In brief: Pelicans, sea lions scuffling

Los Angeles – Game wardens say nature – not man – is to blame for nearly a dozen brown pelicans that have surfaced along California’s Central Coast with huge puncture wounds in their chest.

Sea lions and pelicans have been competing for baitfish, which are coming in unusually close to shore this year prompting feeding frenzies in the Port San Luis Harbor and Avila Beach areas, said State Fish and Game spokesman Andrew Hughan on Wednesday. Tests showed that the unsettling wounds found in some injured pelicans were actually caused by sea lions.

“It’s nature doing its thing,” he said. “We’re relieved that it’s nature and not a malicious poacher or some kids out there.”

Four of seven wounded birds that were captured in recent days had to be euthanized because of severe injuries. Four other pelicans with gaping wounds couldn’t be caught.

Controversial judge gets nod

San Francisco – A University of California, Berkeley law professor whose nomination to a federal appeals court was blocked by Senate Republicans was unanimously approved Wednesday for the California Supreme Court.

The state’s three-member Commission on Judicial Appointments unanimously voted for Goodwin Liu’s nomination, and Gov. Jerry Brown was scheduled to swear in Liu today.

“This has to be the most peaceful and enjoyable judicial appointment conference in the country,” Liu said to laughter from about 100 spectators who filled the state Supreme Court chamber to watch the hearing.

Several influential Republican senators who took exception to Liu’s outspoken opposition to Samuel Alito’s 2006 appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court prevented Liu from becoming a member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after President Barack Obama nominated him for that post last year.

Liu came to Brown’s attention during the bruising confirmation process for the appeals court. Brown said he began discussing the state Supreme Court vacancy with the law professor after Liu withdrew from consideration in May.

Immigration rule blocked

Santa Fe, N.M. – A New Mexico judge blocked Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration Wednesday from requiring tens of thousands of immigrants to recertify their driver’s licenses and verify whether they continue to live in the state.

Martinez last month announced the residency verification plan, which represents the administration’s latest effort to focus attention on the state’s politically charged license policy.

New Mexico is one of three states – the others are Washington and Utah – where an illegal immigrant can get a driver’s license because no proof of citizenship is required.

Under the residency verification plan, New Mexico sent notices to people that they must schedule an in-person appointment and bring documents, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, to prove they live in the state. The administration plans to cancel licenses of people who no longer are New Mexico residents.

Cougar killed on freeway

Los Angeles – A 15-month-old mountain lion was killed while trying to cross one of Los Angeles’ busiest freeways.

Authorities said the cat was struck by a vehicle Tuesday on Interstate 405 in the Sepulveda Pass, near where officials closed a 10-mile stretch of the freeway in July while workers removed part of a bridge.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area superintendent Woody Smeck told City News Service the mountain lion was one of a handful in the nearby mountains that were being studied by naturalists.

The cat was born in May 2010 and was fitted with a tracking collar when it was 3 weeks old, Smeck said. The animal eventually left its mother’s home range and started moving east.