by Jamie Swift, communications manager

Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.3 percent in October, from a revised rate of 9.1 percent in September, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The state lost an estimated 5,100 non-agricultural jobs in October, seasonally adjusted.

The estimated unemployment rate for September had earlier been reported as 9.3 percent, but that rate was revised downward after more analysis. The previously estimated job loss of 16,000 in September also was revised to 11,100.

Continues here: »www.lakestevensjournal.com/count···n_octobe

SEATTLE (AP) - The central Oregon coastal town of Newport will be the new base for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's research ships on the West Coast, the federal agency announced Tuesday.

The operations center has been on Seattle's Lake Union for nearly 50 years.

FAIRBANKS — If you need a gift for the train buff who has everything, the Alaska Railroad might have the perfect answer — a well-worn caboose, waiting in the Anchorage rail yard for a new home.

The ARR has four old cabooses up for bid. And for a price as low as $8,000, it could be yours. story continues..

FAIRBANKS -- A pair of lifelong Alaskans — one from Juneau and one from Galena — were the lucky winners in this year’s Nenana Ice Classic.

Gail Gregory of Galena knows what she wants to spend part of her husband’s Ice Classic winnings on. “We can get running water,” Gregory said by phone Saturday from the bush village on the bank of the Yukon River 300 miles west of Fairbanks. “I’d like to get up in the morning and have a shower.” story continues..

SNOHOMISH -- The idea to start commuter train service between Snohomish and Bellevue has piqued interest among residents. Tonight, the City Council is set to hold a workshop on the plan.

"We want to be a part of this," city manager Larry Bauman said Monday. read the full story..

A related story Tourist train a tempting prospect for Snohomish

By Diane Urbani de la Paz

SEQUIM -- Nash Huber, the Dungeness Valley organic-farming pioneer, has been nominated to become the nation's first White House farmer.

At www.WhiteHouseFarmer.com, an election is under way for the man or woman who would turn 5 acres of south-facing White House lawn into an organic fruit and vegetable garden -- and set a crisp, leafy example for the country.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. —

Intel says it is cutting 5,000 to 6,000 jobs as part of a restructuring of its global manufacturing operations.

The world's largest chip maker said Wednesday it is closing two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia and one in Cavite, Philippines and will halt production at a plant in Hillsboro, Ore. It will also end wafer production at a facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

»seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/b···bs.html

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For the Portland area, news sources are saying it's approximately 1,000 layoffs in an already bad economy.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A giant snowman named Snowzilla has mysteriously appeared again this year — despite the city's cease-and-desist order.

Someone again built the giant snowman in Billy Powers' front yard in an east Anchorage neighborhood. Snowzilla reappeared before dawn Tuesday. story continues..

Alaska Airlines said it’s donated more than 80,000 pounds of unused airline food to food banks in Seattle and Portland this year.

In Portland, the airline and its catering contractor LSG Sky Chefs have donated 18,843 pounds of food to the Oregon Food Bank, which distributes food to 20 regional food banks.

In Seattle, Alaska Airlines said it’s donated 61,650 pounds of food to the Tukwila Pantry, which provides food relief to the neighborhoods around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The food is unopened bags of dried fruit, salami, cheese spread, crackers, cookies and other items that were initially offered to first-class passengers.

»portland.bizjournals.com/portlan···y16.html

Graphic designer Troy Stange has become a huge hit with elite companies including MTV International and MSN. He has completed numerous projects including elaborate event presentations, graphic design, and unique Facebook applications.

Treena Wood

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has hit off the coast of Vancouver Island, the biggest yet in a swarm of quakes that has shaken the region this week.

This latest earthquake hit at 5:37 this morning, and was centred 152 kilometres west-southwest of Port Hardy.

By Steve Law

The number of Spanish-speaking people taking Oregon’s driving test plummeted in February, just as Gov. Kulongoski’s executive order took effect requiring test-takers to provide valid Social Security numbers.

By ARTHUR GREGG SULZBERGER

Who would guess that a calorie-conscious McDonald's patron would be better off ordering four regular hamburgers (1,000 calories) than one large chocolate shake (1,160 calories)?

Or that picking up a blueberry muffin and large latte from Starbucks costs the same in calorie-burning treadmill hours as a five-piece order of extra crispy drumsticks at Kentucky Fried Chicken (both about 800 calories)?

»www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonia···&coll=7

By Jennifer Seeker

Oregon health leaders have confirmed the first signs of the West Nile Virus in the state this year.

A pool of mosquitoes in Baker County tested positive for West Nile.

Oregon's wet winter should have discouraged grasshoppers this spring.

But experts in Eastern Oregon say the hopper numbers in Union and Baker counties are alarming.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – How much would you pay to sample one of the world’s finest coffees?

Customers at River Maiden Artisan Coffee in Vancouver are paying nearly $15 per cup of Panama Esmeralda Especial Reserva. story continues..

By JULIA SILVERMAN

PORTLAND, Ore.—Crook County Middle School science teacher Michael Geisen was in the middle of a lesson the other day when he got a message from the school's front office: The White House was on the line.

He was terribly sorry, Geisen responded, but could they call him later? He was with his seventh-graders, and they mattered more. story continues..

Having trouble getting to the story without having an account? Clear your cache/cookies

by Dylan Rivera

With two new lines nearing completion, the Portland-area's rail system will add 23 miles of track and grow by 50 percent in the next year and a half.

The Westside Express Service commuter rail line will open this fall, connecting Wilsonville and Beaverton. A year later, the MAX Green Line will connect Clackamas Town Center to the Gateway area and a new north-south transit mall in downtown Portland. story continues..

By STEVE QUINN

It's going to take a lot more than stunning scenery to draw filmmakers and tons of their expensive equipment to Alaska. It's going to take money, and Alaska is willing to put up $100 million.

The question of how and when the first people came to the Americas is one of the great mysteries of archaeology. A find near Paisley in Lake County appears to have supplied an important piece of the puzzle.