California lawmakers OK potential fines for high gas prices
March 28, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Monday approved the nation's first penalty for price gouging at the pump, voting to give regulators the power to punish oil companies for profiting from the type of gas price spikes that plagued the nation's most populous state last summer.
Rare beetle species named after ex-California governor Brown
March 28, 2023 GMTBERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Scientists are naming a rare species of beetle in honor of former California Gov. Jerry Brown after finding one at his ranch.
Bembidion brownorum was last seen in 1966, but it hadn't been named or described until one was collected near a creek on Brown's ranch in Colusa County, about an hour's drive northwest of Sacramento, the University of California, Berkeley announced Monday.
Police: passenger pulled jet’s emergency slide at LA airport
March 26, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight out of Los Angeles International Airport was detained for triggering the plane’s emergency slide prior to takeoff, authorities said.
The passenger opened an emergency exit door around 10 a.m.
California looks to spend some Medicaid money on housing
March 26, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — At the start of 2022, Thomas Marshall weighed 311 pounds. He had been hospitalized 10 times in five years, including six surgeries. He had an open wound on his left leg that refused to heal — made worse by living in a dirty, moldy house with five other people, two ball pythons, four Chihuahuas and a cage full of rats.
Friday’s Transactions
March 25, 2023 GMTBASEBALL
California eases water restrictions, but drought isn’t over
March 24, 2023 GMTDUNNIGAN, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom ended some of the state's water restrictions on Friday because a winter of relentless rain and snow has replenished the state's reservoirs and eased fears of a shortage after three years of severe drought.
Mavs’ Doncic fined $35,000 over money sign toward officials
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was fined $35,000 on Friday for directing a money sign toward officials in the final seconds of a loss to Golden State.
Doncic walked toward officials while rubbing his fingers together with 1.7 seconds left in the 127-125 loss on Wednesday night.
Much of West Coast faces ban to fish salmon amid low stocks
March 24, 2023 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — As drought dried up rivers that carry California’s newly hatched Chinook salmon to the ocean, state officials in recent years resorted to loading up the fish by the millions onto trucks and barges to take them to the Pacific.
Another strong storm likely for California next week
March 24, 2023 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Confidence was growing Friday in the likelihood of another strong storm arriving in soggy, snow-laden California early next week, forecasters said.
The outlook for more winter-like weather increased as the state turned windy and cold, with residual rain and mountain snow showers in the aftermath of the most recent storm.
Mother dies, 7-year-old son missing at California beach
March 24, 2023 GMTMOSS LANDING, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday suspended the search for a 7-year-old boy whose mother was found dead in the water off Monterey County.
The search at unincorporated Moss Landing, about a 2 1/2-hour drive south from San Francisco, began at around 8 p.m.
Torrid Holdings: Fiscal Q4 Earnings Snapshot
March 23, 2023 GMTCITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (AP) — CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. (AP) — Torrid Holdings Inc. (CURV) on Thursday reported a loss of $3.8 million in its fiscal fourth quarter.
The City Of Industry, California-based company said it had a loss of 4 cents per share.
California may punish oil companies for high gas prices
March 23, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A first-in-the-nation bill to punish oil companies for profiting from price spikes at the pump breezed through the California Senate on Thursday at the urging of Democratic Gov.
Rare tornado near Los Angeles rips building roofs; 1 injured
March 23, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A rare tornado touched down in a Los Angeles suburb, ripping roofs off a line of commercial buildings and sending the debris twisting into the sky and across a city block, injuring one person.
Mavs owner Cuban plans protest over free bucket for Warriors
March 23, 2023 GMTDALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he plans to protest a two-point loss to Golden State after a confusing sequence led to an uncontested basket for the Warriors on Wednesday night.
Teen dies, 3 survive after car plunges into California canal
March 23, 2023 GMTCLOVIS, Calif. (AP) — A teenager died and three others escaped Wednesday after their car veered off a rainy road into a canal in California's Central Valley, authorities said.
The male teens, ages 17 to 19, were in a car that was speeding on a wet road near Clovis in Fresno County shortly before 6:30 p.m.
‘Rick and Morty’ creator has domestic abuse charges dropped
March 22, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — California prosecutors on Wednesday dropped domestic violence charges against Justin Roiland, who created the Cartoon Network animated series “Rick and Morty” and provided the voices of the show’s two title characters.
5 hurt in building explosion in California mountain town
March 22, 2023 GMTMAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (AP) — An explosion at a condominium complex injured five people, one critically, on Wednesday in the California mountain community of Mammoth Lakes, authorities said.
New bill aims to outlaw caste discrimination in California
March 22, 2023 GMTCalifornia may become the first state in the nation to outlaw caste-based bias, a safeguard people of South Asian descent say is necessary to protect them from discrimination in housing, education and the tech sector where they hold key roles.
Mexican man pleads guilty in smuggling crash where 13 died
March 22, 2023 GMTEL CENTRO, Calif. (AP) — A Mexican man pleaded guilty Tuesday to coordinating a smuggling effort that left 13 people dead when their overloaded SUV was struck by a big-rig after crossing the border into California two years ago.
Spring brings more wind, rain and snow to soaked California
March 22, 2023 GMTSANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A strong late-season Pacific storm brought damaging winds and more rain and snow to saturated California on Tuesday as the first full day of spring showed little change from the state's extraordinary winter.
Federal judge blocks key parts of California handgun law
March 21, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked key provisions of a California law that drastically restricts the sale of new handguns in the state, saying parts of the legislation violate the Second Amendment.
Cruise wants to test self-driving cars all over California
March 21, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — General Motors' Cruise autonomous vehicle unit on Monday asked California for permission to test the cars across the entire state.
The GM subsidiary already is running an autonomous ride-hailing service in its hometown of San Francisco after testing for more than two years.
City pays $750K after police accused of painting swastika
March 20, 2023 GMTTORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — The Southern California city of Torrance has paid a man $750,000 after two police officers were accused of spray-painting a swastika inside his car three years ago.
The investigation into that incident led to the discovery of a trove of racist and homophobic text exchanges among police officers in Torrance, home to about 143,000 people south of Los Angeles.
Pay transparency is spreading. Here’s what you need to know
March 20, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. employers are increasingly posting salary ranges for job openings, even in states where it’s not required by law, according to analysts with several major job search websites.
San Diego deputy faces DUI charge after car runs Navy gate
March 20, 2023 GMTCORONADO, Calif. (AP) — An off-duty San Diego County deputy has been arrested on suspicion of driving past security at the main gate of a California Navy base while under the influence, prompting guards to open fire and the base to be put on lockdown briefly.
California to seek beds for mental health, drug treatment
March 20, 2023 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — California voters would decide whether to fund a major expansion of housing and treatment for residents suffering from mental illness and addiction, under the latest proposal by Gov.
New evacuations as storm brings California flood threat
March 19, 2023 GMTNew evacuation orders were in place Sunday near two small central California towns where a levee was breached following recent downpours, as yet another winter storm brought the threat of major flooding.
California, drugmaker partner to produce affordable insulin
March 18, 2023 GMTDOWNEY, Calif. (AP) — The state of California and a generic drug manufacturer announced a 10-year partnership Saturday to produce affordable, state-branded insulin that they hope will rival longtime producers and push down prices for a medication used by millions of Americans.
Mysterious streaks of light seen in the sky over California
March 18, 2023 GMTMysterious streaks of light were seen in the sky in the Sacramento area Friday night, shocking St. Patrick’s Day revelers who then posted videos on social media of the surprising sight.
Jaime Hernandez was at the King Cong Brewing Company in Sacramento for a St.
California military base locked down after vehicle runs gate
March 18, 2023 GMTCORONADO, Calif. (AP) — A California military base was put in lockdown after a vehicle went through the facility's main gate without stopping, a military spokesperson said.
Whale found on California beach dies despite rescue effort
March 18, 2023 GMTCARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — A pygmy sperm whale found on a Southern California beach died despite the efforts of a large group of people to help carry it to a SeaWorld San Diego rescue vehicle.
The whale beached itself at Carlsbad on the San Diego County coast Thursday afternoon and help was summoned.
California will remake San Quentin prison, emphasizing rehab
March 17, 2023 GMTSAN QUENTIN, Calif. (AP) — Visiting San Quentin, California's oldest prison once home to a gas chamber used to execute inmates on the nation's largest death row, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday touted a plan to overhaul the facility in favor of a rehabilitation-centered approach that could become a model for the world.
California bill to protect doctors who mail abortion pills
March 17, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Doctors in California who mail abortion pills to people in other states would be protected from prosecution under a new bill announced Friday in the state Legislature.
The bill would not let California extradite doctors who are facing charges in another state for providing abortion medication.
Santos refuses to quit, brazenly says ‘truth still matters’
March 17, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Besieged Republican Rep. George Santos arrives on the House floor most days to deliver short speeches — celebrating women-owned small businesses, a special high school in his district or raising concern about various countries in crises.
California will remake San Quentin prison, emphasizing rehab
March 17, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The infamous state prison on San Francisco Bay that has been home to the largest death row population in the United States will be transformed into a lockup where less-dangerous prisoners will receive education, training and rehabilitation, California officials announced Thursday.
Newsom pledges 1,200 tiny homes for California’s homeless
March 16, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will spend about $30 million to build 1,200 small homes across the state this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, part of a plan to help house the nation's largest homeless population and to address an issue that has persistently plagued the state during the governor's time in office.
BNSF trains derail in Washington, Arizona; no injuries
March 16, 2023 GMTANACORTES, Wash. (AP) — Two BNSF trains derailed in separate incidents in Arizona and Washington state on Thursday, with the latter spilling diesel fuel on tribal land along Puget Sound.
Floods fill some of California’s summer strawberry fields
March 16, 2023 GMTAs river water gushed through a broken levee, thousands of people in a California farming town were forced to evacuate as their homes were flooded and businesses destroyed.
Mobile sports bets booming in some states as others shy away
March 16, 2023 GMTThe stakes are higher in Ohio this year for March Madness — and not just because it's a regional host for the first round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament.
Virgin Orbit pausing all work, reportedly furloughs staff
March 16, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Virgin Orbit said Thursday it is pausing all operations amid reports that the company is furloughing almost all its staff as part of a bid to seek a funding lifeline.
The California-based satellite launch company confirmed it's putting all work on hold, but didn't say how long for.
Train hauling corn syrup derails in Arizona; no injuries
March 16, 2023 GMTTOPOCK, Ariz. (AP) — A freight train carrying corn syrup - not hazardous materials - derailed in western Arizona, near the state’s border with California and Nevada, BNSF Railway said.
Railway spokesperson Lena Kent said there were no injuries in the derailment near Topock and, according to preliminary reports, no hazardous materials involved.
What’s the next step for Black reparations in San Francisco?
March 16, 2023 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco supervisors have backed the idea of paying reparations to Black people, but whether members will agree to lump-sum payments of $5 million to every eligible person or to any of the more than 100 other recommendations made by an advisory committee won't be known until later this year.
Storms end Southern California water restrictions for 7M
March 16, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s 11th atmospheric river left the storm-soaked state with a bang Wednesday, bringing flooded roadways, landslides and toppled trees to the southern part of the state as well as drought-busting rainfall that meant the end of water restrictions for nearly 7 million people.
California regulators could decide oil profits penalty
March 16, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he wants state regulators to decide whether to impose the nation's first penalty on oil companies for price gouging, pivoting after months of negotiations with legislative leaders failed to reach an agreement on a bill aimed at reining in the state's notoriously high gas prices.
Judge wants plan to protect humpback whales from fishery
March 16, 2023 GMTA U.S. judge this week ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the law when it failed to develop a plan to prevent West Coast commercial sablefish fishermen from harming humpback whales.
Albania declares new national river park, backs airport plan
March 15, 2023 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Albanian government on Wednesday formally designated the Vjosa River and its tributaries a national park, starting with an investment of some $80 million (75 million euros) to stop wastewater being poured into the river.
San Francisco board open to reparations with $5M payouts
March 15, 2023 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Payments of $5 million to every eligible Black adult, the elimination of personal debt and tax burdens, guaranteed annual incomes of at least $97,000 for 250 years and homes in San Francisco for just $1 a family.
What makes storm a nor’easter? What’s an atmospheric river?
March 15, 2023 GMTA winter storm carrying heavy, wet snow — a true nor'easter — battered parts of the northeastern U.S. this week.
Not magic: Opaque AI tool may flag parents with disabilities
March 15, 2023 GMTPITTSBURGH (AP) — For the two weeks that the Hackneys’ baby girl lay in a Pittsburgh hospital bed weak from dehydration, her parents rarely left her side, sometimes sleeping on the fold-out sofa in the room.
Despite objections, Chevron says it reported oil price data
March 15, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Chevron said on Tuesday it reported how much money it made in January from selling gasoline in California, disclosing the data after regulators threatened to fine the company for not following a new law aimed at investigating the cause of the state's high gas prices.
Another atmospheric river pounds California, 27K to evacuate
March 15, 2023 GMTWATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The latest powerful atmospheric river to drench California put nearly 27,000 people under evacuation orders Tuesday due to flooding and landslide risks. On the central coast, workers hauled truckloads of rocks to plug a broken river levee amid steady rain and wind.
No Harvey Weinstein retrial on rape, sex assault charges
March 14, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles prosecutors told a judge Tuesday that they will not retry Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of one woman, on counts involving two others that left jurors deadlocked.
Lawsuit blames deadly fire on city agency, lighter importer
March 14, 2023 GMTPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The first lawsuit filed over a Christmas tree fire in Philadelphia — which killed 12 members of an extended family last winter — accuses the city's Housing Agency of lax oversight of the three-story rowhouse and a California company of distributing an unsafe pocket lighter that children can easily use.
Uber, Boeing rise; United Airlines, BuzzFeed fall
March 14, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Tuesday:
United Airlines Holdings Inc., down $2.62 to $46.21.
The airline expects to lose up to $1 a share in the first quarter partly because of costs for a potential new pilots’ contract.
Class action suit filed against Silicon Valley Bank parent
March 14, 2023 GMTA class action lawsuit is being filed against the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, its CEO and its chief financial officer, saying that company didn't disclose the risks that future interest rate increases would have on its business.
California court rules for Uber, Lyft in ride-hailing case
March 14, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — App-based ride hailing and delivery companies like Uber and Lyft can continue to treat their California drivers as independent contractors, a state appeals court ruled Monday, allowing the tech giants to bypass other state laws requiring worker protections and benefits.
California housing laws prompt dueling housing lawsuits
March 9, 2023 GMTHUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — California's attempts at forcing its wealthy coastal cities to build more affordable housing spawned two lawsuits on Thursday, showcasing tensions around solving a crisis that has contributed to a surge in the homeless population in the nation's most populous state.
California to end Walgreens contract after abortion dispute
March 9, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday withdrew a $54 million contract with Walgreens after the pharmacy giant indicated it would not sell an abortion pill by mail in some conservative-led states.
US judge: California can’t ban alligator imports, sales
March 8, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — California cannot ban the importation and sale of crocodile and alligator products, a federal judge has ruled, in a victory for the state of Louisiana, which challenged the ban along with businesses in multiple states.
California governor won’t deliver State of the State speech
March 7, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom won't give a State of the State address this year, shunning the teleprompter that has frustrated him because of his dyslexia in favor of a statewide tour this month, in which he can highlight his major policy goals in a more informal setting.
California oil company must pay $65M over oil spills
March 7, 2023 GMTSANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — A defunct company that spilled more than a million gallons of crude oil and wastewater in California must pay more than $65 million in penalties and cleanup costs, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Mountain roads shut as another winter storm hits California
March 5, 2023 GMTTRUCKEE, Calif. (AP) — Mountain roads were closed again in Northern California as yet another cold storm moved through the state on Sunday, dumping snow in the Sierra Nevada and rain in valleys.
Interstate 80 and several other routes were shut down in the Lake Tahoe area near the Nevada border, where the California Highway Patrol said driving conditions were treacherous amid blizzard conditions.
Suspect killed after shooting officer in bulletproof vest
March 5, 2023 GMTFRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A police officer was shot in his bulletproof vest during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect who was killed by another officer following a pursuit in central California, authorities said.
Taylor scores 28, Oregon State rallies to beat Cal 69-66
March 5, 2023 GMTCORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Glenn Taylor Jr. scored a career-high 28 points, Michael Rataj scored the last four points of the game and Oregon State beat California 69-66 on Saturday night in a Pac-12 Conference regular-season finale.
Teen hikers rescued after days stuck in California snowstorm
March 5, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — When his 17-year-old son and friend headed off for a 10-day trek in the Southern California mountains, Cesar Ramirez said he wasn’t too worried. The teens were avid hikers with ample foods in their backpacks, a tent and snowshoes, plus extensive training and aspirations to join the military.
Californians await key decisions from reparations task force
March 5, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nearly two years into the California reparations task force’s work, the group still has yet to make key decisions that will be at the heart of its final report recommending how the state should apologize and compensate Black residents for the harms caused by slavery and discrimination.
Police: Argument preceded fatal California school stabbing
March 4, 2023 GMTSANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — Detectives said Saturday that a fight involving three students at a Northern California high school began with an argument outside art class and culminated in a fatal stabbing.
Some California mountain residents could be snowed in a week
March 4, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Some residents stranded in Southern California mountain communities by a huge snowfall could be stuck for another week, an official said Friday.
A late-February blast of arctic air produced a rare blizzard east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains, where thousands of people live at high elevations in forest communities or visit for year-round recreation.
Suspected shooter kills self after chase in Sonoma County
March 4, 2023 GMTSANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — A man who reportedly shot at people in California's wine country killed himself Friday after a car chase, authorities said.
Reports came in shortly before 11:30 a.m. that a man was shooting at people in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County sheriff's Deputy Rob Dillon said in a video.
In dry West, farmers balk at idling land to save water
March 3, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Brundy, an alfalfa grower in California's Imperial Valley, thinks farmers reliant on the shrinking Colorado River can do more to save water and use it more efficiently.
Transgender pastor claims bias, sues Lutheran denomination
March 3, 2023 GMTThe Rev. Megan Rohrer, who was elected as the first openly transgender bishop of one of the largest Christian denominations in the country in May 2021, has filed a lawsuit alleging that he was forced out from his post after enduring several months of discrimination and harassment.
BetterHelp shared users’ sensitive health data, FTC says
March 2, 2023 GMTThe online counseling service BetterHelp has agreed to return $7.8 million to customers to settle with the Federal Trade Commission for sharing health data it had promised to keep private — including information about mental health challenges — with companies including Facebook and Snapchat.
California reactors win exemption in fight to keep running
March 2, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Government regulators Thursday granted California’s largest utility an unusual exemption that could allow the state's last nuclear power plant to continue running after the expiration of its federal operating licenses, a key piece of a contentious proposal to keep the reactors producing electricity for years to come.
Minnesota moves to crack down on catalytic converter thefts
March 2, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate voted Thursday to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years.
California woman’s body found along Ohio River in WVa
March 2, 2023 GMTLEON, W.Va. (AP) — A body found along the Ohio River in West Virginia has been identified as a California woman missing since December, authorities said Thursday.
Agnieszka K. Drelich-Smith of Beverly Hills, California was visiting family when she went missing on Dec.
To the rooftops: Staggering snowfall in California mountains
March 2, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Emergency crews in California scrambled Wednesday to shuttle food and medicine to mountain communities stranded by back-to-back winter storms that have dumped so much snow some residents can barely see out their windows.
Harrison propels Grand Canyon past Southern Utah 83-78
March 2, 2023 GMTCEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) — Rayshon Harrison scored 29 points and Grand Canyon beat Southern Utah 83-78 on Wednesday night.
Harrison added nine rebounds for the Antelopes (19-11, 9-7 Western Athletic Conference).
RFK killer Sirhan Sirhan denied parole by California board
March 2, 2023 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — A California panel on Wednesday denied parole for Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, saying the 78-year-old prisoner still lacks insight into what caused him to shoot the senator and presidential candidate in 1968, Sirhan's lawyer said.
California bill would help protect nannies, house cleaners
March 2, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California households that employ cleaners or nannies could soon be required to comply with safety standards similar to other workplaces under a bill proposed in the state Legislature.
Convicted murderer held for woman’s 1980 California killing
March 2, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A man already serving life sentences for rape and child murder has now been arrested on suspicion of killing a woman who was found dead in a California cornfield more than 40 years ago, authorities announced.