Associated Press
Ursula K. Le Guin, best-selling science fiction author, dies
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Ursula K. Le Guin, the award-winning and best-selling science fiction writer who explored feminist themes and was best known for her Earthsea books, has died at 88.
A family statement posted Tuesday on Le Guin's verified Twitter account says she passed away peacefully on Monday...
Officials look into high-speed train from Spokane to Seattle
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Officials are looking into the logistics of a high-speed train from Spokane to Seattle.
The Washington Department of Transportation published a study in December that looked at how well an ultra-high-speed train system would work in the Cascadia Mega region, which is about a 350-mile stretch including Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia...
State House considers bill to allow planning for nuke attack
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A bill introduced in the state Legislature would allow emergency management personnel in the state to once again make plans to evacuate cities ahead of a possible nuclear attack.
Critics argue that lifting the ban would only help bolster an illusion that nuclear war is winnable...
Ore. voters poised to have say on national popular vote bill
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Senate President Peter Courtney has repeatedly blocked a bill that would permit Oregon to give all seven of its electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote during presidential elections.
But that is poised to change at next month's legislative session...
Gov. Inslee heads to Davos, Switzerland
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Jay Inslee will travel to Switzerland this week to participate in the World Economic Forum's Annual meeting.
Inslee's office said Monday that the governor is scheduled to speak on several panels at the meeting in Davos, including a climate change one hosted by former Vice President Al Gore...
State Senate passes bill protecting students’ free speech
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A bill to protect high school and college students' rights to publish and speak freely in school-sponsored media has passed the Washington Senate.
Senate Bill 5064, which also passed the Senate last year, passed on a 43-5 vote Friday and now heads to the House, where it failed to gain traction last year...
Changes made to Mount St. Helens permitting process
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) - The Mount St. Helens Institute says it has made changes to its permitting process for volcano hikes after receiving suggestions from climbers.
The Daily News reported Friday that the permits allowing hikers to climb above 4,800-foot (1,463-meter) elevation on the volcano this year will go on sale Feb...
Senate passes conversion ban, transgender bullying bills
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Senate has passed a bill seeking to ban therapists from trying to change a minor's sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 5722 passed on a 32-16 vote Friday and now heads to the House. The measure would deem it "unprofessional conduct" for a licensed health care provider to perform conversion therapy on a patient under the age of 18...
Court date scheduled for boy accused of starting Gorge blaze
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The teenage boy accused of starting a large wildfire in Oregon's scenic Columbia River Gorge is scheduled to appear in court next month and enter a plea.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the hearing at the Hood River County Courthouse is set for Feb...
Kennewick couple fined for dumping dirt in floodway
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Officials say a Kennewick couple has been fined $16,000 after refusing to make a plan to remove the 296 cubic yards (226 cubic meters) of dirt that they dumped in the Naches River floodway in central Washington.
According to the state Department of Ecology, Richard and Sarah Tamburello began dumping dirt in the floodway near Nile in May 2013 in an effort to extend a part of th