Calif. Lawmakers Move Toward Offering Students Cheaper Textbooks

(LOS ANGELES) -- Lawmakers in California approved two measures Wednesday that would make textbooks more affordable for the state’s college students.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Senate approved a bill that would create an Internet website that posts textbooks online. It would offer students the ability to read textbooks for 50 of the most popular classes for free online, as well as printed copies for $20 each.

The second bill would create a California Open Source Digital Library that would be home to the textbooks.

Textbooks reportedly cost an average of $1,000 a year for students at California State University, University of California and at California community colleges.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

California High Speed Rail Authority Hires New CEO

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- The California High Speed Rail Authority has hired a new CEO, ABC affiliate KABC reports.

Jeff Morales, former director of the California Department of Transportation, has filled the CEO position that has been vacant since January. Board officials said Morales has extensive experience in large and complex transportation issues. He replaces Roelof van Ark.

The board also said that an independent review group found its plan to connect San Francisco with Los Angeles by building upon regional transit systems to be greatly improved, and could save the project $30 million.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

California Soldier Killed in Vehicle IED Attack in Afghanistan

(WASHINGTON) -- A California soldier has been killed in an attack by enemy forces in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced on Tuesday.

Officials said 23-year-old Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, of Wilmington, Calif. was killed on Sunday in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, when the vehicle he was traveling in, was attacked by enemy forces with an improvised explosive device.

Tautolo was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colo.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Radioactive Tuna Discovered in California Waters

(SAN DIEGO, Calif.) -- Scientists have discovered radioactive blue fin tuna fish migrating from Japan to California waters.

The tuna were contaminated last year after reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant exploded and leaked radiation into the sea following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that crippled the region.  However, the levels of radiation found in the fish are far below the level that would present a risk to humans.

The first contaminated fish were caught off of the coast of San Diego last summer.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

California Family Rescued 15 Hours After Plane Crashes

(MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho) -- A California family of three awaited rescue for 15 hours after its small Cessna crashed into trees in the snowy mountains of Idaho over the Memorial Day weekend.

The plane was piloted by Brian Brown, a firefighter, who was flying with his wife, Jayann Brown, and adult daughter from their home in Wilton, Calif., to Mountain Home, Idaho, when the plane went down around 9 p.m. Saturday. One of the family members got a signal on a cellphone early Sunday morning and called for help, saying that they had all survived, but had suffered head and back injuries.

The Idaho National Guard dispatched a medical helicopter to locate the downed plane, but heavy snow and white-out conditions prevented the medical chopper from making a rescue, according to Col. Tim Marsano of the National Guard. Rescuers on foot hiked through 6-foot snowdrifts to reach the crash site, and then started a fire and wrapped the family in blankets while awaiting an airlift, he said.

The three survivors were finally flown by helicopter to a medical center one at a time between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, more than 15 hours after their plane had gone down. They were all treated and listed in stable condition.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio