Last updated 7:36PM ET
February 9, 2010
KPLU Local News
KPLU Local News
Search for New Seattle Police Chief If it was up to you, what kind of Police Chief would you hire? That's what people in Seattle are being asked. More from KPLU Law and Justice Reporter Paula Wissel.
State Colleges Face Cuts To Work-Study Thousands of college students hope state senators will spare some financial aid dollars when they release their version of the budget. Governor Chris Gregoire has called for cuts to student aid programs to close revenue gaps. That includes the state's work study program. KPLU's Charla Bear has more.
Childhood Vaccine Program Revived A state program that provides vaccines for children has a new lease on life. Funding was cut last year by the legislature, and some pediatricians were saying they'd no longer provide immunizations. But, doctors, insurance companies and lawmakers found a way to cooperate and keep the program going.
Democrats Divided On Constitutional Amendment On Bail A proposal to amend Washington's constitution in response to the Lakewood police officer murders is running into rough legislative waters. Last week, the House passed a scaled back version of the legislation first proposed by the Governor. Now, the State Senate is poised to vote on an even more narrowly worded amendment. KPLU's Austin Jenkins explains.
Taxi Contract Fight Goes On It's still not clear which cab company will pick passengers up from Sea-Tac Airport next year. A King County Superior Court judge ruled against taxi drivers in STITA who sued the Port of Seattle in an attempt to win back the lucrative contract they've had for 20 years. But STITA appealed and has won an immediate stay that keeps the port from signing with Yellow Cab, which won the bid last fall. Both sides are declaring victory for now.
Northwest Farmers Eye Clean Energy Options Going "green" is in vogue right now on Northwest farms. But many rural parts of the region are struggling to put new technologies into practice and make renewable energy pay. That's the take-home message from the Harvesting Clean Energy conference in Kennewick this week. KPLU's Anna King was there and has this report.
Money Matters: The Plunge Protection Team Is the government secretly propping up the stock market? One prominent analyst says the money flowing in and out of Wall Street doesn't add up. Greg Heberlein explores the idea with KPLU's Dave Meyer on this week's Money Matters.
Seattle School Levies: What's At Stake There's a good chance you're being asked to vote on a school levy tomorrow. More than 100 districts across the state have ballot measures. Some districts are looking for two yes' votes: one for day-to-day operations, and another for capital projects. That's the situation in Seattle, where voters are being asked to approve a combined 700 million dollars for schools. More from KPLU Education reporter Gary Davis.
Housing Discrimination Continues in Washington If you're a landlord, it's illegal to refuse to rent to someone because of their race, religion or disability. That has been the law for more than 40 years. But, apparently the message has not gotten through to everyone. KPLU Law and Justice Reporter Paula Wissel has the story.
First Flight of Boeing 747-8 It's another big day for Boeing. The newest and largest version of its 747 took off on its inaugural flight from Paine Field at 12:39 this afternoon (Monday.) Like the first flight of the all-new Dreamliner in December, the event puts a much-delayed program back on track - at least for now. KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp has the story.
Washington Utility Asks Legislators For More Dam Compensation A county in northeastern Washington is asking state lawmakers for help in getting more money from a Seattle utility. Seattle City Light operates Boundary Dam in Pend Oreille County. The county complains the utility doesn't pay enough to cover the dam's impact. KPLU's Doug Nadvornick reports.
First Flight Launches Strategic Role of 747-8 The biggest plane that Boeing has ever built completed its first test flight yesterday afternoon (Monday). The new 747 dash 8 freighter took off from Paine Field in Everett and landed nearly four hours later. Like the 787 Dreamliner last December, its launch had been postponed by nearly two years of expensive delays. But as KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp explains, it has a strategic role that goes beyond its immediate prospects for profitability.
Lawsuit Ruling Jolts State Education A King County judge's ruling is sending shock waves through the state. The decision supports the claims of a group of parents, teachers and school districts that the state is delinquent in adequately funding basic education. KPLU's Gary Davis was in the courtroom, and has the story.
State of Downtown: Seattle Revenues Look Bleak Downtown Seattle's vacancy rate for commercial real estate nearly doubled last year. According to a new report from the Downtown Seattle Association, it's now at twenty percent. That can mean great deals for companies looking for new leases. But in the near term, the revenue shortfall presents big challenges for the city. More from KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp.
State of Downtown Seattle Economic Report Downtown Seattle is the city's economic engine - it's where nearly half of Seattle employees work and it generates more than half of the tax revenue in the city's general fund. A new report on the state of downtown shows more needs to be done to lure new employers to Seattle. KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp has the story.