Local

Politics Wash. legal marijuana group launches television ad campaign

By KOMO Staff & news services Published: Aug 6, 2012 at 5:12 PM PDT Last Updated: Aug 6, 2012 at 5:12 PM PDT

A group pushing a measure to legalize and tax marijuana in Washington state is launching a three-week television ad campaign.

Politics Wash. voters weigh in on crowded primary ballot

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Aug 6, 2012 at 4:49 PM PDT Last Updated: Aug 6, 2012 at 4:50 PM PDT

Washington voters have a crowded primary ballot to decide on, choosing which candidates to advance to the general election in dozens of races ranging from governor to the Supreme Court.

Politics Gov. candidate McKenna plans $1.7 bil. more for public ed

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Jul 31, 2012 at 9:38 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 31, 2012 at 9:38 PM PDT

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna said Tuesday that he would spend an additional $1.7 billion on the state's public education obligations and higher education through 2015.

Politics Wash. voters get to sound off on taxes during advisory vote

By The Associated Press Published: Jul 30, 2012 at 8:11 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 30, 2012 at 8:11 PM PDT

Washington state voters will have a chance to formally tell state lawmakers what they think about some taxes in the state, officials said Monday.

Politics Washington AG candidates spar over role of office

By CHRIS GRYGIEL, Associated Press Published: Jul 27, 2012 at 1:42 AM PDT Last Updated: Jul 27, 2012 at 1:42 AM PDT

Should Washington's attorney general focus on street crime, like gun violence and gangs, or concentrate on making sure people don't fall victim to scams or get taken advantage of by powerful corporate interests?

Politics Charter schools measure officially on Wash. ballot

By The Associated Press Published: Jul 25, 2012 at 8:35 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 25, 2012 at 8:35 PM PDT

The charter schools measure would allow the independent public schools to be established in Washington state for the first time. Voters have rejected the idea three other times, in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Politics Idaho Governor open to health exchange, will study

By Associated Press Published: Jul 11, 2012 at 12:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 11, 2012 at 12:36 PM PDT

Otter said Tuesday he plans to study both options following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Politics Federal muscle to stop this mussel sought by Oregon, other states (Photo Gallery)

By JOHN MILLER, Associated Press Published: Jul 10, 2012 at 9:55 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 9:55 PM PDT

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council guides power and environmental policy in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, all of which are frustrated because boats continue to leave Lake Mead in Nevada and Arizona contaminated with quagga mussels.

Politics It's official: Dino Rossi sworn in as temp state senator

By The Associated Press Published: Jul 10, 2012 at 6:02 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 6:02 PM PDT

Dino Rossi was sworn in to office on Tuesday after the Metropolitan King County Council chose him to serve out the remainder of former Sen. Cheryl Pflug's term.

Politics Dino Rossi gets appointed back to state Senate

By The Associated Press Published: Jul 9, 2012 at 6:21 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 9, 2012 at 6:21 PM PDT

The Metropolitan King County Council appointed Dino Rossi on Monday to serve out the remainder of former Sen. Cheryl Pflug's term.

Politics Over $2 mil. raised in fight to keep Wash. gay marriage law

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Jul 9, 2012 at 5:52 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 9, 2012 at 8:36 PM PDT

Supporters of gay marriage in Washington state said Monday that they raised more than $952,000 last month for the campaign to uphold the state's new law, which is currently on hold pending the outcome of a November ballot measure.

Politics Idaho health care panel to meet July 30 on ruling

By Associated Press Published: Jul 5, 2012 at 1:44 PM PDT Last Updated: Jul 5, 2012 at 1:44 PM PDT

The July 30 meeting of a Senate-House health care task force was added to the Legislature's calendar this week after the 5-4 decision that Obama's reforms were legal.

Politics Grocers to state: Please stagger food stamp distribution

By Associated Press Published: Jul 2, 2012 at 10:50 AM PDT Last Updated: Jul 2, 2012 at 10:50 AM PDT

A petition now circulating with support from grocers and the group, Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger, calls on Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for a fix.

Politics 'Your Voice, Your Vote:' Wash. same-sex marriage & PPS school bond (Video)

By KATU News Published: Jul 1, 2012 at 10:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Jul 2, 2012 at 3:23 PM PDT

This week on "Your Voice, Your Vote:" A proponent and opponent of same-sex marriage discuss Washington's Referendum 74. Also, a Portland school board member discusses the proposed construction bond.

Politics Inslee, McKenna talk health care, budget at forum

By MANUEL VALDES,Associated Press Published: Jun 28, 2012 at 2:03 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 28, 2012 at 2:03 AM PDT

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee on Wednesday stuck to his message that restarting job growth will help many ailing sectors in Washington state, from education to delinquent mortgages.