Merv Griffin hospitalized -- P-E

Entertainment icon and longtime La Quinta resident Merv Griffin remains in the hospital after suffering a recurrence of the prostate cancer.

Benoit gives warning about child care licensing scam -- The Desert Sun

Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, released a statement Thursday expressing concern about a child care licensing scam in Southern California.

Climate change bill takes aim at cars -- The Californian

Local officials are resisting Sacramento's latest initiative in its expanding battle against climate change.

Judicial strike force targets oldest cases -- P-E

A 12-member judicial strike force arrives Monday to start chipping away at the backlog of Riverside County criminal cases, which exceeds 1,200 in the western end of the county alone.

Caltrans says state bridges are safe -- P-E

The 12,600 state-maintained bridges in California are safe, Caltrans officials said Thursday, but cities and counties have a long list of deteriorating bridges.

Soboba band might invest in sale of Valley Health assets -- P-E

Representatives of the Inland tribe, whose reservation is east of Hemet, have discussed a possible investment of $100 million or more in the sale of the hospitals, said Matthew Cutler, president and CEO of Select HealthCare Solutions.

Sen. Boxer plans briefing on train, truck exhaust -- P-E

Sen. Barbara Boxer will hold a congressional field briefing in the Inland region this fall to address emissions from trains and trucks, a chief contributor to the region's poor air quality, her office said Thursday. 

Construction worker pulled from trench after four hours -- P-E

A construction worker was hospitalized after being trapped beneath a concrete barrier in a 17-foot-deep trench for four hours Thursday.

City to seek single college suitor -- The Californian

After a plan for developing an elaborate education center fell through, city officials now are ready to talk directly with major universities with the goal of bringing a bonafide college to Temecula, two city councilmen revealed Thursday.

One drops out of Palm Springs City Council race -- The Desert Sun

Richard Rooks will not run for Palm Springs City Council.

More qualify for Palm Springs election ballot -- The Desert Sun

Two more have qualified for the Palm Springs election ballot.

Agencies: Investment firm to finance Lake Elsinore power plant -- P-E

Global investment firm Morgan Stanley has agreed to finance a hydroelectric power plant planned for the hills above Lake Elsinore, a major step toward making the project a reality, according to its supporters.

Opinion: Fire diligence? -- P-E

California taxpayers should not have to shoulder growing firefighting costs because of poor local planning decisions.

Opinion: Dumping gaming compacts like shooting ourselves in the foot -- The Desert Sun

In the long run, blocking new gaming compacts will not help low-wage workers, it will only cause the state, especially the Coachella Valley, to lose billions in revenue.