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National & World Expect lower gas prices heading into Memorial Day

By SANDY SHORE, AP Business Writer Published: May 19, 2012 at 11:58 AM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2012 at 1:04 PM PDT

If you're lucky enough to live in some parts of the United States, you may see gas pump prices fall to around $3.25 a gallon or less in the next week or two. Even West Coast drivers should get some relief from prices that are still above $4 a gallon.

Local & Regional Trial set to begin in Wenatchee beauty school killing

By SHANNON DININNY, Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 8:22 AM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2012 at 12:19 PM PDT

A trial opens Tuesday for a Washington state man accused of killing a beauty school classmate, in a case that shook a farm city that bills itself as the "Apple Capital of the World."

Local & Regional (New) Man who tried to sell stranger's home pleads guilty (Video)

By Lindsay Cohen Published: May 19, 2012 at 3:26 PM PDT

A local man who has been linked to squatters in a multimillion-dollar mansion appeared in court Friday for a separate case.

Local & Regional (New) Home foreclosures skyrocketing in Ocean Shores

By Jamie Lynn Published: May 19, 2012 at 4:27 PM PDT

The number of bank-owned properties is skyrocketing in Ocean Shores - and one company could be behind most of the free-fall.

News

National & World Expect lower gas prices heading into Memorial Day
If you're lucky enough to live in some parts of the United States, you may see gas pump prices fall to around $3.25 a gallon or less in the next week or two. Even West Coast drivers should get some relief from prices that are still above $4 a gallon.
Local & Regional Trial set to begin in Wenatchee beauty school killing
A trial opens Tuesday for a Washington state man accused of killing a beauty school classmate, in a case that shook a farm city that bills itself as the "Apple Capital of the World."
Local & Regional (New) Man who tried to sell stranger's home pleads guilty (Video)
A local man who has been linked to squatters in a multimillion-dollar mansion appeared in court Friday for a separate case.
Local & Regional (New) Home foreclosures skyrocketing in Ocean Shores
The number of bank-owned properties is skyrocketing in Ocean Shores - and one company could be behind most of the free-fall.
Local & Regional U.S. Attorney: Traffickers infiltrate medical pot
The proliferation of dispensary-style medical marijuana operations in Oregon concerns the state's new U.S. Attorney, and she said drug trafficking organizations have made headway into the state's medicinal marijuana system.
Local & Regional (New) Police: Wash. man ran synthetic drug ring
Prosecutors have accused a Vancouver, Wash., man and three other people with leading an international conspiracy to manufacture and sell designer drugs online and to stores that earned them $5 million between 2009 and earlier this month.
Local & Regional 32-year sentence for man who killed, sexually violated roommate
A Pierce County man was sentenced Friday to more than 32 years in prison for killing his roommate and then burying her remains in the woods near Graham.
Local & Regional Renton store owner recovering after violent attack (Video)
A Renton store clerk is out of the hospital and back behind the counter after taking a brutal beating.
Local & Regional Motorcyclist killed in crash at Sumner
A motorcyclist was killed early Saturday when he lost control and slammed into a guardrail in Sumner, the Washington State Patrol reported.
Local & Regional Residents, tourists question town's use of air raid siren (Video)
In the tiny town of La Conner, silence is golden - and tourism is rich.

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Guilty Pleasures

Entertainment

Entertainment Lady Gaga arrives in Philippines amid protests (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 10:45 AM PDT

Pop singer Lady Gaga arrived in the Philippines on Saturday to cheers from fans and protests from young Christians calling for the cancellation of her upcoming concerts.

Entertainment Will Smith slaps journalist who tries to kiss him (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 9:03 AM PDT

Hollywood star Will Smith slapped a male television reporter who he said tried to kiss him on the lips as he walked down the red carpet for the Moscow premiere of "Men in Black III."

Entertainment 'Da Vinci Code' author Dan Brown speaks in NH

By Associated Press Published: May 18, 2012 at 9:09 PM PDT

Best-selling author Dan Brown made a rare public appearance in New Hampshire on Friday, saying very little about his next novel other than he's well into the writing process.

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Offbeat

Offbeat Ouch! Dog bites politician, but she gets a vote

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 12:20 PM PDT

A woman running for the Michigan Legislature was bitten by a dog while going door to door. But the dog's distressed owner has made amends: Ann Doyle can put a campaign sign on his property.

Offbeat Texas boy suspended over NBA shave scores tickets

By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press Published: May 17, 2012 at 9:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 9:17 AM PDT

A 12-year-old Texas boy who was suspended from school after shaving his head to resemble the face of Spurs forward Matt Bonner scored tickets to a playoff game and props from his favorite NBA player.

Offbeat Gov. mistakenly says Facebook invented in Calif.

By Associated Press Published: May 18, 2012 at 10:29 AM PDT

In an appearance Friday morning on "CBS This Morning," the California governor said his state is still the land of innovation and mistakenly asserted it is even where Facebook was invented.

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Local & Regional

Local & Regional (New) Kitsap Co. home destroyed in suspicious, early morning fire

By KOMO Staff Published: May 19, 2012 at 2:09 PM PDT

A home in the Seabeck area of Kitsap County was destroyed in a suspicious fire early Saturday morning, officials said.

Local & Regional Runaway car causes big scare in Sammamish
A runaway car caused a big scare in a Sammamish neighborhood Friday night. It happened just after 8:00p.m. in the 24600 block of Southeast 44th Street.
Local & Regional (New) Western Washington man dies in mowing accident
The Cowlitz County Coroner's office says a 72-year-old man is dead after his tractor tipped while he was mowing a lawn.
Local & Regional Wash. nuclear plant to receive license renewal
The only commercial nuclear power plant in the Northwest is hosting an event Thursday to mark the extension of the plant's operating license.
Local & Regional Moped operator hospitalized after collision with car
A 27-year-old man suffered serious injuries to his face after a car collided with his moped, said Seattle Police. Around 1:30a.m. Saturday morning the man was riding his moped northbound on 25th Avenue approaching the intersection at East Spring Street. Police say at the same time a 51-year-old man, driving a Chrysler New Yorker, was also approaching the intersection heading eastbound on East Spring Street. The two collided in the intersection causing the moped driver to be thrown off his bike and into the street. Police say he was wearing a helmet but did not have a face shield. Officers evaluated the victim at the scene after he showed signs of driving under the influence. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car was also evaluated for DUI but officers say he was not impaired. The crash remains under investigation.

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Around the World

National & World Photos: Daily life around the world (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 1:22 PM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2012 at 1:43 PM PDT

National & World (Updated) Chinese activist who fled house arrest lands in U.S.
A blind Chinese legal activist who was suddenly allowed to leave the country arrived in the U.S. on Saturday, ending a nearly monthlong diplomatic tussle that had tested U.S.-China relations.
National & World Ohio woman charged with murder in bizarre stabbing
A Cleveland woman was charged with murder Saturday in the stabbing death of her best friend, who tried to drive away afterward and fatally struck the accused woman's 2-year-old daughter, police said.
National & World Obama: G-8 leaders put focus on eurozone crisis
The United States and other members of the Group of Eight industrial nations agree that Europe's financial crisis must be addressed with a mix of growth and austerity measures, President Barack Obama said Saturday.
National & World Stabbed Ohio woman hits child with car, both dead
A woman allegedly stabbed by her best friend during an argument while sitting behind the wheel of a car tried to drive away and struck her attacker's 2-year-old daughter, authorities said Friday. The woman and the toddler both died.

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Sports

Sports (New) I'll Have Another wins Preakness, spurring Triple Crown hopes

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 3:46 PM PDT

I'll Have Another overtook Bodemeister down the stretch to win the Preakness and keep alive his hopes of winning the Triple Crown.

Sports Ancient sport of hurling finds a home in Oregon (Photo Gallery) (Video)
Hurling is the oldest field sport in Europe and has been played for around 2,000 years - and now, every Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
Sports Toliver leads Sparks past Seattle, 72-66
Kristi Toliver scored 10 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Sparks overcame a 21-point deficit in the second half to beat the Seattle Storm 72-66 on Friday night in the WNBA season opener
Sports Millwood throws 2-hitter in 4-0 win
Kevin Millwood tossed a two-hitter for his first shutout in nearly nine years and Mike Carp hit a solo homer, helping the Seattle Mariners snap a four-game skid with a 4-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.
Sports Cubs Kerry Wood retires after 13-plus seasons
Kerry Wood arrived in the majors 14 years ago, a fresh-faced kid with No. 34 on his back, slinging fastballs at 100 mph, delivering breaking pitches that were often unhittable and striking out 20 batters in just his fifth start.

Top Video

Home Grieving son hits grand slam day after father dies (Video)

By Eric Johnson Published: May 18, 2012 at 5:55 PM PDT

Home Creative minds clash at UW's Red Bull Chariot Races (Video)

By Mike Ferreri Published: May 18, 2012 at 4:58 PM PDT

Home Amphibious car for sale (Video)

Published: May 18, 2012 at 9:27 AM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 11:51 AM PDT

Your Life, Your Style

Technology App scans faces of bar-goers to guess age, gender

By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 11:26 AM PDT

A watchful eye is coming to San Francisco's bar scene, but not to keep you in check. It just wants to check you out.

Local & Regional Free service helps monitor your bills for fraud, unauthorized charges (Video)

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 18, 2012 at 11:20 PM PDT

You know you should check your credit card statement every month to look for errors or fraudulent charges

Health CDC to baby boomers: Get tested for hepatitis C

By MIKE STOBBE,AP Medical Writer Published: May 18, 2012 at 10:22 AM PDT

U.S. health officials want all baby boomers to get tested for hepatitis C.

Life & Style New city hall exhibition features diverse media and styles by 22 artists (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO staff Published: May 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM PDT

Members of the Columbia City Gallery are sharing more than 70 pieces in the exhibition Columbia City Gallery Artists Step Out, on view now at Seattle City Hall through July 2.

Extras

Weather Partial annular solar eclipse set for Sunday

By Scott Sistek Published: May 18, 2012 at 11:44 AM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 3:41 PM PDT

Our streak of six consecutive weekends of mostly sunny weather is about to end at the most inopportune time -- right before the Pacific Northwest gets treated to at least a partial solar eclipse Sunday evening. This eclipse isn't a "total" solar eclipse, where the moon is relatively the same size as the sun and covers it perfectly. Instead, this is an "annular" eclipse in that the moon is near its farthest away point in its elliptical orbit around Earth (remember the "Supermoon" two weeks ago? It's the opposite end of the spectrum this weekend) and thus will be relatively a little bit smaller than the sun, not covering it all the way when it slides in front.

Weather Surprise Convergence Zone brings stormy night to a few

By Scott Sistek Published: May 17, 2012 at 11:45 PM PDT

I'm going to bet there might be some puzzled looks around the water cooler on Friday. "Wow, Ed, what did you think of that storm last night? I thought our home by Boeing Field was going to wash away. And then the big boom of thunder. Amazing! I thought the forecast was for clear skies."

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Entertainment

Entertainment Photos: Star sightings at Cannes (Photo Gallery)
Entertainment Documents: Loretta Lynn married at 15, not 13
Country music legend Loretta Lynn is three years older than she has led people to believe, an age change that undermines the story she told of being married at 13 in "Coal Miner's Daughter," documents obtained by The Associated Press show.
Entertainment Filipino Christian group protests Lady Gaga shows (Photo Gallery)
Scores of Christian youths in the Philippines chanted "Stop the Lady Gaga concerts" at a rally Friday calling for the pop diva's shows here to be canceled despite assurances from authorities that they won't allow nudity and lewd acts.
Entertainment Photos: Singapore Fashion Festival (Photo Gallery)
Entertainment Wayne Newton sued over Las Vegas home museum plans
Plans to turn Wayne Newton's sprawling Las Vegas estate into a celebrity museum have shifted into an ugly legal battle citing mismanagement, animal abuse and sexual harassment.

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Technology

Technology Comcast to start charging heavy downloaders extra
Comcast Corp., the country's largest Internet service provider, is going to start charging extra when customers go over a certain monthly data limit.
Technology Zuckerberg describes 'The Hacker Way' at Facebook
To CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook has a social mission to make the world more open and connected.
Technology Commercial rocket will fly to the space station
For the first time, a private company will launch a rocket to the International Space Station, sending it on a grocery run this weekend that could be the shape of things to come for America's space program.
Technology Facebook prices IPO at $38 per share
Facebook says it has priced its initial public offering of stock at $38 per share. That's the high end of its expected range of $34 to $38. It means investor demand is strong for the world's largest online social network.
Technology Brazil judge sentences Twitter user
A federal judge has sentenced a former law student to 17 months in prison for using Twitter to incite prejudice and discrimination against people from Brazil's impoverished northeast.

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Business

Business Is GOP trying to sabotage economy to hurt Obama?
re Republican lawmakers deliberately stalling the economic recovery to hurt President Barack Obama's re-election chances? Some top Democrats say yes.
Business Repsol: Exploratory oil well off Cuba comes up dry
An exploratory oil well off the northern coast of Cuba has proved a failure and will be capped and abandoned, Spanish company Repsol said Friday, a disappointment for a cash-strapped nation hoping for an economic lifeline.
Business Google gets China OK for Motorola deal
Google says authorities in China have approved its acquisition of Motorola Mobility. This brings the Internet search giant closer to completing its biggest deal ever.
Business Obama wants new banking rules put in place soon
President Barack Obama says the big trading loss at JPMorgan Chase shows the need to finally put in place banking rules he signed into law two years ago. He also is calling on Congress to stop trying to weaken the regulations.
Business Argentina: Black market grows with currency
Argentines have increasingly turned to black market money changers since President Cristina Fernandez sharply restricted purchases of dollars in banks and exchange houses to try to keep hard currency from pouring out of the country.

Offbeat

Offbeat New father accidentally steals car from hospital parking lot
Most new dads probably remember where they were right after their baby was born, but for a new Kent father, the story of his daughter's arrival will include the part about how he accidentally stole a car.
Offbeat Boy finds piece of finger in Arby's sandwich
A Michigan teen made a gristly discovery after biting into an Arby's junior roast beef sandwich.
Offbeat Huge Marilyn Monroe statue arrives in Palm Springs (Photo Gallery)
A massive statue of Marilyn Monroe has arrived in the desert resort city of Palm Springs.
Offbeat Horse runs into sea, rescued a mile offshore
An Arabian horse named William got spooked during a California beachside photo shoot Tuesday and swam a mile out to sea before rescuers got to him and helped him back to shore.
Offbeat Arizona man suing Flagstaff is now its mayor
A Flagstaff, Ariz., man who is suing the city is now its mayor.

Photo Galleries

Sports Ancient sport of hurling finds a home in Oregon (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Tess Freeman Oregon NewsLab Published: May 19, 2012 at 1:52 PM PDT

Hurling is the oldest field sport in Europe and has been played for around 2,000 years - and now, every Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

National & World Photos: Daily life around the world (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 19, 2012 at 1:22 PM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2012 at 1:43 PM PDT

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Offbeat New father accidentally steals car from hospital parking lot

By Ian Sterling Published: May 17, 2012 at 4:52 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 6:39 AM PDT

Most new dads probably remember where they were right after their baby was born, but for a new Kent father, the story of his daughter's arrival will include the part about how he accidentally stole a car.

National & World The week's best photos (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO Staff Published: May 18, 2012 at 8:45 AM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 2:16 PM PDT

Entertainment Photos: Star sightings at Cannes (Photo Gallery)

Published: May 18, 2012 at 2:27 PM PDT

Local & Regional 1 dead, 2 injured when boat capsizes near Sucia Island (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO Staff Published: May 18, 2012 at 4:10 PM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2012 at 1:44 PM PDT

One man died and two others were injured when their boat capsized near Sucia Island on Friday afternoon.

Local & Regional Winthrop seniors' prank a job 'weld' done (Photo Gallery)

By KOMO Staff Published: May 17, 2012 at 1:57 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 7:42 AM PDT

It's the time of year when graduating high school seniors all across the country put their heads together and come up with devious school pranks.

Local & Regional Suspect charged in killing of 17-year-old Shoreline girl

By KOMO Staff Published: May 18, 2012 at 2:12 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 3:33 PM PDT

Murder and attempted murder charges have been filed against the suspect in a Wednesday morning shooting that killed a 17-year-old Shoreline girl and critically wounded an 18-year-old man.

Local & Regional Girl stabbed multiple times at Northgate Transit Center

By KOMO Staff Published: May 18, 2012 at 5:04 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2012 at 6:22 PM PDT

A teenage girl was stabbed multiple times at Northgate Transit Center on Friday afternoon.