In the Media

Kate Deines and Kristin Maris, former standout soccer players for Issaquah High School, both have earned academic honors this fall for their respective college teams.
Deines, a senior midfielder for the University of Washington, was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII second team. Deines has a 3.73 grade point average and is a communications major.

As part of her budget reduction package, Gov. Chris Gregoire asked state employee union leaders to reopen their collective bargaining contracts so the state could reduce the amount it spends on monthly health care premiums.

The state currently allocates $850 monthly per employee. Reducing that to $807 would boost the employee’s contribution from 15 to 25 percent of the total premium cost and save the state $28 million.
We were disheartened that leaders for the Washington Federation of State Employees rejected the request out of hand. Union leaders missed an opportunity to engender public support for state workers. By refusing to renegotiate, union leaders have fostered the false criticism that state workers are not sharing in the sacrifices that the recession has forced upon other Washington residents.

COLLEGE students already burdened by skyrocketing tuition deserve relief from overpriced textbooks.

All the more reason to cheer and support a pioneering effort pushed by the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges to develop new, dramatically less expensive textbooks and learning materials.

The board's new Open Course Library currently has less costly versions of learning materials for 42 of the state's most heavily enrolled community-college courses, including entry-level classes. An additional 39 courses will be ready by 2013.

Cash-strapped lawmakers who are looking for ways to streamline state government operations, must take a hard look at State Auditor Brian Sonntag’s latest performance audit on state mailing costs.

The state auditor has some excellent suggestions which will save millions of dollars.

Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna kicked off his 2012 campaign for governor Tuesday morning with a big fundraiser and speech vowing to reform state government, cut regulations and some taxes, while boosting spending on education.

Speaking to more than 1,500 supporters at Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center McKenna gave more details of specific policy proposals he'd pursue on jobs and education. He roamed the stage as he spoke, using a wireless microphone headset, and holding an Ipad with notes.

McKenna unveiled what he's calling his "New Direction for Washington State" plan, with three issue papers detailing his ideas to stimulate private job growth, cut government costs and devote more money to colleges and universities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the winners of its Apps for the Environment challenge, which encouraged new and innovative uses of EPA’s data to create apps that address environmental and public health issues. Developers from across the country created apps with information about everything from energy efficient light bulbs to local air quality. A few even developed games to help people learn environmental facts.

“Innovators from across the country have used information to help people protect our health and the environment,” said Malcolm Jackson, EPA’s Chief Information Officer. “The winners of the Apps for the Environment challenge demonstrate that it’s possible to transform data from EPA and elsewhere into applications that people can use.”

Western Washington University outside hitter Marlayna Geary has been named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Volleyball Co-Player of the Week for Oct. 30-Nov. 5.
Geary, a 5-foot-10 junior, had 29 kills and 39 digs in leading the Vikings to home victories over nationally No. 24-ranked Seattle Pacific 3-2 and Montana State Billings 3-0. She had double-doubles in both matches, giving her 12 for the year.

Western Washington University senior forward Kellan Brown was a first-team pick for the third straight year on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's soccer all-star team announced today.
Another Viking recognized for the third consecutive season was senior midfielder Oscar Jimenez, who received second-team honors. Jimenez was a first-team pick as a junior and sophomore.

Will Dan Pike remain Bellingham mayor or be replaced by Kelli Linville?
Who will lead Whatcom County for the next four years - Doug Ericksen or Jack Louws?
Will liquor sales be privatized in Washington state?

Lake Stevens Vikings both current and past had a great night on Saturday, Nov. 5 with the 44-7 win over Heritage High School in their first play-off game of the season.

Past Viking football player Mike McLaury added to the excitement of the evening when he was inducted into the Lake Stevens High School Hall of Fame during halftime.

The Lake Stevens High School Hall of Fame recognizes former teachers, athletes, administrators, and graduates who have made significant long-term contributions to the community and McLaury was an obvious choice for the ninth annual induction.