Sara Leaming

Starting next fall, student athletes in Spokane schools may not have to suit up for gym. The board of directors for Spokane Public Schools is considering changing the rules to let middle and high school students in top physical condition bow out of physical education classes.

The first commencement for the high school class of 2009 Thursday wasn’t without pomp and circumstance. True, the ceremony came about four months earlier than usual – or eight months later, depending on whom you ask. And it was much smaller – just five graduates.

A national report says more than 15 percent of Washington seniors are earning college credit by passing Advanced Placement exams. Five years ago, 10 percent of seniors in the state were earning college-credit scores. The change puts the state in the top five in the nation for improvement, a report released by the College Board shows.

OLYMPIA — A national report says more than 15 percent of Washington seniors earn college credit by passing Advanced Placement exams.

A proposed tax bond measure to update East Valley School District buildings was up in the air Tuesday night, while results from other special elections showed most voters are willing to open their pocketbooks in support of school programs. The $34.5 million construction bond – the third such attempt by the East Valley district – was leading by 59 votes after polls closed. An unknown number of ballots cast on the measure remained to be counted.

A proposed tax bond measure to update East Valley School District buildings was still up in the air Tuesday night, while results from several other special elections show the majority of voters willing to open their pocketbooks in support of school programs.

No classes will be held at Medical Lake High School for the remainder of the week due to damage to the school's roof, district officials said.

The gleaming brushed-aluminum sculpture high on a brick wall at Rogers High School reminds one student of an ancient pictograph. To Principal Carole Meyer, the imagery of wind-swept mountains and Native figures suggests the scenery surrounding her northeast Spokane school – on a clear day Mount Spokane is visible from the windows in the new library.

Kootenai County commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that spells out their request to voters to fund a $147 million expansion of the county jail and other public safety facilities. Voters will see two items on the November ballot: a request to issue general obligation bonds to pay for the jail and a half-cent increase in the sales tax to 6.5 percent to help defray the hefty price tag for the expansion.

Residents and community members near Cataldo have 30 days to offer ideas on a proposed repository for hazardous mining waste. Design of the East Mission Flats Waste Repository is 60 percent completed, and state and environmental officials hope to have a final plan in place after the public comment period ends.

If controversial security contractor Blackwater USA wants to build a training facility in North Idaho, it likely will find a way, despite opposition from local law enforcement officials to any kind of partnership with the private company. That's according to citizens and at least one legislator in San Diego, who say the company – rumored to be in negotiations for land between Coeur d'Alene and Worley for a $20 million training facility – was able to secure permits in California for a similar facility with very little community oversight.