California GOP extends terms on $3 million debt -- Averting a potential crisis for the California Republican Party, a wealthy businessman agreed Friday to erase a $3 million party debt if leaders come up with a plan by mid-March to reverse sinking registration numbers and boost fundraising. MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP -- 2/22/08

Nader to Discuss Election Plans -- Ralph Nader could be poised for another third party presidential campaign. The consumer advocate will appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday to announce whether he will launch another White House bid. Nader kicked off his 2004 presidential run on the show. A spokesman for Nader did not return phone calls seeking comment. SAM HANANEL AP -- 2/22/08

Health Net ordered to pay $9 million after canceling cancer patient's policy -- The punitive damage award is the first of its kind and has prompted the giant medical insurer to scrap practices that have recently come under fire. Lisa Girionin the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Schwarzenegger no conventional Republican -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state's top Republican, has always been a maverick willing to stake take out centrist positions on health care, gay rights and environmental protection. This weekend he will literally become an uncoventional Republican. He's not scheduled to show up at the semi-annual California Republican Party Convention that begins this afternoon in San Francisco. Instead, Schwarzenegger will attend the bipartisan National Governors' Association meeting in Washington D.C. Bill Ainsworth San Diego Union-Trib weblog -- 2/22/08

Clinton faces claims of borrowed language -- Hillary Clinton – whose campaign has spent the past several days pointing to instances of borrowed language in the speeches of rival Barack Obama – is being accused of lifting words from one very familiar politician: her own husband, former President Bill Clinton. Rebecca Sinderbrand CNN -- 2/22/08

AP survey: Superdelegates jump to Obama -- The Democratic superdelegates are starting to follow the voters — straight to Barack Obama. STEPHEN OHLEMACHER AP -- 2/22/08

A Hole in McCain’s Defense? -- A sworn deposition that Sen. John McCain gave in a lawsuit more than five years ago appears to contradict one part of a sweeping denial that his campaign issued this week to rebut a New York Times story about his ties to a Washington lobbyist.
Michael Isikoff Newsweek -- 2/22/08

McCain Defends Lobbyist Ties -- Sen. John McCain said Friday that while lobbyists serve as close advisers to his presidential campaign, they are honorable and he is not influenced by corruption in the system. LIBBY QUAID AP -- 2/22/08

The Anti-Lobbyist, Advised by Lobbyists -- For years, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has railed against lobbyists and the influence of "special interests" in Washington, touting on his campaign Web site his fight against "the 'revolving door' by which lawmakers and other influential officials leave their posts and become lobbyists for the special interests they have aided." Michael D. Shear and Jeffrey H. Birnbaumin the Washington Post -- 2/22/08

Soros gives big to drug rehab measure -- Liberal billionaire George Soros is wading back into California’s drug and rehabilitation laws, donating $1 million to a proposed ballot measure that would relax penalties for nonviolent drug offenses. Shane Goldmacher SacBee Capitol Alert -- 2/22/08

Democrats’ Health Care Plans Have Differences -- The 23-year-old Atlanta waitress, who rents a room and rarely eats out, said she probably could afford a high-deductible policy if she gave up her gym membership and spent less on her amateur photography. But she chooses instead to gamble against the odds of confronting a bankrupting catastrophe. KEVIN SACKin the New York Times -- 2/22/08

Major donor pushing GOP toward center -- The California Republican Party once again faces an identity crisis heading into its annual spring convention, and this time a major donor is calling on the party to become more inclusive. Businessman Lawrence K. Dodge delayed writing a check to help the party pay off $3 million in debt and wrote a scathing analysis of the party in a private letter, raising concerns similar to those cited by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger when he said Republicans were "dying at the box office" last year. Kevin Yamamurain the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

Walters: Both sides harbor tax loopholes -- Four years ago, a snarky journalist – the one who writes this column, in fact – let the cat out of the bag about a tax loophole that benefited only the affluent and appeared to be especially egregious in light of the state's chronic budget problems. Dan Waltersin the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

His idea? Welfare drug tests -- Teen with disease linked to mom's drug use while she was on assistance proposes new law. Aurelio Rojasin the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

Feinstein, governor push for water bond -- Dams still a deal breaker, but legislative leaders from both parties agree to meet again in two weeks. E.J. Schultzin the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

Vallejo's finances on the brink -- Few residents would say this Solano County city has too many police officers patrolling neighborhoods, or too many firefighters standing by for calls. Bobby Caina Calvanin the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

Mayor to run again in L.A. -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa informed a national television audience this week that he intended to seek a second term in the city's top post while giving some of his most personal remarks to date about the political fallout from his extramarital affair. Duke Helfand in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Election Drama -- Here we are on the eve of the Academy Awards. Just as the Hollywood writers' strike made the run-up to that show a real nail-biter, the road to the presidency has provided some genuine drama -- along with a little bit of comedy. Sherry Bebitch Jeffe Political Perspectives -- 2/22/08

Jessica's Law may increase crime risks -- State officials say danger of sex offenders may rise as legal provisions lead to more homelessness. Michael Rothfeld in the Los Angeles Times Bill Ainsworth in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/22/08

Gang mayhem cripples big area -- Thousands stranded, schools locked down as notorious group battles the LAPD after a drive-by killing. Richard Winton, Susannah Rosenblatt and Andrew Blankstein in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Hollywood trade paper Variety put on auction block -- Parent company Reed Elsevier announces plans to sell its publishing unit, Reed Business Information, which oversees the publication. Alana Semuels in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

10 teams in Google's $30 million race to moon -- Now 10 teams of scientists and dreamers from around the world, including one that thanked Jesus Christ for inspiration, have joined a $30 million-plus race to the moon co-sponsored by Google. Google said in September that it would pay $20 million to the first private team to land a robotic rover on the moon by the year 2014 and transmit data to Earth. It promised $5 million for second place and another $5 million in bonuses. Tom Abatein the San Francisco Chronicle Julie Sevrens Lyons in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/22/08

Microsoft opening key parts of its software -- Microsoft will open key parts of its software to developers, partners and customers, the company said Thursday, vowing to make its products work better with other software, openly document how the popular software works and lower the cost of patents. Deborah Gagein the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Tough economic times gnawing at high-end restaurants -- As home foreclosures rise and the stock market falls, many San Diegans are feeling the pinch. Let them eat $14.95 Kobe beef dinners. Peter Rowe in the San Diego Union-Trib -- 2/22/08

McCain story proves incendiary among journalists, conservatives -- Debate rages over the fairness of and the motivation behind a New York Times article on the senator's ties to a lobbyist. James Rainey in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

FEC Warns McCain on Campaign Spending -- Senator could become financially hamstrung by the very fundraising system he helped create. Matthew Mosk and Glenn Kessler in the Washington Post -- 2/22/08

Obama deflects Clinton's jabs -- He seeks to demonstrate that he also can be a candidate of substance in the largely civil Texas debate. Peter Wallsten in the Los Angeles Times Carolyn Lochheadin the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Clinton, Obama spend differently -- She pays bigger bucks for aides and high-end catering, whereas he shells out more for media and polling, reports show. Dan Morain in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Spending by Clinton Campaign Worries Supporters -- Nearly $100,000 went for party platters and groceries before the Iowa caucuses, even though the partying mood evaporated quickly. Rooms at the Bellagio luxury hotel in Las Vegas consumed more than $25,000; the Four Seasons, another $5,000. And top consultants collected about $5 million in January, a month of crucial expenses and tough fund-raising. MICHAEL LUO, JO BECKER and PATRICK HEALY in the New York Times -- 2/22/08

Obama Lawyer: Pro-Clinton Group Violating Law -- Sen. Barack Obama's lawyer argued today that American Leadership Project, a 527 group producing pro-Clinton issue ads, is breaking the law and warned that those involved with the group could face criminal as well as civil liability. TEDDY DAVIS and SUNLEN MILLER ABCNews -- 2/22/08

Official urges new rules for cutting California's dropout rates -- The incoming state Senate chief seeks to raise high schools' goal for graduation rates and better track how many students give up on education. Patrick McGreevy and Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Gun scare defused at Cal State Dominguez Hills -- Campus placed on lockdown because of reports of a man carrying a rifle. It turns out to be an ROTC student with a nonfunctioning training weapon. Susannah Rosenblatt and Andrew Blankstein in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Meat is a mystery to schools -- The massive recall of beef from a Chino slaughterhouse alarms districts that use the federal lunch program. Victoria Kim and Janet Wilson in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Oprah Winfrey to speak at Stanford graduation -- A good commencement speech fills graduates with advice and inspiration, buoying them before they enter the so-called real world: Engage life. Don't settle. Wear sunscreen. Kim Vo in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/22/08

Nurse shortage bridges conflict over doctorates -- The severe nursing shortage appears to have bridged a philosophical gap between the state universities over California State University's attempts to offer doctorates. A state Senate bill introduced this week would allow the CSU system to begin doctoral nursing programs. Until similar legislation approved CSU education doctorates in 2005, the highest-level degrees had been reserved for the University of California system. Matt Krupnick in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/22/08

Top U.S. court backs San Francisco health care -- The U.S. Supreme Court allowed San Francisco on Thursday to continue requiring employers to pay part of the cost of providing health care to uninsured residents while a group of restaurant owners tries to overturn the program. Bob Egelkoin the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Governor asked to make good on fighting obesity -- The state's leading advocates for dealing with heart disease and cancer joined Democratic lawmakers Thursday to challenge fitness champion Arnold Schwarzenegger to put his signature where his good intentions are in fighting obesity. Timm Herdt in the Ventura Star -- 2/22/08

L.A. says Health Net illegally halts insurance -- Los Angeles' city attorney has sued Health Net Inc. - one of California's largest insurers - accusing the company of unlawful and deceptive business practices for canceling coverage after patients make medical claims. Victoria Colliver
in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Bill would protect pot users' jobs -- AB 2279, introduced Wednesday, would prohibit employment discrimination against those who use marijuana as medicine in compliance with state law away from the workplace. It would leave intact already existing provisions barring consumption in the workplace, and would protect employers from liability by carving out an exception for safety-sensitive jobs. Josh Richman in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/22/08

Crackdown might come on unregulated hallucinogen -- California kids legally can tune in, turn on and freak out these days with a potent, mind-altering drug that is readily available but targeted for a crackdown by police and lawmakers. Jim Sanders in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/22/08

New toll considered for Golden Gate Bridge -- Tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge would rise and fall depending on the amount of traffic congestion, under a proposal likely to be considered next month by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. Michael Cabanatuan
in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Long-haul intercity trains can hardly meet demand -- While most of their co-workers were still snug in their beds, about 60 of the Bay Area's hardiest commuters milled about the platform at Sacramento's Amtrak station, waiting to board the Capitol Corridor's first train of the day. After a few minutes, the doors opened on Train 521, and the bleary-eyed travelers climbed aboard. With a departure time of 4:30 a.m., it's known as the Oh-My-God Train. Erik N. Nelson in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/22/08

State vehicles' fuel use at issue -- A California lawmaker is expected to introduce a bill today that would require better fuel efficiency and lower emissions from mid-size and heavy-duty vehicles driven by state employees. Kimberly Kindy in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/22/08

Judge stalls plan for Home Depot in Long Beach -- The environmental report for the project, located near a coastal wetlands, is tossed out. Deborah Schoch in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Antelope Valley to see reduced water supply for a week -- Beginning Sunday, about 45,000 residents in the Antelope Valley will have limited water supply for a week because of system upgrades, officials at Los Angeles County's Waterworks Districts said Thursday. Ann M. Simmons in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Southland rents rise despite falling home prices -- With fewer people buying houses and with foreclosures increasing, demand is up for apartments. Andrea Chang in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Panel looks for ways to improve L.A. taxi system -- Commissioners discuss ways to make catching cabs easier and ask for a detailed report on improving the system. Daniela Perdomo in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Dolphin dies near sonar site -- Researchers say it's too early to tell if exposure to Navy exercises caused its death. Kenneth R. Weiss in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Name change touches a beach community's soul -- El Porto was once a secluded, orphaned and sometimes lawless whisper of L.A. County beachfront. Today, it's part of Manhattan Beach, one of the most expensive cities in California. Scott Gold in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Jumbo loan rates still in the air -- A trade group plan could mean the mortgage rates might stay higher than borrowers expect. Kathy M. Kristof in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Sacramento-area houses get more affordable -- Falling sales prices between last summer and the end of 2007 triggered a nice jump in affordability in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, according to an index compiled this week by the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo & Co. Jim Wassermanin the Sacramento Bee -- 2/22/08

Gray wolves to lose endangered status -- Federal officials act after a 20-year effort to reestablish populations in the northern Rockies. Critics call the decision shortsighted. Tami Abdollah in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

San Francisco parks take budget hit -- The cost of San Francisco's ballooning budget deficit became clearer at City Hall Thursday, as the body that oversees city parks approved spending cuts that would eliminate open positions for hiring 20 gardeners, along with those to have been filled by other maintenance and administrative workers. Wyatt Buchananin the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/22/08

Trucks to trains: Port's switch raises concerns -- The Port of Oakland must show it won't worsen diesel air pollution before getting up to $445 million in state bond money for railroad and trucking improvements to move more freight, East Bay residents and environmentalists told transportation officials Thursday. Denis Cuff in the Oakland Tribune -- 2/22/08

Judge approves restraining order against animal rights activists -- Five people and three groups are told to stay 50 feet away from UCLA researchers' homes during the day, 150 feet at night. Tiffany Hsu in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

6 charged in immigrant smuggling scheme -- Father-and-son owners of Oxnard auto body shops charged $3,000 to transport people from Mexico to California, according to federal prosecutors. Paloma Esquivel in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/22/08

Bill would outlaw coercion of domestic violence victims -- Katina Britt of San Mateo was beaten unconscious by an ex-boyfriend and had struggled for years to forget. Then, after he was finally caught and arrested, a judge ordered her to describe her nightmare on the witness stand - or go to jail. She refused and was ordered to jail for contempt of court. She was spared only after an appeals court overturned the order. Steve Geissinger in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/22/08