A.M. Splash: Calif. College Tuition Rising Fastest in Nation; San Jose Lowers Pensions For New Hires

California's public universities aren't the most expensive in the country to attend - some are even among the cheapest - but they do have the fastest-rising tuition, according to a U.S. Department of Education ranking of college costs released Tuesday.

A week after voters overwhelmingly passed a measure to cut costly city employee retirement plans, the San Jose City Council took the first step to put those intentions into action by voting Tuesday to shrink pension benefits for new city hires. Under the council's 9-1 vote with several union-backed members joining in support, new city workers except for police officers and firefighters will have to pay half the cost of their pension, which will have smaller payouts and a higher retirement age. The city is seeking reduced pensions for new cops and firefighters through arbitration.

As many as 4,400 registered nurses at nine Bay Area hospitals operated by Sutter Health are set to walk off their jobs Wednesday as part of an ongoing labor dispute with the large Sacramento hospital chain. This will be the fourth strike since September organized by the California Nurses Association, which has its headquarters in Oakland.

As Friday's state budget deadline approaches, a little-noticed provision in Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal would cut off thousands of retirees who return to work for the state. The idea targets all but the most essential of the state's so-called "retired annuitants," a group of about 5,800 workers who drew $110 million in pay from the state last year on top of their pensions.

A plan to redevelop Oakland's long-shuttered Army Base cleared a crucial hurdle Tuesday on its way to a final vote next week, but city negotiators say they will continue to work to ensure that the nearly $1 billion development will maximize job opportunities for city residents.

...Starting Aug. 1, the city - in a program believed to be the first of its kind in the country - will attempt to lure panhandlers to give up their cardboard signs and metal cups in exchange for a small stipend to foster problematic puppies at the city's Animal Care and Control, making them ready for adoption.

Zynga, the biggest maker of games played on Facebook's social-networking site, fell to a record low Tuesday after analysts at Cowen & Co. said use declined last month as players switched to mobile devices.

The population of Black Rock City can grow to as many as 60,900 people this year. A new permit was issued Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the temporary city in the Nevada desert, where the annual Burning Man festival is held. But organizers will need to keep a close watch on the number of people entering the festival or face further permit sanctions.