In the Media

Microsoft Corp. is weighing in on Gov. Gregoire’s recommendations to close a $2 billion state budget gap, and the Redmond tech giant is calling for state leaders to avoid more cuts to higher education funding.
In a corporate blog post Monday afternoon, Microsoft’s general counsel and senior vice president Brad Smith said “education is the foundation for the state’s future economic growth and the ability of companies to create and fill jobs” in the state.

On Monday, Congressional leaders failed to agree on a plan to balance the country’s budget. As a result, automatic cuts to federal programs are set to take place beginning in 2013. Student financial aid programs — including Pell Grants — will find their current funding levels in jeopardy unless government officials reach consensus on an alternate approach.

Its name evokes visions of lofty, snow-covered crags and wild America. A place where few venture far off-road and where wild things roam, an untamed landscape rich with rewards if you have the mettle to explore its mountains.

And yet, while North Cascades National Park was designated in 1968, the park embraces an incomplete landscape, one that could be made more robust and attractive to visitors with the addition of nearly 238,000 acres, according to a group pushing for park expansion.

Scientists should communicate with the public about their research. We've been hearing variations on that for years, but a recent decision by a group of scientists to use crowdfunding to ask for research dollars directly from the public has revisited this notion in a new way. I'm excited to be a part of it.
Why is it a good idea for the public to do essentially what it already does - that is, support scientific research? The answer lies in the way it is funded. Crowdfunding relies on a lot of people making a small donation. All these donations add up to a bigger chunk of money that can support a project. It's like paying a little more in taxes, but getting to choose what your money is spent on. With crowdfunding, people choose to support the science that excites them. It gets them engaged in the act of discovery. They are buying into the research. Literally. Most crowdfunded projects offer rewards to the funders -- from a thank-you card to blog updates about the project, these rewards will keep the scientists meaningfully and directly engaged with the people who make their research possible.

Teens and parents wanting to learn more about financial aid options for college are invited to upcoming information meetings.
People can choose from two sessions: 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., or 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 119 Texas St.

There is a false sense of security in the National Park System surrounding officially designated wilderness. And political actions, or, rather, inaction, demonstrates why there should be concern for the long-term fate of lands with wilderness qualities.

It is true that the National Park Service manages these lands as de facto wilderness. But there's no assurance that sometime down the road decisions couldn't be made to cut roads into them or build lodges or other facilities within these areas. That's particularly true with current efforts to exempt the Border Patrol from adhering to the Endangered Species Act, The Wilderness Act, and other environmental laws.

Forward Kristin Schramm had a team-high 17 points and was named tournament MVP as Western Washington University defeated Northwest University, 87-67, in final-day action Saturday, Nov. 26, at the 15th annual Lynda Goodrich Women's Basketball Classic being held at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.

Guard John Allen tied for game-high honors with 22 points, including five critical ones in the final 1:12, lifting Western Washington University to a 78-74 victory over Northwest University in the Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic men's basketball game Saturday at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.
It was the fifth consecutive win for the Vikings, who improved to 7-1 overall. Forward Rory Blanche had 15 points, 13 in the first half, and seven rebounds for WWU.

Lawmakers on Monday will start looking at ways to hack $2 billion out of the state's $32.2 billion budget, but tax talk is likely to dominate much of the 30-day special session.

While Republicans oppose new taxes, there's growing interest among Democrats — who control the Legislature and the governor's office — to ask voters for an increase that softens the blow to education and certain social services.

For a women's basketball team with one returning starter and one senior, Western Washington University turned in what may be a truly significant statistic in its home opener.
The Vikings' point total was encouraging in their 108-63 victory over NAIA member Simpson University in the 15th annual Lynda Goodrich Classic. But what was really eye-popping was Western's 34 assists, leading to 60.8 percent shooting via 45 for 74 accuracy.