News

In the Washington state Senate, a short-lived era of bipartisan cooperation on the budget appears over. Majority Democrats Tuesday will unveil their plan to rebalance the budget. But Republican leaders say they won’t be there.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington voters consistently send Democratic majorities to the statehouse. But four times over the past 20 years they’ve also voted to require a supermajority of the legislature to raise taxes. Most recently, in 2010. Now a group of Democratic lawmakers and their allies are challenging the constitutionality of that two-thirds rule. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 9th. Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins previews the case.

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon is putting the finishing touches on a gleaming new mental health hospital. The Salem facility replaces a crumbling 130-year-old building and is hailed as a new chapter in the state's troubled history of treating people judged guilty but insane. But there are far more mentally ill people in Oregon’s standard prisons. And the inmates with the most severe mental problems are housed in a ward designed for hardened criminals. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman found that facility isn’t designed for treatment.

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- Former House Speaker and Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich visited Federal Way, Washington Friday. He blasted President Barack Obama’s energy and tax policies. Some party officials hope to translate Friday's crowds into support for Gingrich at the Republican caucuses March 3rd. KUOW’s Amy Radil reports.

ELK, Wash. -- A team of national animal rescue specialists have flown into Spokane to help relocate and treat about 75 horses, goats, and other animals. Paige Browning has more on a search warrant that led to a dire farm discovery.

Grant money from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help fund ongoing studies looking at critical transportation issues in the Northwest.
Transportation issues affect all of us, whether it’s simply wondering why that red traffic light is blinking, or wondering why the commuter traffic is jammed up again.

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is keeping up the public pressure on lawmakers to pass some of his major policy proposals this session. For the second day in a row, the Democrat held a state capitol press conference to urge the legislature to pass bills that have been stuck in committee.

One of the movies up for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards Sunday has a strong connection to the Northwest.

"If a Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front" tells of Daniel McGowan, a young man from New York who came to Eugene, Oregon to engage in environmental activism. McGowan was involved in a couple of arson fires sparked in the name of ELF.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has increased its Karelian Bear Dog force by fifty percent. This breed of working dog has proven effective against nuisance bears. Correspondent Tom Banse says the idea is to re-instill fear of human neighborhoods.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says he opposes gay marriage, but is comfortable letting voters decide the issue for their own state. Gingrich made his comments Friday during a visit to the Washington capitol. It’s the second time in two weeks a Republican presidential candidate has campaigned under the dome.