Panel Argues Against Bond Sale for High-Speed Rail Project

(LOS ANGELES) -- A panel reviewing California's proposed high-speed rail project recommended that the legislature should not authorize a new budget plan, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group says the government should not allow $6 billion in bonds to go towards the proposed $98.5 billion project.

Gov. Jerry Brown reportedly intends to ask the state legislature to sell bonds to start construction on the project.

The rail line would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Woman Struck and Killed by Train in Menlo Park

(MENLO PARK, Calif.) -- A woman is dead after being struck by a train in Menlo Park on Sunday night.

The incident reportedly happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. at Encinal Avenue. Officials say the victim was struck and killed by a southbound train, which was traveling from San Francisco to San Jose.

No injuries were reported among the train's passengers and crew.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

California Moves to Eradicate Slavery from Supply Chains

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- In an effort to guard against human trafficking and slavery, California's new anti-slavery law goes into effect on Jan.1.

Under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, about 3,200 retailers are required to report on their efforts to eliminate forced labor or human trafficking from their supply chains.

Retailers who have annual gross sales of more than $100 million have to provide the information and verify that their suppliers are not engaging in any form of forced labor.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Federal Judge Blocks California Clean Fuel Regulation

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- A federal judge on Thursday blocked an attempt by California regulators to promote clean methods of producing gasoline, diesel fuel and biofuels, according to The New York Times.

Judge Lawrence O'Neill at the federal district court in Fresno said the regulation is not within the state's jurisdiction.

The ruling is expected to curtail the state's efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

California Soldier Among 3 Killed by Bomb in Afghanistan

(WASHINGTON) -- A California soldier serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan was among three soldiers killed on Tuesday.

The Department of Defense announced Wednesday, that Sgt. Noah M. Korte, 29, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Spc. Kurt W. Kern, 24, of McAllen, Texas, and Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire, 20, of Easley, S.C. all died in Parkia, Afghanistan from injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.

All three were assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Hiker and Dog Rescued from Cliff

(LAKEVIEW TERRACE, Calif.) -- Emergency crews rescued a hiker and his dog on the side of a cliff on Thursday.

Officials say firefighters reached the two who were walking near Van Nuys Boulevard when they fell more than 100 feet down the side of a hill.

Both the hiker and the dog are unharmed. Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department were at the scene.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Supreme Court Allows Legislators to Seize Redevelopment Funds

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that state lawmakers had the right to claim $1.7 billion in redevelopment money for use in the state's ongoing budget crisis.

The court ruled that the government was allowed to take redevelopment funding, in spite of the implication that it will effectively destroy the hundreds of local redevelopment agencies.

The court found that there is nothing in Proposition 22 that would keep legislators from seizing the redevelopment funds.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Audit Finds Signs of Fiscal Abuse in California City's Operations

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- California State Controller John Chiang says that a review done on the City of Montebello has turned up signs of fiscal abuse in the city's operations.

"Lax spending controls and poor bookkeeping contributed greatly to Montebello’s recent fiscal distress," Chiang said in a statement. "While the roots of Montebello’s problems are different from Bell’s, they both share the common trouble of having little or, at times, no accountability in their spending of public dollars."

Chiang said the review has found signs of possible pension spiking, payroll errors, a loose petty cash drawer, and systemic problems in the way the city internally controls its finances.

A release from the controller's office states that the city's "practices were not adequate to protect taxpayer dollars in the control areas of financial integrity and ethics, commitment and competence, and management and operations."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

California State Lottery to Consider Selling Tickets Online

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – Thanks to a new look at an old law the California State Lottery could soon begin selling tickets over the Internet, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

State officials say they are considering the change following a Justice Department ruling that clarified a 40-year-old law. Under the Federal Wire Act, the Justice Department determined the law only applies to sports betting and that states are permitted to sell lottery tickets over the Internet.

The ruling also left open the possibility that states could offer poker and other types of online gambling, the Times reported.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Gov. Brown: Education the Largest Item in Future Spending Plan

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Gov. Jerry Brown announced on Tuesday that the upcoming budget will increase education funding, provided voters pass his tax hike initiative.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Brown’s 2012-13 spending plan will be released in January and that education is currently the largest item in the state’s budget.

If the measure to increase taxes fails to be passed, more drastic cuts will be necessary, Brown said Tuesday at an hourlong Capitol news conference.

California currently faces a $13 billion budget deficit.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio