Daily Briefs


Kids’ products have high levels of lead at Target, Wal Mart

An Oakland-based environmental group is claiming that new lab tests show high levels of lead in children’s products being sold at Target and Wal Mart stores. [California Watch] The Center for Environmental Health found that kids’ chairs and bean bags,... (Continue reading)

Blakeslee moves to the middle

Newly-elected Central Coast state senator Sam Blakeslee may be moving to the political middle. [Capitol Weekly] Last week, Blakesleee, who was considered more conservative in his Assembly days,  took the unusual step of hiring a Democrat as his press secretary.... (Continue reading)

You owe $14,165 to pay for your city’s employees pensions

A new study about the precarious nature of pension shortfalls is likely to take the debate up a few notches. [Business Insider] Researchers are warning that thanks to unrealistic expectations, cities and states have much bigger pension shortfalls than they’re willing... (Continue reading)

Templeton man charged with child porn

San Luis Obispo Sheriff deputies arrested a Templeton resident Friday on five charges including lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, incest, possessing material depicting a minor under the age of 14 engaging in or... (Continue reading)

Schwarzenegger targets poor with budget cuts

Just before he signed the new budget on Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwazenegger slashed nearly $1 billion in spending for welfare, child care, special education, and other programs. [LA Times] The governor slashed 23 line items from the $87.5-billion general fund... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man challenges Congressman McCarthy

A Paso Robles man has launched a write-in campaign challenging Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield for a chance to represent the 22nd Congressional District. [Bakersfield.com] John Uebersax said he is running on a platform of ending the wars in Afghanistan and... (Continue reading)

Whitman outspends Brown 14 to 1; still trails

Despite spending nearly $120 million of her personal fortune, roughly a 14 to 1 advantage over opponent Jerry Brown, Republican Meg Whitman is trailing in recent polls. [California Watch] Analysts say that Whitman is still being battered by recent accusations... (Continue reading)

California welfare cards spent in cruise ships, casinos

Just when it seems like we’ve heard about the worst in California government waste comes this nugget: More than $69 million has been withdrawn from state-issued welfare debit cards at casinos across the country and on cruise ships. [LA Times]... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande plane crashes on Catalina

A plane registered to Sabovich and Sons of Arroyo Grande, crashed shortly after takeoff from Catalina Island Sunday afternoon, injuring the pilot and two passengers. [Examiner.com] The 1956 Cessna 310 twin engine light aircraft crashed about one-half mile southeast of... (Continue reading)

Boat capsizes in Morro Bay, one dead

One person is dead and two are seriously injured after their fishing boat capsized in Morro Bay shortly before 2 p.m. on Saturday. [Tribune] Emergency personnel found two of the boaters on the beach and a third in the surf... (Continue reading)