Northwest

Small-business health plan finder delayed

Program to help merchants cover workers won't be up until 2014

SEATTLE (AP) — A new health insurance marketplace being set up in Washington to help small businesses find insurance for their employees will not be fully operational this fall, as planned.

Oregon bill: License medical pot retailers

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon legislators are considering a bill to legalize and license medical marijuana retailers, calling it a step toward reining in abuses of the state's 15-year-old effort to allow people to use pot for therapy.

States with tsunami debris to get money from Japan

JUNEAU, Alaska — The five West Coast states affected by debris from the 2011 tsunami in Japan are about to receive an initial $250,000 each from a $5 million gift from Japan for cleanup.

Cowlitz Jail inmate dies at Vancouver hospital

LONGVIEW — An inmate who collapsed at the Cowlitz County Jail died Thursday at a Vancouver hospital.

Washougal man on trial in Astoria

He's accused of trying to kill police officers

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — A trial is under way in Astoria for a Washington state man accused of trying to kill police officers.

Mega Millions winner tries to lead quiet life

Woman moves self, daughters from Idaho to California

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Holly Lahti won one of the biggest lottery jackpots in U.S. history then seemed to disappear from the face of the Earth. She actually moved to the California coast.Lahti, 31, of Rathdrum, Idaho, gave her first interview this week since splitting a $380 million Mega Millions jackpot in January 2011.

Soldier gets life without parole in Iraq killings

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD (AP) — An Army sergeant has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2009 killings of five fellow service members at a combat stress clinic in Iraq.

Serial killer Yates appealing death sentence

Serial killer Robert Yates, whose death sentence has been upheld by the state Supreme Court, is seeking an appeal through the federal court system.

Kaiser Permanente didn’t disclose HIV tests, apologizes

PORTLAND (AP) — Kaiser Permanente Northwest is apologizing to nearly 6,500 members in Oregon and Washington whose blood was tested for HIV without their knowledge or consent.

Tribes fight suicide, a leading killer of native youth

SEATTLE — Suicide stalks Indian Country, claiming more lives of native youth than those in any other population, not only in Washington, but nationally.

Wash. woman spots stolen car in drive-thru

KENNEWICK — A Washington woman whose car was stolen from her apartment complex saw the stolen SUV hours later -- in the drive-thru of the McDonald's restaurant where she works.

Wash. florist sues state in gay wedding case

RICHLAND — A florist targeted by two lawsuits for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding has filed her own lawsuit against Washington state, claiming the state is violating her religious beliefs.

Washington fire deaths down slightly in recent years

Fewer fire-related deaths were reported in 2012 than in the two previous years, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.