The U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to review California's Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, officials in San Francisco anticipate a rush of gay and lesbian weddings if the case is denied by the high court and the lower courts' rulings stand, making the ban unconstitutional.

Some prisoners sentenced to life for nonviolent, non-serious offenses are being re-sentenced and released following voter approval of Proposition 36. The measure reforms California's tough "three strikes" sentencing law and limits when prosecutors can seek a life sentence.

The Drakes Bay Oyster Co. has lost its lease after decades in Point Reyes National Seashore. After a long environmental battle, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar decided to shut down the historic oyster farm and restore Drakes Estero to wilderness.