In brief: Brown back in governor’s office

Sacramento, Calif. – Democrat Jerry Brown was sworn in Monday as California’s 39th governor, returning to the office he left 28 years ago but inheriting a much different and more troubled state than the one he led then.

Brown has predicted a grim future for the financially beleaguered state. Where his predecessor, Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, expressed optimism at every turn, Brown has been realistic since winning the Nov. 2 election. California has faced several years of deep budget deficits and is confronting another estimated at $28 billion through June 2012.

Brown, 72, said the choices facing California’s 38.8 million people are painful.

“The year ahead will demand courage and sacrifice,” he said.

Disney mascot named in lawsuit

Philadelphia – A Pennsylvania woman who claims Donald Duck groped her at Disney’s Epcot theme park can have her day in court, a federal judge has ruled.

Disney must defend itself against April Magolon’s claims that the character grabbed her breast as she held her child at the Walt Disney World park and then joked about it.

Magolon, 27, of Upper Darby, Pa., claims the May 2008 encounter left her with post-traumatic stress in the form of nightmares, digestive problems and other permanent injuries.

In court papers, the defense argued that Magolon sued the wrong Disney corporate entity and asked the judge to dismiss the suit or move it to Florida, where the encounter took place.

But U.S. District Judge John R. Padova refused, saying Magolon can proceed in Pennsylvania.

Ethics panel clears U.S. Rep. Wilson

Washington – The House ethics committee has ended its investigation of Rep. Joe Wilson after its staff found insufficient evidence that he misused expense money during official travel abroad.

Wilson, a South Carolina Republican elected to his fifth full House term in November, hailed the decision to drop the eight-month probe of him and five other members of Congress.

The ethics panel also cleared fellow Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Democratic Reps. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, Alcee Hastings of Florida, Solomon Ortiz of Texas and Eliot Engle of New York.