KPLU News Staff

If you question whether the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle should be replaced with a deep-bore tunnel, a trip to Madrid, Spain, could clear up some uncertainties. That’s all Governor Chris Gregoire said it took to confirm her decision.

(Update with new photo and video)

Chai Li, a female clouded leopard at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, gave birth to a litter of two cubs Tuesday. Staff had been on a round-the-clock pregnancy watch of the 23-month-old clouded leopard for the past 24 hours.

This is Chai Li’s first litter. She and the cubs’ father, 23-month-old Nah Fun, were born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand and put together as a future breeding pair when they were five days old.

Seattle University has accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. The WAC announced the move Tuesday following a board of directors meeting in Park City, Utah.

For a number of years, honey bee populations have been shrinking. It's called colony collapse disorder. To help understand this bee die-off, citizen scientists are being asked to keep an eye on their gardens this summer as part of The Great Sunflower Project.

Maybe you didn't get the word that the law changed last June: Using your cellphone while driving -- unless you have a hands-free connection -- is a primary offense in Washington.

That means officers can pull you over and write you a $124 ticket, even if you're otherwise obeying the traffic laws. It used to be only a secondary offense, meaning police had to see you speeding, or making an illegal turn, for example, before ticketing you.

The Seattle Times has figured out that Seattle Police have issued about six times as many cellphone tickets since the law changed, compared to the previous year, and the Washington State Patrol has issued about five times more tickets. 

30 percent chance of showers this morning. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Forecast here.

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Fast-attack sub commander relieved of duty
• Odd news roundup: Biting flies, yearbook fail
• Groups push for minority districts in Washington
• Seattle parking meters balk at credit cards

Navy cans officer over classified information

The Navy says the commanding officer of a fast attack submarine homeported in Washington state has been relieved of duty after an investigation into the mishandling of classified information.

According to a Navy announcement, Cmdr. Michael Varney was reassigned Monday for violating a general order, making a false official statement and for wrongful interference in an adverse administrative proceeding.

Its scientific name is Amorphophallus Titanum, but its most commonly known as a corpse flower.  And it could bloom any day now in the University of Washington's botany green house.

Chance of rain or drizzle this morning, possibly increasing to showers this afternoon. Forecast here.

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Regents at WSU hike tuition 16 percent
• Aurora Bridge earthquake work has to be redone
• Amazon staffers among the most stressed
• Bellevue City Council probe narrowed to one
• Seattle reassigns police to promote nightlife safety

WSU Regents hike tuition 16 percent

The Regents of Washington State University have approved a sixteen percent increase in in-state undergraduate tuition on the same day that Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law legislation giving Washington state’s four-year universities authority to set their own tuition.

Partly sunny today. High near 70. Southwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Police shoot and kill bear in Lynnwood neighborhood
• State is investigating Seattle district's sale of MLK school
• Chief Seattle's 145-year-old gravesite gets a new look
• Concert review: U2 lifts off on a perfect day at Quest Field

A bear fleeing capture was killed this morning in Lynnwood

Police have killed a bear they were tracking overnight in a Lynnwood neighborhood, the Associated Press reports. KIRO-TV captured video of the bear fleeing and being killed. Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said the bear was dangerous because it was too close to homes and a nearby school.

New air services connecting Seattle to Iceland and Asia have helped Washington state lead the nation in attracting visitors from overseas, according to the U.S. Commerce Department and Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tying with Nevada for the highest percentage growth in foreign visitors from 2009 to 2010, Washington state visits increased by 32 percent compared with an 11-percent growth nationally.

Among top U.S. cities, Seattle and Los Angeles led with a 33-percent increase in attracting foreign visitors. Other cities with double-digit increases were Las Vegas with 31 percent; Atlanta, 25 percent, and San Diego, 24 percent.

Twenty-nine towers, parking structures and elevated berms may be built on the Washington coast as emergency sites where people could ride out a tsunami.

The "vertical elevation" sites would be able to withstand a 30-foot wave and would be available to residents and tourists with a 30-minute warning.

Sunny today. High 65. Warm & sunny weekend ahead. Highs in 70s to 80. Forecast here.

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Everett's Cascade H.S. Heightens Security After Threats
• Lawyers: Juror's Actions Cost Clemmons' Getaway Driver a Fair Trial
• Missing Snowshoer Rescued in North Cascades
• U.W. Students Arrested in Sodexo Protest

Threats May Keep Everett High School Students Home

Parents of students at Everett's Cascade High School have permission to keep their kids home today. The school has been targeted by vandals, who used the memorial-day weekend to smash a concrete replica of the school's mascot and spray-paint violent warnings. 

One threat warned that five students would be shot today (Fri.)

Three employees at Boeing Co.'s North Charleston, South Carolina plant want roles in a lawsuit filed by the National Labor Relations Board.

Meredith Going Sr., Dennis Murray and Cynthia Ramaker say in a motion filed Wednesday that they are sure to lose their jobs if the federal agency is successful in its suit against Boeing and the plant shuts down.

Showers Thursday. High near 58. Warm and sunny this weekend.  Latest forecast here.

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• Search Continues for Snowshoer Near Stevens Pass
• Seattle Attorney Accused of 'Keying' Misparked Cars
• Two Found Dead in Tacoma House
• Western Washington Temps Could Hit 80 This Weekend

Minnesota Snowshoer Missing in North Cascades

The Chelan County sheriff's office says the search is continuing Thursday for a 21-year-old man overdue on a snowshoe hike near Stevens Pass in Washington's North Cascades.

Showers likely through Thursday. Highs near 60. Latest forecast here:

Making headlines around the Northwest:

• Lewis-McChord Soldier Will Receive Medal of Honor
• Green Beret With Port Angeles Ties is Killed in Afghanistan
• Early Parole Likely for Man Who Killed Girl in 1982
• Tacoma Police Search for Driver Who Hit Officer

Western Washington-Based Army Sgt. to Recieve Medal of Honor

President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to an Army sergeant based in Washington state for courage on the battlefield in Afghanistan.

The White House says Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry will receive the nation's highest military decoration in a ceremony July 12.