Home  »  Archives

Daily Briefs


Ronald Reagan on a $50 bill?

Written on 2 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 5 comments

A bill is being introduced in Congress calling for Ronald Reagan’s likeness to be placed on all $50 bills, an honor currently occupied by Ulysses S. Grant. [Los Angeles Times] Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.) believes that the 40th President,... (Continue reading)

Weed Killer turns boy frogs into girls

Written on 2 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 9 comments

Atrazine, a commonly used weed killer in California, turns male frogs into reproducing female frogs, according to a study performed by University of California at Berkeley researchers. [Reuters] First, atrazine-exposed male frogs develop female features – termed hermaphroditism. Then a... (Continue reading)

“Stand and Deliver” teacher battling cancer

Written on 1 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

Jaime Escalante, the Los Angeles math teacher who inspired the hit movie “Stand and Deliver,” is battling cancer and his family has run out of money to pay medical bills. [KTLA] So far, only $5,000 has been raised on behalf... (Continue reading)

Jerry Brown enters governor’s race on Tuesday

Written on 1 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 6 comments

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is expected to formally announce his candidacy for governor on Tuesday. [Los Angeles Times] Brown, 71, previously served as governor from 1974 to 1982, but is eligible to run for office again because today’s term... (Continue reading)

Director of state hospital accused of raping children

Written on 1 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 3 comments

The executive director of Napa State Hospital was arrested and charged with 35 felony counts including 22 counts of forcible oral copulation, 11 counts of sodomy by use of force and two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child,... (Continue reading)

High state worker payments cost millions

Written on 1 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | One comment

A new investigation reveals that California state employees have routinely been allowed to amass unused vacation time, enabling hundreds of workers to retire with payouts of over $100,000. [Ventura County Star] In one particular case, a state employee was able... (Continue reading)

SLO County ranked third most expensive place to live

Written on 28 Feb, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

A recent report places San Luis Obispo County third on the list when it comes to being the least affordable place to live in the United States. [SantaMariaTimes] The study, conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, focuses on... (Continue reading)

California’s worst tsunamis

Written on 28 Feb, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

Expected tsunamis, generated by yesterday’s 8.8 magnitude Chilean earthquake, prompted the evacuations of thousands of people. However, while the surge could be seen in some areas, damage was minimal and in California little or no change in wave size was... (Continue reading)

Maldonado becomes “a political orphan”

Written on 28 Feb, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 5 comments

State Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) is the subject of a profile in Sunday’s column by Steve Lopez. [Los Angeles Times] Calling Maldonado a “political orphan in Sacramento,” Lopez richly details our local state senator’s awkward situation:  “Maldonado is the... (Continue reading)

Sewage spill closes Moonstone Beach

Written on 27 Feb, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

Public health officials closed Moonstone Beach in Cambria Saturday as the result of a sewage spill that occurred at around 12:15 a.m. A mudslide that ruptured water and sewer lines was determined to be the culprit in the 10,000 gallon... (Continue reading)