Steven Cuevas

A new state law will require restaurant workers to obtain food-handling licenses, beginning Friday. The law is designed to prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses. But bakers, baristas, bartenders and others still have time to get licensed before they face penalties.

The Democrats’ latest state budget, which was passed on Tuesday, would slash $650 million each from the California State University and the University of California systems. Those reductions, which come on top of hundreds of millions of dollars the state cut from the systems in recent years, might force the shortening of the academic year, and keep UC Riverside's new medical school from opening.

Riverside County supervisors have delayed a vote on a controversial fee on big solar energy farms. The proposed fee is meant to offset the potential effects of projects like this on roads, residents and the environment. Critics say it’ll impose a chill on the region’s hottest new industry.

People have a couple more chances to chime in on possible routes and stations for the Inland segment of California’s proposed high speed rail system.

The battle over a proposed open-pit quarry in southwest Riverside County heats up again this week. A county planning commission is winding up public hearings over the contentious project. Supporters say Liberty Quarry will bring in good jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. Opponents say the cost for that will come in hazards to public health and the environment.

The Riverside County coroner’s office is investigating the death of Menifee vice-mayor Fred Twyman. Twyman collapsed at his home Wednesday night and died at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

A lack of state funding could stall the opening of UC Riverside’s medical school. The first class might not start next year as planned if lawmakers don’t come through with a multi-million dollar funding commitment.

Voters in the city of Menifee cleared the way on Tuesday for the construction of a new Wal-Mart Supercenter. The project will rise along one of the busiest thoroughfares in southwest Riverside County. Wal-Mart hopes to open its new superstore in about two years.

Legendary Los Angeles punk band X is staging one of its occasional reunions this weekend in Orange County. The band hasn’t put out a new record in years, but its founding members stay busy with a host of other projects. One of them includes Don “DJ” Bonebrake, who occasionally trades in his drumsticks for vibraphone mallets with his work in jazz combos, classical orchestras and maybe even your band.

The sounds of jet planes, motorcycles and military bands will permeate the calm of Riverside National Cemetery during its annual Memorial Day tribute. It’s the region’s largest and best-known event this holiday. Other lesser-known, equally worthy events will also attract crowds today.

Storm-battered Highway 330 in the San Bernardino Mountains has reopened to traffic Friday months ahead of schedule, but it will promptly close again after the three-day weekend for a final round of repairs.

For the next month, psychiatrists will evaluate a 10-year-old Riverside boy accused of murdering his father. Authorities say the young boy confessed to the killing during an interview with detectives.