San Diego mayor leaves office with his legacy intact

The legacy of San Diego's termed-out mayor Jerry Sanders includes guiding the city back from the precipice of its worst financial debacle in history.

Healthcare law will have new California Legislature scrambling

Lawmakers will need to move quickly to clear the way for Californians' enrollment in a new state-run insurance market next fall in the run-up to the Affordable Care Act.

Gov. Jerry Brown could learn a lesson from 'Lincoln'

The film shows that messy deal-making is often needed to solve complex and divisive problems. And California has a raft of them.

'Most Wanted,' but not by parole officials

California dropped a warrant for alleged killer and drug cartel associate Jose Luis Saenz as he was being sought by the FBI.

Campaign treasurer gets 8 years for fraud

Kinde Durkee's theft of millions of dollars from her political clients is called a 'significant and egregious offense.' She is ordered to pay more than $10.5 million in restitution.

Regents OK raise for new UC Berkeley chief

Nicholas B. Dirks will receive $50,000 more than his predecessor in a move opposed by Gov. Jerry Brown even though the money comes from private funds.

Campaign treasurer agrees to eight-year sentence

Kinde Durkee stole $7 million from up to 50 political clients and pleaded guilty in March to five counts of mail fraud.

Campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee could get 8 years in fraud

The political aide will be sentenced Wednesday for stealing more than $7 million from clients. Representatives for some victims say the penalty isn't enough.

Dave Roberts brings diversity to the San Diego County supervisors

He is the first Democrat on the board in more than two decades. He's also the first new supervisor in 18 years. And he's a gay, married father of five.

Westside Assembly race is a nail-biter

Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom is leading Assemblywoman Betsy Butler by 79 votes in the 50th District. He's interviewing staffers; she's taking her mother to Hawaii.

Election loss has Republicans seeking common ground with Democrats

Party activists who think the national GOP is too conservative for California voters may work to moderate the Democratic supermajority in the Legislature.

For O.C. Republicans, party's immigration stance is a millstone

Orange County, once a GOP stronghold, has faded from red to pink with the emergence of Latino voters, who are repelled by the party's stand on immigration.

Asian Americans enjoy greater representation in Congress

The next House of Representatives will have a dozen members of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent, the largest such caucus in history.

Jerry Brown hurdles over sophomore traps

With Proposition 30's approval and a supermajority in the Legislature, the governor is in a stronger position than any of his modern predecessors.

Lame-duck session to avoid 'fiscal cliff' may affect homeowners

Big-ticket items such as the mortgage interest deduction could be on the table as Congress looks for ways to raise federal revenue.

Californians feel a bit more upbeat about the state's direction

Gov. Jerry Brown's approval rating is up and more voters are optimistic, but persistent economic difficulties still loom large.

It's time to reform our initiative system

The original concept — citizen empowerment to fight moneyed interests — has been turned on its head by vast infusions of cash.

UC, Cal State approve budgets that seek more state funding

Buoyed by the passage of Prop. 30, the university systems ask for the funds to boost enrollment and maintain other programs. Gov. Brown warns them to control costs.

Tax hikes, improving economy bode well for state budget

California will see a much smaller deficit next year, thanks in part to the passage of Prop. 30, the nonpartisan legislative analyst says.

Cal State and UC back off tuition hikes after Prop. 30 win

Gov. Jerry Brown says the increases would be ill-timed. Cal State was looking to impose new fees to hasten graduation for some students. UC shelves plan to add fees to graduate programs.

LAUSD restores full academic year and full pay

The actions were made possible by passage of Proposition 30. Members also approve a resolution to charge fees when charters claim more space on traditional campuses than they need.

Brown taps ex-Marine general to head California parks department

Former Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson will take over as director of the state Parks and Recreation Department, which was rocked by a financial scandal last summer.