For years — even decades — the political equation on California public education has been engraved in stone. Democrats lined up with the California Teachers Association and other elements of the education establishment to contend that spending more money would be the pathway to improving test scores, dropout rates and other indices of educational attainment. Read More

Spearmint gum is an impulse purchase, but what about a cute little creature for the kids? Animal officials say no, and now you may be required to take a class on it first. A crash course pet owners would have to sit through before buying small critters — hamsters, rats, etc. — is an option The City’s animal commission will consider as a second attempt to minimize the hundreds of small animals that are euthanized every year. Read More