Local News
Four dead in avalanches at Stevens and Snoqualmie passes
Three experienced skiers and a snowboarder were killed in separate avalanches around noon Sunday — one in an out-of-bounds area at the Stevens Pass ski resort and the other in or near an out-of-bounds area at Alpental near Snoqualmie Pass.
Deaths highlight boom in backcountry skiing
The skiers killed by an avalanche at Stevens Pass on Sunday were part of an exploding trend in skiing — skiing on backcountry slopes adjacent to ski resorts. The growing number of out-of-bounds skiers worries avalanche experts.
Head of Madigan removed from command amid PTSD probe
Col. Dallas Homas has been removed from command amid an Army investigation into the medical center's handling of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.
A year for dragon dancing: a symbol of power and luck
Dragon dancers expect a busy schedule in this Year of the Dragon, with people hoping they'll bring luck to weddings, parties and store openings.
Avalanche victims remembered
Friends and family remember the four men who lost their lives in avalanches Sunday.
Sports Jerry Brewer
Huskies' Terrence Ross, Tony Wroten in no-lose situation, but here's how they win
One more year in college basketball could be an investment worth tens of millions of dollars when they become NBA players.
Manny Ramirez, Athletics reach minor league deal
Manny Ramirez found a taker in Oakland - at a bargain price.
Larry Stone
Albert Pujols opens this chapter of his life, dedicated to the Angels
Pujols arrives early for Angels' training camp.
Mitch Penner's 31 lead Kennedy to title | Boys Basketball
Mitch Penner puts up big numbers for the Kennedy Catholic boys basketball team on a regular basis.
Sounders banking on career revival in trade for Eddie Johnson
After four difficult years in soccer, new Sounder Eddie Johnson is motivated to succeed and could be the perfect forward partner for Fredy Montero.
Editorials & Opinion Kathleen Parker / Syndicated columnist
Civility: manners for democracy
Given that manners have faded in our interpersonal relations, writes Kathleen Parker, it shouldn't be surprising that bad habits would bleed into the public square. Add social media, and the bad habits of the few become the social pathology of the many.
Guest columnist
Another misguided and costly attempt to take over K-12 health benefits
Some lawmakers in Olympia claim state takeover of K-12 employee health benefits would save money. But it would cost millions, writes a Bellevue teacher.
Nation & World Super-PAC filings unmask mega donors
One pro-Romney group raised more cash than the candidate's campaign in January; another breathed new life into Gingrich's rocky candidacy.
As Santorum seizes social issues, Romney demurs
Philosophical differences between the top two Republican presidential candidates are becoming starker as Rick Santorum drives harder on religious and social issues that Mitt Romney rarely discusses in detail.
Egypt prosecution: Mubarak deserves death penalty
The chief prosecutor in the trial of ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak said Monday in his closing remarks that the former president should be given the death penalty for the killings of protesters in last year's uprising.
Greece secures bailout to avoid debt default
Greece won a second massive financial bailout in the early hours of Tuesday morning when its partners in the 17-country eurozone finally stitched together a euro130 billion ($170 billion) rescue, meant to avoid a potentially disastrous default and secure the euro currency.
Misrata holds first Libyan elections post-Gadhafi
Four months after the death of Moammar Gadhafi, the people of Misrata were frustrated by stalled reforms. They played a key role in overthrowing the Libyan dictator of 42 years, and were impatient to see the changes they shed blood for.
Business & Technology Brier Dudley
Amazon's downtown tower plan defies its restless nature
It's refreshing to have Amazon commit to a major development without first using the promise of jobs and growth to extract public subsidies.
Microsoft sharpens its advertising sword to jab rivals
This week, the company will launch another such campaign: "Smoked by Windows Phone," a series of online ads challenging those who use iPhones, Android phones or other mobile devices to beat the speed of a Windows Phone in doing a browser search, sharing with their social network or shooting and posting a photo.
Coinstar thinks outside Redbox to fresh-coffee vending machines
The machine grinds a batch of beans and dribbles out a $1 cup of fresh coffee that tastes pretty close to a cup from any upscale coffee bar. Coinstar expects to have 500 installed by the end of the year.
YouTube enlists big-name help to redefine channels
YouTube believes it is laying groundwork for the future. While the number of traditional TV watchers has leveled off in recent years, more and more people are watching video on mobile phones, tablets and computers, especially the 18- to 34-year-old age demographic that advertisers covet.
Company suing Apple over iPad name open to talks
The lawyer for a Chinese company suing Apple Inc. in China over its use of the iPad trademark indicated Tuesday that his client would be willing to discuss a settlement.
Arts & Entertainment Lit Life
Bradley Craft turns literary characters into caricatures
An interview with Bradley Craft, the senior used-book buyer at Seattle's University Book Store, who is also an ingenious doodler.
Book review
'Blueprints of the Afterlife': death glaciers and other disturbances
Seattle author Ryan Boudinot's provocative new novel "Blueprints of the Afterlife" depicts a post-apocalyptic America where nothing is quite what it seems. Boudinot reads at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Bainbridge Island.
'Made Local' exhibit at Bellevue College shows off region's design
"Made Local: Products of the Pacific Northwest" is at the college through Feb. 29.
Q&A with Bothell-raised 'Beauty and the Beast' star
A Q&A with Logan Denninghoff, who plays Gaston in the touring stage production of "Beauty and the Beast" that's coming to Seattle Feb. 21-26.
Monday TV Picks: 'Clinton: American Experience,' KCTS
TV Picks for Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, include "Clinton: American Experience" on KCTS; "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS; and "The Bachelor" on ABC.