Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, dies at 79

Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose powerful behind-the-scenes influence on The Walt Disney Co. led to the departure of former chief Michael Eisner, has died. He was 79. The company announced that Disney died Wednesday in Newport Beach, Calif., after a yearlong bout with stomach cancer. Company president and chief executive Bob Iger said Disney was much more than a valued 56-year company veteran.

Company: Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, dies

Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose powerful behind-the-scenes influence on The Walt Disney Co. led to the departure of former chief Michael Eisner, has died. He was 79. The company announced that Disney died Wednesday in Newport Beach, Calif., after a yearlong bout with stomach cancer.

Two-legged dog gives hope to disabled Army vets

For several years, Jude Stringfellow and her Lab-chow mix have toured the country with a simple message: Faith walks. Born without front legs to a junkyard dog around Christmas 2002, Faith the puppy was rejected and abused by her mother. She was rescued by Reuben Stringfellow, now an Army E-4 specialist, who had been asked to bury other puppies in the litter.

ABC to interview ex-Edwards aide about sex scandal

ABC News will air an exclusive interview next month with the man who once claimed to have fathered the child of former Sen. John Edwards' mistress, the network said Wednesday. ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff's interview with Andrew Young will air Jan. 29 on "20/20." Young was a longtime friend and aide to Edwards, the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004.

Donovan can join foreign club on loan

The Los Angeles Galaxy announced Wednesday that it has signed Landon Donovan to a new four-year contract and that he will be allowed to pursue opportunities to join a foreign club on a short-term loan agreement. Donovan has been in talks about a loan move to Everton that would give him experience in the English Premier League in the run up to the World Cup.

Stimulus funds drill wells as Calif water vanishes

The government is spending $40 million in federal stimulus funds to pull water from underground aquifers in drought-stricken California, even as evidence is growing that the well-drilling boom could degrade the quality of water delivered to millions of residents. Farmers, conservationists and engineers are criticizing the Interior Department's plan to spend taxpayer money on digging more wells, saying the approach risks marring the environment. Canals buckle, aquifers collapse and drinking water turns saltier due to so much pumping, and studies show that the state's water supplies are dwindling.

Intel hit with more antitrust charges in FTC suit

The Federal Trade Commission piled on new antitrust charges against Intel Corp. on Wednesday, seeking to end what it described as a decade of illegal sales tactics that have crippled rivals and kept prices for computer chips artificially high. The FTC's lawsuit contains the most wide-ranging allegations yet against the world's largest chip maker, which is also fighting a record $1.45 billion antitrust fine in Europe and separate cases in South Korea and New York state.

San Francisco may expand smoking ban

San Francisco, which was at the vanguard of the anti-smoking movement more than a decade ago when it became one of the first American cities to bar people from lighting up in the workplace, now is poised to enact much tougher restrictions on smoking in public...

Kids given recalled swine flu shot not at risk

About 800,000 doses of swine flu vaccine for young children were recalled in the United States on Tuesday when the manufacturer discovered that the vaccine wasnt as potent as it should be. Most of the doses - some of which were received in the Bay Area -...

Charred remains are those of missing Calif. teen

Riverside County authorities have confirmed that charred remains found in a Southern California backyard last month are those of a missing teenager. Coroners officials announced Tuesday that DNA testing confirmed the remains _ which included a severed foot _...

Metallica singer gives 330 acres to Calif. county

Metallica frontman James Hetfield is donating 330 acres overlooking Californias Lucas Valley for preservation as farmland. The Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted the donation Tuesday. It follows Hetfields earlier gift to the county of...

CT scan cancer warnings worry patients

New studies that show CT scans may pose a higher cancer risk than previously thought are especially unnerving to patients like Maria Parker, who has already been diagnosed with cancer. Great. Its just one more thing we have to worry about, said Parker, 38...

Torture suit too hot to be heard, U.S. says

A lawsuit accusing a Bay Area flight-planning company of aiding an alleged CIA program of kidnapping and torturing terror suspects threatens national security and is too sensitive to discuss fully in a public courtroom, an Obama administration attorney argued...

$8m sounds good to SonicMule
IPhone application maker SonicMule Inc., also known as Smule, raised $8 million in venture funding. (AAPL)

UTStarcom finds CFO in China
Telecoms gear maker UTStarcom Inc. hired Kenneth Luk as chief financial officer. (UTSI) (MOT)

S.F. employment expected to improve
After rising 11 consecutive quarters, San Francisco’s unemployment rate will reach its peak this quarter at 9.4 percent, according to Beacon Economics.

Hercules capital pays out special dividend
Hercules Technology Growth Capital Inc. will pay a special dividend of 4 cents per share. (HTGC)

Bay Area scientist honored by DOE
Three Bay Area scientists are half of the 2009 E.O. Lawrence Award winners announced Wednesday, which honor scientists for their contributions in research and development supporting the Department of Energy.

Intel and FTC trade punches while rivals cheer
The Federal Trade Commission sued Intel Corp. on Wednesday for antitrust violations, and the giant chipmaker’s rivals cheered. (NVDA) (AMD) (INTC) (HPQ) (DELL) (IBM)

FTC Sues Intel In Antitrust Action
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Intel Corp., accusing the world's biggest chip maker of using its size to snuff out competition. The FTC says Intel, which makes the microprocessors that run personal computers, has shut rivals out of the marketplace. In the process, the FTC says Intel has deprived consumers of choice and stifled innovation in the chip industry.

San Francisco May Toughen Restrictions On Smoking
Under legislation introduced Tuesday, people won't be allowed to smoke near the doors, vents and operable windows of any building, including restaurants, shops, offices and housing complexes.

Modesto Police Shoot, Kill Woman On Playground
A woman wielding a meat cleaver on a Modesto elementary school playground was fatally shot Tuesday by officers, police said. Staff at the Catherine Everett Elementary School called police a little after 2 p.m. to report a woman with a large knife on the playground, Modesto police Sgt. Brian Findlen said.

49ers Opt To Petition For Move To Santa Clara
The Santa Clara City Council has opted to allow a voter initiative, sponsored by the 49ers, to go forward, but a city council measure remains on the back burner, in case too few signatures are collected.

Raging 2-Alarm SJ House Fire Leaves 1 Dead
Two residents had escaped the flames, with one suffering from smoke inhalation, but they told firefighters, a third family member was still inside. Flames were so intense that fire fighters were not able to get into the house.

Napa Dentist Volunteers For Patients In Need

A North Bay dentist has been a fixture in the Napa Valley for decades. But his passion is his volunteer work, bringing smiles to people around the globe. Sharon Chin introduces us to this week's Jefferson Award winner.