California

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Et tu, Barack? Teachers Lose Another Ally

Embattled unions don't want evaluation based on test scores

(Newser) - Teachers union members are fuming over President Obama's desire to stay the course and evaluate educators based on student test scores, McClatchy reports. Obama is even threatening to withhold California stimulus money unless the state enshrines the student-teacher performance link into law. "It takes more than the ability to...

Rapper Who Posted Murder Lyrics Busted in 4 Killings

'I hate everybody,' says aspiring horrorcore singer 'Syko Sam'

(Newser) - An aspiring California "horrorcore" rapper who posted songs about killing on his MySpace page is being held as a suspect in the murder of four people, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III, 20, was arrested as he awaited a flight back home from Virginia, where the...

Flat-Screen TVs Must Use Less Energy: Calif.

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...

Clinton Boosts Newsom in Calif. Gov Race

Bill's support for SF mayor viewed as Jerry Brown payback

(Newser) - Bill Clinton's support for Gavin Newsom in the race to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger as California governor has put the spotlight on the San Francisco mayor's campaign, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Clinton's support has given Newsom a much-needed boost.  But some analysts believe it has more to do with...

Garridos Suspect in 2 More Cases
Garridos Suspect in
2 More Cases
Sep 15, 2009 4:00 PM CDT

Garridos Suspect in 2 More Cases

Area cops looking to demolish home in search for evidence

(Newser) - Bay Area police are searching Philip Garrido’s home and adjacent properties for evidence of two kidnappings in the late 1980s similar to the abduction of Jaycee Dugard, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Nine-year-old Michaela Garecht was kidnapped in 1988 from nearby Hayward, while 13-year-old Ilene Misheloff was taken 2...

Struggling Porn Industry No Longer Recession-Proof

Porn has become 'like potato chips,' frustrated actress says

(Newser) - Previous recessions have been kind to pornographers, but this one has been a knee to the industry’s groin, the Economist reports. Revenues have plummeted by up to 50%—from $6 billion in 2007, by one estimate—performers are being forced to lower prices, and production has been nearly cut...

Hoaxsters Get German Media to Report Fake Attack on US

Fake city of Bluewater California supposedly attacked by rappers

(Newser) - A group of Internet-savvy hoaxers had all of Deutschland believing that a group of German rappers had attempted a suicide bombing in a California Thursday, Wired reports. The DPA—Germany’s version of the AP—ran a story with the headline “Attack in Small California Town,” reporting that...

Tech Tycoons to Battle for California's Top Job

Silicon Valley vet Steve Poizner preparing to take on Whitman in GOP primary

(Newser) - Ex-eBay boss Meg Whitman is the early favorite to win the GOP nomination for California governor but another tech billionaire is looking like an increasingly serious contender, the Wall Street Journal reports. Silicon Valley veteran Steven Poizner is currently third, behind former Congressman Tom Campbell, but his pockets are much...

Discovery Lands Safely in Calif.

14-day mission ends on West Coast after poor weather scrubs Florida attempt again

(Newser) - After bad weather kept it from heading to Florida for the second consecutive day, the space shuttle Discovery touched down safely in California moments ago, Space.com reports. The crew returns after a 14-day mission that including resupplying and repairing the International Space Station.

World's Oldest Person Dead at 115

(Newser) - The world's oldest known person has died in Los Angeles at age 115. Gertrude Baines died today at a hospital, probably of a heart attack; an autopsy will determine the exact cause. Baines was born in 1894 in Shellman, Ga., and she got a letter from President Obama on her...

Bad Fla. Weather Keeps Discovery in Orbit

Today's attempts scrubbed; NASA aims for tomorrow afternoon, which looks little better

(Newser) - Bad weather has delayed space shuttle Discovery's homecoming for at least a day. NASA decided conditions were too poor to bring Discovery back to Florida tonight, skipping both landing windows and ordered the seven astronauts to keep circling the world for a 14th day. Their next chance at returning will...

Calif. Pol Quits After Boast of Spanking Sex With Lobbyist

One utility company lobbyist was a 'bad girl,' assemblyman leered over hot mike

(Newser) - Some lobbyists will apparently do anything for work. A California assemblyman and family-values crusader has quit after boasting about spanking sex with a utility company lobbyist and "hot" sex with another. He went into graphic detail over a broadcast mike he didn't realize was live, reports the Los Angeles ...

Calif. Budget Cuts Means Ax Falls Sooner for Strays

Holding period halved from 6 days to 3; may doom lost pets before owners can find them

(Newser) - California's budget deal could mean lost family pets meet the Grim Reaper sooner rather than later, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal cuts the time shelters are required to hold animals from six days to three, and officials fear the move could mean animals in shelters lacking resources will...

California: Too Broke for More Fires

At least not without major help from Uncle Sam

(Newser) - California’s wildfires haven’t just destroyed property and forestland, they’ve also scorched the state’s beleaguered budget, Time reports. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't lay a finger on the state's forestry budget of $518 million, and more than doubled the state’s emergency fund for fighting wildfires this year to...

I Didn't Choke Tila Tequila: Merriman

Chargers linebacker says reality-show star was too drunk to leave safely

(Newser) - Shawne Merriman denies choking Tila Tequila and says he was trying to keep her from leaving his home because she was so drunk he was worried she would hurt herself, the Los Angeles Times reports. The San Diego Chargers linebacker released a statement after being arrested yesterday when the reality-TV ...

Garrido Picked Jaycee While 'Shopping for Girls'

(Newser) - Phillip Garrido picked out Jaycee Dugan as his next kidnap victim on a "child shopping" trip when he spotted the "cute" 11-year-old in a store with friends, his wife has told investigators. "That's the one I want," he told his wife, Nancy, but he decided to...

The World's 7 Most Remote Destinations

Now abandoned, these places were once home to humans

(Newser) - Forget the Seven Wonders of the World. WebUrbanist takes a look at seven places that make you wonder why people ever settled there:
  • St. Kilda, Scotland: Although this archipelago is known for 16-foot waves and wind speeds up to 130mph, humans called it home for 2,000 years—until 1930,
...

Calif. Bill Honoring Harvey Milk Prompts Backlash

Opponents fear day of 'special significance' will promote gay agenda

(Newser) - A bill saluting California's first openly gay elected official has reignited the debate over gay rights in the state, the New York Times reports. The measure, passed by the state legislature this week, calls for a day of recognition for Harvey Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of...

Twitter Makes Dad a Star, Son Fields Book Deals

(Newser) - The delightfully profane dad who's the unwitting star of the August Twitter sensation "shitmydadsays," where his recently-moved-back-home son posts his cranky rants about making messes and dodging chores, may not be quite as clueless as he's been made out to be. Sam Halperin is actually a 73-year-old with...

Grandma: Jaycee Feels Guilty About Her Kidnapping

(Newser) - Kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard feels guilty about being snatched off the streets as a child and held captive for 18 years, her mother has told Jaycee's grandmother. She "feels guilty that she was kidnapped and for not having called her mom or dad or anyone—even though she was...

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