Federal Judge to Hear Arguments on Prop 8 Video

(SAN FRANCISCO) -- A federal judge in San Francisco will hear arguments over whether a video of the controversial Proposition 8 trial should be released to the public on Monday.

The Prop 8 trial was presided over by Judge Vaughn Walker, who was sued for showing part of the video in a University of Arizona lecture.

Many same-sex couples are pushing for the video's release, since the Prop 8 trial was open. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling, however, previously banned the use of the cameras in the trial.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Police Search for Gunman They Say Killed Fort Bragg City Councilman

(FORT BRAGG, Calif.) -- Officials in California are investigating the murder of a Fort Bragg city councilman over the weekend.

Officials say Jere Melo, a former Fort Bragg Mayor from 2000 to 2004 and an employee of Campbell Timber Management, was with a co-worker in the woods of Mendocino County investigating reports of a transient in the area. Cops say they stumbled upon a marijuana operation in the woods, and when they did, a man, identified as Aaron Bassler, shot at the two men, killing Melo. The co-worker survived and contacted police.

Mendocino County Sheriff's Office say Bassler, who is known to police from previous encounters, is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at (707) 463-4086 or (707) 467-9159, or by email to report@mendocinosheriff.com.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Committee Votes to Ban Shark Fins

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- On Thursday, the California Senate Appropriations Committee approved a ban on the sale, distribution and possession of shark fins.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), was opposed by the Chinese-American community which called it discriminatory against their group; shark fin is the main ingredient in a traditional Chinese soup, and is considered a delicacy.

The committee voted 5-2 in favor of the ban; the measure will go before a full state Senate vote within a few weeks.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Brown Proposes New Plan to Increase California Hires

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Governor Jerry Brown proposed a new jobs plan Thursday designed to encourage companies to put more Californians to work.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Democrat's plan is a response to pressure from his own party in regards to the state’s surging unemployment rate -- the second highest in the nation.

Brown’s plan would revise California’s tax code, establishing a tax on companies that employ most of their workers outside California, and creating tax breaks for firms hiring within the state.

Brown did not disclose how many jobs he expected the plan to create.
Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

UPS Buys 100 All-Electric Vehicles for Use in California

(ATLANTA) -- UPS announced Thursday that it has purchased 100 all-electric delivery vehicles for use across California.

In a press release, the shipping company says the move is part of an effort to improve its energy security and reduce emissions from its truck fleet.

"This purchase is an important first step in supporting investment and advancement in electric vehicle technology," UPS director of vehicle engineering Mike Britt said in a statement.

The new vehicles will replace older generation diesel trucks, and in the process save approximately 126,000 gallons of fuel a year that would have been used by the vehicles, officials say.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio