Opinion

SAN FRANCISCO — John Walker Lindh’s parents had the first word in the battle to shape his image, calling him a “good kid,” releasing cute family pictures and suggesting he was brainwashed by the Taliban. -more-

STANFORD — Nearly 34 years after black students stormed a stage at Stanford University, grabbing the microphone and demanding change, several are returning to the school this week to discuss whether their demands have been met. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – The state has until the end of the year to remove the additive MTBE from gasoline and replace it from ethanol, but officials worry that they won’t meet the deadline and that that could drive up gas prices. -more-

OAKLAND — A Livermore man convicted of threatening to release anthrax into the federal building in Oakland was sentenced to five years in prison Friday. -more-

BERKELEY — The first question for many people after young American John Walker Lindh was found fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan was: What was he doing there? But the next question was: Where were his parents in all of this? -more-

OAKLAND — A 5-year-old girl died Wednesday after she and four other children, along with two mothers, were struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver in a crosswalk on their way to school. -more-