In brief: Dead whale washes ashore in Sound

BURIEN, Wash. – A dead whale has washed ashore near a public park in Burien in south King County.

KOMO-TV reports the Coast Guard started hearing about the whale as it floated about 100 yards off Three Tree Point on Saturday morning.

The whale later drifted onto the beach near Seahurst Park.

Officials believe it is a fin whale, but half of its body is missing. NOAA Fisheries says fin whales are the second-largest species of whale, with a maximum length of about 75 feet. They are an endangered species and are seldom found in the Puget Sound.

Montana Senate advances budget

Helena – Montana lawmakers brokering budget deals Saturday restored federal family planning money sought by Democrats, and gave Republicans a permanent cut of 500 vacant state jobs.

The Republican- controlled Senate endorsed the state’s main $9 billion budget bill in a 30-20 vote after an all-day session.

Lawmakers huddled for two hours to start Saturday trying to reach a deal on two contentious issues. It produced a compromise that restores about $5 million of federal family planning for health clinics. The item has been a priority for Democrats – but was previously cut by Republicans opposed to Planned Parenthood.

In exchange, some Democrats backed a Republican move to permanently cut 500 vacant state jobs. GOP backers said the move will limit the growth in government, although some Republicans were skeptical it will result in any real savings.