Idol dispatches | The latest news from American Idol

With two Seattle-area contestants still alive on "American Idol" (as of Wednesday, March 28), we know local interest is high. Check here for the latest updates:

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POSTED 6:12 PM Monday
Sanjaya's idol: Tony Bennett

"His objective has always been just to get to the Tony Bennett phase," Sanjaya's uncle Steve Recchi said Monday. Famous crooner Bennett is this week's "American Idol" guest mentor. And Recchi is banking that now his 17-year-old nephew is going to "kick some serious butt" in terms of his singing.

"I'm not sure what he's doing to do with hair though," Recchi said, adding the extended family is delighted with Sanjaya's success thus far. "I'm proud of the boy. He's becoming a performer right in front of our eyes."

— Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer

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POSTED 6:34 PM Thursday
Bothell loves their "Idol." But what about Federal Way?

The city is proclaiming April 11 as "Blake Lewis Day" in honor of its hometown beat boxer.

"Bothell's Blake Lewis has brought positive community spirit to this region by sharing his talent and ambition with the world," said Mayor Mark Lamb in a press release. "The City of Bothell commends Blake and his family on his tremendous achievements and we wish him the very best on American Idol and all his future endeavors."

The proclamation comes with an invitation to perform at the city's Music in the Park summer concert series. Blake's parents, Dinah and Dallas Lewis, will receive the honors while son Blake remains in Los Angeles charming the ever-cranky Simon Cowell, who's called him the male "Idol" frontrunner thus far.

No word yet on whether the city of Federal Way, Sanjaya's hometown, will follow suit.

— Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer

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POSTED 5:23 PM Thursday
Chris Sligh rocks on

You voted him off "Idol" but Sligh and his former band, Half Past Forever, live on in cyberspace. The band has submitted a video of "Know" to Music Nation, an online video music competition where artists compete for a recording contract. Watch at http://musicnation.com/v9d8.

— Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer

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POSTED 4:44 PM Thursday
Sanjaya and Blake land magazine cover

Destined to plaster the bedroom walls of teens everywhere: this week's "People" magazine cover featuring Sanjaya, Blake and the rest of the top 10 "American Idol" finalists. The magazine, which goes on sale March 30, actually features two different fold-out covers showing the wannabes. Whose hair looks best? Blake's mane tops them all.

— Florangela Davila, Seattle Times TV writer