Eleven schools in Ventura County, most of them in the Conejo Valley and Ventura, posted top scores in state education rankings released today. Last year there were eight county schools at the top of their rankings. But the number at the bottom also grew, from four to six in the county. Education writers Jean Moore (jcmoore@VenturaCountyStar.com) and Erin Hutkin (ehutkin@VenturaCountyStar.com) explain what today's numbers mean.

Nearly 500 students attended protest rallies over the lunch hour today at Ventura and Oxnard colleges. Reporters John Scheibe (jscheibe@VenturaCountyStar.com) and Zeke Barlow (zbarlow@VenturaCountyStar.com) were there.

State Treasurer Phil Angelides becomes the first Democrat to officially enter the governor's race ... for 2006. Sacramento bureau chief Timm Herdt (therdt@VenturaCountyStar.com) explains while he's doing it now, and gives a little insight to Angelides ties to Ventura County.

Wire stories will incude the conviction of WorldCom chief Bernie Ebbers and the latest postal anthrax scare in suburban Washington D.C.