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Politics Panel: Idaho lawmakers should receive pay raise

By Associated Press Published: Jun 26, 2012 at 7:52 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 26, 2012 at 7:52 AM PDT

The committee also tightened rules about compensating lawmakers for a second residence near the capitol.

Politics Ann Rivers replaces Zarelli in Wash. state Senate

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 25, 2012 at 10:07 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 25, 2012 at 10:07 PM PDT

County commissioners have appointed Republican Rep. Ann Rivers to fill an empty state Senate seat.

Politics Gregoire calls on the feds for tsunami-debris cleanup help (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Jun 18, 2012 at 8:01 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 18, 2012 at 8:16 PM PDT

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire announced Monday a state plan to address tsunami debris that reaches the state's coast from Japan but stressed that federal help is needed.

Politics Inslee releases plan for higher education

By MANUEL VALDES, Associated Press Published: Jun 14, 2012 at 4:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 14, 2012 at 4:32 PM PDT

To improve higher education, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee wants to cap a state-backed student loan at a 3 percent interest rate, expand online courses to aid people who dropped out of college and increase partnerships with the state's premier private colleges.

Politics Idaho Dems gather in Boise for party convention

By Associated Press Published: Jun 14, 2012 at 9:11 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 14, 2012 at 9:11 AM PDT

Democratic Party Chairman Larry Grant says the agenda for the three-day event includes selecting delegates to attend the party's national convention later this summer and hammering out a platform.

Politics McKenna, Inslee debate health insurance, education (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press Published: Jun 12, 2012 at 6:17 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 12, 2012 at 6:17 PM PDT

Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee sparred over health insurance and education Tuesday in the first debate of the 2012 race for governor in Washington, with neither candidate coming out a clear winner.

Politics School employee union endorses McKenna for WA governor

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 12, 2012 at 12:24 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 12, 2012 at 12:24 AM PDT

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna has captured the endorsement of a state union representing public school employees, including teacher's assistants and bus drivers.

Politics Inslee raises nearly $574K in May; McKenna $1.2M

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Jun 12, 2012 at 12:19 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 12, 2012 at 12:19 AM PDT

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee reported Monday that he raised nearly $574,000 in cash contributions for the month of May, about half of what his Republican opponent, Attorney General Rob McKenna, raised during that month.

Politics Some fraudulent signatures found for WA gay-marriage referendum

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 11, 2012 at 8:25 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 11, 2012 at 8:25 PM PDT

Elections officials said Monday that approximately 1,000 of the nearly 250,000 signatures submitted to qualify a referendum on gay marriage in Washington state appear to be fraudulent.

Politics McKenna raises $1.2 million for gubernatorial campaign in May

By The Associated Press Published: Jun 8, 2012 at 10:34 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 8, 2012 at 10:33 PM PDT

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna is reporting a $1.2 million fundraising haul from May.

Politics AP analysis: Inslee still vague on major issues

By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Published: Jun 5, 2012 at 12:18 AM PDT Last Updated: Jun 5, 2012 at 12:18 AM PDT

Jay Inslee launched his campaign for governor 11 months ago with some vague and inconclusive policy statements. He's still leaving a lot to the imagination.

Politics Romney secures 24 Wash. delegates so far

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Jun 1, 2012 at 8:56 PM PDT Last Updated: Aug 29, 2012 at 12:03 AM PDT

Mitt Romney has won more than half of Washington state's delegates so far, winning 24 Friday compared to five secured by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.

Politics Idaho's final primary tally shows turnout at 24 percent

By Associated Press Published: Jun 1, 2012 at 12:56 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 1, 2012 at 12:56 PM PDT

The Idaho Secretary of State's office posted the official results from the May 15 primary online.

Politics Education overhaul plans set Inslee, McKenna apart

By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP, Associated Press Published: May 31, 2012 at 4:27 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 1, 2012 at 9:31 AM PDT

Both of Washington state's leading gubernatorial candidates say schools should find innovative new ways to teach. But they disagree sharply on how to make this happen, illustrating a key disagreement among voters.

Politics Lawmaker on invasive mussels: 'It really does scare me'

By BETSY Z. RUSSELL - The Spokesman-Review Published: May 31, 2012 at 11:48 AM PDT Last Updated: May 31, 2012 at 11:48 AM PDT

A longer-lived infestation at the Great Lakes has resulted in the near extinction of the native clam population, a sharp reduction in plankton and major changes in fish and plant species, along with expensive problems for water intakes, boat motors and beaches.