Sacramento Topics

This undated image provided by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center shows rescued sea lion pups in Laguna Beach, Calif. Scientists say nearly half of all the sea lion pups born in island rookeries off Southern California this season have died and hundreds of starving pups are washing up on beaches between San Diego and Santa Barbara. Southern California rescues have become so overwhelmed, they have had to start sending starving pups to Northern California. And biologists say it is so bad on the beaches that rescuers have had to leave the worst of the pups behind while saving the strongest ones. (AP Photo/ Pacific Marine Mammal Center)

Oct. 17, 2012 - Santa Barbara, California, U.S. - Santa Barbara firefighters battle a wildfire in the rugged hills overlooking Santa Barbara. The fire is threatening about 100 homes near Painted Cave area.

Eileen Boris is the chair of feminist studies and professor of history and black studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is the author (with Jennifer Klein) of "Caring for America: Home Health Workers in the Shadow of the Welfare State."

A reflection of the setting sun on the Amtrak's Surfliner that travels from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo June 19, 2012. This is arguably one of the most beautiful and scenic train rides on the west coast.