NEWS UPDATES

Whale trapped in lagoon near Purdy Bridge

A malnourished gray whale that has been unusually close to shore for the last several days was stuck Wednesday in shallow water under the Purdy Bridge. The whale was trapped for a time while feeding in the Burley Lagoon until the tide came in.

New state revenue report improves climate for budget talks

Two forecasts of state revenue and caseloads lent $320 million of new hope Tuesday at the Capitol that a budget deal can be brokered in time to avoid any potential shutdown of state services on July 1.

Jury tells WSU Tri-Cities to pay $100,000

RICHLAND, Wash. — A Benton County Superior Court jury has awarded $100,000 in damages to a former employee of Washington State University Tri-Cities who said she endured a hostile work environment created by a supervisor.

What's Happening for June 19

FBI hunt for ex-Teamster boss Hoffa's remains ends

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The excavation of a field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, the FBI announced Wednesday, adding another unsuccessful chapter to a nearly 40-year-old mystery.

Lakewood police fatally shoot armed man in Tillicum

Two Lakewood police officers opened fire on a man Tuesday night after he refused their commands to put down a gun then made a move they found threatening, the department reported.

Facebook ruse halts kidnap

A Spokane father who discovered his 15-year-old daughter was being wooed by a man twice her age took matters into his own hands. After hatching a Facebook ruse that drew the 30-year-old Federal Way man to Spokane earlier this month, the father and a couple of his buddies staked out the arranged meeting spot, then blocked the man’s escape until police arrived and took him into custody.

EPA report critical of Wash. oversight at Hanford

YAKIMA, Wash. — A new report released Tuesday faults Washington state for lax oversight at the nation's most contaminated nuclear site, saying the state employs too few inspectors and gives advance notice of inspections to the federal agency charged with managing the cleanup.

Five Olympia businesses burglarized since Sunday - suspect sought

A bald suspect armed with a crowbar who has a taste for vandalism is likely responsible for five burglaries of small businesses on the State Avenue corridor on Olympia's east side since early Sunday morning, according to Olympia police.

Capital Medical Center agrees to 3-year contract with union

Capital Medical Center and the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 21, have come to terms on a new, three-year contract.