U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell say Wall Street speculation in the oil and gas market is directly affecting small business in Washington. 

At a news conference held at Local Roots Organic in Seattle they were joined by several business owners who said high gas prices are taking a toll on their bottom line.

As authorities investigate the arson at Tacoma's landmark pagoda building, police say another fire was set Monday night at a Point Defiance Park restroom.

A security guard locking up the restrooms found a trash can on fire about 9:35 p.m. Monday night. The guard pulled the can outside and called the Tacoma Fire Department, Fulghum said. Firefighters doused the blaze.

Former Seattle Police Chief and current White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske is reportedly in the running for Chicago’s police superintendent.

Here's what's making headlines around the Northwest:

• Senate advances its proposed Washington state budget
• Sideswiped BNSF freight car derails in Seattle
• Region Records Coldest 1st Half of April on Record
• Real Estate Website Zillow Files for IPO

State Senate Approves Budget Plan With Deep Education Cuts

Washington state senators have advanced their version of a proposed two-year budget, setting up negotiations with the House and the governor's office.

Monday's 34-13 vote pushes forward a plan that slashes $4.8 billion from state spending in an attempt to close a projected deficit of more than $5 billion.

Should you pull out of the stock market?

Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit outlook for the United States this week; gas prices are rising; Europe is facing serious debt problems and Japan continues to struggle with its nuclear crisis. There's an awful lot to worry about these days.

But financial commentator Greg Heberlein reminds us that Wall Street climbs a wall of worry, and says you should stay in the market and look for buying opportunities.

Jon Krakauer describes Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Deceit,” and its Seattle origins.

By now, most of you have probably heard something about the allegations of literary fabrication and financial misdeeds of the celebrated humanitarian Greg Mortenson, author of the inspiring book Three Cups of Tea.

The accusations were aired on CBS last Sunday, on 60 Minutes.

Read more:

Despite having to endure a broken toilet, lousy food and fifteen days in a cramped research station in the Utah desert, a Boeing engineer says she's still enthusiastic about one day making a trip to Mars.

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• Late tax day postmarks at 3 Western Washington locations
• Fire-damaged pagoda repair estimate: $500,000
• Gas Prices Continue to Climb: Over $4.00 in Bellingham
• ACLU to Senators: Ignore Governor's Threat to Veto Pot Bill

It's Tax Day. Need a Late Postmark?

As the IRS income tax deadline falls at midnight, the Postal Service says it will have three locations in Western Washington where last-minute filers can drop off their returns until 11:59 p.m.  - in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett - and get Monday's postmark.

Despite the massive fraud that has emerged as the U.S. tries to dig itself out of the foreclosure mess at the heart of the great recession, there are still huge numbers of honest folks working in the real estate business. 

That's according to professional appraisers in Washington state, dozens of whom have signed an on-line petition. 

This week marks the 20th anniversary of when an audience heard Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the first time. The band played it at Seattle’s OK Hotel near Pioneer Square and the rest as they say, is history. A new exhibit at the Experience Music Project called “Taking Punk To The Masses: from Nowhere to Nevermind” looks at all of the factors that led to Nirvana explosion onto the global music scene.

Health clinics that cater to low-income people have been expanding.

The Intiman Theatre has announced that it will cancel its 2011 season and lay off all its employees due to financial straits.

The theater's board of trustees on Saturday voted to cancel the remaining four shows of the season after the final Sunday performance of "All My Sons." In a statement on its website, the theater said "with our current income limitations there's no alternative."

An Easter basket full of goodies is a time-honored tradition for many people, but Regional Animal Services of King County is asking residents to think first before putting a bunny, chick, or duckling in that basket. The agency's Ken Nakatsu advises:

An early morning fire has damaged the iconic, nearly 100-year-old Pagoda structure inside Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, but Metro Parks officials believe the brick building can be repaired. It will just take awhile; though exactly how long will not be known until inspectors can get into the building to assess the damage. The building is insured.

Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum told The News Tribune the fire is "suspicious in origin."

The cruise season has begun in Seattle with Friday morning's arrival of the Crystal Symphony.