CALIFORNIA-AVALANCHE/

Authorities in California say it will be at least another day before crews can attempt to recover the bodies of eight people killed in an avalanche and one other who remains missing. Crews say there's still heavy snow and a high risk of more avalanches Thursday in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe. The victims include a group connected to an area skiing academy. Six others were found alive by rescuers Tuesday hours after the avalanche hit on Tuesday. A mayor near San Francisco says the group included moms from the Bay Area. Authorities said Wednesday that among the survivors are one of four professional guides on the trip.

Authorities looking into the deadly avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada will investigate whether criminal negligence played a role in the tragedy. A sheriff's office leading one of several investigations said Friday that it couldn't share more details, saying it is an open investigation. A California state agency that regulates workplace safety also is investigating Tuesday's avalanche that killed eight. One other person remains missing and is presumed dead. Among the questions being considered is why the tour company that organized the backcountry ski trip moved forward in the face of a powerful storm. Crews are hoping to make progress Friday in their efforts to recover the victims.