Here's your daily briefing...
Campaign loophole targeted: More limits on campaign contributions may be in the offing for California. A proposal moving through the legislature would close what its author calls a huge loophole. Assemblyman Marc Levine of Marin County says campaign donors are currently able to easily circumvent the $4,200 contribution limit by laundering candidate donations through political parties. The proposal, announced this week, is expected to be introduced in December.
Cash for schools: Scores of Local school districts have millions riding on November’s election. In addition to a statewide school bond, on the ballot as Proposition 51, about 180 school districts around California are asking local voters for even more support. Officials say local funding is critical for getting state money, which is often parceled out as competitive grants requiring a large match from local districts.
Epic fish story: Researchers with the University of California, Santa Cruz say they recorded an elephant seal making an epic 7,400-mile fishing trip. University officials said that an 853-pound female Northern Elephant Seal swam 3,700 miles west from Año Nuevo Reserve before turning for home. Elephant seals typically swim an average 2,000 miles during their eight-month migration. The adventurous animal was named after Phyllis Sooy, a late newspaper reporter and philanthropist.