Topic: California

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Oklahoma tornado choice: Trust school building integrity or retrieve kids?

After the Moore Public School District in Oklahoma let parents know via text alert their kids were being held inside the school building, parents had to make a quick choice: Trust that the buildings would stand or race to pick them up before the tornado hit.
Elephant meat seized in Los Angeles

Elephant meat seized: US Customs has seized elephant meat, a dead macaque primate from Indonesia, and 387 handbags made from pythons, monitor lizards, dwarf crocodiles, cobras and puff adder snakes.
Chapter & Verse Khaled Hosseini's 'And the Mountains Echoed' garners rave reviews

'And the Mountains Echoed,' Hosseini's third novel, is racking up huge pre-sale numbers. The book will be released tomorrow.
The New Economy Yahoo-Tumblr deal: a bold and risky purchase (+video)

If CEO Marissa Mayer can make her $1.1 billion acquisition of Tumblr work, Yahoo's prospects will brighten. But Yahoo-Tumblr are very different companies with audiences that don't match up well.
Report reveals inmates suffer high levels of sexual abuse from guards

A new report by the Justice Department found prison inmates in Indianapolis, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Philadelphia suffered a higher-than-average rate of sexual abuse at the hands of guards.
Pavlof Volcano ash cloud shows Alaska's threat to air travel (+video)

Ash billowing from Pavlof Volcano is not high enough to affect international air travel, but Pavlof is just one of a string of active Alaska volcanoes that sits beneath the flight corridor between the US and Asia.
Ken Venturi dies: What Jack Nicklaus says about him (+video)

Ken Venturi dies: What did Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer say about Ken Venturi, a 14-time PGA tour winner and CBS broadcaster?
Warriors fans killed in shooting after playoff game (+video)

Warriors fans killed: Two men in a white Porsche were fatally shot after leaving the Golden State Warriors playoff game. The shooting stranded thousands of Warriors fans when I-880 was shut down.
Bulger girlfriend: Why she's still getting 8 years in jail

Bulger girlfriend, Catherine Greig, lost her appeal to reduce her 8-year prison sentence. Greig was alleged gangster James "Whitey" Bulger's girlfriend during his 16 years as a fugitive.
Change Agent Steve Jobs widow: How is Laurene Powell Jobs spending her wealth? (+video)

Steve Jobs widow, Laurene Powell Jobs, is emerging as a education philanthropist and immigration reform campaigner. Since her husband, Steve Jobs, passed on, Mrs. Powell Jobs has joined the push for passage of the Dream Act.
Ken Venturi dies: CBS golf analyst remembered for 1964 US Open win (+video)

Ken Venturi dies: After a long career both on and just above the golf course, Ken Venturi dies Friday in his native California.
Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes

Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
Muddah, faddah! Not everyone loved summer sleepaway camp

For some, summer camp played out much like Allan Sherman's 1963 hit, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh." It was awful. With nearly 9 million kids set to take off for their own summer sleepaway camp, what do those who loathed every minute have to say?
Top Picks: An HBO documentary on public art, Otis's daughter Cassie Taylor's new album, and more

Ben Harper teams up with Dixie Chick lead singer Natalie Maines for Maines' solo album, the app Heads Up is a fun party game, and more top picks.
Jodi Arias trial: Does her statement about wanting death penalty factor in?

The death penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial began on Thursday. Jurors aren't supposed to watch news coverage of the case, but experts say information from it often filters in.
Energy Voices Tesla Motors: Could electric cars 'refuel' faster than gas cars?

Tesla Motors has set its sights on 'battery-swapping' technology. In theory, that would mean drivers of Tesla Motors cars could recharge faster than the time it takes to fill up a tank of gas. It's a bit of a holy grail for an electric car industry eager to overcome 'range anxiety.'
Blue crabs in Maine? Something fishy about global warming.

Warming oceans are changing the mix of species in the world's fisheries, according to a new study. Marine-ecosystem models have indicated that this could be an effect from global warming.
Decoder Wire President Obama wants to 'go Bulworth'? What's that? (+video)

Hint: It's a reference to the 1998 political movie 'Bulworth,' from Warren Beatty. Here's why Obama would be well-advised to resist the urge to model his behavior after the title character.
White House reaction to IRS scandal: Too little, too late?

President Barack Obama forced out the acting IRS commissioner on Wednesday in response to allegations the agency had inappropriately targeted conservative groups. Critics have said the IRS scandal is just one of a series of incidents where the Obama administration has avoided taking responsibility.
Kepler, a prolific hunter for other Earths, is suddenly in trouble

Kepler's quest for an Earth-like planet orbiting a sun-like star has been put on hold, NASA said, after the spacecraft sensed it was facing in the wrong direction and put itself in 'safe mode.'
Military sex-abuse crisis hits new low in Fort Hood investigation (+video)

For the second time in two weeks, a military official tasked with combating sex assault has been accused of sexual assault. All military sex assault counselors must now undergo retraining.
Change Agent Sharing good news helps break down the myth of our own powerlessness

Scary stories of kidnappings and explosions lead our news feeds, but there are plenty of empowering stories of progress – if we look for them.
Focus Education reform's next big thing: Common Core standards ramp up

Common Core standards are aimed at building students' critical thinking skills, and 46 states have adopted them. But critics say the methods are unproven and the education reform is moving too fast.
Why Obama agenda group faces pushback from some Democrats

Organizing for Action, an issue-advocacy group that spun off from President Obama's reelection campaign, is going after some Democrats and competing for fundraising dollars.
Chuck Muncie dies, leaves legacy as NFL star who fought drug abuse

Chuck Muncie dies: A former NFL running back, Chuck Muncie went to jail for selling cocaine. But later, Chuck Muncie helped at-risk kids with his story of drug abuse. "His most impressive work was done in the second chapter of his life," says his former wife.