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Local NewsSeattle may impose fee for paper, plastic grocery bags
To reduce waste in Seattle, the City Council will hold a public hearing today to discuss a 20-cent fee on paper and plastic bags and a foam-container ban at restaurants.
Crews wash away coat of gray from mural near zoo
A brightly colored mural in Phinney Ridge that depicts zoo animals is being restored this week after city crews in May mistakenly painted over it.
Des Moines has ambitious plans from UW students for a virtual makeover of its marina and downtown
With the sun sinking, and the sailboats skimming, life on the water looked lush. Gordon Kells-Murphy stood on the bow of his boat, taking...
Everett-based USS Abraham Lincoln shifted to Afghanistan
Worried about increasing insurgent attacks in Afghanistan, the U.S. military is sending extra air power there by shifting the Everett-based...
Fire guts house in Bellevue
A fire broke out this early this morning in the Eastgate neighborhood of Bellevue, gutting the home and displacing an extended family of...
Man found dead in car
King County sheriff's deputies are investigating the shooting death of a man in his 20s who was killed Monday night in the Boulevard Park...
UPDATE - 05:20 PM
Man sought in torture of baby reportedly left at doorstep
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 23-year-old man in connection with the alleged torture and abuse of a 22-month-old toddler who was taken to a Tacoma hospital on Sunday by a woman who said she didn't know his name.
Passenger arrested in fatal shooting of driver
Snohomish County sheriff's deputies have arrested a man in connection with a shooting this morning that killed the driver of the car he...
NEW - 03:49 PM
Seattle mayor wants design review for all town homes
Calling some town homes unattractive, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels on Tuesday proposed changes to the multifamily code that would require design review for all new town homes.
Surfer loses arm in boat accident
Those who witnessed a 14-year-old surfer lose his arm in a collision with an incoming dory boat off Cape Kiwanda say the accident resulted...
Woman fatally shot, boy wounded on East Wenatchee trail
East Wenatchee police say a woman has been shot and killed and a young boy shot in the head along the Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail...
UPDATE - 04:35 PM
Woman stabbed with stiletto heel of her shoe
Seattle police are seeking a man who stabbed a woman with the stiletto heel of her own shoe, causing an infection that required emergency surgery.
King County home sales edge up in June as lower prices lure first-time buyers
King County's June home prices were down compared with June 2007 but show signs of rising more recently.
Arlington couple wins lawsuit over swastika signs
A Washington state couple has won a lawsuit forcing a neighboring landowner to remove "no trespassing" signs with swastikas that the couple...
Body found outside King County Courthouse
Seattle Police said the body of a man found downtown on the south side of the King County Courthouse around 11:30 this morning was likely...
UPDATE - 04:59 PM
Vandalized Sound Transit rail car to move to Tukwila Station
Sound Transit has decided to move its recently vandalized train to the confines of Tukwila Station after the rail car was spray-painted over the Fourth of July weekend.
"Alarming trend" of burglaries reported in Central Seattle
Seattle police said they have seen a surge in daytime residential burglaries in part of Central Seattle over the past few weeks.
Boy, 11, arrested in break-in
A Tacoma boy who stole a car and talked his way onto airline flights as a 9-year-old is in trouble again. Semaj Booker, now 11, was arrested...
Citizen oversight in deputies' tentative contract
The guild representing sheriff's deputies has reached a tentative agreement with King County on a new five-year contract that includes the addition of citizen oversight to help review allegations of officer misconduct, and wage increases for each year of the agreement.
Couple to face charges in death of ex-boyfriend
A Sultan woman and her boyfriend are behind bars for investigation of murder after authorities say they beat the woman's ex-boyfriend to death in a dispute over some explicit photos and the victim's refusal to leave the woman's home.
Cruise ship runs aground near Glacier Bay
Passengers aboard a cruise ship hoping to see whales and other marine mammals were left high and dry Monday after the vessel went aground...
Domestic-partners law in Oregon goes before judges again
Oregon's domestic-partnership law comes under the legal spotlight again this week, with opposite sides squaring off in front of a three-judge...
Downtown falcon chicks' deaths linked to bacteria
A bacterial infection killed the baby peregrine falcons that hatched atop the Washington Mutual Tower in downtown Seattle during the spring.
In-state gas pipeline proposed in Alaska
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is proposing an in-state natural-gas pipeline that could provide energy relief to the most populated areas of the...
King County's rural-land restrictions go too far, court rules
In a case that could determine how far local governments can go in limiting forest-clearing across entire watersheds, a state Court of Appeals panel ruled Monday that King County's critical-areas law went too far.
Pawnshop owner sentenced to prison in scam
Martin D. Levy, the former owner of a downtown Seattle pawnshop, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison in connection with a scheme to sell items stolen by drug addicts.
Stark to tackle drug abuse, mental illness in Snohomish County Human Services post
Six years ago, as director of the state's Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Ken Stark openly criticized Snohomish County officials for refusing to open methadone-treatment centers for the county's estimated 3,000 heroin addicts. Now he is taking over Snohomish County's Human Services department, in which he will oversee programs for substance abuse, mental health and homelessness.
The Naked Loon pokes online fun at Seattle
The Naked Loon, an online satirical newspaper, was started by an Internet entrepreneur in Kenmore who figured plenty of locals were deserving of a good jab.
Local Digest
2 men charged in robbery, chase
Two men accused of a July 1 bank robbery that caused mayhem from West Seattle to downtown and left one of the suspects injured by police...
Nation & WorldCities struggle with recycling thefts
Every Wednesday night, Bruce Johnson dutifully puts his garbage and recycling on the curb for pickup, and every week he fumes as small trucks...
North Cascades Park ranks among the quietest national parks
A few times a year, Bryson Garbett loads up his family and heads to a national park, often one in southern Utah. Part of the draw of a place...
UPDATE - 06:30 PM
Iraq insists on withdrawal timetable for US troops
Iraq's national security adviser said Tuesday his country will not accept any security deal with the United States unless it contains specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.
Afghans blame 'foreign agency' for Kabul bombing
Afghanistan blamed a foreign intelligence agency Tuesday for the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, making a veiled but clear reference to its eastern neighbor, Pakistan.
NEW - 04:09 PM
Highway 520 bridge to close over weekend
Highway 520's Evergreen Point floating bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for an annual inspection and maintenance.
NEW - 03:47 PM
Pentagon to announce Wednesday whether Air Force will rebid tanker contract
The Pentagon is expected to announce Wednesday whether the Air Force will rebid a $35 billion contract to build new refueling tankers. Several lawmakers have been...
UPDATE - 06:55 PM
As some flee fires anew, others return for a time
Firefighters pushed back a blaze threatening this small coastal community just enough to allow hundreds of people to check on their homes Tuesday as a separate fire 300 miles north forced residents of other towns to evacuate.
UPDATE - 05:45 PM
Bush pushes US-India nuclear deal
President Bush defended a languishing deal his administration negotiated to sell India nuclear fuel and technology, saying he reassured India's prime minister that the pact was important for both countries despite heavy opposition on both sides.
Obama, McCain at odds over economic plans
Barack Obama and John McCain agree on this much: The economy is staggering under the Bush administration, and Americans are hurting. But who's to blame...
UPDATE - 06:35 PM
Oil extends slide into 2nd day, losing over $5
Oil tumbled more than $5 a barrel Tuesday in its second big drop this week, hurling crude back to levels not seen since June 26 as traders wary about the health of the global economy cashed in gains from oil's recent rally.
Stabbing deaths of French students shock London
The tabloids are calling them the "Tarantino murders."
Strong offshore quake shakes south Japan
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 struck off the coast of the southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Tuesday, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.
UPDATE - 07:10 PM
US, Czech Republic sign defense agreement
The United States and leaders of the Czech Republic agreed Tuesday to place a radar system in this former Soviet satellite that would warn of long-range missiles coming to Europe from the Middle East.
British woman can sue rapist who won lottery
A British woman assaulted by a serial rapist in 1998 has won the right to sue the attacker who became a millionaire by winning the lottery while in prison.
Afghanistan weaknesses exposed in latest attack
The car bomb that ripped through the gates of the Indian Embassy on Monday, killing 41 people and scattering bodies across some of Kabul's...
Anglican Church approves appointing female bishops
The governing body of the Anglican Church in Britain voted Monday to approve the appointment of female bishops. The step appeared to risk...
Europe rethinks biofuels as climate-change remedy
European officials have proposed scaling back dramatically their goal of increasing Europe's use of biofuels, a major about-face on a central...
Florida lottery offers free gasoline for life
Rising gasoline prices have brought a new twist on the state lottery in Florida. Once a week for the next two months, the second-prize winner...
Close-up
Gloomy outlook in Sun Valley as media, tech moguls begin retreat
When media and technology tycoons convene today in idyllic southern Idaho for five days of deal making and outdoor recreation, the mountain...
Close-up
Internet service providers' actions on content raise questions about censorship
Rant all you want in a public park. A police officer generally won't eject you for your remarks alone, however unpopular or provocative...
Jack Kevorkian's congressional bid moves forward
Assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian has collected enough signatures to be on the November ballot as a congressional candidate in Michigan.
No consensus on climate after Bush, Merkel talk
President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged today to keep working together on common problems, but progress appeared slow...
Police uncover vehicles owned by Saddam's son
Car lovers in Iraq, tired of an endless parade of sand-colored Humvees, got a bit of a treat Monday when police discovered five fancy cars...
U.S. coral reefs in decline, report says
Almost half of the coral-reef ecosystems in U.S. territory are in poor or fair condition, mostly because of rising ocean temperatures...
UPDATE - 04:30 PM
2 soldiers killed in separate Afghan blasts
Two soldiers were killed and seven others injured Tuesday in two separate roadside bomb blasts in Afghanistan, officials said.
3 Russian police killed in Caucasus
Police say gunmen in a southern Russian province fired at a police car and killed three officers.
UPDATE - 05:15 PM
Family, admirers lay former Sen. Helms to rest
Mourners who gathered to remember former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms on Tuesday celebrated both sides of his conflicting persona: the cantankerous conservative who reveled in political confrontation and the Southern gentleman who would do anything to lend a hand.
Some Myanmar survivors now cringe at wind, rain
As the crowd gathered in the hall of a Buddhist monastery to receive their free lunch, Hnin Mya sat listlessly, oblivious to the smell of warm curry, the sounds of clinking utensils and the chatter of her compatriots.
History-making helicopter lands at Ohio museum
It flew on a daring but unsuccessful raid to free U.S. POWs in North Vietnam in 1970. Thirty-eight years later, after subsequent tours in Bosnia and Iraq, helicopter No. 357 is being retired - with honor.
Nation Digest
Rescued hostage denounces rebels
Among the smiles and hugs shared by three American hostages — freed last week from rebels in Colombia — and their families...
World Digest
Cargo jet crashes 2 on ground killed
A rose-laden U.S. cargo plane headed for Miami crashed near the Colombian capital Monday, killing two people on the ground, local authorities...
Odds and Ends
Kidman, Urban welcome Sunday
Celebrity gossip, famous birthdays and other tidbits, compiled from Seattle Times news services.
Business & TechnologyMicrosoft ready to talk deal if Icahn manages to oust Yahoo board
Microsoft formally voiced support Monday for billionaire investor Carl Icahn's attempt to replace Yahoo's board of directors, saying it...
NEW - 04:02 PM
Pentagon set to announce decision on rebidding tanker contract
The Pentagon is expected to announce today whether the Air Force will rebid a $40 billion contract to build new refueling tankers. Several lawmakers have been...
Stocks rally on falling oil prices
Wall Street turned higher today as oil prices dropped sharply for the second straight day and investors were encouraged by the possibility...
UPDATE - 06:25 PM
Fed to curb shady home-lending practices
The Federal Reserve will issue new rules next week aimed at protecting future homebuyers from dubious lending practices, its most sweeping response to a housing crisis that has propelled foreclosures to record highs.
Pending home sales fall 4.7 percent
A measurement of pending home sales fell to the third-lowest reading on record in May as the housing market's recovery continued to prove elusive.
Anheuser-Busch calls InBev takeover bid illegal
Anheuser-Busch claims that Belgian brewer InBev's unsolicited takeover bid isn't just bad for the bottom line, but is an "illegal scheme" that threatens to defraud Anheuser-Busch shareholders if a federal judge doesn't step in.
Developer wants taller 2nd Ave. condo tower
Developer Intracorp has filed an application to build a 400-foot-tall condo tower on a Second Avenue site where it already has a permit to build a 240-foot tower.
Foreclosure data service DepotPoint raises $7 million
DepotPoint, which runs a foreclosure-information Web service, said it has raised $7 million in a second round of venture funding.
GM considers further cuts
General Motors may get rid of some brands, speed the introduction of small cars from other markets and make further white-collar job cuts...
Honda looks to increase car output
Stan Bell, a 61-year-old retired government worker from Clinton, Mich., is an example of why Honda may widen its stock-market lead over...
Siemens cutting 17K jobs worldwide to cut costs
Industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Tuesday it will cut 16,750 jobs, or 4.2 percent of its global work force, to streamline operations and slice nearly $2 billion in costs in the face of a slowing economy.
Markets
New fears over financials win out
Stocks lost more ground in extremely volatile trading Monday, as investors recoiled at a cautious economic outlook from a Federal Reserve...
Business Digest
Alcatel-Lucent seeks $1.5 billion verdict
Pacific Northwest Alcatel-Lucent, the world's largest supplier of telecommunications equipment, asked a federal court to reinstate a record...
SportsGermany's Stefan Schumacher wins Tour de France time trial
Stefan Schumacher of Germany took the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, and now says everything else is a bonus.
M's start high, but end on a low note against A's
His first three weeks running the Mariners had Jim Riggleman in an upbeat mood about his ballclub. But in the moments after his team's 4-3...
Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu pleads guilty to DUI
Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu pleaded guilty to driving under the influence at a hearing Monday in Kirkland court, and will serve one day in jail plus pay $1,255 in fines and court costs. Tatupu, 25, avoided trial by resolving the case Monday.
Seattle U. out to prove it's ready for WCC
Critical for Seattle University's success as it steps from NCAA Division II to Division I athletics is persuading the West Coast Conference to allow it membership.
Sounders meet MLS' Kansas City Wizards in U.S. Open Cup tonight
Although he's back home in the Seattle area, Chris Henderson still has roots in Kansas City. Henderson, an Everett native who is technical...
Swimming | Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff will stay busy at Olympics
The rehearsal is over. Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte are taking their show on the road to next month's Beijing...
Tanisha Wright reserves place on Storm
Tanisha Wright has ignored criticism by fans to become a key reserve for the Storm as the Seattle team enters the second half of the WNBA season.
UPDATE - 05:23 PM
Cubs acquire pitcher Rich Harden in trade with A's
The Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.
Notebook | Jamie Burke hit by e-mail, text messages after mound appearance
Catcher Jamie Burke was deluged by e-mails and text messages after he pitched in Sunday's 15-inning loss to Detroit.
M's Farm Report | Big-league move can't come soon enough for OF
Greg Halman remembers the first time he stayed up late to watch the World Series. The game lasted into the early morning at his home in...
Briefs | Vols' guard-forward Angie Bjorklund has surgery
College basketball Guard-forward from Spokane Valley has knee operation: Tennessee guard-forward Angie Bjorklund of Spokane Valley has undergone...
Game of the Day | Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda throws 1-hitter
Hiroki Kuroda wasn't as upset about losing his bid for baseball history as he would have been had he given up runs in a tight game. Kuroda took a perfect...
NBA | Ex-Sonics compete for Oklahoma City
The uniforms arrived in time, black mesh with white stripes along the sides, the words "Oklahoma City" across the front of the jersey and...
NFL | Choking man saved by Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez
A California man says Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs kept him from choking to death. "Tony saved my life. There's no doubt," Ken...
NHL | Ex-Canuck Todd Bertuzzi joins Flames
Forward Todd Bertuzzi signed a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Calgary Flames on Monday. "Todd is a proven scorer with the ability...
Tennis | Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal keep meeting in finals
Fans are likely to talk about Sunday's Wimbledon men's final for years. Or at least until Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal...
Tour de France | French rider takes yellow jersey
On a day that belonged to French cycling, Romain Feillu finished third to claim the yellow jersey Monday while Samuel Dumoulin won the third...
AL | A-Rod stays mum as wife files for divorce
The Yankees had an off-day Monday but Alex Rodriguez remained in the spotlight. Rodriguez's wife, Cynthia, filed for divorce in Miami, contending...
NL | Braves' Jeff Francoeur back after 3 days in minors
Jeff Francoeur's stint in the minor leagues lasted all of three days. The Braves have recalled their right fielder, and he was to join the...
Between the Seams | C.C. Sabathia starts new era with Brewers
CC Sabathia matured from a teenager who didn't know the basics of pitching to an AL Cy Young Award winner with the Cleveland Indians. The big lefty helped...
Everett tops Yakima with 3-run 7th
The Everett AquaSox used a three-run seventh inning to break a tie and went on for a 5-3 victory over the Yakima Bears in the Northwest...
NW Briefs | Amateur tourneys tee off
Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B. C., carded an opening-round 7-under par 63 to lead after the first round of stroke-play qualifying in the...
Salt Lake wins in 9th over Tacoma
Jordan Czarniecki drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Salt Lake Bees rallied for a 3-2...
Fishing | Where they're biting, where they're not
People in Sports | Chris Chandler
Chris Chandler: The former Washington and NFL quarterback from Everett, left, is determined to defend his title this week at the 19th annual...
Entertainment"Idol" moments with winner David Cook
The new American Idol, rock musician David Cook, talks about touring, favorite books, Seattle grunge rock, a Jimi Hendrix/Dylan tune he almost sang on TV, a country star he's listening to, acting in "Phantom of the Opera" and more in this revealing new interview.
Web sites help baby boomers get hip to a new bag of tunes
Web sites where baby boomers can discover music beyond the classic sounds of their teens and 20s.
A&E Dispatch
Follow the Web to Austin City Limits
Latest news in local entertainment.
"Bachelorette" eliminates Kirkland suitor
Local bachelor Jason Mesnick lost out to a snowboarding rival on Monday night's "The Bachelorette" show on ABC. Mesnick, a single father...
Caviezel to star in AMC's "Prisoner" remake
The classic cult TV series "The Prisoner" is going to be remade for AMC, with Jim Caviezel starring as Number Six, the character played...
DVDs released this week
A weekly listing of new DVDs.
Seattle Opera reaches out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community
Seattle Opera reaches out to lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender audiences with a special ticket deal.
American Life in Poetry
"Planting The Sand Cherry"
Sometimes I think that people are at their happiest when they're engaged in activities close to the work of the earliest humans: telling...
LivingLong hair isn't just for girls anymore
The longer-haired look is the hot hairdo among boys. Just look at Ryder, Kate Hudson's son, and the actors on "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" and even "High School Musical."
Travel & OutdoorsRick Steves' Europe
A peak experience on border of Germany and Austria
Rick Steves reaches a high point in the Alps at Zugspitze on the mountainous border of Germany and Austria
Beijing undergoes extreme makeover to welcome Olympics visitors
Faced with my blank look of incomprehension, the taxi driver took a deep breath and tried again. "Ha-pi-tu-mi-te-yu," he intoned. Wow, I thought, six...
Southwest Airlines to offer flights to Canada
— Southwest Airlines plans to offer international service — a first for the low-fare carrier — through a deal with Canada's...
U.S. tourists' visits to Canada hit 36-year low
The summer tourism season has arrived in Old Montreal, but the tourists have not. The streets, restaurants, and boutiques of this picturesque...
Statue of Liberty's crown may reopen to public
National Park Service may reopen Statue of Liberty's crown for visitors
Two flights almost collide at New York airport
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a near collision of two airborne jetliners at Kennedy Airport in New York over...
Travel Troubleshooter
Frequent-flier tickets kept vanishing, forcing traveler to cancel Europe trip
Mileage-award tickets through Alaska Airlines keep disappearing, forcing frustrated traveler to cancel Europe trip
OpinionEditorial
Openness key to strong police board
A civilian-led panel needs a boost of strength and confidence from the Seattle City Council if police accountability is to really happen.
Editorial notebook
Understanding Europe from the Europeans
WE were listening to a group of European journalists who were in Seattle to learn about American society and politics, when it occurred...
Letters to the Editor
A sampling of readers' letters, faxes and e-mail.
Guest columnists
Growth can be an opportunity to create livable neighborhoods
Seattle neighborhoods are feeling the impacts of growth as we continue to add new jobs and housing throughout the city. In fact, the entire...
E.J. Dionne / Syndicated columnist
Parsing positions on the war in Iraq
When a candidate calls a second news conference to say the same thing he thought he said in the first one, you know he knows he has a problem...
Guest columnist
Seattle CC: education and innovation
Just recently, we heard that Seattle has again been named one of the top cities in the country for innovation. Like most of us who call...