Daily Briefs


California law requires schools to teach LGBT history

Public schools in California will be required to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans starting Jan. 1 after Gov. Jerry Brown  signed a controversial bill on Thursday. [SFGate] Social sciences curriculum textbooks now must... (Continue reading)

Senate approves college aid for illegal immigrants

Illegal immigrants would be allowed to get privately financed student aid administered by state universities and colleges under legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. [LATimes] Brown said during last year’s election campaign that... (Continue reading)

Pismo attorney pleads not guilty in grand theft case

The Pismo Beach attorney accused of embezzling more than a quarter-million dollars from a deceased client’s estate entered a not guilty plea Tuesday. William Peter Terhune pleaded not guilty to charges of two counts of grand theft by embezzlement and preparing... (Continue reading)

SLO firefighter pleads not guilty to assault

A local firefighter who was arrested for allegedly beating a man unconscious at Pappy McGregor’s in San Luis Obispo plead not guilty Thursday to felony charges of assault and battery In early June, John Ryan Mason, 34, allegedly beat Jory... (Continue reading)

Nuclear safety task force: Upgrades needed in U.S.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “patchwork of regulatory requirements” developed “piece-by-piece over the decades” should be replaced with a “logical, systematic and coherent regulatory framework” to bolster nuclear safety in the U.S., according to a task force reviewing nuclear safety standards.... (Continue reading)

California GOP now 0-for-200 since 1998

The Los Angeles Dodgers might take comfort in knowing that someone has a worst record than they do at the moment–the Californian Republican Party failed yet again this week to pick up a congressional seat held by a Democrat. The... (Continue reading)

Google pays $10 million for Cal Poly startup

Google has purchased the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo student startup Punchd, which started as a senior project, for $10 million, the founders of Punchd announced. Hatched by a pair of Cal Poly students, the company helps connect... (Continue reading)

Advocates seek to preserve gay-friendly political districts

California’s Redistricting Commission may draw its new political districts with an eye toward protecting the voting power of “gayborhoods.” [MercuryNews] Advocates for gay and lesbian groups have petitioned the commission to preserve or expand the number of gay-friendly congressional or... (Continue reading)

State’s highest paid employee performed ‘mailroom’ duties

California’s highest paid state employee took home $777,423 last year as a prison surgeon but did little more than shuffle papers. [Los Angeles Times] In fact, Dr. Jeffrey Rohlfing has been mostly locked out of his job at High Desert... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande councilman sentenced to nine months

Former Arroyo Grande City Councilman Ed Arnold Jr. was sentenced to nine months in jail today after pleading no contest to felony counts of residential burglary and possession of child pornography. [LompocRecord] San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Barry... (Continue reading)