- ....Breaking News.MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Transportation Department says 67,000 vehicles a day used the stretch of Interstate 5 through Mount Vernon that is now blocked by the collapse of the Skagit River bridge. Mount Vernon is about 60 miles north of Seattle and 40 miles south of the Canada Border. The roadblock on both directions of I-5 is expected to cause a major disruption in trade and tourism between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Transportation Department has set up detours. The closest is within sight of the I-5 bridge and mostly used for local traffic between Mount Vernon and Burlington. The department also is recommending detours using Highway 20 and Highway 9 that add tens of miles to a trip. Officials are urging drivers to avoid the area if possible. .. ...

11/11/12 Charter School Vote



SEATTLE (AP) - There are ballots left to be counted, but backers of Washington's charter school initiative have claimed victory.  With about 90 percent of ballots expected counted Saturday, Initiative 1240 was passing with 51 percent of the vote - a 41,689-vote gap. There are about 315,000 ballots received statewide that have not been tallied. The initiative was losing in King County, the state's largest.  Washington voters have rejected the proposal four times since 1995.  If results hold, Washington would become the 42nd state to allow the public independent schools.  Supporters say the charter proposal would offer new choices for struggling kids and their families. Opponents say charters have a mixed track record in other states and they would take away money from regular public schools.

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