Skyrocketing health insurance costs are at the heart of the dispute between Sacramento County and thousands of striking employees, with management insisting workers pick up a bigger share of monthly premiums.

Nearly a year after a countywide plan failed, the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday authorized pharmacies -- within city limits -- to sell up to 10 syringes without a prescription.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed Tuesday that he will veto a bill establishing a state program to provide health insurance for all Californians.

The Public Policy Institute of California, in its most recent survey of the state's voters, asked, "Which one issue would you most like to hear the gubernatorial candidates talk about before the Nov. 7 election?"

Hundreds of men, women and children who have survived burns from house fires, downed power lines, gasoline-fueled explosions and other traumatic events will gather this week in Sacramento.

Maybe it's the thought of long, sweaty runs or hours of toil in a gym that keeps more than 50 percent of American adults from getting the recommended amount of physical activity. But people don't have to work themselves into a lather to profit from being active, experts say.

TUESDAY

For the next three minutes, list all the foods you can think of that are green.

West Nile virus continues to infect Californians.

Legislators on Thursday sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a universal health care bill he is likely to veto and measures increasing the minimum wage and regulating greenhouse gases he is likely to sign.

Like most parents, Renee Esquivel would do anything to protect her child from harm. So she was eager to ask her family pediatrician about the new vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer.

Like most parents, Renee Esquivel would do anything to protect her child from harm. So she was eager to ask her family pediatrician about the new vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer.

Two hundred-eighty down, 12,000 Sacramento County employees to go.

Two hundred-eighty down, 12,000 Sacramento County employees to go.

Two Sacramento organ transplant centers are cooperating with state health officials to clarify information about programs for some of the region's neediest residents.

Two Sacramento organ transplant centers are cooperating with state health officials to clarify information about programs for some of the region's neediest residents.

Federal health officials have launched a nationwide investigation of working conditions in flavoring factories following the discovery of a devastating lung disease among two former California workers and possibly three others in the Los Angeles area.

Federal health officials have launched a nationwide investigation of working conditions in flavoring factories following the discovery of a devastating lung disease among two former California workers and possibly three others in the Los Angeles area.

Democratic lawmakers moved Monday toward a pre-election showdown over health insurance with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Assembly approved a universal health care bill that the Republican governor is likely to veto.

Dr. William C. Baker Jr., a leading expert and evangelist on prostate cancer among black men who led efforts to promote education and screening for the disease in the African American community, died in a swimming accident Aug. 20. He was 49.