Gary Davis

WSU officials aren't laughing.  Students are. A campuswide A/V prank at the Pullman school last Friday is the talk of the tech sites today, including Wired.com.

State's Alcohol Energy Drink Ban May Move Feds

Washington is now the third state to ban the potent alcohol and caffeine beverages, including brands such as Four Loko.  The so-called 'energy' cocktails have come under fire after numerous incidents involving young adults treated for alcohol poisoning. 

Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus, who became the living embodiment of the franchise in his 34 years behind the microphone, has died. Niehaus passed away after suffering a heart attack at his Bellevue home on Wednesday, according to his family. He was 75 years old.

Famous for his colorful and deft storytelling skills, Niehaus brought Mariner games to life with his passion for the game trademark phrases, "My oh My" and "Get out the rye bread and the mustard, Grandma, it's  grand salami time!"

Following three high-profile cases involving its patients, Seattle Children's Hospital has been given a passing report card of "no deficiencies" by the  state Department of Health, according to the Associated Press.  Inquiries  of nurses and other health care providers involved in the cases are still ongoing.

The Associated Press reports:

Washington state is banning alcoholic energy drinks. The state Liquor Control Board adopted the new rule this morning. The ban takes effect next week, on November 18th.

It comes after nine Central Washington University students were hospitalized after a party last month. Authorities say they drank the caffeinated malt liquor beverage Four Loko.

State Ban on Alcohol Energy Drinks?

Governor Chris Gregoire will hold a news conference after this morning's state Liquor Control Board meeting on alcoholic energy drinks.  The board is considering a ban on the drinks, like Four Loko, which played a role in sending nine Central Washington University students to a hospital last month after a party, as KPLU reported. 

Larsen Wins a Squeaker

This barred owl perched in a tree Monday outside the window of KPLU's Seattle studios.  In short order, it began drawing the attention of passersby in the Belltown neighborhood, and a crowd under the tree attempting to get a good picture. This photo was taken by our own Sandy Stamato.  Other than some pretty upset crows who made a ruccous, the owl's visit been warmly received.

King County Weighs 'Painful' Budget Cuts

The nation is watching the northwest, with earthquakes - political and real - in mind.

One That Didn’t Happen

What on Tuesday looked like a looming shake-up of the political landscape in Washington subsided.  State voters did not rebuke the Democrats in power. Instead, they returned Patty Murray to the US Senate, and gave the ‘D’s’ the majority in both chambers of the state legislature. 

Democrat Patty Murray has defeated Republican challenger Dino Rossi after a third day of vote tallying in their closely fought race for the U.S. Senate. In capturing her fourth term, Murray adds to the Democrats' slight cushion in the Senate after Republicans made gains there Tuesday while also seizing control of the House. 

New batches of mail-in ballots show Republicans are gaining seats in the Washington state House and Senate but it's not known yet which party will control the Legislature.    

Since the initial vote counts from Tuesday's election, Republicans have been optimistic they can seize the state Senate. 

More ballots were counted Wednesday.  Democrats have been soundly defeated in three districts.: east King County's 45th and 47th districts, and Spokane's 6th district. 

Election geeks take note: we've reached a new level of high-tech politics in Washington.  Secretary of State Sam Reed is offering a palette of e-tools for your election day fun.

They include a new iPhone app created solely for getting the latest results on statewide votes. The free download will allow you to get results at the same time the candidates - and the press - receive them. 

Trick or Treat, Seattle Style

There'll be a lot of buzz today about the latest poll on the Senate race between Dino Rossi and incumbent Patty Murray.  The KCTS 9 - KPLU - Washington Poll shows a narrowing lead for Murray, from 8% two weeks ago to 4.3% this week. Still, among likely voters, Murray is up 6%. It all points to a race that might not be decided election night, and perhaps for weeks to come.