KOMO News

The latest breaking news, traffic, and weather from Seattle and Western Washington

News

National & World (New) Obama: America at a 'crossroads' in fight against terrorism
Declaring America at a "crossroads" in the fight against terrorism, President Barack Obama on Thursday revealed clearer guidelines for the use of deadly drone strikes, including more control by the U.S. military, while leaving key details of the controversial program secret.

Entertainment

Entertainment Emails show AEG lawyer called Jackson a 'freak' (New) Emails show AEG lawyer called Jackson a 'freak'
A lawyer for the parent company of AEG Live LLC called Michael Jackson a freak on the day the singer signed a multimillion contract for a series of ill-fated comeback concerts, emails displayed for a jury on Wednesday showed.
Entertainment Review: 'We Steal Secrets' juicy look at WikiLeaks (New) Review: 'We Steal Secrets' juicy look at WikiLeaks
Unfolding like an espionage thriller but with a methodical journalistic skill at organizing a mountain of facts, the film raises stimulating questions about transparency and freedom of information in a world in which governments and corporations have plenty to hide. It should be a magnet for op-ed coverage.

Offbeat

Your Photos

YouNews Sure sign of late spring (New) Sure sign of late spring
GOOD NEWS: They are super cute and clearly visible from our French doors
BAD NEWS: The nest is undermining our concrete slab. We're going to have to catch and relocate the entire family.

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Local & Regional

Around the World

National & World Report: Nation's kids need to get more physical
The prestigious Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools provide opportunities for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for students and that PE be designated a core subject.
National & World Thunderstorms slow Oklahoma tornado cleanup
A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area Thursday, slowing cleanup operations in the suburb where a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes this week.

Sports

Sports (New) Seattle Sounders facing long, odd road trip
Seattle will leave Saturday on a unique eight-day road trip that will feature two MLS games, with a flight of more than 2,000 miles cross country for its opening match in the U.S. Open Cup in Florida sandwiched in between.

Top Video

Your Life, Your Style

Technology Google to add Galapagos Islands to Street View Google to add Galapagos Islands to Street View
Mountain View, Calif.,-based Google sent hikers to the Galapagos with Street View gear called "trekkers," 42-pound computer backpacks with large, soccer ball-like cameras mounted on a tower.

Extras

Weather Intense thunderstorm upstages cruise ship entertainment Intense thunderstorm upstages cruise ship entertainment (Photo Gallery)
It's not often entertainment on board a cruise ship can be upstaged but on this particular night, Mother Nature gave it a shot.

Make that, several shots...

I took this video as the Disney Fantasy sailed into the Gulf of Mexico on May 1 just hours after it left a very hot and muggy Cozumel, Mexico.

(How hot? I went back and checked when I got home and it was 86 degrees with a 73 degree dew point that evening. Or as this Seattleite said: About 3 degrees cooler than molten lava. Though I'm sure many of the Florida residents on the ship probably thought it was a bit chilly.)
Weather Brrr! Seattle, Portland briefly tied for coldest major city in lower 48 Brrr! Seattle, Portland briefly tied for coldest major city in lower 48
Does it feel a bit like January out there today? Your skin does not deceive you.

A cold system from the Gulf of Alaska has settled into the Pacific Northwest, bringing not only a steady winter-like rain but has kept temperatures stuck in the 40s(!) through the late morning.

In fact, at 11 a.m., Seattle was stuck at 46 degrees -- about the average high for mid January. It's so cold in the Northwest that Seattle and Portland were tied as the coldest major cities in the lower 48 states -- and it wasn't even close! (Boise was at 50. Anchorage was also at 46. If we do lower our population threshold for "major city", Spokane checks in at 41.)

Portland would gradually take the trophy by itself as Seattle later warmed into the low 50s as Portland remained stuck in the mid 40s.

Entertainment

Entertainment Jennifer Lopez to open cellphone stores
Singer and actress Jennifer Lopez on Wednesday announced she's opening a chain of 15 cellphone stores and a website under the Viva Movil brand. The aim is to sell Verizon phones and services to Latinos.

Technology

Technology With high-tech guns, users could disable remotely
A high-tech startup is wading into the gun control debate with a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved - and disable it remotely.
Technology First Look: New Xbox elegant, but much unknown
Based on limited time with the device, the Xbox One feels like an improvement over its predecessor. But it fails to include features some fans have demanded, including the ability to play games bought for the existing Xbox 360 system.

Business

Business US new home sales up 2.3 percent in April
U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest the housing recovery is strengthening.
Business House backs variable rate student loans
The U.S. House says student loans' interest rates should be pegged to the financial markets. Senate democrats say there is no support for the bill in the Senate.
Business Birth control coverage up for federal appeal
In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.

Offbeat

Offbeat Octogenarians race to be oldest Everest climber
An 80-year-old Japanese extreme skier who climbed Mount Everest five years ago, but just missed becoming the oldest man to reach the summit, was back on the mountain Wednesday to make another attempt at the title.
Offbeat Record 18-foot python caught in Florida
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 18-foot-8-inch snake was caught May 11 alongside a road in rural Miami-Dade County.
Offbeat Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles
Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild - from an acupuncturist.