Washington News

Dr. D. Kojo Hamilton , a neurosurgeon at Oregon Health & Science University, teaches spinal surgery techniques to medical residents and fellows at the Seattle Science Foundation.

This June 11, 2014 file photo sows Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan testifiying on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing to become the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

More and more young people are dying of heroin overdoses in King County, and the alarming trend has experts working overtime to save lives.

A new wildfire near Spokane quickly burned across nearly 700 acres Wednesday, prompting evacuation orders for about a dozen homes.

After receiving her first primary election ballot, Lucy Copass, a new resident in a Washington town, wondered, "How can I come up to speed on local issues quickly?" A friend suggested she try Vote411.

But by late evening, not a single gram had been sold. The 1 1/2-pound shipment finally rolled in about 9 p.m., and employees scrambled to get the product counted and ready to sell to the line of customers by 9:20 p.m. They sold almost a pound by midnight, and by Wednesday afternoon were nearly sold out completely, employees said.

Student-driven advocacy organization Graduate Washington has announced its early endorsements for the 2014 election.

At the U-pick blueberry field at Boxx Berry Farms, north of Ferndale, Monday, afternoon, Aug. 6, 2012.

Mosquito samples collected in Franklin County tested positive for West Nile virus.

Then heads up: you're now set to enjoy a mixed bag of greater and weaker levels of protection from toxic chemicals flowing into the state's waterways, thanks to a proposal today by Governor Jay Inslee.

Washington State's rising reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon has been enhanced by a local winery winning one of the most prestigious prizes at the 2014 Decanter World Wine Awards L'Ecole No 41's 'Ferguson' 2011, a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, beat all-comers to carry away the International Trophy for Best ... (more)

Mostly clear skies are forecast in Eastern Washington into early next week, and the dry weather is increasing the risk of wildfires.

A fire at Rock Hill has grown to 1,500 acres and is 40 percent contained in Douglas County.

Dale Brown, left, and John Hultberg protest the opening of Altitude, a marijuana store as customers wait for the shop to open in Prosser, Wash., Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

A customer who declined to give his name sniffs a strain of recreational marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis on Tuesday in Bellingham, Wash., during the first half-hour of legal sales in the state.

Julian Rodriguez, right, of Everson, Wash., holds his two-gram packet of recreational marijuana outside Top Shelf Cannabis, Tuesday, July 8, 2014, in Bellingham, Wash., on the first day of legal sales.

Cale Holdsworth, of Abeline, Kan., holds up his purchase after being the first in line to buy legal recreational marijuana at Top Shelf Cannabis, Tuesday, July 8, 2014, in Bellingham, Wash.

A major hospital's former pharmacy chief stole nearly 200,000 oxycodone pills from the medical center over more than five years and has been charged under a state drug-kingpin law more often aimed at accused... A major hospital's former pharmacy chief stole nearly 200,000 oxycodone pills from the medical center over more than five years and has ... (more)

The first sales of legal recreational marijuana will begin Tuesday in Washington after a spattering of stores open their doors.

Washingtonians voted to legalize recreational marijuana more than a year and a half ago.