Opinion

After a three-week investigation, it is still not known whether there was a smoke detector in the central Berkeley house that burned last month and took the lives of three people, Fire Chief Reginald Garcia said Wednesday. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Citywide voucher programs for low-income students in other states have shown “somewhat promising” results but raise questions about whether a statewide plan in California would do the same, a new study says. -more-

Prosecutors urged a state appeals court Monday to allow evidence about the violent history of the Symbionese Liberation Army into former fugitive Sara Jane Olson’s bombing conspiracy trial. -more-

SAN JOSE – City planners have recommended a controversial expansion by Cisco Systems Inc. into one of Silicon Valley’s last remaining agricultural areas. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Nursing homes found to have harmed or neglected patients will face higher fines – up to $100,000 – under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Gray Davis. -more-