Idaho Unemployment Rate Inches Up In October

Idaho’s unemployment rate inched up just slightly in October. It’s now at 8.9. It’s the fourth month in a row that the rate has remained essentially flat. State officials say that puzzles them. More >

Additional Cuts Expected to Idaho's Medicaid Program

Governor Butch Otter is expected to call for additional cuts in the coming months. For Idaho’s Medicaid Program, that means cutting programs, programs that provide essential health care to thousands of Idahoans. Samantha Wright reports. More >

WA Gay Rights Referendum Passes

Supporters of a Washington referendum to expand domestic partnership rights have secured a virtually insurmountable lead. Ballot counting continues today. Tom Banse reports. More >

Cries of Foul Over Feds Columbia Water Plan

The government plans to build a massive pipeline near Moses Lake with federal stimulus money. Critics say an environmental analysis is needed. Anna King reports. More >

Census to Provide Big Job Stimulus to the NW

Job creation is not part of the mission of the US Census, but US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said next year’s headcount should put a temporary dent in high unemployment around the Northwest. Tom Banse reports. More >

U of I Football Wins Boost Local and State Economy

The resurgence of the University of Idaho football team is giving a boost to the local and state economy. Glenn Mosley reports. More >

OR Governor Kulongoski Extends State’s Flu Authority

The State government in Oregon has more power to respond to the H1N1 flu outbreak. More >

Governor Sympathizes With Seattle Mayoral Candidates

The neck-in-neck Seattle mayor’s race could narrow more as another batch of ballots is counted today. Environmental attorney Mike McGinn went to bed on election night with a lead of 910 votes. That margin over T-Mobile executive Joe Mallahan has now slipped to 462 votes. More >

Consultant Recommends Washington Prison and Reform School Closures

A study commissioned by the Washington Legislature recommends closing three prison wings and a juvenile lockup. Washington Governor Chris Gregoire says she’ll give the recommendations serious consideration. More >

Mining Company Told No Digging Near WA Highway 410 Landslide

Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has issued an emergency order blocking rock mining near a huge landslide. The slide last month took out two homes and blocked Highway 410 west of Yakima. More >

Army Corps Reduces Green River Flood Risk

The Army Corps of Engineers says that recent repairs at the Howard Hanson Dam have greatly reduced the flood risk in the Green River valley. More >

Oregon’s Umatilla Chemical Depot Gets Go-Ahead by Court

The Umatilla Chemical Depot got the go ahead today from an Oregon’s Circuit Court judge to incinerate thousands of tons of mustard agent. More >

Idaho Looks at Opting Out of Federal Health Care Reform

A joint legislative Task Force in Boise is already reviewing the pros and cons of Idaho opting out of federal health care reform. More >

Northwest Republicans Predict 2010 Success

Republican leaders in the Northwest are hoping that GOP victories in a pair of east coast governor’s races foreshadow similar results here. More >

Pacific Northwest Reaps Federal Economic Development Tax Credits

Five economic development institutions in Oregon and Washington have received nearly 200 million dollars in tax credits. The aim is to stimulate job creation and launch “green” businesses. The tax credits come from the US Treasury. More >

Washington State Loses Last Rural Democrat Lawmaker East of the Cascades

Voters in southeast Washington appear to have rejected the last rural Democratic state lawmaker east of the Cascades. Correspondent Anna King explains. More >

Government Revenue Growth Cap Defeated in WA State

Washington voters have soundly defeated anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman’s latest ballot measure. Tom Banse has more. More >

R-71 Supporters in Spokane Look Ahead

If Referendum 71 passes in Washington, it will be because of support west of the Cascades. The gay rights measure lost in every county east of the mountains, some by large margins. Doug Nadvornick reports. More >

Washington's R-71 Has Slight Lead

The Washington state ballot measure to confer additional rights to gay couples and other domestic partners has a slight lead after the first round of statewide vote counting. More >

Revenue Cap Initiative Defeated in Washington State

Washington voters have soundly rejected a revenue cap on state and local government. More >

WA Governor's Trade Mission to DC

Governor Chris Gregoire is leading a delegation of business leaders to Washington, D.C., today for meetings with members of the Obama administration. More >

Northwest Silver Mines Enjoy Good Times

Mining is traditionally a boom-and-bust industry. Right now, times are good. More >

Does Money Predict Fate of WA Ballot Measures?

Washington voters today are deciding two controversial ballot measures. Is the money spent on these measures a good predictor of their outcomes at the ballot box? Austin Jenkins reports. More >

Washington Approves New Name for Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca

A state board in Washington has approved a measure to give Puget Sound, Georgia Strait and the Strait of Juan de Fuca a new name. They’ve officially designated them the “Salish Sea.” More >

51 Percent Voter Turnout Predicted in WA State

Washington’s top elections official is predicting voter turnout today will be “about average” for an off-year election. Secretary of State Sam Reed says the popularity of vote-by-mail should keep turnout on pace. More >

Solar Plant Opens in Salem, OR

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski joined officials from electronics giant Sanyo in Salem today to help open a solar cell plant. More >

B.R.O. Begins Oregon Campaign

Basic Rights Oregon is laying groundwork for a ballot initiative aimed at overturning Oregon's same sex marriage ban. April Baer reports. More >

Ballot Procrastinators May Delay WA Election Results

Washington State’s top elections official is standing by his earlier prediction of 51 percent voter turnout statewide tomorrow. Vote-by-mail ballots are trickling in to county offices rather slowly. More >