Stories related to: California

Nowhere in California is the power of green consumerism more apparent than the Prius-packed city of Berkley. The Economist takes a look at a "greenery by zip code" study that, somewhat unsurprisingly, places Palo Alto near the top and Bakersfield near the bottom of locales packed with certified green buildings and hybrids. But why? More »

With a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could dam the just-unleashed tide of same-sex marriage in the state, proponents believe California's $16 billion budget deficit could be the deciding factor for voters, Julie Bolcer writes in the Advocate . "I think this is a huge opportunity for businesses and the community as a whole," one chamber of commerce rep says. More »

John McCain is making a risky bet with his call to end a ban on offshore drilling, Charles Mahtesian and David Mark write in Politico. Polls show a clear majority of Americans are in favor of lifting the ban—but the candidate risks tapping a geyser of resentment in California and Florida, states strongly opposed to drilling that would be among the most affected by a change in policy. More »

Same-sex couples getting married in California are trying to avoid offbeat weddings that gay marriage opponents could use in a campaign against them, reports the LA Times. "We want everybody to be free, but the image does matter. They are going to try to make us look like freaks," says a soon-to-be-wed Californian. More »

Dozens of gay couples legalized their love in California today as the state embraced same-sex marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. While small groups demonstrated outside county clerk's offices, activist couples got first dibs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "We just love each other," said Robin Tyler, whose marriage to Diane Olson was the first gay marriage in Los Angeles County. More »

Gay newlyweds coming home from California this week will likely spark legal battles in their home states, the Arizona Republic reports. California is sure to hitch up more than Massachusetts did 4 years ago, and many will return to states that prohibit gay marriage, some by constitutional amendment. "It's uncharted legal territory," law professor Nancy Hunter said. More »

Actor Dennis Quaid is heading for the hills—no, make that the plains—of Texas with his family, OK! reports. He’s relocating to his hometown, Houston, to be nearer friends and family, Quaid says, not quitting the business. More »

San Francisco officials are preparing for an expected tidal wave of weddings this evening as gay marriage officially becomes legal in California at 5pm. But celebrations could be short-lived if a November initiative blocks the court decision that paved the way for the marriages. The San Francisco Chronicle takes a look at California’s support of gay marriage, which at 51% is higher than ever—but so is the vehemence of the opposition. More »

Gay couples should exchange vows warily in California this week, Joe Matthews writes in the Washington Post . “California—with its dysfunctional politics and government—may hurt the cause of same-sex marriage,” he warns. An upcoming state ballot on gay marriage could cast the issue into limbo for years, and leave couples in "an expensive, time-consuming quagmire—gay marriage's Vietnam." More »

It’s been four years since Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, and there are winners, losers—and everything in between, the New York Times reports. In what one gay married man calls “a mixed bag,” it appears that gays are more likely to rush into marriage, more likely to marry older, and more likely to sign pre-nuptial agreements. Pay attention, California. More »

California will fully integrate its prison system next month, making it one of the last states to do so, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The state will end the practice of separating new arrivals to the nation's largest prison system based on race. Both guards and inmates are bracing for a spike in racial violence in cramped cells. More »

It's about equestrian skill, machismo, tradition, and, of course, sombreros: It's charreria, and it might be endangered. The centuries-old Mexican activity that mixes rodeo and fiesta is coming under fire in the US, where animal-rights activists have rallied for laws against practices like steer tailing and horse tripping. The New York Times visits California's Central Valley to check it out. More »

The California judge whose risqué website stalled an obscenity trial 3 days ago has recused himself, the Los Angeles Times reports. “In light of the public controversy surrounding my involvement in this case, I have concluded that there is a manifest necessity to declare a mistrial,” Alex Kozinski said. Kozinski, a judicial conservative, has been considered a candidate for the Supreme Court. More »

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have worked different sides of the political aisle for decades, but the California first couple's agreement to disagree is getting its most high-profile workout this year, the New York Times reports, as Arnold backs McCain and Maria champions Obama. Signs for the rival candidates compete for space outside the couple's home, and both are considered key backers for their candidates in an important state. More »

Same-sex California couples will be able to tie the knot on Monday, but at least one county won't be performing any weddings, gay or straight. Kern County's clerk has announced that she will not solemnize any more vows, the Times reports. She cites budget constraints, but many think the decision is based on her rightward leanings. More »

Stiff fuel prices are not pouring cash into the pockets of California gas station owners—instead, they're driving them into bankruptcy. Credit card fees, tanker-load costs, and other rapidly increasing expenses are putting the crunch on retailers, reports the Los Angeles Times . More »

You might think baseball Hall of Famers might be content to rest on their laurels, but not so Tom Seaver, Bloomberg reports. The three-time Cy Young winner spent some time as an announcer after his retirement in 1987, but his interest in wine led to the founding GTS Vineyards in California's Napa Valley in 2001. Now, his labor is starting to bear fruit. More »

Voters in a northern California county have backed a measure tightening one of America's loosest pot laws, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. State law allows Californians to grow six marijuana plants each for medicinal use, but Mendocino County allowed its residents 25 plants each for any use. The county's residents will now have to make do with the standard six. More »

The coming fight over gay marriage in California is going to be "nasty and divisive," and it might not prove to be the boon Republicans think it will, Tim Rutten writes in the Los Angeles Times . "Any time one group of Californians uses the ballot box as a tool to have another group declared less or different," he notes, "people take it personally and things get rough." More »

The California Supreme Court shot down a request today to suspend its decision allowing same-sex marriages until after a November vote on a constitutional amendment that would overturn the May 15 ruling, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Couples can marry starting June 17, as scheduled. More »