Inland GOP senators key in state budget fight -- P-E

Republican state senators representing much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties have major roles in California's budget standoff now well into its second month.

3 charged in Inland casino heist -- P-E

Prosecutors charged two men and a woman Tuesday in connection with the nearly $1.6 million heist at Soboba Casino near San Jacinto.

Expansion may go to ballot -- The Desert Sun

Gaming expansion that will increase the local economy by hundreds of millions of dollars is at risk of being overturned in a proposed February ballot measure sponsored by a labor group and horse tracks.

Inland man charged in fire-starter crackdown -- P-E

Hoping to send the message that people who start fires -- even accidentally -- will face consequences, federal officials Tuesday announced that eight people and two companies have been charged in connection with several Southland wildfires that burned thousands of acres.

Temecula tries to get freeway ramps project back on track -- P-E and The Californian

The city planned to spend about $80 million on a proposed interchange project to alleviate backups at the Winchester Road/Interstate 15 offramp.

Addresses of Inland disaster aid applicants to be released -- P-E

The addresses of nearly 96,000 Californians who applied for federal disaster aid after devastating wildfires in 2003 and storms in 1998 are about to be made public, the Federal Emergency Management Agency warns.

City official seeks seat on Desert Water Agency board -- The Desert Sun

The city of Palm Springs’ top planning person is running for one of two seats on the local water agency’s board of directors.

Desert Hot Springs to vote on bed tax increase -- The Desert Sun

Desert Hot Springs residents will vote in November on increasing the city's transient occupancy tax by 2 percent.

Rift revealed at City Council session -- The Desert Sun

La Quinta City Council session to approve community grants got personal on Tuesday, when Mayor Don Adolph revealed a rift between himself and the La Quinta PlayHouse, a grant candidate.

Banning city manager announces retirement -- P-E

Randy Anstine, Banning's city manager, will retire after four years with the city but has agreed to stay on while the city searches for a replacement.

Interim city manager officials gets three-month extension [Murrieta] -- The Californian

Ron Bradley will continue as interim city manager through Oct. 31, the City Council decided Tuesday.

List of candidates running for Palm Springs City Council grows -- The Desert Sun

A ninth person filed Tuesday to run for Palm Springs City Council, joining a the recent filings of an artist and retired banker.

Opinion: Carpool wisdom -- P-E

Overcoming freeway gridlock entails using existing lanes more efficiently.  So rather than obstructing state and local road planners' efforts to ease congestion, the Federal Highway Administration would do well to cooperate with local stakeholders on breaking the logjams.