California: Fabian Nunez

Former Speaker Fabian Nunez, who termed out of the state Assembly last fall, has filed paperwork to make a Sacramento comeback as a state senator.

Nunez, 42, was the longest serving speaker of the term limits era and developed a close relationship with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as they teamed together in 2006 to pass landmark global warming legislation, a hike in the minimum wage and a prescription drug package.

In 2008, Nunez pushed a ballot measure, Proposition 93, to extend his and other incumbent lawmakers' terms in office. Voters defeated the initiative at the polls.

This week, he filed paperwork to fill the seat of termed-out Sen.

The son of former state Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder and assault with a deadly weapon Thursday in an arraignment hearing in San Diego, according to media reports.

Esteban Nuñez, 19, made the plea in connection with the stabbing death of 22-year-old college student in October. Three other men charged with Nuñez, described as friends of his, made the same plea.

SACRAMENTO - The son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez was taken into custody late Tuesday night on suspicion of stabbing a 22-year-old college student to death, authorities told the Los Angeles Times.

San Diego police Capt. Jim Collins said Esteban Nunez was arrested along with three other men, all 19. All three suspects were taken to San Diego where they were jailed. Each faces one count of murder and three counts of assault, officials said.

Sacramento mayoral hopeful Kevin Johnson will tap into his campaign manager's extensive contact list in the capital city for a fundraiser Monday.

The fundraiser will be co-hosted by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Speaker Emeritus Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) at the home of Bob and Linda Naylor in midtown Sacramento.

Steve Maviglio, Johnson's campaign manager, previously worked as a spokesman for Nunez, and is deputy chief of staff for Bass until a new budget is signed.