McCain invests in Palin Local Republicans praised U.S. Sen. John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate Friday.

1911 isthmus plan stirs some debate Both proponents and opponents of a proposal to allow taller buildings on the downtown isthmus have cited the 1911 Wilder and White plan for Washington state's Capitol Campus to support their arguments about what views from the Capitol were meant to be preserved.

Ships arrive for Harbor Days Festival •What: 35th annual Harbor Days Festival

Cable, electric bills set to rise Many South Sound consumers will have to further tighten their purse strings after the state's largest utility and cable TV provider announced plans Friday to raise rates this fall.

23 arrests made during Hempfest The State Patrol made 23 arrests during Olympia Hempfest on Aug. 23-24 - including 10 misdemeanor marijuana-possession arrests and four felony drug arrests, State Patrol Sgt. Ted DeHart said.

Gustav becomes major storm; some leave Gulf Coast Hurricane Gustav strengthened into a dangerous storm Saturday, and as city officials started evacuation plans, some residents weren't waiting to be told to leave.

No shoes required As I was hanging hundreds of feet above firm ground, dangling by two pieces of steel and preparing to plunge myself into the treetops of a Costa Rican rainforest, I thought of a former co-worker. During a company retreat, I had been stunned to discover that this New York City bred guy had never walked in the woods, or even stepped outdoors without shoes.

Bush seizing spotlight briefly to support McCain The Democrats had the awkwardness of the Clintons at their convention. Republicans now have their version of a precarious guest: President Bush.

Pieces in place for River Ridge The River Ridge football team was almost like a giant jigsaw puzzle last year, with coach Steve Schultz trying to find where all the pieces fit.

Hawks win final tuneup; next time, it's for real SEATTLE - How's this for an indication the Seattle Seahawks were playing a relatively meaningless preseason game on Friday night?

Wulff says Cougars are ready to play SEATTLE - New Washington State football coach Paul Wulff does not deny that he would prefer facing an easier opponent in his first game. And would have preferred playing in Pullman. And would have preferred having more healthy, experienced and talented players by his side.

Personal incomes make largest decline in years WASHINGTON - Consumer spending slowed to a crawl and personal incomes plunged in July, reflecting the waning effect of $93 billion in economic stimulus payments.

Food FOR thought School lunches might be more healthful than ever, but nothing compares to a lunch packed at home. Barbara Cox, an Olympia mother of seven, packs lunches for her school-age sons, 13 and 17, on a regular basis. She includes a sandwich, fruits and vegetables and a homemade treat, such as peanut butter cookies or banana bread.

Ex-prof's book cultivates new birders In a country where it seems almost impossible not to be out of touch with each other, we've grown increasingly out of touch with our natural world.