News

Pop stars and Nuns. They don’t usually go together, with some notable exceptions.

But in 1973 Sister Janet Mead, a Roman Catholic nun from Australia had an international smash hit on her hands with her single “The Lord’s Prayer”. Selling over two million copies, Sister Janet donated all the sales proceeds to charity and continues to record to this day.

But she wasn’t the first nun to strike pop gold...

An April 13th bill signing ceremony in Olympia presented a strange scene. Governor Chris Gregoire was surrounded by a motley crew of leather-clad bikers. They were there to watch her sign into law a ban on police officers profiling motorcycle riders. It was a lighthearted affair.

But some police officers aren't laughing. In fact, they're furious. One of the bikers in the room that day killed a Portland cop 30 years ago. But  the story gets even more complicated. It would take a cop's eyes to pick him out of the crowd.  It was Robert "Pigpen" Christopher, a longtime member of the Outsiders Motorcycle Club with chapters in Portland and Tacoma.

The State Patrol and Clear Channel Outdoor launched a new campaign today to warn people who might be considering getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

The campaign features six billboards in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. The billboards relay the mission of the State Patrol's Target Zero Teams, which are comprised of 21 troopers that focus on impaired drivers. The troopers are joined by police officers and sheriff's deputies when time and funding allows.

Some industries are slowly creating jobs again, but construction isn’t really one of them. The state lost about 2,400 construction jobs just last month, according to state employment economists. But in Seattle, hope could be on the horizon.

The clanking and pounding sounds of construction are starting to return to the city. Some builders who work on high-rise projects have been able to dust off their nail guns, thanks to a growing demand for apartments.

Federal regulators have put the brakes on construction of a second Boeing 787 assembly line in South Carolina. 

The National Labor Relations Board today filed a complaint accusing the Boeing Company of putting one of its assembly lines for the new 787 in South Carolina to retaliate against union workers who went on strike in 2008.

Why were "bath salts" for sale in head shops? Because they contained stimulants known as substituted cathinones that can affect user behavior and judgment. They've been growing in popularity as a legal alternative to cocaine or methamphetamine.

As of April 15th, they're no longer legal in Washington; the state Board of Pharmacy has approved emergency rules classifying the salts as Class I controlled substances, banning their manufacture, sale, delivery and possession.

What do you like about Washington? The state’s tourism office wants to know. Today, it’s launching a campaign called Share Your Washington.

Insiders from many of Seattle's most recognizable big businesses are gathering today at the Washington State Convention Center downtown.

Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, REI, and The Mariners have all been invited to give interactive presentations meant to inspire others in the region to follow in their footsteps. The topic? Going Green.

Making headlines around the Northwest:
 

• Lawsuit Alleges Tacoma Officer's Sleep Delayed Amber Alert for Murdered Girl
• Lab Tests Show 80% of Seattle-area Raw Chickens Have Dangerous Germs
• State to Hold Earthquake Drill This Morning
• Malaria Drugs Stolen From Gates Foundation-backed Group

Lawsuit: Tacoma Officer Fell Asleep, Delaying Amber Alert for Zina Linnik

A lawsuit against Tacoma police over the abduction and killing of a 12-year-old girl says an Amber alert was delayed because an officer fell asleep.

Wouldn't it be great to have chocolate Easter octopuses instead of bunnies?

Just think -- eight legs to bite off  instead of just a couple of measly ears.   But of course we're not talking about dessert today.  Today we're talking about main course holiday eating for  Passover and Easter.

The Washington legislature is headed for an overtime session. The Senate late Monday approved its plan to close a 5-billion dollar budget shortfall. But it is unlikely differences between the House and Senate can be reconciled by this Sunday’s Easter deadline.

What does an airplane such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner have in common with Wikispeed’s SGT01 (its parts are interchangeable), Western Washington University’s Viking 45 (no it’s not a household appliance), Northwest Wind Power’s energy ball (it has turbine blades) have in common?  

They are lightweight, fuel efficient, made of advanced composite materials, innovative and a way to learn more about how new technology will help us lighten up and celebrate Earth Day, every day. 

U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell say Wall Street speculation in the oil and gas market is directly affecting small business in Washington. 

At a news conference held at Local Roots Organic in Seattle they were joined by several business owners who said high gas prices are taking a toll on their bottom line.

As authorities investigate the arson at Tacoma's landmark pagoda building, police say another fire was set Monday night at a Point Defiance Park restroom.

A security guard locking up the restrooms found a trash can on fire about 9:35 p.m. Monday night. The guard pulled the can outside and called the Tacoma Fire Department, Fulghum said. Firefighters doused the blaze.

Former Seattle Police Chief and current White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske is reportedly in the running for Chicago’s police superintendent.