In the Media

Rianne BeCraft exudes youthful energy. The recent Western Washington University environmental science graduate has decided to bring that enthusiasm back to her hometown of Redmond, where she’s launching an effort to help Redmond become a Community Wildlife Habitat.

Democratic Rep. Jay Inslee says he is running for governor to build a new job-creating economy in the state.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee entered the 2012 race for governor this morning, laying the foundation for a nationally watched battle with Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna, who declared his candidacy earlier this month.

College counselors statewide are encouraging students to continue to seek financial aid. Students' biggest concern is whether the financial assistance they will receive in the fall will keep pace with tuition increases, said Madeline Jeffs, vice president for student services at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

For students who qualify, it will, Jeffs said.

It appears state government will have about 1,316 fewer full-time-equivalent jobs on the books, on average, in 2011-13 than in the current budget cycle.

For years, the University of Washington's Jackson School of International Studies has taught an ever-changing menu of the hottest languages of the developing world — languages such as Arabic and Urdu, Hindi and Chinese. The school is one of the country's largest recipients of federal funding for less commonly taught languages and international study.

But federal cutbacks approved in spring will deal a blow this fall to the school's ability to offer the classes and accompanying studies in global culture, economics and history.

The University of Washington's top-ranked School of Nursing is losing its dean and — according to a sharply critical consultant's report — is beset by low morale, internal strife and a lack of shared purpose among its faculty and staff members.

Tuition at the state's two-year schools will increase by an average of 12 percent with a vote today that adds about $400 to the cost of a year of full-time tuition.

Eastern Washington University’s board of trustees approved the 2011-’13 spending plan that increases tuition 11 percent and permanently cuts $24.9 million from the university’s budget, officials announced this week.

In a speech Friday morning at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, the president announced a $500-million endeavor through which universities and companies will be asked to develop innovations in manufacturing with the goal of expanding domestic employment.