A state judicial watchdog commission publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patrick E. Connolly on Friday — his third time being disciplined — for inappropriate demeanor and remarks.

Sports organizations governing youth activities from soccer to swimming to gymnastics to baseball have a duty to protect athletes from sexual and other abuse, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

(Subscription required) Gov. Gavin Newsom named Patrick J. Smalling to an open judge position on the San Joaquin County Superior Court on Thursday. The court will now have a full complement of judges.

The proposal unveiled by Presiding Judge Eric Taylor relies on centralized case coordination and enticements to lawyers willing to forgo traditional aspects of jury trials in exchange for faster trial dates.