Wire Service

NEWS ALERT: Abortion deal seems to assure passage of health care bill in U.S. House

NYTimes.com via Peninsula Daily News House Democrats who had withheld support of the health care legislation because of abortion concerns said this afternoon that they… Continue reading

Weekend preview: House on track to vote on $940 billion health care bill

The Associated Press WASHINGTON — House Democrats are pushing to the brink of passage a landmark, $940 billion health care overhaul bill that would simultaneously… Continue reading

Port Angeles terrorist to appeal stiffer-sentencing decision

The Associated Press SEATTLE — Would-be millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam is appealing a federal court's ruling that his 22-year sentence was too lenient. A three-judge… Continue reading

Special legislative session starts — extra cost to taxpayer: $18,000 a day

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — State lawmakers have started an overtime session needed to balance a $2.8 billion budget deficit. Gov. Chris Gregoire wants the… Continue reading

Legislature toughens cell phone law

Peninsula Daily News News Services OLYMPIA — The state Legislature has approved a measure that makes it easier for police to ticket people who are… Continue reading

Legislature adjourns — but Gregoire calls special session to start Monday

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire is calling a special session so that lamwakers can finish their work on patching a $2.8 billion… Continue reading

Legislature OKs letting school districts raise more taxes through levy elections

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — The state Legislature has approved a measure that lets cash-strapped school districts ask voters for additional money. On a 29-19… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Mexican now is world’s richest person, not Bill Gates

By Mark Stevenson Associated Press Writer MEXICO CITY -- Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest person, jumping past Americans Bill Gates and… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Gregoire likely to call special legislative session

Peninsula Daily News news services OLYMPIA -- Budget balancing and education reforming -- possibly undone before the Legislature's Thursday night adjournment deadline -- will probably… Continue reading

Gregoire may keep Legislature in session

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — With lawmakers racing to negotiate a budget and tax package as well as education reform, Gov. Chris Gregoire said today… Continue reading

Governor gets bill to make golf carts street-legal in some jurisdictions

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — The Legislature has approved a measure to let golf carts on public roads in cities that allow it. On a… Continue reading

As taxes proposed to rise, Legislature considers more exemptions

By Brian Everstine The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Even as majority Democrats call for the closure of tax loopholes as they try to address the… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: State income tax idea returns in Olympia (Updated Saturday)

Peninsula Daily News news sources OLYMPIA -- The idea of creating a state income tax was raised again Thursday, but a key legislative Democrat --… Continue reading

Rep. Dicks named chairman of Pentagon spending committee

Peninsula Daily News news sources WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Norm Dicks on Thursday officially was designated chairman of the House subcommittee overseeing Pentagon spending, succeeding… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Obama takes charge, demands vote on health care

By David Espo The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The end game at hand, President Barack Obama took command Wednesday of one final attempt by Democrats… Continue reading

On an early morning in Jefferson County . . .

Peninsula Daily News news sources On January 3, 2008, at 3:29 a.m., Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Brett Anglin was parked at the west end of… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Saturday mail delivery might vanish to save money

By Randolph E. Schmid The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The post office is renewing its drive to drop Saturday delivery -- and plans a rate… Continue reading

Reminder: Northwest at risk of earthquake like one in Chile

By Alicia Chang Associated Press Science Writer The disaster in Chile has brought new attention to an undersea fault along the Pacific Northwest capable of… Continue reading

Olympic, other national parks boom amid the recession

Peninsula Daily News News Services WASHINGTON — Ten million more people visited national parks in 2009 than in 2008, but the numbers fell short of… Continue reading

Hitch in Hood Canal Bridge project, state Transportation says; west-half hydraulic system worries continue

State Department of Transportation news release SHINE – WSDOT is delaying the completion of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge project after functional testing of… Continue reading