Associated Press
Washington’s electric vehicle sales tax break set to end
SEATTLE (AP) - Washington state's sales tax exemption for new electric vehicles is expected to end sometime this summer after efforts to extend the break stalled during the recent legislative session.
The current exemption expires in June 2019 or once 7,500 electric vehicles have been registered with the state - whichever comes first...
Spokane officer fired for violating department policies
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - The Spokane Police Department has fired an officer who was arrested on domestic violence charges last year.
The Spokesman-Review reports that while criminal charges were dropped, an internal investigation found Officer John Scott had violated department policies...
Cougar euthanized after several sightings in Oregon town
SILVERTON, Ore. (AP) - Oregon wildlife officials were forced to trap and euthanize a cougar in response to several sightings of the animals in and around the town of Silverton.
The Statesman Journal reports Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy says the cougar was euthanized because it was considered a "public safety risk...
Oregon jobless rate holds steady at 4.1%
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon's unemployment rate did not budge in February.
The state Employment Department said Tuesday the jobless rate was 4.1 percent - the same as in December and January. The month saw strong job gains in retail, construction and health care...
Officer shoots pit bull terrier after dog fight in Yakima
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Authorities say a Yakima police officer shot and wounded a pit bull terrier that ran toward the officer after a dog fight.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports two pit bulls that live in adjacent houses began fighting Monday morning...
Washington governor signs package of voter access bills
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a package of bills aimed at increasing voter access in Washington state, including a measure to pre-register 16 and 17 year olds and another that allows in-person voter registration to occur the same day of an election...
New count finds 557 homeless in Umatilla, Morrow counties
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - A tally of the homeless in four Eastern Oregon counties found 557 people without a permanent shelter - 10 times more than a year ago.
Advocates say the surge likely reflects a major undercount in last year's point-in-time census...
Washington city to revisit ban on pit bull terriers
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Residents in a Washington city soon may be able to legally own pit bull terriers again.
The Yakima Herald-Republic reports pit bulls have been banned by Yakima city ordinance for more than three decades, but the Yakima City Council is expected Tuesday to take a vote to repeal the ban...
Proposed state initiative aims to ban soda taxes
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A group backed by the soda industry is seeking to bar cities and counties in Washington state from imposing their own taxes on sodas or other sweetened beverages.
The Daily Herald reports that the political committee, Yes...
Award-winning author Kate Wilhelm dies at 89
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Award-winning science fiction writer Kate Wilhelm has died at 89.
Her son Richard Wilhelm said in a Facebook post that his mother died March 8 in Eugene, Oregon, following a brief illness.
Kate Wilhelm wrote more than 60 works in science fiction, fantasy and mystery, including the Hugo Award-winning novel "Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang...