A decision by a federal appeals court could force statewide changes to California's concealed weapons law.
Dan Whitcomb writes for Reuters: "A three-member panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, acting on a 2009 lawsuit, ruled in a 2-1 decision that San Diego County's restrictions amounted to an unconstitutional infringement on citizens' Second Amendment rights to bear arms."
"Coupled with a California state law that largely bans the open carrying of firearms in public, San Diego County's "good cause" rules on concealed weapons effectively bar residents from carrying a gun altogether, the panel said."
President Barack Obama will be in Fresno today announcing federal drought relief assisstance.
From the Mercury News's Jessica Calefati: Obama will unveil a $183 million aid package that includes money for ranchers in California who have lost livestock, communities that are running out of water and farmers that need help conserving scarce water resources.
Gov. Jerry Brown is getting some drought assistance from Lady Gaga.
Anthony York reports for the L.A. Times: "The singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, will donate $250,000 to the Hearst Castle Foundation, part of which will be used to repair the pool, in addition to the standard $22,000 fee for filming at the estate. She is also paying $25,000 for a water supply study in Cambria, according to a statement from the foundation."
"As part of the deal, Gaga also filmed a public service announcement promoting water conservation, and she spread the message to her 41 million Twitter followers and elsewhere on social media."
California's drought has become politcal game for Republican candidates looking to challenge incumbent Brown this year.
Seema Mehta and Anthony York in the L.A. Times: The odds of keeping Brown from an unprecedented fourth and final term are widely considered daunting, but Brown's opponents could benefit if the drought worsens and voters must grapple with water rationing, higher food prices and other tangible effects.
Shots fired by Asm. Tim Donnelly while on the campaign trail this week seem to be in violation of his 2012 probation agreement.
From the L.A. Times' Chris Megerian: "The terms of his plea deal say Donnelly cannot “personally use, own or possess any firearm that is not registered to him,” according to court records."
"However, Donnelly used two borrowed handguns and a rifle while practicing shooting on a campaign stop in Santa Cruz County last Thursday."
In her investigation of radioactive gas leaks at San Onofre, Sen. Barbara Boxer continues her fight for documents from the agency responsible for ensuring safety at the plant.
Kitty Fields reports for 89.3 KPCC: "In a biting letter send Tuesday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Boxer accuses the NRC of unilaterally instituting a “controversial” and “obstructive” new policy that justifies withholding information from Congress. Boxer is examining a mountain of documents related to San Onofre, which has ceased operation because of safety issues."
California's Public Utilities Commission will consider nixing the use of fossil fuels at San Onofre.
L.A. Times' Marc Lifsher reports: "Much if not all of the electric power once provided by the San Onofre nuclear power plant could be replaced with energy from non-fossil-fuel sources, says a proposed decision pending at the California Public Utilities Commission."
"The procurement plan written by an administrative law judge is expected to be debated and possibly voted upon next month by the five-member commission."
In her run for a State Senate seat, former Assembly member Mary Hayashi's campaign has a big challenge.
From Mercury News' Josh Richman: "But that team will have to find a way to convince voters it’s no big deal that Hayashi, 47, of Hayward, was convicted two years ago of shoplifting $2,450 worth of clothes from San Francisco’s Neiman Marcus. That certainly seemed to be an uphill battle when the three-term Democratic assemblywoman ran for an Alameda County supervisorial seat later in 2012, and finished third out of four."
A state senator is proposing warning labels for some sugary beverages.
Patrick McGreevy reports in the L.A. Times: "Citing studies linking soda to obesity, a state lawmaker and medical experts proposed a first-in-the-nation bill Thursday that sugary drinks sold in California carry health warning labels similar to those on cigarette packs."
"They want warning labels on the fronts of all cans and bottles of soda and juice drinks that have sugar added and 75 or more calories per 12 ounces."
Break out the skiis and snowboards this weekend, the slopes are now open.
Randi Rossmann reports in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat: "Last weekend’s storm brought much-needed snow to Lake Tahoe ski resorts, just in time for the three-day President’s Day weekend."
"Many ski runs, kept closed because of a lack of snow coverage, will open for the first time this winter. And roads are clear as thousands wax their boards and skis, ready to hit the slopes."
And finally, you may want to think twice before discounting the value of a penny, it could be worth a fortune.
Reuters [VIDEO]: "Randy Lawrence never thought a penny he kept in the trunk of his car could be worth millions. This California man inherited the coin 30 years ago from his father who worked at the Denver Mint."