SAN DIEGO - The U.S. Forest Service is planning a round of hiring in July to fill 363 vacancies in California, all at supervisory levels or above.

SACRAMENTO - Los Angeles Democrat Karen Bass was sworn in today as speaker of the California Assembly, the first black woman to lead either house of the state Legislature.

More than 1,000 California properties went up for sale in foreclosure auctions each weekday in April, a foreclosure data company said today, staking a grim new milepost for the state's beleaguered housing market.

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Sunnyvale's 23rd annual Hands on the Arts festival on Saturday will give children the chance to work with dozens of local professionals in roughly 15-minute workshops focusing on arts such as song, dance, painting, theater and crafts.

Tough-guy Tony Soprano and the frisky females from "Sex and the City" are now available for viewing for non-HBO subscribers through download purchases on Apple's online iTunes store, the companies announced today.

"Passing Strange" has rocked its way from its birth in the Bay Area to seven Tony nominations including best musical.

A major heat wave beginning Wednesday will push temperatures over 100 in E.Bay, S.Bay. Records are likely to fall.

Computer maker says it has struck a deal to buy technology services giant Electronic Data Systems for $13.9 bil.

China Quake Toll Over 12,000

Number of dead and missing soars as rescue workers dig through flattened schools and homes after the devastating temblor.

Controversial report proposes that S.F. eliminate five police districts and close stations in Tenderloin, Bayview.

Roommate finds body of Santa Clara antique dealer who was convicted of bringing a teen boy from Portugal for sex.

Don't give that panhandler your loose change -- feed one of S.F.'s new orange homeless meters instead.