrator: The head of the state board that considers unemployment appeals by California residents has been fired.
SACRAMENTO, 2:44 p.m. July 22 (AP)
Railroad to pay $102 million after Calif. wildfire: Union Pacific Railroad Co. has agreed to a $102 million settlement to pay for damages from a massive California wildfire in what federal officials described Tuesday as a precedent-setting case.
PIUTE, 12:30 p.m. July 22 (AP)Woman mauled in Kern County bear attack: Kern County authorities say a woman walking her dogs was mauled by a bear. County fire spokesman Sean Collins says the woman was attacked about 10 a.m. Tuesday in the tiny rural community of Piute, near the site of a recent wildfire that burned across thousands of acres.
PHOENIX, 10:29 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Phoenix station catering to immigrants is closing: A radio station catering to Latino immigrants in metropolitan Phoenix has begun to phase out much of its programming and plans to close its doors at the end of the month.
RENO, Nev., 7:52 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Reno fire claims litter of puppies: Reno fire officials say a faulty electric stove top is to blame for a house fire that killed several pet dogs, including a litter of puppies.
LOS ANGELES, 7:44 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Man allegedly molested 9-year-old granddaughter: Seventeen child molestation counts have been filed against a La Mirada man for alleged attacks on his now-9-year-old granddaughter.
TORRANCE, 7:26 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Wind scatters bills, good Samaritans rush in: A dozen bystanders rushed in to help a 70-year-old man who stumbled while leaving a Torrance bank and hundreds of bills scattered in the wind.
LOS ANGELES, 7:18 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Stolen taxi crashes into L.A. coffee shop: Los Angeles police say what started as an attempted carjacking led to a taxi smashing into a coffee shop, ending a wild midnight crime spree.
OAKLAND, 5:53 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Suspect shot after police chase dies: One of two men shot by Oakland police officers after a chase over the weekend has died. San Leandro police say 21-year-old Lesly Xaxier Allen died Monday after being shot at the end of the pursuit Saturday night that began in Oakland and ended in San Leandro.
GOLETA, 5:02 a.m. July 22 (AP)
9,443-acre Goleta wildfire nears full containment: An inaccessible area on the western edge of a 9,443-acre wildfire near Goleta has prevented fire bosses from fully surrounding the Gap Fire and declaring containment.
INDIO, 4:46 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Mistrial in Riverside County strangulation trial: A Riverside County judge declared a mistrial after a jury said it could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of a homeless man accused of killing a former State Bar of California president.
BARSTOW, 3:13 a.m. July 22 (AP)
Barstow man arrested in shooting death of Marine: Police in Barstow have arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of murder in the shooting death earlier this month of a Marine stationed a Camp Pendleton.
SANTA CLARITA, 2:36 a.m. July 22 (AP)
2-year-old boy found dead in van in Santa Clarita: A 2-year-old boy died after his mother left him inside the family minivan for hours, authorities said.
LOS ANGELES, 11:17 p.m. July 21 (AP)2 L.A. brothers allegedly abduct their children: Los Angeles police detectives are looking for two brothers who allegedly abducted their three boys from their ex-wives who have custody of the children. SANTA CLARITA, 10:42 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Officials: Boy found dead in van in Santa Clarita: Authorities say a 2-year-old boy has been found dead in his family's van in Santa Clarita north of Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES, 10:16 p.m. July 21 (AP)
City of L.A. faces possible lawsuit over police tape: The city of Los Angeles is facing a possible lawsuit from a man whose cocaine possession case was dismissed after a video surveillance tape contradicted testimony from Los Angeles police officers who arrested him. LOS ANGELES, 9:37 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Fund to help developers build affordable housing: Developers who build affordable housing units can borrow up to $10 million per project from a $100 million trust announced Monday by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Sen. John Edwards. FONTANA, 8:54 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Newborn found dead in Fontana trash bin: Authorities are looking for the parents of a newborn boy found dead in a trash container in San Bernardino County. LOS ANGELES, 8:44 p.m. July 21 (AP)
South Gate settles with former officer for $1M: The city of South Gate has agreed to pay $1 million to a former police officer who sued the city for racial discrimination. LOS ANGELES, 8:09 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Man to be tried on charges of making bomb threat: An Irvine man has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly making a false bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport. LOS ANGELES, 7:50 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Pair charged with stabbing L.A. officer outside bar: Two people have been charged with trying to kill an off-duty Los Angeles police officer outside a bar. FRESNO, 5:31 p.m. July 21 (AP)
State: Water levels will be lowest in 30 years: California's second-largest storage reservoir will end this year with the lowest amount of water the state has seen in more than 30 years, Department of Water Resources director Lester Snow said Monday.
PALM SPRINGS, 2:32 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Winds, heavy rains knock out power in SoCal desert: A desert rainstorm stranded people in cars, flooded some homes and businesses, and knocked out power to thousands of people.
BRAWLEY, 3:33 p.m. July 21 (AP)Traffic crash kills 6 migrants: The alleged driver of a vehicle that plunged into a canal and killed six illegal immigrants has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling, authorities said Monday. SANTA ANA, 3:42 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Domestic terrorist sentenced to 12 years: A member of a domestic terrorist group has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for planning to attack military facilities in Los Angeles. GILROY, 4:21 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Man charged after taking shot toddler to hospital: A man faces felony child endangerment and gun possession charges after dropping off a 2-year-old boy with a gunshot wound at a Gilroy hospital. SACRAMENTO, 1:08 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Calif. sues food importer over fruit fly danger: California is seeking nearly $1.7 million from an import company for allegedly smuggling in fruit that could contain a harmful pest. PHOENIX, 2:47 p.m. July 21 (AP)
Wet weather a blessing along the border: The Rev. Robin Hoover sees a blessing in the storm clouds that have dumped heavy monsoon rains across the U.S-Mexico border.
SACRAMENTO, 10:03 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Sacramento officials upset by boat tour operator: Visitors looking for a boat tour along Sacramento's historic waterfront are having trouble finding a boat – and sometimes even the ticket counter.
WILLIAMS, 9:58 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Popular I-5 eatery opens after fire: A popular Colusa County restaurant that attracted Interstate 5 travelers for three decades has reopened nine months after it was destroyed by fire.
SAN BERNARDINO, 9:32 a.m. July 21 (AP)
San Bernardino County sends 7,000 illegals home: More than 7,000 criminal illegal immigrants in San Bernardino County jails have been returned to their home countries in the past two years.
JUNCTION CITY, 8:45 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Cooler, moist weather helps Calif. firefighting: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity around the state allowed firefighters to continue chipping away at dozens of wildfires Monday.
INGLEWOOD, 7:41 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Police fatally shoot armed man in Inglewood: Police responding to family disturbance call shot and killed an armed man early Monday. Officers arrived at an Inglewood apartment complex about 12:30 a.m. Monday, police said.
VENTURA, 7:02 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Mother of groom slashed in wedding reception brawl: A wedding reception brawl in Ventura involving more than 100 people has left three men facing charges and the mother of the groom with a knife wound.
SAN FRANCISCO, 6:00 a.m. July 21 (AP)Coast Guard rescues three in Solano County waters: The Coast Guard is reminding all boaters to maintain proper safety equipment after crews had to rescue three men in waters off Chipps Island in Solano County. DISCOVERY BAY, 6:08 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Mother killed in personal watercraft accident: Contra Costa authorities are investigating an accident involving a personal watercraft and a ski boat over the weekend that killed a Discovery Bay woman and injured her teenage son.
BIG SUR, 6:44 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Fire near Big Sur now 70 percent contained: A deep marine layer and backfires are helping crews make more progress in their battle against a wildfire that's been burning for a month near Big Sur.
SACRAMENTO, July 20
Private firms help in fighting state fires: Mike Pennavaria had never sipped lemonade at Nepenthe while soaking in the ocean view. Nor had he walked barefoot along Pfeiffer Beach or sought spiritual growth at Esalen.
LYNWOOD, 1:19 a.m. July 21 (AP)
Man wounded in L.A.-area freeway shooting: At least one person has been wounded in a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting on a freeway in Lynwood.
SACRAMENTO, July 21 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Budget compromise remains elusive: After seven years of deficits, lawmakers are talking about finding a way to reform a state budget that has been wallowing in borrowing and red ink for nearly all of this decade.
JUNCTION CITY, 12:40 p.m. July 20 (AP)Official: Lower temps should help with wildfires: Scattered showers forecast for California's northern mountains Sunday won't likely extinguish stubborn wildfires still threatening homes but could mean more lightning for the charred region, fire officials said. ANAHEIM, 2:48 a.m. July 20 (AP)
Rats no longer running wild at Angel Stadium: The rats at Angel Stadium seem to be under control. A year ago, an investigation by The Orange County Register revealed more than a hundred major and minor vermin-related violations at the ballpark from 2005 to 2007.
SACRAMENTO, 3:36 p.m. July 19 (AP)
Most Calif. fires contained: Cooler weather has allowed fire crews to corral most of the wildfires across California, but a handful of stubborn, hard-to-reach mountain blazes Saturday were still keeping residents from their homes.
BILLINGS, Mont., 6:40 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Judge restores protections for N. Rockies wolves: A federal judge has restored endangered species protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, derailing plans by three states to hold public wolf hunts in the fall.
SAN FRANCISCO, 11:07 a.m. July 19 (AP)Prostitution decriminalization makes SF ballot: A measure that aims to keep prostitutes from facing criminal charges has qualified for the November ballot in San Francisco. RENO, Nev., 10:55 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Scenic lake near Tahoe to become public land: U.S. Forest Service officials say they will take ownership early next week of a scenic alpine lake and private enclave overlooking Lake Tahoe.
LAS VEGAS, 10:38 a.m. July 19 (AP)
UNLV offers buyouts to 300 faculty and staff: Nearly 300 professional faculty and staff, including 200 tenured teachers, at UNLV are being offered buyouts.
LOS ANGELES, 10:38 a.m. July 19 (AP)
LAPD officer stabbed in fight outside bar: Los Angeles police say an off-duty officer has been stabbed at a San Pedro bar. Lt. Mark Tappan says several people attacked the officer outside a bar called The Crimsin around midnight Friday.
BAKERSFIELD, 10:35 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Bakersfield man pleads to flashing chopper: A Bakersfield man has pleaded guilty to flashing a laser beam at a Kern County sheriff's helicopter.
IRVINE, 10:31 a.m. July 19 (AP)
UFO toy seller in OC held for alleged pants fraud: A man known for selling flying, flashing toys that have prompted UFO reports was arrested for a more earthbound problem: allegedly faking torn trousers.
LAS VEGAS, 10:05 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Fugitive Hells Angel surrenders in Las Vegas: A fugitive Hells Angel wanted on murder charges stemming from a 2002 biker gang melee has surrendered to federal authorities.
BAKERSFIELD, 9:28 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Bakersfield man's child rape trial overturned: A state appeals court has overturned the conviction and sentence of a Bakersfield man accused of raping his 10-year-old daughter.
SANTA ANA, 2:16 a.m. July 19 (AP)
OC kennel supervisor gets 5 years for sex assault: A former supervisor at an Orange County animal shelter has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting six female jail inmates who were working there to fulfill their sentences.
TORRANCE, 2:10 a.m. July 19 (AP)
Man who stabbed police dog gets 5 years in prison: A Lawndale man who stabbed a police dog has been sentenced to more than five years in prison. Forty-year-old Jimmie Divo Lunceford stabbed a Redondo Beach police dog named Valor with a knife after threatening his stepdaughters and trying to break into his estranged wife's home in June 2007.
PASADENA, 5:18 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Brush fire burns 5 acres in Pasadena: A brush fire burned about five acres in the Hastings Ranch area before it was fully contained Friday, authorities said.
SACRAMENTO, July 18
Measure to prohibit gay unions is trailing: Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in California, is opposed by 51 percent of likely voters with 42 percent in favor, according to a new Field Poll.
OKLAHOMA CITY, 5:10 p.m. July 18 (AP)
FBI: Soccer team members help subdue man on flight: An American Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles was diverted to Oklahoma City Friday after a passenger stripped, put his clothes back on and then tried to open an emergency exit door before being subdued by members of a Major League Soccer team and others, the FBI said.
HONOLULU, 5:09 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Dead whale causes final problem: smelly street: Getting the rotting corpse of a dead sperm whale off Oahu's North Shore was only part of the problem.
FRESNO, 5:04 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Judge: Water delivery system harms Calif salmon: A federal judge has ruled that California's water systems threaten to push native salmon into extinction, but stopped short of ordering any immediate water cutbacks farmers said could cost millions in lost crops.
SAN FRANCISCO, 5:03 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Detained Chinese crew members facing longer stay: Lawyers for the pilot of the ship that struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge say there is new evidence raising doubts about the Chinese crew's truthfulness after the incident, but say the crew should be detained as witnesses for several more months.
SAN BERNARDINO, 4:50 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Long delays after train hits body in Inland Empire: A freight train struck and killed a man who was laying on railroad tracks in San Bernardino County, forcing the cancellation of Friday morning commuter trains for hours, authorities said.
FRESNO, 4:43 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Fourth possible heat-related death investigated: State labor officials are investigating if high heat caused the death of a farmworker in Kingsburg last week in what could be the fourth heat-related death in the fields this summer.
FRESNO, 4:39 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Judge: water delivery system harms Calif salmon: A federal judge has ruled that California's water systems threaten to push native salmon into extinction, but stopped short of ordering any immediate water cutbacks farmers said could cost millions in lost crops.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, 4:02 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Alaska volcano sends out more ash: The U.S. Geological Survey says Okmok Volcano in Alaska is producing more explosions and ash plumes.
LOS ANGELES, 3:48 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Bomb threat grounds Qantas flight at LAX: Authorities have been searching a Qantas jetliner at Los Angeles International Airport because of a bomb threat.
SAN DIEGO, 3:29 p.m. July 18 (AP)
2 Marine reservists charged in secrets theft: Two Marine Corps reservists have been charged in connection with an alleged information theft ring that involved the compromise of classified files.
SAN FRANCISCO, 3:05 p.m. July 18 (AP)
San Francisco jury gets Elie Wiesel case: A San Francisco jury is deliberating the case against a 24-year-old man charged with accosting Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel in a hotel elevator.
GRANTS PASS, Ore., 2:48 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Ore. backs restoring salmon to Upper Klamath Basin: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved restoration of chinook salmon to the area now blocked by dams on the Klamath River.
FRESNO, 2:41 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Fresno gang busted on drug conspiracy charges: Fourteen members of a street gang have been indicted in federal court on drug dealing charges.
MERCED, 2:30 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Merced County racetrack plans stalled: Developers of a proposed race track in Merced County want to get back money they paid for permits, a move some see as a sign the project has stalled.
TACOMA, Wash., 2:14 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Participant in 2001 UW arson gets five years: A federal judge sentenced a Seattle woman to five years in prison Friday and demanded she repay more than $7 million for her role in the 2001 ecoterror arson of the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture.
STOCKTON, 2:08 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Farmer charged with false crop insurance claims: A San Joaquin County farmer has been indicted for allegedly filing false claims for crop insurance benefits.
ELKO, Nev., 1:47 p.m. July 18 (AP)
Elko man convicted: An Elko man who stashed $40,000 worth of methamphetamine under the front seat of a rookie police officer's patrol car has been convicted of drug charges.
LOS ANGELES, 12:15 p.m. July 18 (AP)
SoCal doc wins lawsuit over legal representation: A doctor won $3.9 million in a lawsuit that said the attorney whose advice he sought during a state investigation had helped trigger the probe that cost him his license.
LOS ANGELES, 11:37 a.m. July 18 (AP)
LAPD homicide detective reassigned: Los Angeles police have reassigned a detective who told a gang member he had been identified as a killer by a girl who was later murdered by another member of the gang.
LAS VEGAS, 11:00 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Clark County school bond pulled from Nov. ballot: Clark County voters aren't going to see a $7 billion, 10-year school construction bond measure the November ballot after all.
SAN FRANCISCO, 10:37 a.m. July 18 (REUTERS)
Calpers posts 2.7% loss amid stock weakness: Calpers, the biggest U.S. pension fund, posted a 2.4 percent loss in its June-ended fiscal year, fueled by a 10.7 percent decline in the value of its stock holdings, its top investment officer said Friday.
SACRAMENTO, 10:32 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Former Sacramento staffer accused of taking bribes: A former Sacramento Utilities Department employee is charged with taking bribes from a Bay Area scrap dealer.
SAN DIEGO, 10:32 a.m. July 18 (AP)
California unemployment rate rises to 6.9 percent: State officials say California's unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percent last month to 6.9 percent as the slumping housing market continued to take a toll on the economy.
OROVILLE, 10:28 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Suspect in quadruple Calif. murders skipped parole: Butte County's district attorney says a 28-year-old man suspected of killing his girlfriend and her two toddlers was wanted by police for skipping parole.
LOS ANGELES, 8:57 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Ex-Guns N' Roses drummer arrested in Los Angeles: Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler has been arrested for alleged drug possession in Hollywood.
SAN BERNARDINO, 8:40 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Sheriff and tribe renew law enforcement pact: The sheriff's department will continue law enforcement duties on the San Manuel reservation.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, 8:24 a.m. July 18 (AP)
2 dead, 1 arrested, in shooting west of Lake Tahoe: Two women were shot to death and another woman has been arrested in connection with the killings west of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County authorities said.
SANTA ANA, 8:19 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Two human West Nile first in OC this year: Two men who recently donated blood tested positive for West Nile virus, the first known human cases of the mosquito-borne virus in Orange County this year.
SAN FRANCISCO, 6:05 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Poll: California voters oppose gay marriage ban: A majority of California voters oppose a November ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage, according to a survey released Friday.
SAN RAFAEL, 5:45 a.m. July 18 (AP)
North Bay residents to vote on sales tax hike: North Bay voters will get to decide if they should pay a higher sales tax to pay for a proposed passenger train service for the area.
LOS ANGELES, 5:31 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Criminal charges filed against parents of truants: Criminal charges have been filed against 13 parents of Los Angeles kids who routinely skip school.
GILROY, 5:30 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Child hospitalized with gunshot wound: A two-year-old boy is hospitalized and a parolee in custody after the toddler was dropped off at a Gilroy hospital with a gunshot wound.
WORCESTER, Mass., 4:36 a.m. July 18 (AP)
Former Mass. charity head gets year in prison: The founder of a defunct Muslim charity has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for lying to an FBI agent about his travels to Afghanistan.
LOS ANGELES, 1:23 a.m. July 18 (AP)
2 health insurers to pay $13M to Calif regulators: Thousands of Californians who lost their health coverage after filing claims with their insurance companies are about to get their policies restored.
Starting July 1, 2008, drivers in California must use a hands-free device while talking on a cell phone or risk getting a fine.
