December 14, 2010 in Idaho A baby sitter who pushed a 3-year-old Post Falls boy, resulting in a fatal head injury, pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter. 6

December 14, 2010 in Region The Washington Department of Revenue has launched a statewide effort to collect sales tax from medical marijuana dispensaries — even as some prosecutors and the Health Department maintain such dispensaries … 21

December 14, 2010 New figures from the Census Bureau suggest Spokane and Kootenai counties are similar in many respects, but have some differences on things like marital status, education and immigration patterns. 7

December 14, 2010 in Region A rare tornado struck a small town south of Portland today, tearing roofs off buildings, hurling objects into vehicles and homes and uprooting trees. 2

December 14, 2010 in City A man and woman found dead Friday in what detectives believe is a murder-suicide have been identified as Warren A. Fugitt, 78, and Harriet A. Fugitt, 72. 2

December 14, 2010 in Business, City Spokane County’s unemployment rate increased to 8.4 percent in November despite an increase in jobs. 39

December 14, 2010 in Nation/World WASHINGTON — House Democrats considered changes in legislation to avoid a Jan. 1 jump in income taxes today, despite a warning from Republicans that the bill’s passage could be endangered … 5

December 14, 2010 in City Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to consolidate several state agencies and eliminate three dozen boards and commissions in a plan she says will save the state nearly $30 million over the … 28

December 14, 2010 in City, Idaho A flood advisory that was in effect this morning has now expired after heavy rain caused water to pond along roadways and raised a risk that small creeks or streams …

December 14, 2010 in City A squall line with wind gusts in excess of 40 mph knocked out power in a large portion of Cheney this morning, according to Cheney City Light.

December 14, 2010 in Region New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration is suing a tobacco company in Washington state. 5

December 14, 2010 in City Westbound lanes of Interstate 90 were backed up this morning after a series of accidents, including one in which a motorist knocked over a light pole alongside the freeway.

December 14, 2010 in City on Page A1 People served at the Christmas Bureau operate on tight budgets. So does the Christmas Bureau. The bureau’s business expenses total 4.3 percent or less of its budget – meaning donated …

December 14, 2010 in Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – A federal judge on Monday ruled unconstitutional a key provision of President Barack Obama’s landmark health care overhaul law, moving its mandate that Americans buy health insurance coverage … 9

December 14, 2010 in Nation/World on Page A2 LOS ANGELES – NASA’s long-running Voyager 1 spacecraft is barreling its way toward the edge of the solar system. Since 2004, the unmanned probe has been exploring a region of … 1