Lawmakers pass state budget -- P-E, The Desert Sun

California lawmakers finally approved a state budget Tuesday, putting in motion millions of dollars in late payments to care centers, schools and others put in the lurch by the third-latest budget in state history.

Health care ailing, most say -- P-E

A growing majority of Californians is dissatisfied with the state's health care system but split over how to improve it, according to a poll released today.

Brown hails global warming pact, calls it model for cities -- P-E

A deal reached Tuesday ending a lawsuit between the state attorney general and San Bernardino County could become a model for other fast-growing cities and counties working to curb greenhouse gas emissions and fend off future court battles.

Area care centers stuck paying bill after budget crisis -- P-E

Although the state budget impasse has been broken, some Inland day care centers, nursing homes and other institutions are out thousands of dollars that they must spend on interest for loans they took out to get through the crisis.

Budget deal just in time for MSJC -- The Californian

The state budget agreement reached Tuesday comes just in time for Mt. San Jacinto College.

Appeals court largely upholds clean-fuel rules -- P-E

A federal appellate court has kept intact Southern California air pollution regulations that require operators of publicly owned fleets of buses, garbage trucks, street sweepers and other vehicles to purchase clean-fuel models.

New bridge near North High opens today -- P-E

Dale Kinnear, principal at John W. North High School in Riverside, remembers well the desperation he felt two years ago when he found out Caltrans was about to close the bridge over Third/Blaine streets near his campus for renovation.

Ortega Highway safety project moving forward -- The Californian

A half-year after the start of the $40 million project, the work has delivered improvements along a three-quarter-mile section at the Riverside-Orange county line.

Fourth Soboba Casino theft suspect pleads not guilty -- The Desert Sun

An alleged supporting player in the $1.58 million Soboba Indian Casino heist pleaded not guilty Tuesday to being an accessory and receiving stolen property.

Fire breaks out near Mount San Jacinto -- P-E

More than 100 firefighters battled an 80-acre fire Tuesday south of Snow Creek, a small community below Mount San Jacinto.

Firefighter's death inspires plans for base memorial -- P-E

The March Air Reserve Base Fire Department plans to build a memorial for fallen firefighters after one of its crew members died in an accident last week.

Police Association releases two of four endorsements -- The Desert Sun

Palm Springs City Council candidates Rick Hutcheson and John Williams on Tuesday received the endorsement of the Palm Springs Police Officers Association.

City forms ad hoc committee to help in search for manager -- The Desert Sun

Desert Hot Springs City Council members have called in some local help as they continue to search for a new city manager.

Two tribal groups oppose votes -- The Californian

Two groups of California tribes announced Tuesday that they will oppose ballot initiatives that seek to overturn deals that allow four American Indian tribes, including the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians near Temecula, to get more slot machines.

Cleanup along San Jacinto River draws fire -- P-E

A coalition of environmental groups has asked for an investigation into what they say was illegal destruction of as much as five miles of endangered-species habitat along the San Jacinto River.

Corona-Norco reconsiders next high school site -- P-E

The Corona-Norco school district could have to reconsider the location where it will build its sixth comprehensive high school.

Planned bike lanes causing problems for Temecula -- P-E

A small item on the city's master plan to promote quality of life has caused more consequences than intended.

Menifee Lakes homeowners association recalls board, elects fired manager -- P-E

An effort to recall members of the Menifee Lakes Master Association board succeeded Tuesday night following almost a year of accusations and legal battles that pitted neighbor against neighbor and featured dueling Web sites.

Temecula, Murrieta push forward with flood control plan -- P-E and The Californian

Memories of a devastating flood and the prospect of another propelled two southwest Riverside County cities and county flood and water agencies to find ways to advocate for more federal funding for a 7-mile flood-control project.

Terminal was operating in violation of code; bus line to seek another site -- The Desert Sun

The new home the Greyhound bus station thought it found in Cathedral City is no more.

Opinion: Camera vigil -- P-E

Widespread video surveillance is hardly one step away from "1984."  So civil libertarians' worries about cameras' trampling individual privacy rights are overblown.

Opinion: Prison prudence? -- P-E

Gov. Schwarzenegger and Republican legislators can file legal arguments to try and block courts from ordering thousands of prisoners released.  But passing comprehensive prison reforms would make a far more convincing case that the state is addressing prison crowding.

Opinion: Valley needs Greyhound; bus line needs to get it together -- The Desert Sun

Leaving the driving up to Greyhound continues to be difficult for local travelers because, once again, the company has failed to comply with city rules; this time in Cathedral City.