By DALE KASLER, Sacramento Bee

California's mortgage-workout program had its busiest month in September since the voluntary program began last November, the state said this week.

A total of 27,829 troubled mortgages were resolved in one form or another through the program brokered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to the Department of Corporations.

That beat the previous high of 26,358 in July.

If the turmoil on Wall Street winds up crippling the economy, as many experts fear, the impact won't just be felt in headline-grabbing bank failures or dramatic swings in the Dow.

It could be felt in quieter, less sensational fashion, too.

A California toddler's death prompted the voluntary nationwide recall last week of two makes of youth beds.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of the La Jolla Boat Bed and Pirates of the Caribbean Twin Trundle Beds, both by Bayside Furnishings of San Diego.

Gasoline prices continue to set records across the nation, but the daily increases are getting smaller and there are signs that prices could be nearing a peak.

After peaking at $135.09 last Thursday, crude retreated. California prices were up minimally early this week, and reports of significant declines in consumption sent crude oil prices down $3.34 a barrel, to $128.85.

California gasoline prices are up again after stabilizing earlier in the month -- and the $4 gallon is well within view.

California's statewide average gas price has risen to $3.94 a gallon, a 22-cent increase in the past month, AAA of Northern California said this week.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A desperate slashing of interest rates may ease some of the nation's economic jitters but may not be enough to stave off recession. It also probably won't provide an immediate fix for a deepening foreclosure crisis that has moved into uncharted territory in California.

California won its legal battle against the world's automakers over global warming.