An ongoing air study at the popular Harrison soccer fields in west Berkeley continues to show elevated levels of particulate matter, which some say can aggravate respiratory problems. -more-

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Wednesday, July 24 -more-

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Medical staff at Berkeley’s only hospital with an emergency room got the go-ahead from city leaders Tuesday to upgrade the interior of its aging emergency department. -more-

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Berkeley playgrounds are among the safest in the country, according to a nationwide study by the Consumer Federation of America and the Public Interest Research Group. -more-

Retro Poll, a new organization planning to find out what Berkeley residents really think about things, is challenging the polling practices of the major media networks by doing some polling of its own. -more-

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The Berkeley Police Department and California Highway Patrol arrested a Richmond drug trafficker suspected of supplying Berkeley dealers with significant quantities of crack cocaine last week. -more-

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The lead prosecutor in the multiple murder trial of Cary Stayner said in court today that he expects to rest the first phase of his case on Wednesday morning. -more-

LOS ANGELES — The nation’s automakers say they will sue California to block a landmark anti-global warming bill that restricts carbon dioxide emissions from cars. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Although he moved into the top income bracket long ago, billionaire Charles Schwab says he still relates to the small investors who helped transform his discount stock brokerage from a quirky upstart with four employees in 1971 to a financial services icon with 19,100 workers today. -more-

NEW YORK — When Carol Levey got married, her father gave her some investment advice: Buy stock in safe, dependable companies — the kind that pay dividends. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The state famous for its sunshine and beaches leads the nation in another summertime staple: ice cream. -more-

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CHICAGO — Passengers who fly aboard planes that re-circulate cabin air are no more likely to catch colds than travelers on aircraft that pump in fresh air, a study suggests. -more-

HAPPY VALLEY— Olive fruit flies have been discovered for the first time in Shasta County. -more-

PHILADELPHIA — Law school applications are up dramatically — the biggest increase in at least two decades — as more young people are deciding the job market out there is just too rough. -more-

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A jury held two retired Salvadoran generals responsible Tuesday for atrocities committed during El Salvador’s civil war two decades ago and ordered them to pay $54.6 million to three torture victims. -more-

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities said Tuesday that a 7-year-old girl was grabbed, kicking and screaming, from in front of her home and less than 20 minutes later a caller demanded a $150,000 ransom to save the girl’s life. -more-

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A popcorn plant worker has been diagnosed with a rare lung disease that health authorities have linked to inhaling the artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn. -more-

Berkeley ranks second only to Treasure Island when it comes to Bay Area demand for a new ferry service, according to a recent state-commissioned study. The results make the city a leading candidate for commuter boats. -more-

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Tuesday, July 23 -more-

STOCKTON — The only things missing from the first day of the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp were the projected 100-degree temperatures — and first-round draft pick Mike Rumph. -more-

As the city’s need for more housing is pitted against a burgeoning slow-growth movement, City Council will consider appeals against three proposed developments tonight that could result in 179 housing units, 31 of which would be designated for low-income residents. -more-

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BOSTON — Nine white doves took flight from home plate toward Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster, soaring over the outfield where Ted Williams once roamed before turning and climbing over the Red Sox dugout and out of the ballpark. -more-

Called “"Frankenfoods” by critics because they’re designed in a lab, genetically engineered foods are increasingly drawing attention and raising concerns among Berkeley residents. -more-

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VAISON-LA-ROMAINE, France — Lance Armstrong is taking the suspense out of the Tour de France. -more-

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OAKLAND – The Oakland City Council will vote Tuesday on an exclusive negotiating agreement with developer Forest City Residential West, which is looking to build on a plot of land that has been deemed as the most suitable location for a new baseball-only stadium. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Apartment rents remain in a holding pattern in most major Western markets except California, where the contrasting fortunes of the state’s northern and southern regions continue to push rates in opposite directions, according to a real estate survey released Monday. -more-

LIVERMORE — U.S. supercomputers have been the world’s most powerful since the first high-performance machines analyzed virtual nuclear blasts, climate change and the makeup of the universe. -more-

SANTA ANA — The factory worker arrested in the abduction and slaying of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion was charged Monday with murder and other counts that could bring the death penalty. -more-

OAKLAND — Negotiations over a new West Coast dock workers contract broke off late Sunday with longshoremen and shipping lines accusing each other of ignoring their good faith offers and ruining what had appeared to be a hopeful exchange of proposals. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers sought Monday to undo California’s strict arbitration standards when it comes to resolving securities disputes. -more-

EMIGRANT GAP — The U.S. Forest Service is considering allowing the first large rock quarry within the Tahoe National Forest, to provide granite for rebuilding Interstate 80. -more-

BYRON — On a grassy hillside a 30-minute drive from the 21st-century bustle of San Francisco lies a secret from California’s past — rock art left by the region’s original inhabitants. -more-

SAN JOSE — Yosemite killer Cary Stayner told FBI agents that he would have struck again if he hadn’t been caught. . -more-

ARGONNE, Ill — With Congress headed into summer recess, President Bush called on lawmakers Monday to make the Homeland Security Department a reality as he showcased new anti-terrorism technology at a national research lab. -more-

A few years ago, at the height of the swing dance revival, Bay Area hipsters could find live music for lindy-hops and rock-steps seven nights a week. But as its popularity ebbed, many hung up their zoot suits and saddle shoes for a different kind of dance. -more-

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Monday, July 22

Mexican Premier League teams Morelia and Atlas played in front of a raucous crowd at Cal’s Edwards Stadium on Sunday, giving Bay Area fans a rare glimpse at soccer tradition and passion. -more-

Scholars from around the globe come to Berkeley to study a variety of subjects. This month, one of those subjects was trash. -more-

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By Greg Beacham -more-

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson made an official endorsement of Berkeley mayoral candidate Tom Bates at a rally Saturday. He told about 60 of the candidate’s supporters that he was endorsing the former state assemblyman because of their political like-mindedness and their long personal friendship. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Plastic pistol packer files suit -more-

By Katie Flynn -more-

LOS ANGELES — An unattended suitcase prompted the evacuation Sunday of part of a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said. -more-

San Jose woman sentenced -more-

ACRAMENTO — There are plenty of ingredients easily accessible in California to assemble a “dirty bomb,” or explosives laced with radioactive material, according to a newspaper’s investigation. -more-

SACRAMENTO — California relies too heavily on natural gas to fuel the power plants that generate nearly half of its electricity, leaving the state’s consumers vulnerable to price swings, a new study has found. -more-

RIVERSIDE — A giant cane, the largest member of the grass family, swallows up gallons of water, grows up to a foot a day and is stubbornly resisting efforts around California to control it. -more-

LAKE ISABELLA— A 350-acre wildfire damaged or destroyed 10 homes Sunday afternoon and forced the evacuation of residents, officials said. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – As the stock market’s losses piled up last year, brokerage executive Charles Schwab began appearing in television commercials urging individual investors to remain calm. But by early last week, he realized people aren’t heeding his advice. -more-

LOS ANGELES – Acres of brown, blue, red and yellow 40-foot containers fill the shipyards. They run as far as the eye can see, stacked three high, forming long steel corridors down the length of the docks. -more-

The decision to add a written essay to the widely taken SAT college entrance exam has raised new questions. -more-

SACRAMENTO – A Gilroy high school’s move toward “academic tracking” that prompted the surprise resignation of the school’s top officials has stirred the debate among educators who say tracking unfairly excludes low-income and minority students. -more-

By Brian Melley -more-

By Chelsea J. Carter -more-

Doctors Without Borders -more-

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‘Ripped from the News’ -more-

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Thursday, July 18

Depleted Berkeley/Albany lineup can’t solve
Mountain View pitchers in state tournament -more-

Ten years after Berkeley voters supported a $55 million bond to improve fire protection, City Council approved a long-awaited plan for a fire station in the Berkeley hills. The unanimous decision came Tuesday night. -more-

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NEW YORK — Concert grosses for the first half of the year were up 17 percent, but so were ticket prices — the average cost of a ticket for top tours was about $51, compared to $47 last year, according to an industry report. -more-

OAKLAND – Garret Anderson homered and doubled, and light-hitting Jorge Fabregas drove in the go-ahead run Wednesday night as the Anaheim Angels edged back ahead of Oakland in the AL West standings, beating the Athletics 10-4. -more-

Neighbors show mixed reactions -more-

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Sure, summer is here. And even though the fog sometimes plays havoc with the concept of the perfect, dreamy summer dusk – you know the kind where you can sit on a porch and lazily watch the sun set, batting away flies and listening to deep, melodic tunes – the concept of dreamy isn't lost to musicians Paolo Giordano and Michael Manring. Their music, which swirls like a firefly out of reach, sets the perfect tone for a twilight of gazing, reflection and pure dreaminess, even if there is fog. To promote their new CD "Kids in a Toyshop (Step Musique)," Italian acoustic guitarist Paolo Giordano and Oakland bassist Michael Manring are playing a show at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse this evening. -more-

This story is part of a series that will profile city election candidates. -more-

Brooklyn Bridge for sale? -more-

Michael Delacour, a four-time candidate for mayor, has joined the school board race. And he’s got a radical message. -more-

LONG BEACH — California State University’s board of trustees took its first step Wednesday toward adopting tougher policies for smokers at its 23 campuses. -more-

CORONADO — When a plane trailing a banner declaring “One Nation Under God” flew over the home of an appellate judge and demonstrators surrounded the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, the two jurists who sparked the reaction were surprised. -more-

WASHINGTON — Federal energy regulators on Wednesday capped electricity prices in California and other western states at $250 per megawatt hour, beginning on Oct. 1. -more-

NEW YORK — Apple Computer Inc. Wednesday announced Windows versions of the acclaimed iPod digital music players, moving Apple more firmly into the PC peripherals market. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — University of California officials are reacting warily to an ambitious proposal to bring the entire state education system, from preschool to Ph.D.s, under the same organizational framework. -more-

STANTON— The body of a kidnapped 5-year-old girl was dumped in the open near a rural highway like a “calling card” warning that the killer intends to strike again, investigators said Wednesday. -more-

SAN DIEGO — Tests detected the presence of coliform bacteria in the water supply of San Diego County’s main water provider, officials said Wednesday. -more-

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OAKLAND – Oakland police searching for the parents of an abandoned newborn baby girl said they will run out of leads unless someone who knows the mother steps forward. -more-

OAKLAND— Police were searching Sunday for the parents of a newborn baby who was found dehydrated but alive in a garbage bag in the city’s Fruitvale district. -more-

Today’s Highlight in History: -more-