Amy Radil

The room was largely divided Friday at the state Republican Party convention in Tacoma, between supporters of Mitt Romney and Ron Paul for president.

The audience saw a videotaped message from Rick Santorum, urging them to come together behind Romney. That was also the message from Washington’s former chairman for the Newt Gingrich campaign.

Mitt Romney’s son Josh addressed the crowd in person. He said he wanted to make a pitch about what he calls the state party’s “congressional slate”, to assign delegates. . . to his dad.

Both the Washington state Republicans and Democrats are gathering at state conventions today.

The Republican state convention is being kept lively by supporters of Ron Paul for president. They seem to make up about one third of the crowd here.

One of Mitt Romney’s sons, Josh, spoke this morning and asked for support for his father.

He was followed by Matt Dubin for the Ron Paul campaign. Dubin said Ron Paul’s supporters are not going to unify behind Romney.

Seattle city council members say the spate of shootings in the city has heightened their interest in seeking new gun control regulations. But they say they’re proceeding carefully, since the city’s previous ban on guns in parks was struck down by the courts.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board has turned down Seattle’s request to set its own hours for bars and nightclubs.

All bars and nightclubs in Washington state must stop serving liquor by 2 a.m. Seattle officials including police chief John Diaz, had supported allowing extended hours. They said staggered closing times would work better for police.

But Liquor Control Board chair Sharon Foster said she believed extended hours would cause more public safety problems. And she said neighboring cities would feel the consequences as well.

President Obama made a quick fundraising trip through Seattle Thursday. The trip included his first appearances since announcing his support for gay marriage. Democrats at the fundraiser were quick to show their appreciation. But they also predicted that his stance will energize his opponents as well as his supporters. KUOW’s Amy Radil reports.

OLYMPIA -- Washington’s Public Records Act and other transparency measures have earned the state a high score in a nationwide study. The State Integrity Investigation looked at every state’s disclosure practices. It ranked Washington third in the country, with a letter grade of "B-."

But budget cuts are curtailing investigations by government watchdogs. And all three branches of government have tried to put more of their records outside the law’s scrutiny. KUOW’s Amy Radil reports.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney campaigned before a capacity crowd in Bellevue Friday morning. He urged supporters to take their enthusiasm and use it to help him in the GOP precinct caucuses Saturday.

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.

President Barack Obama visited the factory floor at Boeing in Everett, Washington Friday. He toured a 787 Dreamliner, and said his policies can help create more manufacturing jobs and overseas exports.
KUOW’s Amy Radil reports.

OLYMPIA, Wash - Financial analysts say the big banks will feel little pain as a result of the multistate mortgage settlement announced Thursday. Meanwhile consumer advocates say some homeowners defrauded by banks will receive very little restitution.