10:01am

Sun February 27, 2011
Environment

Freight train derails near Tacoma; at least 50 gallons of lye spilled

Credit Dan / gigharbor.patch.com

Updated 12:15 p.m. Sunday, February 27: Authorities report the leak has since been repaired, according to a statement from West Pierce Fire & Rescue Sunday as reported by Q13 FOX TV. Authorities confirmed that about 50 gallons of sodium hydroxide spilled. Amtrak passenger service between Seattle and Portland has been suspended because of the accident.

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6:54pm

Fri February 25, 2011
Education

Seattle Schools superintendent could lose job over audit revelations

Credit Gary Davis / KPLU

New details emerged today over allegations of internal fraud and management 'failures' within Seattle Public Schools, and they may cost Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson her job. Her firing is one of the options the school board is considering in the wake of reports delving into financial mismanagement of a district contracting program.  

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6:22pm

Fri February 25, 2011
Vandalism

Joy riders damage Tacoma parks

Vandals have damaged the Jane Clark Park sports field in Tacoma. Officials won't know exactly how bad the damage is until they can test the irrigation and drainage systems in the spring. It appears a 4x4 vehicle left deep ruts running from one end of the field to the other.

The park had recently been upgraded as part of the 2005 Park Improvement bond measure. Joy riders also ripped up half a dozen other Tacoma parks this week.

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4:58pm

Fri February 25, 2011

1:45pm

Fri February 25, 2011
Sports with Art Thiel

Huskies bounce back after controversy - NCAA tourney bound?

Credit AP

After a mid-season controversy and losing a shot at the Pac-10 title, the Washington Huskies appear poised to end the regular season on a high note. And they might just make it to the NCAA tournament.

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1:03pm

Fri February 25, 2011
Law & Justice

Video shows Seattle cop stomping on suspect

 

Newly released video shows Seattle Police Officer James Lee stomping on the head of a man detained by a group of cops in city's Belltown neighborhood last October.

KING-TV's Linda Brill reports the incident is bringing further allegations of excessive force by Lee, already under criminal investigation for kicking a teenager in a Belltown convenience store, just minutes before the second confrontation happened.

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8:18am

Fri February 25, 2011
Defense

Tanker deal is big win for Washington aerospace, 10 years in the making

Credit Ben Margot / AP Photo

Aerospace workers in the Puget Sound region are celebrating.  So is the state's congressional delegation, which has fought for 10 years to win a lucrative contract to build a refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force.

The Pentagon's Deputy Secretary of Defense, William Lynn, says Boeing was "a clear winner" in the competition to build a multi-billion-dollar refueling tanker.  This means unless rival bidder EADS contests the decision, a newly revamped 767 line at Boeing's Everett factory will likely be busy for decades. 

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8:11am

Fri February 25, 2011
Higher Education

Budget cuts could mean fewer spots for Washington students, faculty at state universities

Credit Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

More than 3,100 Washington students might not get into the state’s largest universities in the next couple of years. Hundreds of faculty and staff could lose their jobs. That’s what university presidents say will happen if the legislature slashes higher education funding beyond what the governor has already proposed.

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7:58am

Fri February 25, 2011
Agriculture

Middle East among factors causing wheat price volatility for Washington farmers

Credit Wikimedia Commons

The tumultuous political climate in the Middle East is creating volatility in the price of wheat.  Northwest farmers and wheat traders are trying to hedge against the uncertainty.

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7:48am

Fri February 25, 2011
News Roundup

Friday morning's headlines

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

  • Boeing and Region Cheer Contract Win
  • Seattle Schools "Rogue" Manager
  • Cold Weekend Ahead

 

Upset Victory Spawns Local Celebrations

Boeing was the "underdog" and came out fighting to win, according to U.S. Senator Patty Murray. At a celebratory Seattle news conference with Senator Maria Cantwell and other state congressional leaders, they praised the Pentagon's decision on the $35 billion Air Force tanker contract, as KPLU's Bellamy Pailthorp reported.

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