http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news/ kplu NewsRoom: KPLU Local News en-us Public Interactive newsroom.NewsRSS via Rome 30 http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1358616&sectionID=1 The strike is on. Those were the words of Mark Blondin - the Machinists' union's chief negotiator, speaking from Florida. No agreement emerged despite the efforts of a federal mediator to prevent a walk-out by the Boeing Company's largest union. More from KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:51:26 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1358236&sectionID=1 Eleven pipefitters have won their case before the State Supreme Court against a major Hanford Nuclear Reservation contractor. The men battled in courts for about 10 years. Their prize: 4.8 million dollars. The workers were laid off because they stood up to their managers and refused to install inadequate valves. KPLU's Anna King explains. KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:12:18 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1358230&sectionID=1 One week into the college football season for the University of Washington, and there's lots of grumbling in Montlake. The Huskies dropped their season opener at Oregon last weekend, losing 44 to 10. The loss prompted some speculation that UW coach Ty Willingham's job may be in jeopardy. KPLU's Gary Davis spoke with Seattle PI sports columnist Art Thiel, who says "nonsense!" KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:22:27 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1357654&sectionID=1 The teachers strike in Bellevue continues today. The union is demanding higher wages = a central issue in almost every strike. But they're also making another demand. The teachers in Bellevue want to change what's called a web-based curriculum. KPLU's Education Reporter Chana Joffe-Walt explains what it's all about: KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:27:12 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1358521&sectionID=1 The clock is ticking. Boeing's Machinists' union is poised to go on strike just after midnight tonight, unless talks in Florida produce an 11th-hour agreement. More from KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:14:52 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1358232&sectionID=1 Any day now, the state DOT will release its latest speed report for 2008. It'll tell state officials where drivers have the heaviest lead feet. KPLU's Doug Nadvornick reports the vehicle speeds are measured by sensors that you can't see. KPLU Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:07:26 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1357289&sectionID=1 As the region grows, so grow townhouses. KPLU's John Maynard talks with real estate appraiser Richard Hagar about how this type of housing is helping to slow urban sprawl. KPLU Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:28:14 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1357285&sectionID=1 Mental health advocates hope the shootings in Skagit County serve as a wake up call. They say current state laws make it difficult to lock up the mentally ill BEFORE something tragic happens. KPLU's Austin Jenkins reports. KPLU Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:21:15 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1357282&sectionID=1 The suspect in Tuesday's deadly shooting spree in Skagit County is being held today on five million dollars bail. Isaac Zamora is charged with six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Meanwhile police and mental health advocates try to piece together what happened. KPLU's Austin Jenkins reports. KPLU Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:17:32 GMT kplu http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1357278&sectionID=1 Washington State initiative guru Tim Eyman is back again. This year he has a measure on the November ballot that promises to reduce traffic congestion. He got the idea from a state performance audit of the Department of Transportation - an audit that was mandated by another Eyman initiative. KPLU's Austin Jenkins has the pros and cons of I-985. KPLU Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:11:58 GMT kplu