By VICTORIA COLLIVER, San Francisco Chronicle

Grocery stores have emerged as a bright spot, posting steady or increased sales at a time when almost all other areas -- including auto dealers, furniture retailers and department stores -- reported significant declines.

Alcohol problems cost California $38 billion a year in deaths, injury, health care expenditures, lost productivity in the workplace, crime, and pain and suffering, according to a summary released Wednesday of an upcoming study by an alcohol-industry watchdog group.

Robert Lupo had never been on an airplane until last month, when he flew to India to get his hip replaced.

The prices that California hospitals charge private insurers and patients vary dramatically -- even after factors like the number of uninsured and the severity of illnesses are considered, according to a study released this week.