January 12, 2009 in City OLYMPIA – Washington’s lawmakers on Monday kicked off a high-pressure legislative session with prayers, a pledge, and vows to not let today’s budget crisis eclipse tomorrow’s hopes.

January 12, 2009 in Region ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska’s tourism industry is taking a hit because of the downturn in the U.S. economy, as well as the slowdown in the economy globally.

January 12, 2009 in Idaho BOISE — The University of Idaho will allow students of the opposite sex to live together in campus suites when the fall semester begins in August.

January 12, 2009 in Idaho, Nation/World, Region WASHINGTON — A lawyer representing an Alaska gold mine urged the Supreme Court on Monday to uphold the mine owner’s permit even though he acknowledged that the company’s plan to …

January 12, 2009 in Region SEATTLE — Residents and business owners cleaning up from floods across much of Washington state got a welcome forecast Monday for clearing skies and little or no chance of rain …

January 12, 2009 in City, Idaho As his colleagues tackle the worst budget crisis in decades, the president of Eastern Washington University remains on leave from campus, continuing his own medical battle.

January 12, 2009 in City A robber wearing fuzzy gloves escaped a Spokane Valley Walgreen’s pharmacy with OxyContin Sunday after threatening two clerks with a pistol.

January 12, 2009 in City Customers who shopped at Spokane Valley’s Northwest Bedding store this weekend may want to inquire with their bank or credit card companies.

  January 12, 2009 in City Read Spokane police activity and service logs for Jan. 8 through Jan. 11.

January 12, 2009 in City The Transportation Department says the Washington Cascade highway passes are open with some restrictions.

January 12, 2009 in City A dense fog advisory is in effect until noon today, weather officials stated. The lower elevations around the Inland Northwest could also see some drizzle. Temperatures will be mild and …

  January 12, 2009 in Idaho BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter dropped a bombshell on state legislators Monday – a proposal for the state’s first-ever cut in public school funding.

  January 12, 2009 in City on Page A1 If bus riders paid the full cost of providing transit service in Spokane, a one-way fare would be $5. Sales taxes currently pay 83 percent of the cost of running …

January 12, 2009 in City on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Senate Democratic leaders said a vote could come as early as this week on providing a second $350 billion for the financial industry, after assurances Sunday by President-elect …

January 12, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – A national safety group is advocating a total ban on cell phone use while driving, saying the practice is clearly dangerous and leads to fatalities. States should ban … 1