Daily Briefs


Lawyers argue teen gunman is victim, not racist

Defense lawyers for a Ventura County teen accused of shooting a gay classmate to death attempted to undermine the prosecution’s argument that the killing was a hate crime motivated by white supremacist sympathies. [The Californian] Brandon McInerney, now 17, is... (Continue reading)

NLRB orders Santa Barbara News-Press to rehire reporters

The National Labor Relations Board ordered Wendy McCaw’s Santa Barbara New-Press to rehire eight reporters who were illegally fired for union activities. [Santa Barbara Independent] The NLRB, in its 55-page decision released Thursday, gave the publication 14 days to comply... (Continue reading)

Third person drowns at Lake Nacimiento

A third person has drowned in Lake Nacimiento in 40 days. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Lucien Mackie Langenbeck was found in 8-feet of water in the Heritage Ranch area of the lake around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The 42-year-old... (Continue reading)

Peter Douglas steps down from Coastal Commission

After 26 years as executive director of the California Coastal Commission, Peter Douglas, an outspoken opponent of coastal development who helped write the state’s landmark Coastal Act, announced his retirement Wednesday. [Los Angeles Times] Douglas, 68, has been fighting lung... (Continue reading)

Sen. Harry Reid: Save California’s high-speed rail project

As concern grows over costs for a high-speed rail system in California, and amid talk of scrapping the project, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Wednesday that abandoning the multi-million dollar venture would be “short sighted.” [San Francisco Chronicle] Speaking... (Continue reading)

Jim Patterson decides to go for three

Jim Patterson announced his intentions Wednesday to break the so-called “5th District curse” and win a third term on the  San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. [Tribune] Both David Blakely and Mike Ryan previously failed in their attempts at... (Continue reading)

Parents say investigation into train victim’s death is ‘sluggish’

Parents of a Paso Robles man they believe was murdered said the city’s police investigation has been hampered by lack of resources and staff. [see the full report at KCCN.TV] Bryan Brady was just hours into his 21st year when... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter revoked

Less than three months after Cal Poly’s Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity came under fire over a reported rape, the university has moved to revoke the San Luis Obispo chapter. [KEYT] A campus investigation was launched after a woman alleged she... (Continue reading)

Fresno’s Philip Levine becomes poet laureate

Philip Levine of Fresno has been selected to be the nation’s next poet laureate. [The New York Times] Known for his poems about working-class Detroit, Levine is considered a voice that speaks to the conditions of ordinary working people. “I... (Continue reading)

Alleged kidnapper tells judge she’s CIA agent

A woman accused of abducting a 4-year-old boy from an Atascadero homeless shelter told a judge during a video-conference arraignment Tuesday that she was “guilty with an explanation.” [The Tribune] Annette Hale, 52, spoke to Judge John Trice from County... (Continue reading)