Northwest

Wash. budget talks move at 'glacial' pace

OLYMPIA -- Staffers in Washington state's financial management agency have been conducting legal and historical research to determine what would happen if lawmakers fail to pass a new budget before the start of the fiscal year.

UW freshmen applications hit record

Out-of-state students, many from California, will be 17% of freshman class

SEATTLE (AP) — The University of Washington says it received more freshmen applications than ever before, and even though the university plans to enroll 150 more Washington students this fall, it was still more difficult to get into UW this year compared to last.

Shoe drive gives kids extra kick

They're more confident, enthused, thanks to high school students' project

SALEM, Ore. -- Two years ago, Laurie Shaw, who for years has worked with youths, could not have predicted what a pair of good-fitting shoes could do for a kid.

Whatever cause, bridge collapse points to bigger problems

The collapse of an interstate highway bridge in Washington state brings new attention to the limits of the country's infrastructure, especially older structures that were designed with little room for error and were never intended to carry the number of cars and trucks they see today.

Oregon Legislature eyes help for timber counties

Lawmakers consider such measures as temporary income tax

SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Legislature is taking a hard look at intervening in the state's timber counties that are running out of money.

Police arrest four in medical marijuana dispensary raids

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Police have arrested four people in raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in Southern Oregon.

Ore. teen arrested in ‘destructive device’ threat

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say they arrested a 17-year-old West Albany High School student at his home on Thursday after receiving information he planned to detonate a “destructive device” at a school.

One critically injured in crash near Castle Rock

A two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 north of Castle Rock sent one person to an area hospital with critical injuries, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn.

WSU votes to limit tuition hike to 2 percent

PULLMAN (AP) — The Washington State University Board of Regents has voted to limit a fall tuition increase to 2 percent, no matter what the Legislature decides concerning the state budget.

UPDATE: Feds look for temporary fix after I-5 collapse

Trucker saw bridge collapse in rearview mirror

MOUNT VERNON — Federal officials were searching the country for a possible temporary replacement for a bridge that collapsed along the crucial Interstate 5 corridor, but Washington Gov. Jay Inslee cautioned Friday that major disruptions will last for weeks, if not months.

State auditors fault Seattle schools over federal grants

Seattle Public Schools may have to repay as much as $490,000 to the federal government because state auditors say the district did not spend some of its federal grant money appropriately in the 2011-12 school year.

Missing woman's family not giving up

Private eye will review file on Susan Powell, father says

SEATTLE — Police say they've taken their best shot at finding missing Utah mother Susan Powell. Now, her dad is hoping a review of the newly released case file — containing tens of thousands of pages of detective reports, maps, interview transcripts and more — might turn up something the investigators missed.