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Reports that the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on September 9, 2004 that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had erred in rejecting up to $2.8 billion in refunds to California electric customers resulting from what the court called “artificial manipulation on a massive scale” of the state's energy market.

Reports that lawyers for California Governor Gray Davis will file a legal challenge to the planned recall election scheduled for October 7, 2003. Number of individuals publicly expressing interest in becoming candidates for governor, suggesting a confusing atmosphere; How the news of a legal challenge to the recall election caught many by surprise, even supporters of Davis; Comments from Peter Rangone, communications director for Californians Against a Costly Recall, a committee setup by Davis; Details of the legal memorandum prepared for the lawsuit; Discussion of the ability of several California counties to handle the recall election and potentially limiting the voting opportunities of residents.

Reports on the legal battle between divorced couple Renee Amick and Russell Hendrix over the remains of their son Jason Hendrix, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, in California.

Reports on the death sentence of Scott Peterson imposed by Judge Alfred A. Delucchi in Redwood City, California.

Focuses on the legal battle on water property rights and agricultural interests in the protection for endangered fish and other wildlife in California. Agreement of the federal government to pay farmers in Tulare and Kern Counties over reduced water supplies; Opposition of State chief deputy Attorney General Richard M. Frank to the payment of farmers for water diverted to endangered fish; Contention of the federal and state governments that water is public and not to the farmers and can be used as public dictates; Details of other water litigations.

Reports on the issues faced by fifth grade teacher Steven J. Williams in teaching American history in San Francisco, California. Use of the Declaration of Independence as a tool for teaching Christianity; Reference of Williams to God in the Pledge of Allegiance; Federal lawsuit filed by Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of Williams against the school district's hostility towards religion.

Reports on the testimony of witnesses on the murder trial of Scott Peterson for alleged killing of his pregnant wife in Redwood City, California. Statements of Lee Peterson, the father of Scott, regarding his son during the trial; Approach used by Peterson's lawyers in depicting his true personality to the court; Effort of witnesses to persuade jurors to spare Peterson the death penalty.

Reports on the progress of the murder trial of Scott Peterson, who is charged of killing his pregnant wife, in California.

Focuses on the death penalty debate which has ensued in response to the refusal of San Francisco, California district attorney Kamala D. Harris to seek death penalty for the alleged killing of police officer Isaac Espinoza by David Hill. Parties that criticized Harris' position, including those that have asked the state attorney general to take the case away from Harris; Refusal of Bill Lockyer, California state attorney general, to take the case away from Harris; Reasons behind Harris' decision to pursue a life sentence without parole instead of capital punishment; Position of Gavin Newsom, city mayor, on the death penalty issue.

Reports on the summary of the murder trial against Scott Peterson, the husband of murder victim Laci Peterson in Redwood City, California. Details of the case; Suspicions of Peterson's friends and relatives; Media coverage of the trial.

Reports on the ruling of the California Supreme Court on the man who killed his girlfriend and the fetus. Basis of the decision of the court; Conviction of Harold W. Taylor; Prison sentence for Taylor.

Reports on the progress of the planned execution of Kevin Cooper, who was convicted for multiple murder in California.

Reports that San Francisco, California judge Ronald Evans refused to block the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses and did not rule on the substance of a lawsuit asserting that the licenses violate the state's family code. Failure of opponents to show that the weddings were causing immediate harm; New Mexico's shutdown of an effort in a county near Albuquerque to follow San Francisco's lead.

Reports that the city of San Francisco, California has filed a lawsuit against the State of California over state laws that define marriage as between a man and a woman. Aim to force a constitutional showdown with the opponents of same-sex marriage; Argument that marriage definitions in the state's family violate the State Constitution.

Reports on the competition of Bay Area communities to welcome the murder trial of Scott Peterson accused of killing his wife and unborn son in San Francisco, California. Expectation of San Francisco Bay Area to lure Peterson's trial; Schedule for deciding the location for the murder trial; Accounts on the arrest of Peterson.

Reports that a federal appeals court delayed the recall election for California Governor Gray Davis, ruling that the scheduled date did not give several counties with minority populations enough time to replace outdated punch-card voting machines. View that error-prone machines could alter the election"s outcome; Reaction to the ruling by Davis, a Democrat; Criticism from Republicans, including Representative Darrell Issa, one of the recall's financial backers; Question of whether state elections officials will appeal; Details of the lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of civil rights groups. INSET: Washington's Blanket Primary Is Voided.

Reports on the trial of marijuana advocate Ed Rosenthal on charges of marijuana cultivation and conspiracy stemming from a business enterprise which grew marijuana for medicinal purposes. His possible sentence in this case; Implications of the trial, which exposes a rift between California and the United States government over medicinal marijuana; Details of the case; Outlook.