A crane has hoisted a U.S. flag covered spire to the top of New York’s One World Trade Center, under construction at the site of the Sept. 11 attacks.

In response to unusual hot dry weather and high winds, the San Bernardino National Forest has bolstered its fire response readiness with additional firefighters, aircraft, and extended patrols.
Weather forecasts are calling for hot and dry weather, combined with Santa Ana winds to continue  Friday.  In response, the San Bernardino National Forest, has extended staffing and […]

ESPN received criticism for a lack of coverage of NBA player Jason Collins’ announcement that he is gay.
Related news:  NBA’s Jason Collins comes out as gay.

Veteran basketball player Jason Collins receives an outpouring of support and admiration after announcing he is gay.

Opening statements begin in civil trial in wrongful death suit brought by Michael Jackson’s family against AEG Live.
A potential witness for Michael Jackson’s mother says allegations of child molestation against the pop star–may make their way into the civil trial for a lawsuit brought by Michael Jackson’s mother against AEG Live.

News headline from the County of San Bernardino:
the World Health Organization (WHO) reported three human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China.  These are the first known human infections with this avian influenza strain.
The virus has also been detected in birds from poultry markets in China.  As of April 25, 2013, […]

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina becomes pope, surprising many who expected the conclave to select a younger cardinal to be pontiff.
Advocates of victims of the recent church sex abuse scandal say newly-elected Pope Francis should take steps to clean up the scandal by disciplining cardinals and bishops were were complicit in the cover-up.

Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday to elect the next pope amid more upheaval and uncertainty than the Catholic Church has seen in decades:  There’s no front-runner and no indication of how long voting will last.

Auto sales, an early indicator of consumer spending, are above a seasonally adjusted rate of 15 million for a fourth straight month, the first time since early 2008.

The former candidate and his wife Ann talked about the loss at the polls and critiqued President Obama’s performance.
Local political news: March 12 vote to decide State Senate 40th District contest for Coachella Valley.