The Real Dirt

State lawmakers from the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys were not responsible for new legislation designating “San Joaquin Red” as California’s official state dirt. But, reports columnist Scott Harris, they were heavily involved in passage of several law-and-order bills, reflecting suburban concern about crime. B1

* High Flier: At the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, NASA officials are conducting flight tests of the X-38, a quirky-looking craft that is to become the emergency crew return vehicle for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. “Captive Carry” flight tests with the X-38 attached under the wing of a B-52 began last July. The test schedule calls for an unmanned X-38 to be launched from a space shuttle for return to Earth in mid-2000. Valley Briefing B2.