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Local NewsFood-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
If there's an outbreak of food-borne illness anywhere in the country, chances are William Marler will be filing lawsuits. Marler says he and his law firm have pried $500 million in settlements out of companies that have sickened customers. Mon, 11/23
Illegal workers quietly let go
The janitorial firm of a local conservative talk-radio host is the latest target of a new Obama administration strategy to thin the ranks of illegal immigrants by pursuing the companies that hire them. Mon, 11/23
Metro won't cut bus service after all
Metropolitan King County Council members say existing bus service can be maintained for two more years instead of cutting service 9 percent as earlier proposed. Their plan also would allow Metro Transit's RapidRide service to launch next year, with an initial line connecting Tukwila, SeaTac and Federal Way. Mon, 11/23
Jerry Large
Food-bank theft turns into a gift
According to the latest figures from the Agriculture Department, 85.4 percent of U.S. households had access to the food they needed in 2008. The remaining 14.6 percent, roughly 49 million people, couldn't count on getting enough food. Mon, 11/23
Bumper to Bumper
How can the city let bridges go dark?
Seattle City Light responds after a reader complains that streetlights were out for weeks on an overpass near Fishermen's Terminal. Mon, 11/23
Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
A Mill Creek church invited its members to be tattooed during Sunday services. Mon, 11/23
Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
The parents of Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos have given the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center a $10 million donation to further research in immunotherapy. Mon, 11/23
Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
On Tuesday, the Sheraton Seattle Hotel is unveiling its 17th Annual Gingerbread Village, a benefit for the Northwest Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 05:47 PM
Civil-rights suit against officer, city settled for $87,500
A man who was struck in the face with a flashlight by a Seattle police traffic officer outside a Seattle Seahawks game has settled his civil-rights lawsuit against the city for $87,500 after the case ended in a federal court mistrial last month. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 06:34 PM
Columbia River salmon judge presses for resolution
A federal judge says the government's latest plans for making Columbia Basin dams safer for salmon looks good, but a legal flaw could delay his approval. Mon, 11/23
Connecticut family sues over fatal Seattle pedicab crash
A Connecticut family is suing a Washington pedicab company, saying faulty brakes were to blame for their father's death in a Seattle crash last year. Mon, 11/23
Seattle woman charged with knife attack on boyfriend's ex
A Seattle woman who killed a woman 12 years ago in a jealous rage over a man is now accused of stabbing her boyfriend's former girlfriend earlier this month. Mon, 11/23
Senate considers food-safety bill
The U.S. Senate is considering legislation that would plug holes in the food-safety system. Mon, 11/23
Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
So what won't you eat if you spend your days focused on horrific food-poisoning cases? Turns out William Marler's "do not eat" list is short and sweet. Mon, 11/23
First load of rescued fish moved to Salmon Creek
For the past few years, Dave Brown and a bevy of net-wielding volunteer helpers have scooped up wild baby salmon and steelhead stranded when tributaries that feed the East Fork of the Lewis River run dry in the summer. Rescued from shrinking pools, the fish survive in a series of concrete holding pens Brown built on his property near Daybreak Park. He releases them again when streams start flowing in the fall. Mon, 11/23
UPDATE - 06:22 PM
Columbia River salmon judge presses for resolution
A federal judge says the government's latest plans for making Columbia Basin dams safer for salmon looks good, but a legal flaw could delay his approval. Mon, 11/23
Phyllis Mayo, former Times manager, dies of cancer
Phyllis Mayo, a former human-resources manager at The Seattle Times who played an instrumental role in developing the company's diversity programs, died Sunday. She was 63. Mon, 11/23
Chuckanut Drive closed after rockslide
Chuckanut Drive is closed about three miles south of the Whatcom-Skagit County line because of a rockslide. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:34 PM
Federal judge praises new salmon-protection plan
A federal judge in Portland says the Obama administration's revised salmon recovery plans for the Columbia River basin "look good," but environmental groups say the proposal doesn't go far enough. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 06:10 PM
Light-rail trains to run less often tonight
Sound Transit trains will run 20 to 25 minutes apart tonight, instead of the usual 10- to 15-minute frequency, while crews repair a broken weld in the Tukwila segment of the rail line. Mon, 11/23
Marysville soldier dies in Afghanistan
John J. Cleaver, 36, a soldier from Marysville, was killed in Afghanistan after a suicide bomber attacked his unit. Mon, 11/23
State pays Connell $11 million for prison impact
The state has paid the city of Connell more than $11 million in impact fees for the expansion of the Coyote Ridge prison in Franklin County. Mon, 11/23
Verdict expected in Bremerton arson trial
A Kitsap county judge is expected to issue a verdict Monday in the juvenile court arson trial of a 17-year-old boy accused of burning down a home furnishings store in Bremerton. Mon, 11/23
Large lessons in joy come in tiny packages
If being a parent is one long classroom in the school of life — and it is; we learned so much from our kids, and from raising them — then being a grandparent is like being in the graduate school of joy. Mon, 11/23
Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
A woman was stabbed by a man who approached her from behind in North Seattle Sunday night, Seattle police said. Sun, 11/22
Nation & WorldSenate Democrats split on health bill's fate
Senate Democrats on Sunday sparred with each other over how to fix the nation's troubled health-care system, the moderates threatening to scuttle legislation if their demands weren't met and the more liberal warning their party leaders not to bend. Mon, 11/23
UPDATE - 06:32 PM
SC gov faces 37 charges he broke state ethics laws
Gov. Mark Sanford is accused of breaking 37 ethics laws regarding campaign finances and travel, including using taxpayer money for high-priced airplane tickets that took him around the world and to Argentina for a rendezvous with the woman he once called his "soul mate." Mon, 11/23
U.K. started planning early for war, leaked papers show
Leaked British government documents call into question ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair's public statements on the buildup to the Iraq war and show plans for the U.S.-led 2003 invasion were being made more than a year earlier, a newspaper reported Sunday. Mon, 11/23
Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm
A small company is hoping it can make millions of dollars by creating a vaccine for people who want to kick the smoking habit. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals of Rockville, Md., in the late stages of testing its experimental vaccine, took a big step last week by striking a deal with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. Mon, 11/23
India's feeling bruised even before White House visit
Even before India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to be welcomed for his first state visit with President Obama, two perceived missteps by the Obama administration have concerned Indian officials that New Delhi has been relegated to the second tier of U.S.-Asian relations. Mon, 11/23
Obama: US economy has 'core strengths'
President Barack Obama said Monday the nation's economy is in good shape for the long term thanks to "core strengths" such as its universities, its innovation and a dynamic workforce. Mon, 11/23
State dinner to be a test for Obamas
The history-making Obama White House can't say enough about how it's more open, more adventurous, more of-the-people than administrations past. Its first state dinner Tuesday evening will be a test of how its promised outreach to the commoner will dovetail with an event that is, by definition, an opportunity for muck-a-mucks, insiders, stuffed shirts and fancy pants to schmooze with the biggest VIP of them all. Mon, 11/23
UPDATE - 07:32 PM
China planning agency OKs Shanghai Disney project
China's economic planning agency has formally approved a plan to build a Disney theme park in Shanghai, giving the city a new showcase following next year's World Expo. Mon, 11/23
Calif. man jailed after housing homeless on ranch
A California rancher who houses homeless people on his property chose to serve 90 days in jail rather than accept probation after being convicted of misdemeanor safety violations. Mon, 11/23
Miners' families want answers in China mine blast
Grieving family members demanded answers Monday from mining officials about the underground gas explosion that left at least 104 men dead in northeastern China. Mon, 11/23
Runoff likely to pick Romania's next leader
A presidential election aimed at helping Romania emerge from a political and economic crisis failed to produce a winner on Sunday, and the top two candidates will compete in a runoff next month, according to two exit polls. Mon, 11/23
24 killed in election massacre in the Philippines
Gunmen ambushed a caravan of political supporters and journalists on their way to file election papers, killing at least 24 people in a massacre considered shocking even for a region notorious for violence between rival clans. Mon, 11/23
Astronauts take spacewalk No. 3 after suit snag
A pair of astronauts zipped through the third and final spacewalk of their mission Monday, helping to install a 1,200-pound oxygen tank at the International Space Station and accomplishing everything else on their list. Mon, 11/23
Canada woman to fight insurance co. over Facebook
A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression said Monday she would fight an insurance company's decision to cut her benefits after her agent found photos on Facebook of her vacationing, at a bar and at a party. Mon, 11/23
Program to help truckers attracts drug smugglers
A U.S. program that offers trusted trucking companies speedy passage across American borders has begun attracting just the sort of customers who place a premium on avoiding inspections: Mexican drug smugglers. Mon, 11/23
Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
As the world has talked for a dozen years about what to do next, new ship passages opened through the Arctic's once-frozen summer sea ice. In Greenland and Antarctica, ice sheets have lost trillions of tons. Mountain glaciers in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa are shrinking faster than before. Mon, 11/23
Strikes by Pakistan kill about 40 rebels
Pakistani troops killed nearly 40 suspected militants Sunday in a series of operations in northwestern tribal areas near the Afghan border, officials said. Mon, 11/23
Children in home day care watching hours of TV, study says
Parents who thought their preschoolers were spending time in home-based day cares taking naps, eating healthful snacks and learning to play nicely with others may be surprised to discover they are sitting up to two hours a day in front of a TV, according to a study published today. Mon, 11/23
Search on for Indonesian ferry accident survivors
Rescuers returned to choppy waters off Indonesia's Sumatra island Monday to search for 21 passengers still missing after a ferry sank in a storm. Officials say 254 survivors were pulled from the sea and at least 29 other people drowned. Sun, 11/22
Business & TechnologyNintendo re-enlists Mario, savior of video-game industry
In the mid-1980s, Nintendo and Mario helped save the U.S. video-game industry with "Super Mario Bros." Now the "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" is one of the holiday season's top titles. Mon, 11/23
Verizon-Frontier deal stirs concern among consumers
Unions and consumer groups are leery, but the sale by Verizon Communications of nearly 5 million primarily rural landlines in Washington and 13 other states to Frontier Communications is moving forward quickly. Mon, 11/23
Brier Dudley
'Guitar Hero' founder excited about future
Video-games sales are down 13 percent through October, and analysts are suggesting music-rhythm games have run their course, but "Guitar Hero" founder Kai Huang is looking on the bright side. Mon, 11/23
Gaps for consumers in Democrat health care bills
For consumers, the health care bills taking final shape in Congress don't rate close to a perfect 10. Mon, 11/23
General Electric buys Kent-based Naverus
Naverus, a Kent-based firm that pioneered satellite-based airplane navigation technology for guiding aircraft and streamlining flight patterns around airports, has been acquired by General Electric for an undisclosed amount, the companies said Monday. Mon, 11/23
Interface
Socrata helps public agencies share data
A weekly column profiling companies and personalities. Mon, 11/23
Washington Banking seeks $30 million in stock sale
Washington Banking Co., the parent of Whidbey Island Bank, said Monday it would raise $30 million by selling new shares of common stock, becoming the latest local bank to tap the capital markets. Mon, 11/23
Inventor chases a solution to cancer
Robert Goldman is a geek's geek, a Silicon Valley inventor who likes to know exactly how things work. His sharp mind has made him rich, but even Goldman has his limits when it comes to understanding how life works. Mon, 11/23
Biofuel used on Boeing 747 flight
Air France-KLM successfully uses 50 percent biofuel mix in one engine during demonstration flight in the Netherlands Mon, 11/23
Dollar decline continues as stocks jump
The safe-haven dollar began the week lower as a Federal Reserve official urged the continuation of stimulus programs and as home sales in October greatly exceeded market expectations, revving up traders' taste for higher-yielding assets. Mon, 11/23
October home sales rise 10.1 pct from September
Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in 2 1/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit. Mon, 11/23
Tax credit gives home sales best boost in decade
First-time buyers taking advantage of a special tax credit gave sales of existing homes in October their biggest surge in a decade, raising hopes for a turnaround in the housing market and pleasing Wall Street. Mon, 11/23
Weak dollar, home sales data carry stocks higher
The stock market ended a three-day losing streak Monday, closing broadly higher as a weaker dollar and upbeat home sales numbers encouraged investors to take on more risk. Mon, 11/23
SportsGonzaga comes from behind to beat Colorado, 76-72
Steven Gray scored 27 points and Matt Bouldin added 21 in helping Gonzaga overcome a sluggish first half on its way to a 76-72 win over Colorado. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:48 PM
Seahawks coach Jim Mora evaluates stinker of a loss — again
There is a format for these things in the NFL, a procedure for dealing with this kind of loss in a way that's clinical as an autopsy, and the first step is an honest and blunt admission of inadequacies. Mon, 11/23
Huskies finish third at NCAA cross-country championships
Washington sophomore Kendra Schaaf finished second, leading the Huskies to a third-place team finish at the NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Ind. The Washington men finished 18th. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:44 PM
Huskies tight end Kavario Middleton says UW will score 50 against Cougars in Apple Cup
Despite an 0-10 record heading into the 2008 Apple Cup in Pullman, the Washington Huskies were listed as seven-point favorites, expected to get the one win that would prevent historical embarrassment. Mon, 11/23
Fishing | Where they're biting, where they're not
Mon, 11/23
UPDATE - 07:21 PM
Huskies get commitment from 6-foot-10 Turkish star Enes Kanter
Kanter, a 17-year-old center, is considered a possible lottery pick in 2011 NBA draft. Mon, 11/23
Second-tier soccer league dubs itself the NASL
The second division men's professional soccer league is scheduled to begin play this spring. It announced its name Monday, and it should be familiar to soccer fans in the United States and Canada: the North American Soccer League. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:32 PM
Stars of the week
DELETE Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:22 PM
NFL | Cleveland coach Eric Mangini suggests Detroit players faked injuries
On Monday, Cleveland's embattled coach questioned whether Detroit's defensive players faked injuries to slow down the Browns' no-huddle offense, which put up a season-high 439 yards during a 38-37 road loss. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:19 PM
Locker vs. Locker collision won't happen this year
Washington State freshman Casey Locker is redshirting, so he won't have a shot at his cousin, UW quarterback Jake Locker, when the teams play in the Apple Cup. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 06:52 PM
Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. could earn $3.9 million next season
Base salary is $2.35 million, but total could jump to $3.9 million if Griffey hits incentives in one-year contract. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 07:59 PM
Prep Football | Family sustains Archbishop Murphy lineman Taniela Tupou
It has been an up-and-down year, emotionally, for the big lineman, whose team is in the Class 2A football state semifinals. Mon, 11/23
NEW - 06:38 PM
Media: Man pleads not guilty in Erin Andrews videos case
Media Insurance executive pleads not guilty to interstate stalking of ESPN reporter Andrews. Mon, 11/23
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
It all came to a fantastic finish with Robbie Russell's conversion, giving underdog Real Salt Lake a 1-1 (5-4 on penalties) upset victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy and setting off a wild celebration for the team that was the hottest in the league at a time when it counted the most — the playoffs. Sun, 11/22
Steve Kelley
A fantastic finish to first MLS season in Seattle
Short of Sounders FC making it to the MLS Cup, won by Real Salt Lake over the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday at Qwest Field, soccer fans couldn't have asked for a much better ending to this first season. Sun, 11/22
Jerry Brewer
Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
Yep, the Seahawks sure could've used Steve Hutchinson on Sunday. And Minnesota defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams. And defensive end Jared Allen. And running back Adrian Peterson. And wide receiver Sidney Rice. Throw in the interminable Brett Favre, too. Sun, 11/22
Auto | Driver Jimmie Johnson wins his 4th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title in a row
Jimmie Johnson was chasing much more than a championship. He also was chasing NASCAR history. Sun, 11/22
Brett Favre has masterful performance against Seahawks
There aren't many superlatives left to drape across a career that began in 1991. But to say he posted his highest completion percentage (88.0) of any game is really saying something — and it doesn't say much for Seattle's defense. Sun, 11/22
Chicago blanks Canucks in Vancouver
Bryan Bickell scored his first goal of the season 1:12 into the third period, and Antti Niemi made 30 saves to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night. Sun, 11/22
College football | Coach Charlie Weis indicates he wouldn't blame Notre Dame for firing him
Charlie Weis indicated he wouldn't blame Notre Dame for firing him. "If they decide to make a change, I'd have to say I'd have a tough time... Sun, 11/22
Golf | Lee Westwood wins Dubai event, European money title
Lee Westwood of England became Europe's No. 1 golfer Sunday after winning the Dubai World Championship by six strokes. Sun, 11/22
NBA | D'Antoni didn't bench Nate Robinson for poor shot
Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni says Nate Robinson was not benched for taking a shot at the wrong basket Saturday. Sun, 11/22
Sounders FC coach Schmid remains hospitalized
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid remained at Overlake Hospital Medical Center on Sunday receiving treatment for pneumonia. Sun, 11/22
Tennis: Federer wins on opening day of ATP World Tour Finals
Roger Federer of Switzerland overcame an erratic forehand and Fernando Verdasco on Sunday, rallying to beat his Spanish opponent 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the round-robin stage of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. Sun, 11/22
Indianapolis improves to 10-0 with 17-15 victory over Baltimore
The new face of the franchise revealed that the Ravens' 17-15 loss to the undefeated Indianapolis Colts was the ultimate gut-wrencher in a season filled with frustrating defeats. Sun, 11/22
Men's College Hoops | UCLA will extend forward Nikola Dragovic's suspension
UCLA will extend forward Nikola Dragovic's suspension for at least another game because of his arrest and subsequent charge of felony assault. Sun, 11/22
NW Briefs
College Football: Eastern Washington football earns NCAA playoff berth
The Eastern Washington football team was selected Sunday as one of 16 teams in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. Sun, 11/22
Seattle U Men's Hoops | Seattle U. knocks off Weber State
Seattle University backed up a stirring win over Fresno State Thursday night with a 91-87 victory over Weber State Sunday afternoon at KeyArena, pulling out to an 18-point lead midway through the second half and then holding off a furious Weber State comeback. Sun, 11/22
UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
For the third straight year, neither Washington or Washington State has a winning record entering their annual rivalry game Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Husky Stadium — UW at 3-7, WSU at 1-10. Sun, 11/22
EntertainmentPreview: Renaissance Singers usher in season with 'Christmas in Cambridge'
Seattle's Renaissance Singers offer "Christmas in Cambridge" as a warm-up to the holiday season. Mon, 11/23
Elton John & Billy Joel reschedule Seattle concerts
The Elton John-Billy Joel concerts at KeyArena, postponed earlier this month due to illness, have been rescheduled to Feb. 3 and 6, 2010. Mon, 11/23
Freeloader alert: Free frappés, free hot drinks, free doughnuts
Free frappés at participating Western Washington McDonald's through Dec. 7. Complimentary warm drinks at the Bravern every Wednesday in December. And Mighty-O has free doughnuts for kids dressed as pirates on Saturday, Nov. 28. Seattle Times Freeloader: When cheap isn't cheap enough. Mon, 11/23
Lit Life
National recognition for Seattle's readergirlz online book community
Reps from a Seattle-based nonprofit attended the National Book Awards ceremony in New York City to pick up one of five "Innovations in Reading" prizes for their online book community readergirlz. Mon, 11/23
Journalist and author Amy Goodman in Seattle
The author, journalist and host of the "Democracy Now! " radio and television news program returns to Seattle. Mon, 11/23
'Surviving the Holidays with Lewis Black' on History Channel is a Monday TV pick
Watch the comedian's look at holiday history at 8 p.m. on the History Channel. Mon, 11/23
The Ultimate Holiday Cookbook Social at Palace Ballroom
Get a cookbook signed and follow it up with a taste of what's inside at the fourth annual Ultimate Holiday Cookbook Social event. Mon, 11/23
LivingRules to dine by when eating in restaurants with kids
An expert and parents offer their thoughts on dining with small children in restaurants. Mon, 11/23
Travel & OutdoorsGet ready for Thanksgiving flight delays, thanks to New York
Delays at New York City's three major airports boomerang through U.S. air travel Mon, 11/23
Grand Canyon to change "unfair" hiking-permit system
Permits will no longer be available in person starting in February Mon, 11/23
OpinionE.J. Dionne / Syndicated columnist
Obama's 'third way' in Afghanistan: neither Iraq nor Vietnam
President Obama has decided that Afghanistan is neither Iraq nor Vietnam, writes columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. This is a view that puts him at odds with both the hawks and the doves, and is why he will insist that he is not committing new troops indefinitely. Mon, 11/23
Guest columnist
Turning to a new chapter in Afghanistan
An expanded military emphasis won't work in Afghanistan, write guest columnists Khalil Nouri and Terry Green. The current Afghan problems are tribal imbalance and the interference of Afghanistan's regional neighbors. Any resolution must address those issues. Mon, 11/23