Northern California local news and information from The Sacramento Bee

Schwarzenegger calls for courage in fixing budget crisis

By Steve Wiegand - 10:39 am

Calling for "a year of political courage," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked for nothing in his State of the State address today except a solution to California's deepening budget woes.

New database: Who donated to Obama inauguration, and how much

Bee staff - 10:56 am

President-Elect Obama has released the names of donors to his inaugural committee. Among them are more than 1,000 California residents who gave roughly $8 million to help pay for the inauguration. Two employees of a Sacramento political consulting firm ranked among the top donors, giving $50,000 each. See who contributed and how much.

FPPC targets ballot campaign accounts

By Shane Goldmacher - 12:00 am

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass used hers to fund voter registration efforts to elect more Democrats. Former Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata used his to bolster his legal defense fund. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used his to pay for his political operation for the last two years.

Medical director of Sacramento County jail system arrested on drug charge

By Sam Stanton, Andy Furillo and Chelsea Phua - 12:00 am

The medical director of the Sacramento County jail system was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of writing unauthorized OxyContin prescriptions, possibly for his own use, authorities said.

Sacto 9-1-1 crime blog

No evidence workers leaving U.S.

By Susan Ferriss - 12:00 am

Flor Gutierrez has a bird's eye view of how immigrants – 37 percent of California's labor force – are reacting so far to a punishing recession.

Sunshine no help to ski shops, resorts

By Darrell Smith - 12:00 am

The perfect ski season would include tons of powder snow that fell from sunny skies and never covered the roads. And don't forget the bull market and flourishing economy.

Northern California ski resorts, weather, Web cams

Latest
Most Commented

New database: Who donated to Obama inauguration, and how much - 11:03am
California, six other states sue over Bush rule on health workers - 10:52am
Special Olympics games move to UC Davis - 10:50am
USC QB Sanchez to pass on senior season for NFL - 10:50am
Schwarzenegger calls for courage in fixing budget crisis - 10:38am
Senate approves wilderness expansion in Sierra Nevada mountain range - 10:50am
Mystery illness afflicts brown pelicans, taxing bird rescuers - 9:51am
Corrections officer union joins furlough legal battle - 9:04am
Domestic violence suspect causes Citrus Heights school lockdowns - 8:51am
Placerville council names new mayor, accepts award - 10:01am

Inside the Bee

Kings

Overtime victory is not as easy as 1-2-3

It took three overtime periods and a 20-foot shot by John Salmons to do it, but the Kings beat the Golden State Warriors and walked away with a rare road victory Wednesday night.

BUDGET CRISIS

Our editorial series charts a path to the common good

"Shared sacrifice" looks at the interest groups whose demands have contributed to the deadlock over California's budget crisis. Today: A big union puts (some of) its members first.

Outbound

Whale of a fish: The prized and primeval sturgeon

They can be big, old and mysterious, a river denizen that continues to intrigue people drawn to the creature that roams the Sacramento River and other waters now much as it has for eons.

Inauguration 2009

Special section holds trove of information

Our coverage of Barack Obama's historic swearing in as the nation's 44th president includes news, photos and video.

Live blog by The Bee's Ed Fletcher as he goes to Washington
Twitter: See what they're saying
Local and national news
Interactive graphic: The Obama Cabinet
This weekend: Get news on the inaugural preparations and parties
Sunday: Our special commemorative section appears in the newspaper and online
Tuesday: Live coverage throughout the day