California

WASHINGTON - They returned home to a politically traumatized nation that treated them with indifference and scorn. Now, veterans' advocates fear the country will again miss an opportunity to recognize the toil and torment of the 3 million service members sent to fight the Vietnam War. The Pentagon's plans to celebrate the veterans - five years in the making - are sputtering. This Memorial Day is supposed to be the curtain-raiser for a series of gatherings to mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of US involvement in the decade-plus war and to honor those who served.

Like a Hollywood star, Coronado's 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand. That's one of the reasons why Coronado — flanked by the iconic hotel featured in Marilyn Monroe's 1958 film "Some Like It Hot" — has been named the No. 1 beach in the United States in the 2012 survey by "Dr. Beach" professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University. It is the first time "Dr. Beach" has given the top slot to California in the more than two decades that he has been ranking beaches in the United States based on their...

COSTA MESA - It didn't happen this way, but I imagine if you had asked me to close my eyes and think of California, I would have thought of much of this. How it came about, though, is unmistakable. I wanted to go looking for California and to do it by making what I deemed to be California choices. I started with the vehicle: a vintage Volkswagen bus the color of the Pacific that had the Westfalia camper pop-top on the back that was too amazing for words. Then I made the most California decision I could think of: I made no further plans.

Massachusetts was the seventh-largest magnet for private-equity deals last year, attracting $6.5 billion in 56 transactions, according to a trade group for the business. Overall, firms poured $144 billion into private equity deals in 2011, according to the Washington-based Private Equity Growth Capital Council. Texas companies drew the most, at $20.5 billion, followed by New York and California at $18.6 billion and $15.7 billion. The report also breaks down the amount of funds attracted to deals by congressional district.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - The Little League teams from Huntington Beach, Calif., and Billings, Mont., shared hopes of making it to the World Series when they shared the same dorm in regional play. Well, they both made it to Little League's biggest stage - but only California will play for a world championship. Nick Pratto struck out 10 and had three RBIs, and California built an early three-run lead to cruise to an 11-2 victory over Montana for the US title yesterday at Lamade Stadium.

SACRAMENTO -- California jolted the time-tested presidential primary schedule yesterday, moving up its 2008 contest to Feb. 5 and setting the stage for a potentially decisive one-day, megaprimary across the country. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation moving the state into make-or-break prominence from its position as a June straggler in the presidential-nominating process. "Now California is important again in presidential nominating politics . . . and we will get the respect that California deserves," Schwarzenegger said during a...

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Looking ahead to the US championship game almost cost Conejo Valley in the semifinals of the Little League World Series. Sean McIntyre drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning and finished with two RBIs, leading Thousand Oaks, Calif., to a 3-1 victory over South Caroline of Preston, Md., last night to advance to the US championship. But it was a lot closer game than most expected, including the California players. "I think everyone expected way too much out of this game," said John Lister, whose...

The Little League teams from Huntington Beach, Calif. , and Billings, Mont., shared hopes of making it to the World Series when when they shared the same dorm in regional play. Well, they both made it to Little League's biggest stage — but only California will play for a world championship. Starter Nick Pratto struck out 10 and had three RBIs at the plate, and California built an early three-run lead to cruise to an 11-2 victory over Montana and the U.S. title on a cloudy, dreary Saturday at Lamade Stadium.

How to get there Lowest round-trip air fare between Boston and San Jose available at press time started at $313 on Delta, Northwest, America West, ATA, and American Airlines, all with one connection. What to do The Winchester Mystery House 525 South Winchester Blvd. San Jose 408-247-2101 www.winchestermysteryhouse.com Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 9-7 weekends after April 22. Admission $19.95; seniors, $16.95; ages 6-12, $13.95. The Mystery Spot 465 Mystery Spot Road Santa Cruz 831-423-8897 Open daily, 9...

Governor Deval Patrick is leaving town again, this time to speak at a conference in California featuring both Arianna Huffington, the political provocateur, and Michael Milken, the famed junk bond kingpin turned philanthropist. Patrick will leave today for Laguna Beach where he will attend the Black Corporate Directors Conference, returning tomorrow night, according to his staff. He has spent all or part of more than 60 days outside of Massachusetts this year, representing the state on trade missions or on Capitol Hill, as well as vacationing and...

Voters in Richmond are set to decide whether to make the San Francisco Bay area city the nation's first municipality to tax soda and other sugary beverages to help fight childhood obesity. The Richmond City Council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to place the soda tax measure on the Nov. 6 ballot, despite opposition from grocers and soda drinkers. The tax would apply to soft drinks and other beverages with added sugar such as Snapple. Diet sodas and most juice would be exempt. The money from the penny-per-ounce tax would go to soccer fields, school gardens and programs to treat diabetes and...

BURBANK, Calif. - Law enforcement officers in Southern California searched in rugged mountain terrain for a second day on Sunday for a missing FBI agent who was said to be despondent and possibly armed. About 100 FBI agents, 40 sheriff's department rescuers, and a dozen local police officers participated in the search for Los Angeles-based Special Agent Stephen Ivens. He was described as a hiking and running enthusiast. FBI Special Agent Steve Gomez said dogs had tracked Ivens toward the Verdugo Mountains, east of Burbank, and searchers fanned out throughout Los...

California's budget deficit has swelled to a projected $16 billion — much larger than had been predicted just months ago — and will force severe cuts to schools and public safety if voters fail to approve tax increases in November, Gov. Jerry Brown said Saturday. The Democratic governor said the shortfall grew from $9.2 billion in January in part because tax collections have not come in as high as expected and the economy isn't growing as fast as hoped for. The deficit has also risen because lawsuits and federal requirements have blocked billions of dollars in state cuts.

BioSurplus , a California-based company that buys, sells, and auctions used lab equipment, is opening a facility in Boston, according to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center , a quasi-public agency. BioSurplus said it has completed the majority of its $1.5 million capital raise from KI Investment Holding. The funds will be used to support the company's expansion into Boston, one of the leading biotechnology hubs in the United States. BioSurplus has established a method for maximizing the value of used laboratory...

LOS ANGELES - Three years ago, Bear was a 100-pound Shiloh German shepherd that nobody wanted at a Texas shelter. Debbie Zeisler came to his rescue. She has lost count of the times since then that he has come to hers. On Monday, Bear was honored with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. Last May, Zeisler had a seizure, fell down some steps, hit her head, and lost consciousness in her front yard. Bear scratched on every front door in their Millsap neighborhood but nobody answered.

Crab fisherman Mark Anello noticed something odd near his boat off the Northern California coast: three buoys floating nearby were moving. Motoring closer he saw a gray whale tangled in a large fishing line. It was the same whale, officials determined later, that was first spotted hundreds of miles south off the Orange County coast April 17, dragging several buoys attached to a net. At that time, rescuers attempted to free the marine mammal, but it disappeared. It was spotted about a week later still entangled off the coast of Monterey County.

Chadd Krist homered and drove in three runs and California beat Dallas Baptist 6-2 on Sunday night to earn its first College World Series berth in 19 years. Erik Johnson pitched six solid innings to help the Bears (37-21) sweep the Super Regional series after winning the opener 7-0 on Saturday. Johnson (7-4) allowed two runs on three hits. He walked four and struck out four. Derek Campbell and Tony Renda each had three hits and drove in a run for the Bears, who faced an uncertain future at the beginning of the season.

One of the nation's largest public pension funds has filed a lawsuit against current and former Wal-Mart executives and board members, saying they had breached their responsibility in handling an alleged bribery scheme. The California State Teachers' Retirement System which holds more than 5.3 million shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., filed what's called a derivative suit late Thursday in state court in Delaware seeking changes in corporate governance and improvements in its internal procedures at the world's biggest retailer.

Police in Oceanside, Calif., say former NFL star Junior Seau has been found dead at his home. Police Lt. Karen Laser confirmed the death Wednesday but released no other details. Police responded to a report of a shooting at 10 a.m. at Seau's home on the coast north of San Diego. Seau was a standout linebacker with the University of Southern California before going to the San Diego Chargers, whom he led to the Super Bowl following the 1994 season. He remained with the Chargers until 2003 and went on to play with the Miami Dolphins and New...