Two boys found dead in their bed in Visalia a week ago today died of pneumonia, Visalia police reported Friday. Both boys were born with a rare birth defect and had health problems.

One Visalia resident has been charged and another arrested in an identity-theft case that could involve as many as 50 victims.

A 17-year-old arrested in one of four slayings in Cutler and Orosi has been charged as an adult.

WASHINGTON -- A well-seasoned Sequoia National Forest logging dispute comes to a boil today as the Supreme Court considers when activists can challenge the management of federal lands.

Tulare County employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 521 have voted to authorize a strike should negotiations with the county break down, a union spokesman said Friday.

Recall votes will be held in Orosi and Strathmore involving public utilities districts, the Tulare County Elections Office announced Tuesday. Both districts supply drinking water and operate wastewater treatment plants.

SACRAMENTO -- Breaking his "no budget-no bills" pledge, Gov. Schwarzenegger on Tuesday signed legislation meant to improve the chances of a $9.9 billion high-speed rail bond measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.

In good economic times or bad, the story never changes in the central San Joaquin Valley -- on average, its residents are among the poorest in California and the nation.

SACRAMENTO -- The election is still more than two months away, but Republican Assembly candidate Danny Gilmore already is being targeted in a television advertisement.

SACRAMENTO -- Hanford Democrat Nicole Parra was booted from her Assembly office Monday, a punishment for bucking her party on Sunday night's budget vote.

SACRAMENTO -- Assembly Member Nicole Parra could once again be in some trouble with fellow Democrats -- this time over a suggestion that she won't vote for the state budget unless lawmakers approve a water bond.

VISALIA -- Measure R, a half-cent sales tax approved by Tulare County voters for road and transportation projects, has generated almost $5 million more in its first year than backers expected.

VISALIA -- Bryan Wagner wanted to be a firefighter.

Tulare County Superior Court Judge Patrick O'Hara issued a temporary restraining order Monday blocking the forced sale of two parcels of farmland in Orosi.