The California Distinguished Schools Program recognized three categories of exceptional schools: those closing the achievement gap, those demonstrating exceptional student performance, and those serving rural or Title I communities that distinguish themselves through high achievement across multiple student outcomes.

The Supreme Court held unanimously on Wednesday that a chain of faith-based antiabortion pregnancy centers can mount a federal court challenge to a subpoena for its donors that it claims is part of an intimidation campaign by New Jersey officials hostile to its views on abortion.

The ruling allows states or courts to design voting districts in order to protect racial minorities. But that may not be the case in California, where minority populations are not concentrated in hotly contested congressional district and might not be greatly affected by the decision.

A new ordinance allowing a religious blade inside Sacramento City Hall went into effect Tuesday, and members of the Sikh community who carry the article of faith packed the council chambers for the occasion. Some members of the Sikh community carry five religious items as a formal recognition of their religion. One of them is a kirpan, or a religious sword.