Daily Briefs


Conservative calls for Ashburn to resign

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn admitted in a radio interview on Monday that he is gay. Now one of the state’s most ardent conservatives is calling for him to resign. [Capitol Weekly] Randy Thommason, president of SaveCalifornia.com, wants Ashburn to... (Continue reading)

State sues Carlton Hotel

The California Department of Industrial Relations is suing David Weyrich’s Carlton Hotel for labor violations, seeking at least $450,000 in lost wages and penalties. [Tribune] The lawsuit, filed Monday in Paso Robles’ Superior Court, details six labor code violations, involving... (Continue reading)

Napa wineries in foreclosure

The most expensive wines in the United States are produced in Napa, but the California grape enclave is taking a heavy economic crush. [San Francisco Chronicle] As many as 10 Napa wineries and vineyards will soon change hands in foreclosures... (Continue reading)

One-third of college faculty see their salaries dip

More than one third of college faculty nationwide took a pay cut this academic year, and overall faculty pay showed no salary increase, according to a new report. [Chronicle of Higher Education] The typical professor had received a pay raise... (Continue reading)

Atascadero teens busted for school yard drug dealing

A group of Atascadero teens from three different schools are under investigation for possession of and dealing drugs on school grounds. [AtascaderoNews] The four students, two boys and two girls from Atascadero’s junior high school, the high school, and the... (Continue reading)

Green Party fading in California

The California Green Party seems to be fading as a political movement. During the last five years, the number of registered “Greens” in California has shrunk from 158,000 to 111,000. [San Jose Mercury News] Even more telling was the anemic... (Continue reading)

Google Fiber rally planned for SLO

A rally to help make San Luis Obispo one of the test cities selected for the upcoming Google Fiber project is being held on Tuesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Mission Plaza. Google, the search engine giant, plans to... (Continue reading)

Ashburn remains on “personal leave”

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn remains on a self-imposed personal leave, at least through Monday, following his high-profile DUI bust last week in Sacramento. [San Francisco Chronicle] Ashburn, 55, was arrested and booked into Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of... (Continue reading)

California proposes animal-abuser registry

Should people convicted of felony animal abuse be forced to register with law enforcement, just like sex offenders? One California legislator thinks so, and has introduced  such a bill, one that would make California first in the nation. [Time] “We... (Continue reading)

Increased minimum wage equals decreased teen jobs

The increase in California’s minimum wage may have come at the expense of teen employment, according to some economists. [Daily Bulletin] Minimum wage in California has increased roughly 18 percent since 2005, but the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) claims the... (Continue reading)