The standoff over STAR testing, state Assembly rejects giving Coastal Commission more enforcement powers, Apple’s new iPhone arrives with a thud, more.
Top of the news
The state Senate—with backing from Gov. Jerry Brown—approved a bill that would end STAR tests, the traditional standardized testing of students in reading, math and social science, even while U. S. Education secretary Arne Duncan threatens to withhold federal funds if the measure becomes law. AP
The gulf between the richest 1 percent and the rest of Americans is at its widest since the Roaring ‘20s, a new analysis of IRS figures by economists at UC Berkeley, the Paris School of Economics and Oxford University shows. AP
Politics and government
In a victory for developers and business groups, the state Assembly killed a measure that would have granted stronger enforcement powers to the California Coastal Commission. LA Times
A new audit shows more under-the-table deals in which state parks employees have traded leave time for cash similar to the scandal that erupted with the state parks department last year. AP
Other news and items of interest
Billionaire Ron Burkle’s purchase of most of the Fresh & Easy grocery chain from its British owner does not include the store at 5800 Third Street in the under-served Bayview district, and as of now it will close. SF Business Times
University of San Francisco media studies professor Andrew Goodwin, 56, affectionately known as the “Professor of Pop,” died in a fire at his Berkeley apartment building. Chronicle
Plaintiffs in a $15 million federal civil rights lawsuit against UC Berkeley got their first hearing before a judge, almost two years after Occupy protesters contend they were beaten by university police on Sproul Plaza. Oakland Tribune
Apple’s much-hyped new iPhone release was a flop with Wall Street. Mercury News
After the disappointing new phone rollout, Mercury News tech columnist Troy Wolverton dubs Apple CEO Tim Cook “Timid Tim.”
Oracle Team USA postponed a second race in the America’s Cup to regroup after being soundly defeated by Emirates Team New Zealand in the first one. Mercury News
A group of Children’s Hospital Oakland’s neighbors are expressing concerns about its $500 million rebuilding plan. SF Business Times
The manager of a McDonald’s in Pleasanton was arrested after police said he robbed his own restaurant by herding workers into a walk-in refrigerator. Mercury News
