Northwest

West Nile virus found in Yakima mosquitoes

YAKIMA — West Nile virus has turned up in two samples of mosquitoes collected in Yakima County.

Supreme Court won't hear Seattle officer appeal

The Supreme Court won't reconsider a jury's decision that an off-duty Seattle police officer who was cut off in traffic violated a man's rights by detaining him at gunpoint.

Schools' independence hits snag

2 of Oregon's largest universities' plans face opposition

SALEM, Ore. — A push by two of Oregon's largest universities to break free from the statewide university system has hit a snag amid renewed opposition from some of the smaller, regional schools.

New education standards pose new challenges

It's up to educators to determine how to teach them to students of different levels

SEATTLE -- Language arts teacher Christy Bowman-White leads a class at Sylvester Middle School in Burien in a lesson based on the Common Core State Standards.

Two dead, man, 65, arrested after Ore., fires

COOS BAY, Ore. — Two people are dead, another is believed dead and a 65-year-old man is in custody following arson fires in two Coos Bay homes, the county district attorney said Sunday.

Oregon park rangers seek change in leash law

Oregon park rangers say a loophole in the leash rule is allowing some dog owners to let their pets run free.

Oregon troopers cite 9 drivers traveling together

Oregon State Police say troopers cited nine drivers traveling together on Highway 42 toward the coast after other motorists complained that they were driving carelessly.

Navy Region Northwest gets first woman leader

For the first time, a woman is taking over as commander of Navy Region Northwest.

Kenmore salon owner gets prison in cigarette case

The owner of a Kenmore beauty salon is going to federal prison for selling contraband cigarettes from Vietnam.

Washington delegation in Congress drags feet on marijuana

State's pot backers say they're putting residents at risk

WASHINGTON — It's been seven months since Washington voters legalized recreational marijuana in defiance of federal law -- and contrary to the personal beliefs of most of the state's representatives in Congress.

WSU starts sperm bank for honeybees

Project aimed at improving stock, preventing extinction of subspecies

PULLMAN — There's a lot of buzz at Washington State University over work to develop the first sperm bank for honeybees.

Violence against park rangers, police climbs

Park rangers, wildlife refuge workers and U.S. Park Police experienced more assaults and threats from visitors last year than in 2011, according to a group that represents federal resource workers.

Weyerhaeuser to buy Longview Timber for $2.65 billion

NEW YORK -- Weyerhaeuser, a U.S. real-estate investment trust that owns timberland, agreed to buy Longview Timber for $2.65 billion including debt from affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management, in the third-largest forestry acquisition in North America.

5 things to watch this week in 2nd special session

OLYMPIA -- Washington lawmakers have adjourned both a regular session and one 30-day special session, and now head into the second week of their second overtime session without a budget agreement at hand.