The Associated Press

The Legislature's adjournment is good news for Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna's gubernatorial campaign coffers.

McKenna now can start fundraising again and try to close the gap between him and Democratic candidate Jay Inslee in the race for the governor's office.

RICHLAND, Wash. — The only commercial nuclear power plant in the Northwest is one step closer to a new, 20-year license.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Wednesday issued its final supplemental environmental impact statement for renewing the operating license for Columbia Generating Station.

PORTLAND, Ore. — One of the best-kept secrets in television history has been unmasked when "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening revealed the Springfield in Oregon as the basis for the hometown of his characters.

People who have been tardy about paying their tolls for crossing the State Route 520 and Tacoma Narrows bridges will be mailed civil penalty notices this week.

A new national report released Tuesday says Washington preschool programs that receive government dollars are among the best in the country. But the researchers also believe too few kids benefit from the $54 million Washington spends on preschool each school year.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Larch Corrections Center near Yacolt is testing how pet cats may soften the behavior of hardened criminals.

Two cats were given to inmates in two cells at the minimum-security prison.

A draft federal evaluation has found that three more common pesticides used on home lawns and agricultural crops jeopardize the survival of West Coast salmon.

The Seattle City Council has made it illegal for businesses and others to ask mothers to stop breastfeeding, to cover up or move to a different location.

RENTON, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol says a trooper fired a shot at a fleeing car after it ran over his foot during a traffic stop on Interstate 405 Monday morning at Renton.

Trooper Julie Startup says the shot missed. The car crashed nearby and the driver was arrested.

Under sunny skies, the temperature hit a record 70 degrees Sunday in Seattle, breaking the old record of 69 set in 1996.

SAN FRANCISCO — Federal regulators will allow plenty of opportunity for fishermen to troll for Pacific Coast salmon as biologists forecast a dramatic rebound in populations of the prized fish.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Thursday approved salmon seasons that provide ample fishing time for commercial and recreational anglers in California, Oregon and Washington.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Washington state wildlife spokesman says two salmon-eating California sea lions have been captured this week at Bonneville Dam and killed by lethal injection.

The Oregonian reports the deaths are the first this year after a federal judge ruled last month the program could proceed.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Washington Supreme Court ruling says police in the state need a warrant to search a car for evidence after someone has been taken into custody.

A multiple-vehicle collision involving a semi has closed all four southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle, causing an eight-mile backup.

The accident was reported at 2:14 p.m. on Thursday.

HELENA, Mont. — An investigative report has concluded that "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson mismanaged the charity he co-founded to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Montana Attorney General's office report released Thursday found Mortenson spent Central Asia Institute money on personal items, family vacations and charter flights.