Latest California News

NBA free agency opens Thursday, starting deal-making season
Let the talking begin. The trading, too, and eventually the signing. Free agency officially opens Thursday in the NBA, with teams able to begin negotiating at 6 p.m. Eastern with players who are not under contract — although, in reality, free agency and the slew of offseason...

Sierra Nevada wildfire threatens small rural communities
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — A Sierra Nevada wildfire destroyed four structures and was a threat to more than 500 homes and other buildings, California authorities said Wednesday. The Rices Fire grew to 900 acres (364 hectares) along the Yuba River in Nevada County, California...

Judge, Stanton homer to bail out Taillon, Yanks top A's 5-3
NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton has seen trailing teams lose their fight a few times in his 13 big league seasons. Just not with these New York Yankees. “We find a way to figure it out every night,” Stanton said. “We're just like, pushing the envelope, boom-boom-boom, until...
Lakers pick up options on Stanley Johnson, Wenyen Gabriel
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers exercised their team options for next season Wednesday on Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel. Johnson started 27 of his 48 games last season for the Lakers, who signed the Orange County native as a free agent on Christmas Eve....

LA Kings get Kevin Fiala in trade with Minnesota Wild
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Kings have acquired high-scoring forward Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for their first-round pick in the upcoming draft and prospect Brock Faber. The Kings confirmed the deal Wednesday for the restricted free agent. They are...

6 months' home confinement for ex-USC coach in college scam
BOSTON (AP) — A former University of Southern California soccer coach who took bribes in exchange for helping unqualified kids into the school was sentenced Wednesday to six months in home confinement after cooperating with authorities investigating the college admissions scandal. ...

UFC star charged in shooting sues man over alleged molesting
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Cain Velasquez, the former UFC heavyweight champion accused of trying to kill the man he claims molested his 4-year-old son, is suing the man and his family who own a day care where the alleged molestation occurred. Velasquez was arrested in San Jose,...

California lawmakers to vote on $307.9 billion spending plan
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Wednesday were taking up a $308 billion state budget that will fund a Democratic wish-list of public spending on everything from expanded healthcare for immigrants and low-income residents to giving taxpayers an inflation refund and helping more...

Review: In 'Rise of Gru,' Minion mayhem reigns
For a not small segment of the audience for “Minions: Rise of Gru,” only one thing really needs to be said. The Minions are in it. That's enough. Now five films and 12 years into the “Despicable Me” series, the appeal of the bug-eyed, overalls-wearing, banana-yellow henchmen...

New NHTSA chief: Agency to scrutinize auto-driver technology
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new head of the government's road safety agency says it will intensify efforts to understand the risks posed by automated vehicle technology so it can decide what regulations may be necessary to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians. In an interview...
