Wire Service

Sunshine adds its splash to Brinnon ShrimpFest [**Gallery**]

By Philip L. Watness For Peninsula Daily News BRINNON — Marks painted Wednesday to show where booths were to be set up for the annual… Continue reading

ShrimpFest celebrates Hood Canal edibles

By Philip L. Watness For Peninsula Daily News BRINNON — “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea,” Pvt. Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue told Forrest Gump… Continue reading

Legislature finally finishes with deep cuts to bipartisan budget — but no tax increases

By Manuel Valdes and Mike Baker The Associated Press OLYMPIA — The state Legislature completed months of grueling negotiations Wednesday night, adjourning after passing a… Continue reading

Legislature adjourns, completing 2011 sessions

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — The state Legislature has adjourned after completing a new state budget that fills a projected shortfall of $5 billion. Lawmakers… Continue reading

Lawmaker abandons medical marijuana proposals

The Associated Press The Associated Press OLYMPIA — A Democratic lawmaker who had been pushing for legal recognition of medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington state… Continue reading

State budget deal includes pay cuts for teachers, other school workers, state employees

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — A tentative agreement to fill Washington state's $5 billion budget shortfall includes cuts in nearly every corner of government, slashing… Continue reading

How to monitor local beaches online for pollution problems

By: Peninsula Daily News staff and Associated Press OLYMPIA — The state's BEACH program will monitor bacteria levels at about 70 popular saltwater beaches in… Continue reading

Details about state budget to be revealed today

Peninsula Daily News news sources OLYMPIA — State lawmakers are expected to unveil specifics of a compromise state budget today that heals a deficit of… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Americans willing to pay for safer food?

PDN news sources The results of a survey commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows significant majorities of U.S. voters in favor of providing the… Continue reading

Rift over debt limit stalls lawmakers in Olympia

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — State lawmakers are now dealing with a new rift that threatens to stall the end of the special session. Gov.… Continue reading

EYE ON CONGRESS: Partial Patriot Act renewal before Congress this week

Peninsula Daily News news services WASHINGTON — This week, both the Senate and House of Representatives will take up a bill to renew certain sections… Continue reading

Mother’s memory pushes Rhody Run participant [**Gallery**]

By Philip L. Watness For Peninsula Daily News PORT TOWNSEND — Shannan St. Clair of Federal Way didn't let a heel blister stop her from… Continue reading

Updated: Deal on workers’ comp in Olympia

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers say they have reached an agreement on how to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system. Gov. Chris Gregoire… Continue reading

End of the world? Ready for the Rapture? How about a party instead?

By: Peninsula Daily News and Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — For some, it's Judgment Day. For others, it's party time. A loosely organized Christian movement… Continue reading

Lawmakers cutting state budget, but protecting own salaries

By Mike Baker The Associated Press OLYMPIA — State lawmakers are not including their own salaries in widespread budget cuts that are poised to slash… Continue reading

UPDATE: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth makes historic Ireland visit; security tight amid real, fake bombs

The Associated Press DUBLIN — Undeterred by real or fake bombs, Queen Elizabeth II today began the first visit by a British monarch to the… Continue reading

Ex-Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger fathered child with household maid

By John Antczak The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of… Continue reading

Why state government is preparing for July 1 shutdown if budget talks fail

By Mike Baker The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Top state officials started preparing Monday for a government shutdown in July as lawmakers stalled in their… Continue reading

State envisions July shutdown as budget talks stall

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Top state officials have started preparing for a July government shutdown as lawmakers struggle to reach a budget compromise. Gov.… Continue reading

UPDATE: Critics say Obama abandons science in forest rule

By Jeff Barnard AP Environmental Writer GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Obama administration’s proposed new rules for protecting clean water and wildlife on the United… Continue reading