Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

California Republicans Soul Searching In Anaheim (OCR)
State party convention this weekend will feature many hard questions about party's future.

Poll Gap Doesn't Dim GOP Hopes (LAT)
State Republicans convene today in Anaheim with Obama leading McCain by 50% to 40%.

UCI Doctors Faked Surgical Records, Report Says (OCR)
Medicare inspectors note 'serious deficiencies.'

UCI Medical Center Put Under State Supervision (LAT)
U.S. inspectors fault the anesthesiology department, including records filled out in advance, suggesting outcomes before procedures were done. UCI official says most problems have been fixed.

OC Sheriff's Worker Accused Of Soliciting Assault On Jail Inmate (OCR)
The civilian employee, who allegedly has ties to a white supremacist gang, also is suspected of leaking confidential police records.

Bus Fares Could Be Going Up (OCR)
Fares are not contributing enough for the transit agency's budget.

OC Fair Expands By Two Days (OCR and DP)
The OC Fair will go from 21 to 23 days and be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in 2009.

Chris Norby's Childhood Home Declared Landmark (OCR)Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby also used to live in the 1919 Craftsman house.

Dillow's Iraq: Fybots Of Al Asad Are OC's Homeboys (OCR)
Gordon flies with Marines in V-22 Osprey.

Beach Monitoring Program Loses State Funding (OCR)
But county officials say it's unclear what affect that will have on water safety.

UCI Law School Dean Recalls Hiring Controversy (LAT)
Erwin Chemerinsky says the episode, in which he was hired, fired and rehired, was the most difficult of his life. But it feels like ancient history now, he says.

State Schools Chief Touts Exit Exam Success Of Santa Ana Unified (OCR)
State Superintendent Jack O'Connell credited the school district for improvements on the test during a visit to the district.