SACRAMENTO, CA: The California High-Speed Rail Authority's board has voted to nix the search for an outside agency and move forward with a proposed expansion of its internal communications team.

Lance Simmens, deputy director of communications for the authority, said the decision to manage the work in-house will offer a “more streamlined and tightened communications system.”

The proposal includes a long-term plan to create three regional communications director positions. The staffers will serve as the primary spokespeople for the Bay ...