Live on the California Air: Upstart Afghans

Actor says Mercedes went missing overnight

(AP) - Charlie Sheen's fun times continue: His stolen Mercedes was found overturned down a cliff near his home early today, but there's no evidence anyone was in the car when it went into the ravine, police said. Authorities found the vehicle about 4am after its OnStar system sent out an alert. Sheen called the police to report the theft about the same time. Meanwhile, the 42-year-old is is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on domestic violence charges stemming from the Christmas Day disturbance with his wife. More»

Nation's first TV energy standards expected to pass

(NEWSER) - The consumer electronics industry is kicking hard against California's plans to introduce energy consumption maximums for TV sets. An industry lobby group argues that buyers should be allowed to decide whether they want a power-hungry flat-screen TV set or not, and warns that the move could cost the state jobs by sending TV buyers out of state to pick up their chosen model. The measure looks likely to pass despite the objections, notes the Los Angeles Times. More»

State is the first to demand better efficiency

(NEWSER) - Move over Hummer, there's a new energy-hogging villain in town—flat-screen TVs. California yesterday became the first state to mandate better energy efficiency for televisions, reports the San Jose Mercury News. All sets sold there must reduce consumption 30% by 2011 and 50% by 2013. The industry is outraged, but advocates point out that televisions and their assorted gadgets now make up 10% of the average electricity bill, a huge jump from the good old days of cathode ray tubes. More»

Says he'd like office to be 'glass house'

(NEWSER) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants another starring role onscreen—and he's looking to bring California’s legislators with him. The governator wants budget meetings televised or streamed online to show the public what gives, reports the Los Angeles Times. “A debate in front of the people” would “expose the problems and let everyone answer them,” he said. More»

(NEWSER) - A couple that revealed their thieving ways to TV psychologist Dr. Phil appear to have received a federal investigation in return, the North County Times reports. The California couple appeared on Dr. Phil’s show in November and were shown on a 3-day shoplifting road trip with their children. Last week, their home was raided by a federal task force that recovered stolen goods. No charges have yet been filed. More»