Washington

June 16, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, of Tacoma, Washington

Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass, 22, of Richmond, Indiana

Pfc. Dawid Pietrek, 24, of Bensenville, Illinois

Pfc. Michael Robert Patton, 19, of Fenton, Missouri

All four Marines died June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Source: DOD

06/17/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Theodore Kulongoski and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire sent a joint letter to President George Bush today expressing strong opposition to the Administration's proposal to remove $70 million in emergency disaster assistance for fishing families, communities and businesses impacted by the closure of the salmon season, and they urged President Bush to reconsider his opposition to helping these families in need.    » read more »

Bush administration plans to cut funding by $70 million

June 12, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the Bush administration’s plan to shrink federal funding set aside to help Pacific coast salmon fishing families and small businesses:

“I am angered and deeply discouraged that the Bush administration would even consider reducing the emergency aid dedicated to Pacific salmon fishers. This action represents complete disregard for the thousands of families who rely on a strong salmon season for their livelihoods.    » read more »

Hainan Airlines now offering the only non-stop flight between the Northwest and China

June 9, 2008 -- SEA-TAC – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today helped greet passengers arriving on Hainan Airlines’ new direct passenger flight between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing, and proclaimed today, “Hainan Airlines’ Day,” in Washington.

Hainan’s new flight is the first non-stop commercial flight between the Washington state and China since 1997. “This new direct flight is great economic news for Washington,” Gregoire stated during the celebration. “It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.”    » read more »

Flag lowering honors fallen sailor from Bremerton

June 3, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, June 4, in memory of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jeffrey A. Ammon of Bremerton who was killed in action in Afghanistan May 23.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning, June 5.

Last year, Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition

Source: Washington Governor

June 02, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died May 31 in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

They were assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.

Killed were:

Spc. James M. Finley, 21, of Lebanon, Missouri.    » read more »

Portland Stop -- May 29 -31-- is first of Four Northwest Port Visits

Seattle, Wash., May 27, 2008 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Ocean Survey Vessel, the OSV BOLD, will make its first northwest appearance in Portland, Oregon, beginning May 29th.EPA’s Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) “BOLD”

EPA's 224-foot research flagship will be docked at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and will be open to the public. Free public tours will be conducted May 29th – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and May 30 and 31st – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The OSV BOLD came straight from Arcata, California where it completed seafloor monitoring at the Humbolt Bay Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate oil and petroleum markets:

“Today I sent a letter to the FTC urging them to quickly and aggressively investigate possible market manipulation in the petroleum markets. I reminded FTC Chairman William Kovacic and his fellow commission colleagues that Congress just last year gave the FTC authority to ensure that the U.S. petroleum market is free from price rigging and to penalize those who are caught manipulating a market so critical to our economy.    » read more »

Agreement will drastically boost salmon returning to Puget Sound and Columbia River

May 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today hailed the news that representatives from the United States and Canada have agreed to recommend their governments approve new coast-wide fishing arrangements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

The new ten-year agreement outlines each nation’s fishery management plans for Chinook, Coho, chum, and some pink and sockeye stocks from 2009 to 2018. The treaty, if approved, will result in approximately one million fewer Chinook salmon harvested in Canada and Alaska. About half of those fish saved originate from Washington and Oregon waters.    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- OLYMPIA — While the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision restoring Washington’s top-two primary system in March gave voters much to celebrate, the battle to preserve it is far from over.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is urging Washingtonians to open their hearts and wallets to help in the aftermath of an earthquake Monday that killed and injured thousands of people in the Chinese province of Sichuan.

“Time and time again, Washingtonians have responded to those in need, whether they live in Lewis County or another country,” Gregoire said. “I urge folks to consider whether they are able to give and to do so with an international relief agency they trust so that their contributions bring the greatest value to those who are truly hurting.”    » read more »

Northwest Airlines to add daily non-stops to Beijing and London

May 8, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire joined representatives from Northwest Airlines and the Port of Seattle in announcing two new international air routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Beijing and London.

NWA jet landing: Photo by Travis Church (CC)    » read more »

May 03, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Chad A. Caldwell, 24, of Spokane, Washington, died April 30 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained while conducting dismounted combat operations.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

   » read more »

May 02, 2008 -- SEATTLE – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced another win in the state’s fight to protect consumers from online fraud. A King County Superior Court judge found that Internet affiliate advertisers Securelink Networks, LLC, and NJC Softwares, LCC, and their officers violated Washington’s consumer protection and spyware laws while marketing registry-cleaner software.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna    » read more »

Efforts continue to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program

April 22, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Backed by rulings on Friday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today sent a letter to the Bush administration urging a withdrawal of a federal directive that prohibits Washington, and other states, from expanding access to health care coverage for tens of thousands of children.

A protester against George W. Bush's attempts to limit children's health insurance: Photo by socaltimes (CC)    » read more »