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Wildfire season: 7 ways you can help save lives and property

Homeowners living within a mile of forests or any fire-prone landscape – public or private, rural or urban – can take simple preventive steps to limit damage from wildfires. Here are seven ways to help your community become "fire adapted" and contain rising fire-control costs.

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Heat wave spreads across US. When will it end?

The largest heat wave of the summer has spiked dangerously high temperatures across large swaths of the country for days. Relief from the heat wave is within sight, but cooler weather can't come soon enough.
Stir It Up! Creamy homemade yogurt

Itching for a summer project? Try making your own yogurt! With milk, active cultures, and a little bit of time you'll have the creamiest, smoothest yogurt you've ever tasted.
Giant claw marks on Mars dunes? Blocks of dry ice to blame, study says.

Experiments with dry ice in Utah supported the theory that the narrow gullies spotted on some Martian dunes were caused by the annual spring thaw of chunks of frozen carbon dioxide.
California nuclear plant to shut: a case of unforgiving nuclear economics

Southern California Edison is shutting the remaining two reactors at San Onofre, citing high repair costs and an NRC ruling that the utility says would delay reactor restarts.
FBI raid on California lawmaker's and Latino caucus offices

FBI raid in Sacramento: The FBI searched the offices of California state senator Ron Calderon, a Democrat. FBI agents also searched the the office of the Latino Legislative Caucus. No reason was given.
Decoder Wire How much did IRS spend filming 'Star Trek' spoof? (+video)

An IRS conference in 2010, for which the agency produced a spoof 'Star Trek' video, has become the latest flashpoint in the debate over government waste. The video was only one questionable expense.
Wildfire season: 7 ways you can help save lives and property

Homeowners living within a mile of forests or any fire-prone landscape – public or private, rural or urban – can take simple preventive steps to limit damage from wildfires. Here are seven ways to help your community become "fire adapted" and contain rising fire-control costs.
In Gear Tesla Motors teases battery swapping for Model S electric car

Tesla Motors has discussed battery swapping as part of the Model S electric car design at least since 2009, Fisher writes. Last week, Tesla Motors the company was planning to introduce features that allow for the rapid replacement of depleted battery packs.
New report reveals stunning disparities in health-care costs

A joint replacement at one Los Angeles hospital costs $297,000; at another, 12 miles away, it's $84,000 – a gap that health-care experts say could help consumers, armed with such information, play a role in driving costs down.
USA Update Wildfire on California coast: On Day 2, more Santa Ana winds (+video)

Fire officials expect a southern California wildfire to spread Friday, fueled by continuing Santa Ana winds. They are resuming overflights to drop flame retardant, but urge area residents to be prepared to evacuate.
Slayer guitarist dies: Jeff Hanneman co-founded Slayer

Jeff Hanneman, guitarist and founder of Slayer, one of the 'Big Four' thrash metal bands of the 1980s, was reported dead by the Slayer website.
USA Update Summit Fire in California 40 percent contained, but forecast causes concern (+video)

The so-called Summit Fire is one of at least 680 wildfires that state firefighters have responded to this year in California – 200 more than the average for the period. Conditions are dry, warm, and windy.
Wind fuels raging wildfire in California

A fierce fire moved close to subdivisions east of Los Angeles on Wednesday. People on two streets were evacuated. Hundreds of firefighters worked to contain the blaze, as well as six helicopters and six air tankers.
Plane crashes near L.A. after mid-air collision (+video)

Plane crashes near L.A. after two planes collided mid-air Monday. One small plane landed on a golf course, and all three passengers are safe. The other small plane crashed, with one fatality.
George Jones funeral at Grand Ole Opry (+video)

George Jones: The country music star, George Jones, will be honored with a funeral at the Grand Ole Opry on Thursday.
Lawmakers cancel FAA furloughs, flee Washington – by air

Air travelers breathed a sigh of relief after Congress passed quick legislation allowing the FAA to cancel furloughs for air traffic controllers. But that's just increased partisan sniping over the sequester and its across-the-board budget cuts.
George Jones dies: Country music legend sang about life he lived

George Jones dies: The Texas native recorded over 150 albums. By the time George Jones died Friday, his career had spanned eight decades.
USA Update Home prices up 12 percent as investors bet on real estate

The US housing market, long the sluggard in the recovery, builds on its rebound, with prices of existing homes up 12 percent last month from a year ago. In a twist, many buyers aren't individuals but rather corporate investors.
L.A. bomb threats: Two threats, two very different responses

Bomb threats made against Cal State L.A. and 'Cal State Berkeley' (presumably UC-Berkeley) prompted the L.A. campus to evacuate while Berkeley conducted quiet searches.
Teen hikers lost on California trail recovering in hospital

A young man and woman were rescued this week after losing their way on a winding mountain trail near Orange County. They had been separated sometime Sunday night; both were found less than a mile from their car.
Second hiker found, clinging to canyon wall

An Easter Sunday day hike on turned into a five-day search through thickly forested canyons for two lost hikers. One was rescued last night, while the second hiker was found today.
Stir It Up! Meyer lemon ice box pie for Pi Day

March 14 (3.14) is Pi Day. Since baking and math go hand in hand, why not celebrate Pi Day with this Southern Meyer lemon pie? Chilled and bright with a tangy citrus flavor, each piece is like a slice of summer.
In Gear Tesla Motors delays release of Model X electric crossover

Tesla Motors is delaying the Model X electric crossover launch to the end of next year rather than late 2013 as it had said when the Model X electric crossover was first shown, Voelcker writes.
Modern Parenthood 12-year-old admits ‘swatting’ Kutcher, Bieber. Parents, Google your kid

12-year-old admits ‘swatting' Ashton Kutcher and Justin Bieber: The new Internet generation prank leads a mom to talk to an Internet forensic detective for advice in avoiding this with her own kids. His advice? Google your kid regularly.
4.7 California earthquake rattles but no fatalities (+video)

4.7 California earthquake: The epicenter of the 4.7 magnitude earthquake is in southern California, near Anza.