Cyber criminals have California in their crosshairs

Attorney General Kamala Harris says international criminals are increasingly following the money – straight to California. In a new report, the state’s top law enforcement official says California is a prime target of cybercrime because of the state’s wealth and technological innovation. Harris says California leads all states in the number of computers hacked or infected by malware, has the most victims of cyber crime and suffers the greatest economic losses from identity theft. It also says California is particularly vulnerable to intellectual property theft because of its leading role in developing new technologies. California has also become a Mecca of money laundering.

Angry residents demanded action from state officials at a community hearing about a controversial Vernon battery recycling plant. The meeting at the Resurrection Church in East L.A. came one week after the state Department of Toxic Substances Control said soil testing around the Exide Technologies plant showed elevated levels of lead. State officials say it’s too soon to tell if the lead came from the Exide plant. But they’ve issued a warning, telling people not to grow vegetables or let children play in the soil.

They’re also expanding the test area and they’ve have ordered Exide to come up with a plan to shield children and pregnant women from lead exposure.

Almost one-quarter of students, faculty, and staff members at University of California campuses say they’ve felt intimidated or have been on the receiving end of hostile behavior, according to a new survey. The 93-question survey was part of an effort to promote respect and diversity at U.C.. It follows a series of incidents that included a noose and KKK hood being found at U.C. San Diego; complaints about bias from staff at UCLA; and ongoing tensions between Palestinian supporters and Jewish students at several schools. Three-quarters of students say they feel comfortable on campus.

The San Diego Zoo says a newborn gorilla being treated for pneumonia is showing great improvement. The 8-day-old female has finished antibiotic treatment and she’s gulping milk formula and breathing on her own without the need of oxygen. She’s also growing more hair. Park vets say the unnamed gorilla is

developing quickly and normally. The baby was born through a rare Caesarian section after its mother experienced distress during labor.

Yasiel Puig hit a towering home run and the Dodgers prevailed 4-2 in an exhibition against an Australian League All-Star team in Sydney. And yes, there is an Australian League. It wasn’t all fun for the Dodgers though. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez left the game early with a tight back. He says he’ll be ready to go when the

Dodgers open the regular season Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at a reconfigured Sydney Cricket Ground. The other Major League teams don’t start games that count until March 30th.