New York Times News Service More than 90 percent of California's rice fields are planted from the air.

SACRAMENTO – In one of the most volatile years of their farming experience, California's rice growers eagerly planted a new crop this spring that could reap record profits. Drought in Australia, food riots in Egypt and a shortage of other food grains such as corn because of the move to ethanol are just a few of the complex global ingredients roiling the global market for rice, a diet staple for half the earth's population.

• Intrepid aviators plant rice from above

The San Diego Community College District routinely paid more than its appraisals for property needed to expand campuses because it didn't act quickly enough when real estate prices were skyrocketing.

2008 VOTE: PRESIDENT

Pivoting toward the general election, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is turning again to his fundraising machine, which helped to anoint him as a contender against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and then became a potent weapon in their battle for the Democratic nomination.

JUYUAN, China – At China's moment of maximum exposure, it is facing the ultimate tests. The year 2008 has loomed without equal on China's horizon ever since the day in 2001 that it won the chance to host the Olympic Games and showcase its national transformation.

SACRAMENTO – Powerful state senators from both parties are challenging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed spending spree on selected state programs to address global warming.