Sarah Palin began a three-day swing through California on Thursday that promises to be equal parts promotional and political in a state that has been slow to embrace her conservative star power.

In the final days before Tuesday's California primary, the former chief executive of the online auction company is on the defensive, challenged by a well-funded rival.

A transformative health care bill is headed to President Barack Obama for his signature as Congress takes the final steps in Democrats' improbable and history-making push for near-universal medical coverage.

Calling it an "imperfect" bill, President Barack Obama signed a $410 billion spending package Wednesday that includes billions in earmarks. You can search an attached database to find out how California's more than $568 million in earmarks will be spent.

The approaching election has emotions running high and is even causing some to cross the line. This year, cases of campaign sign damage seems to be on the rise as many signs across Bakersfield are turning up damaged or even missing.

Senator John McCain used a Bakersfield oil pumping rig as a backdrop to call for more off-shore drilling. He was also mining for money at a noon fund-raiser.

If the California presidential primary election was held today, high school students in at least three Bakersfield high schools would choose Barack Obama as their number one choice. On the Republican side, John McCain is the favorite.