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Local NewsUPDATE - 11:09 AM
Mystery solved: Gov. Gregoire visiting troops in Iraq
Gov. Christine Gregoire is in Iraq visiting Washington Army National Guard troops with a delegation including Governors John Corzine, D-New Jersey and Rick Perry, R-Texas.
City roads chief gets icy reception
Seattle's top transportation official defended the city's response to December's snowstorms Monday, saying the city kept arterials clear and bridges open despite nearly a foot of snow that fell over two weeks.
Gregoire's help sought in Maury Island gravel battle
A group of state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Christine Gregoire to step into the fight over a gravel mine on Maury Island. Fourteen legislators sent a letter asking her to suspend and possibly overturn a state lease issued in early December that cleared the way for a major expansion of the mine.
In court, nightclub shooting suspect regained right to gun
An 18-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a hip-hop performer at a Seattle nightclub last weekend successfully petitioned to have his right to own a firearm reinstated last year after his 2007 arrest for possessing a stolen handgun.
Iraq killing headed for court
Federal prosecutors in Seattle intend to charge a former Blackwater USA operative for fatally shooting the bodyguard of the Iraqi vice president after a drunken Christmas party in Baghdad's secure "Green Zone" in 2006, according to the man's attorney and sources within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Puyallup mom who attacked child molester with baseball bat pleads guilty to assault
A Puyallup woman who became an Internet hero after she beat a convicted child molester with a baseball bat pleaded guilty Monday to assault.
3 members of armed-robbery ring arrested in West Seattle
Three members of a suspected armed-robbery ring that has targeted convenience stores over the last month have been arrested.
Body of newborn found at a dump site near Tacoma
The body of a baby boy was found Monday by authorities combing through 60 tons of trash at a dump site near Tacoma, and a teenager believed to be the mother was held on $500,000 bail.
UPDATE - 11:55 AM
Forecasters say heavy rain next for Washington
After heavy snow in the mountains and Eastern Washington, the next round of winter weather for the state may be heavy rain.
Nicole Brodeur
Have gun, will seek power
What was the point of knocking on a side door of Seattle's Chop Suey nightclub early Sunday morning and opening fire? Of killing a hip-hop artist and injuring two others before scurrying away like a cockroach?
King County reaches deal with feds on improving jail
King County corrections officers, trained to restrain inmates by grabbing their hair, must learn more humane techniques, and inmates will get clean underwear every day if the County Council approves a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice.
UPDATE - 12:54 PM
Snoqualmie Pass open again after avalanche work
HYAK — Traffic is moving again on I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass after an hour-and-a-half closure for avalanche control.
Washington state employee hiring freeze lifted
OLYMPIA — The hiring freeze ordered five months ago by Gov. Chris Gregoire is over.
Plum Creek drops forest-road request
A controversial U.S. Forest Service plan that would have made it easier to build houses in Western mountain forests was dropped Monday when the nation's largest private landowner — Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber — abruptly backed off the request that sparked the issue
Obituary
Dr. Eric Offenbacher, Mozart scholar, 96
Eric Offenbacher, renown Mozart scholar and retired dentist, died in Seattle on Monday, Jan. 5, at age 96.
Eyman begins state's '09 initiative drive with new plan to rein in property taxes
Professional initiative promoter Tim Eyman kicked off the 2009 ballot-measure campaigns Monday, introducing a plan that would cap government tax collections and use any excess money to reduce property taxes.
Obituary
Rep. Bill Grant, "shining example"
State Rep. Bill Grant died Sunday (Jan. 4) at a Walla Walla hospital, about a month after being diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer.
Normandy Park man dies in crash
A 57-year-old Normandy Park man died Monday evening after his car collided with a guardrail on Highway 509 and veered off the road.
Light-rail sessions to discuss parking
Port Townsend ferry service back
Superintendent to release closure recommendations
Third-runway meeting Thursday
Bank robberies continue to fall in Washington state
For the second year in a row, the number of bank robberies fell in Washington, according to the FBI. Mon, 1/05
Couple found dead with crying 9-month-old daughter in Oregon home
An Oregon couple who hadn't been seen since New Year's Eve have been found dead inside their locked bedroom with their crying 9-month-old daughter, and three older children had been left out on their own. Mon, 1/05
I-90 open in both directions over Snoqualmie Pass
Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass is now open in both directions, the Washington State Department of Transportation reports. Mon, 1/05
Judge puts Lung Association's NW chapter out of business
A judge has essentially put the Northwest chapter of the American Lung Association out of business, after the chapter got into hot water for giving its Seattle headquarters and $600,000 to a newly created charity. Mon, 1/05
Normandy Park man killed in accident
A 57-year-old Normandy Park man was killed Monday evening when his car, a late-model Toyota Prius, struck a guardrail along Highway 509 near S. 160th Street and left the road. Mon, 1/05
Nation & WorldUPDATE - 12:51 PM
Israel shells near UN school, killing at least 30
Israeli mortar shells struck outside a U.N. school where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge on Tuesday, killing at least 30 people - many of them children whose parents wailed in grief at a hospital filled with dead and wounded.
Tax cuts a big part of Obama's $775B plan
The president-elect is proposing a $775 billion, two-year package that includes about $300 billion in tax cuts or credits, with an emphasis on low- and middle-income earners.
Chew on this: We'll soon be able to grow replacement teeth
It turns out wisdom teeth are prolific sources of adult stem cells needed to grow new teeth for you. From scratch. In your adult life, as you need them. In the near future. According to the National Institutes of Health.
Health-care spending up in 2007, but at slower rate
U.S. health-care spending in 2007 grew at its lowest rate in nine years, due mainly to a slowdown in prescription-drug spending and lower administrative costs for the Medicare program, according to a new government report released Monday.
New U.S. Embassy opens in Baghdad
The U.S. flag was raised Monday over the mammoth new American Embassy in Iraq, symbolizing a new era of restored Iraqi sovereignty and reduced U.S. power, even though it's the biggest U.S. mission on Earth.
Sept. 11 suspect goes on trial in Paris
Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-styled mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, went on trial in Paris on Monday on charges he helped organize a truck-bomb attack on an ancient Tunisian synagogue seven months later in which 21 people were killed.
Travolta's son died of seizure, says undertaker
Jett Travolta's body showed no sign of head trauma and his death certificate says he was killed by a "seizure," an undertaker said Monday, as the 16-year-old's parents, actors John Travolta and Kelly Preston, prepared for a Florida funeral.
Alleged attic-squatter apologizes
A man who allegedly squatted in the attic of a Pennsylvania family's home over Christmas and helped himself to their belongings is "sorry and upset" it happened, his lawyer said Monday.
UPDATE - 12:56 PM
Burris turned away as he tries to claim Obama seat
Roland Burris tried to take President-elect Barack Obama's Illinois Senate seat Tuesday but failed in a scripted piece of political theater staged just before the opening of the 111th Congress. "Mr. Burris is not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois," declared Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
UPDATE - 12:25 PM
Engineer: Tenn. ash spill warning signs ignored
The nation's largest government-run utility ignored two small leaks that could have provided a warning years before a coal ash pond collapsed, flooding a neighborhood with a billion gallons of sludge, a former federal regulator contends.
UPDATE - 09:29 AM
Ex-aide sentenced for role in Detroit sex scandal
Nearly a year after headlines revealed a City Hall sex scandal, the former top aide to ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sent to jail Tuesday to serve the same punishment as her boss: 120 days with time shaved for good behavior.
Teens warned to clean up online profiles
Adults can encourage safer Internet use by young people, who may not consider the consequences of posting drinking habits and sexual behavior, a study shows.
UPDATE - 12:56 PM
6-year-old takes family car after missing bus
A 6-year-old Virginia boy who missed his bus tried to drive to school in his family's sedan - and crashed. His parents were charged with child endangerment. State police said the boy suffered only minor injuries and authorities drove him to school after he was evaluated at a local hospital for a bump on his head. He arrived shortly after lunch, Sgt. Tom Cunningham said.
UPDATE - 09:51 AM
Coleman heads to court as last option in recount
No longer a U.S. senator, Republican Norm Coleman was headed to court Tuesday, seeking to overturn a state board's certification that Democrat Al Franken won the U.S. Senate recount.
UPDATE - 12:10 PM
Diplomats push Syria to pressure ally Hamas
France's president sought Syrian help Tuesday to bring a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to the United Nations for meetings with Arab and European leaders.
UPDATE - 11:26 AM
Former Okla. sheriff on trial in jail sex case
Opening statements began Tuesday for the trial of a former sheriff accused of using his influence over jail inmates and drug court defendants to demand sex from the women.
UPDATE - 11:58 AM
Judge: Gov't hiding evidence in Gitmo case
A federal judge has accused the Bush administration of hiding evidence in the case of a Yemen man who has been held as a terror suspect at Guantanamo Bay for six years.
UPDATE - 11:30 AM
Young Ariz. murder suspect's statement off-limits
Prosecutors in eastern Arizona have agreed not to use statements made by a 9-year-old boy as they pursue murder charges against him, according to court documents released Tuesday.
Japan wants anti-whalers barred from ports
Japan said Tuesday it plans to ask Australia and possibly New Zealand and Chile to ban an anti-whaling protest ship from using their ports to refuel, heightening a cat-and-mouse game in Antarctic waters between Japan's whaling fleet and the conservationists.
Another hearing sought in missing pants case
A former District of Columbia judge who unsuccessfully sued his dry cleaners for $54 million over a lost pair of pants isn't giving up.
UPDATE - 12:55 PM
Baby's corpse thrown out with NJ hospital's trash
Police searched garbage dumps in New Jersey and Pennsylvania on Tuesday for the body of a baby apparently thrown out with the trash at a Jersey City hospital sometime in the past two weeks.
UPDATE - 12:55 PM
German mogul kills self over financial meltdown
German billionaire Adolf Merckle threw himself in front of a train after his business empire, which included interests ranging from VW cars to pharmaceuticals to cement, ran into trouble in the global financial crisis, his family said Tuesday.
UPDATE - 09:05 AM
India: Pakistanis 'must have' backed Mumbai attack
India's prime minister said Tuesday that Pakistani authorities "must have had" a hand in the Mumbai siege, a remark dismissed by Pakistan as propaganda that could undermine efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
NEW - 09:22 AM
Islamic militants ridicule death of Bush cat
Islamic militants posted sarcastic comments on an extremist Web site Tuesday ridiculing a recent announcement by First Lady Laura Bush that the family's cat had died.
UPDATE - 11:05 AM
Moving out: William and Harry set up own office
Princes William and Harry said Tuesday they have been granted their own royal household by their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
UPDATE - 12:41 PM
Pakistan calls for foreign support, not troops
Pakistan's president called Tuesday for foreign allies to provide more support - not more troops - to help win the battle against extremist militias along its volatile border with Afghanistan.
UPDATE - 09:47 AM
Sri Lanka seizes key rebel defense line in north
Sri Lankan troops broke through the Tamil Tigers' northern defense lines Tuesday, the military said, opening another active front in their war against the beleaguered guerrillas.
Stranded sea cow saved by Filipino fishermen
Filipino fishermen rescued an endangered sea cow, pushing it back into open water after it was stranded off a beach in the western Philippines, conservationists said Tuesday.
Woman accused in fatal burning of sleeping husband
An Australian woman accused of setting her husband's genitals on fire because she thought he was having an affair has been charged with murder.
Mother of Palin's future son-in-law enters drug plea
Manslaughter charges filed in NYC crane collapse
A contractor was charged with manslaughter Monday for allegedly using worn, fraying safety straps that broke apart and caused a crane to crash down on a Manhattan neighborhood, killing seven people in one of the city's worst construction accidents in decades. Mon, 1/05
Pirates attack French vessel off Nigerian coast
Pirates hijacked a French boat and took its nine crew members hostage in the latest attack in some of the world's most dangerous waters off oil-rich southern Nigeria, the boat's owner said Monday. Mon, 1/05
Kaine says he'll limit time spent as party leader
Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday he will manage a Virginia budget crisis $3 billion and growing and head the Democratic National Committee in his spare time, largely as "an electronic gig." Mon, 1/05
Kids alone for days, parents dead in locked room
A couple who hadn't been seen for three days were found dead in their locked bedroom with their crying 9-month-old daughter in an apparent murder-suicide. Three older children had been left out on their own. Mon, 1/05
Taliban whopper: claim 5,220 foreign troops killed
The Taliban has long exaggerated its military successes, but its figures for 2008 may be the militia's most startling claims yet. Mon, 1/05
Business & TechnologyUPDATE - 12:02 PM
Median home price in King County tops $400,000 again in December
Median prices for single family homes and condominiums continued to decline in December compared to a year ago, according to figures released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.
UPDATE - 12:00 PM
Apple cutting prices, copy protection on iTunes
Apple (AAPL) closed its final appearance at the Macworld trade show today by cutting the price of some songs in its market-leading iTunes online store to as little as 69 cents and disclosing that soon every track will be available without copy protection.
Microsoft Server and Tools boss Muglia given president title
Microsoft has promoted Bob Muglia, a long-serving executive, to president of the company's Server and Tools Business, a unit that has turned 25 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth. The promotion, announced Monday, makes Muglia one of four presidents at the company.
Starbucks facing more union woes
The union lumps keep coming for Starbucks, which was thumped by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last month for unfair labor practices at several New York cafes.
NEW - 12:16 PM
KB Toys stores to stop accepting gift cards
KB Toys no longer will accept gift cards in stores after Sunday as the Pittsfield, Mass., retailer pursues bankruptcy. KB Toys has stores...
UPDATE - 12:50 PM
Fed: Economic woes will last despite radical moves
Even as Federal Reserve officials slashed their key interest rate to a record low and pledged to use other unconventional tools to fight the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, they still feared the economy would be stuck in a painful rut for some time.
UPDATE - 12:12 PM
Stocks advance after Fed minutes issued
Wall Street advanced today as fresh details from the Federal Reserve on its efforts to combat the recession helped offset disappointing...
NEW - 12:16 PM
Alaska Airlines December traffic falls 5.2 percent
Alaska Air Group Inc. said Tuesday its December passenger traffic fell 5. 2 percent on its main carrier, Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines flew 1...
Madoff should be in jail, says prosecutor
A prosecutor on Monday asked that Bernard Madoff be jailed pending trial, saying the disgraced financier violated an agreement with the court by mailing watches, jewelry, cufflinks and mittens worth more than $1 million to relatives and friends.
New York Times runs front-page display ad
The New York Times, facing falling ad revenue like other newspapers, on Monday became the latest paper to run graphical advertising on its front page.
NEW - 12:20 PM
Starbucks plans to settle another labor complaint
Starbucks has reached a settlement in principal over a Michigan barista who the National Labor Relations Board said was fired in June because...
SportsGymnastics state champions still feel painful loss
As they cope with moving up a classification and the pressure of winning three consecutive state gymnastics titles, the Newport Knights are dealing with something much bigger than their sport — the loss of a teammate.
Keeper Chris Eylander joins FC
Chris Eylander, former goalkeeper for the United Soccer Leagues First Division Sounders, has signed a multiyear contract with Sounders FC...
Mariners waiting out slow-moving market
Jack Zduriencik was chatting with a fellow general manager on Monday morning about the slow-moving free-agent market. By the end of the...
Seahawks | Rod Marinelli interviews to be an assistant under Jim Mora
Jim Mora conducted his first meeting of the Seahawks staff Monday. What that coaching staff will ultimately look like next season, however...
UW football hires USC's Nick Holt as defensive coordinator
Even at the end, it took longer than expected. But eventually, new Washington football coach Steve Sarkisian got his man when the Huskies...
College football | Sooners score points in a hurry
No time to celebrate. Oklahoma's incomparable no-huddle offense is always in a rush. Not until the high-scoring Sooners reach the end zone...
Fiesta Bowl | Longhorns make case for shared title
Left out of the national-title game, Colt McCoy and Texas made the most of their trip to the Fiesta Bowl. McCoy hit Quan Cosby for a 26-yard...
Fishing | Where they're biting, where they're not
Milton Bradley agrees to deal with Cubs
The Chicago Cubs and switch-hitting Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement Monday on a $30 million, three-year contract, according...
Stars of the week
Ruben Navejas, Kentwood wrestling Navejas, a sophomore, had an impressive run through the 103-pound bracket at the Pacific Coast Championships...
LaDainian Tomlinson might miss Steelers' game
A groin injury is hurting LaDainian Tomlinson to the point that he might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh...
Luke Harangody lifts Irish
Luke Harangody didn't let being in foul trouble against Georgetown bother him. Neither did Notre Dame coach Mike Brey.
LeBron James' dribble gets jeers from Wizards
Add LeBron James' "crab dribble" to the lengthy list of talking points in the Cavaliers-Wizards rivalry.
Gonzaga men's basketball has lost its zip
The effects of the loss to Connecticut have lingered, and things won't be getting any easier as Tennessee looms.
NW Briefs | Cougars football to play the Irish
The Washington State football team will play Hawaii, Southern Methodist and Notre Dame in nonconference games in 2009, it was announced...
Briefs | Soccer: Galaxy's Landon Donovan, on loan, joins German team
Soccer Donovan, who led MLS in goals, is with Bayern Munich: Landon Donovan, a forward for the Los Angeles Galaxy who led Major League Soccer...
Monday's state basketball scores
Sounders sign backup goaltender
Chris Eylander played for UW and USL Sounders Mon, 1/05
Seattle Times boys state basketball rankings
Mon, 1/05
Seattle Times girls state basketball rankings
Mon, 1/05
EntertainmentBooks, paintings become video art in two exhibitions
Video installations, including the Henry Art Gallery's "Adaptation" and Jack Straw's "Still Point," explore possibilities of adaptation from an odd assortment of media.
ACT Theatre adds Judd Hirsch to season
Noted TV, film and stage actor Judd Hirsch will star in the ACT Theatre production of "Below the Belt," the Richard Dresser play that Hirsh first starred in Off Broadway.
Rare Seattle performance of Dadaist sound poem
All together now!: "Fümms bö wö tää zää Uu, pögiff, kwii Ee. " That's the opening of "U.S.nata,"...
Kingsley leads wacky parade
"The Wackness" and "Ping Pong Playa" arrive on DVD this week.
Previews of Seattle Opera's "The Pearl Fishers" at Seattle Public Library branches
It's like a free humanities class with a live performance to boot: Several branches of the Seattle Public Library will host previews of...
NEW - 11:36 AM
Prince to release three new albums in 2009
Prince will release three new albums in 2009.
The return of "Scrubs" is a Tuesday TV pick
The consistently funny medical comedy is back for its eighth season, on a new network and with back-to-back episodes. Courteney Cox guest stars...
UPDATE - 11:31 AM
Alan Colmes plays Colbert's sidekick for a day
Divorced from his longtime co-host Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes was adopted by Stephen Colbert - for a day, at least.
NEW - 08:52 AM
Attorney says charge against Brolin to be dropped
An attorney for actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright says prosecutors have agreed to drop all charges in an incident at a Louisiana bar last year.
Oscars 2.0: The film academy revamps its Web site
Want to hear Cameron Crowe's thoughts on winning an Oscar or see how king-sized movie posters are assembled? How about a sneak peek at some of the exclusive exhibitions held at the film academy's Beverly Hills headquarters?
UPDATE - 11:30 AM
Swayze faces cancer (and a new TV series) bravely
Patrick Swayze says his yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer put him "through hell" while he pushed ahead on his new TV series.
UPDATE - 11:30 AM
`Dark Knight,' `Iron Man' battle for effects Oscar
Superheroes Batman, Iron Man and Hellboy are mixing it up with Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and an ancient mummy for the visual-effects Academy Award.
UPDATE - 08:46 AM
`Medium' star Patricia Arquette files for divorce
Patricia Arquette has filed for divorce from her actor-husband.
`Marley' digs in at No. 1 spot with $24M weekend
Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson's family dog tale "Marley & Me" nuzzled its way to another top finish at the box office, pulling in $24.3 million over its second weekend. Mon, 1/05
LivingNEW - 11:51 AM
Solution for cleaning laminate wood floors
How to clean laminate wood floors and make your own cleaner.
Travel & OutdoorsNEW - 12:02 PM
Hotels' makeup-removal towelettes recalled because of bacteria
Makeup-removal towelettes — called "simplySmart Remove" — are recalled from Holiday Inn Express hotels because of contamination that could cause eye infections
NEW - 09:54 AM
Indian airline fires 9 overweight flight attendants
Air India fires 9 overweight flight attendants
NEW - 11:19 AM
U.S. airlines launch fare sales for winter and spring travel
Airlines launch a wave of fare sales to fill seats as weak economy keeps travelers home
NEW - 10:49 AM
Travel Troubleshooter
Getting a refund for rental-car snafu
Travel ombudsman Christopher Elliott helps a traveler get a refund for rental car booked through Hotwire
Celebrate Lunar New Year in New York's Chinatown
Chinese New Year to be celebrated in style in New York's Chinatown with parade, lion dances, museum events and more Mon, 1/05
New York's famed Rainbow Room restaurant to close
Rainbow Room restaurant in New York City to close; ritzy venue falls victim to economy and lease dispute, but bar and weekend dinner-dancing will remain Mon, 1/05
Passport cards popular for Canada/Mexico travel
The cheaper, simpler passport card is proving popular in border states, including Washington, as an alternative to a conventional passport for land and sea border crossings with Canada and Mexico. Mon, 1/05
OpinionEditorial
Approval of Puget Sound Energy takeover by foreign interests the wrong decision
COMMISSIONER Philip B. Jones was right to oppose the $30-a-share takeover of Puget Sound Energy by the Macquarie Group Ltd. of Australia and Canadian... Mon, 1/05
Editorial
Gov. Bill Richardson, a tarnished future
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson infuriates supporters who cannot imagine him close to a cheesy scandal that compromises a bright future in public service. Mon, 1/05
MRSA not hospitals' only infection challenge
Prevention of health-care-associated infections, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is fundamental to patient safety. Mandatory screening and reporting policies alone, especially if focused on MRSA only, will not achieve the needed change in the larger problem of multidrug-resistant hospital-associated infections. Mon, 1/05
Sex trafficking: Time to launch a 21st-century abolitionist movement
The trafficking of girls into brothels represents a modern form of slavery. There would be powerful symbolism in President-elect Obama reminding the world that the war on slavery isn't yet over, and helping lead the 21st-century abolitionist movement. Mon, 1/05