Thursday, March 6, 2014

Energy News Digest for March 6, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 6, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Emergency Downgraded at Wanapum Dam (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Port Angeles Residents, City at Odds over Smart Meter Installation (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Washington State Senate OKs Fish Wars Bill, Heads to Governor (Associated Press)

Klamath Tribes, Southern Oregon Ranchers Strike Irrigation Deal for the Upper Klamath Basin (Associated Press)

Nearly 88 Percent of Mason County PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Emergency Downgraded at Wanapum Dam
  • No Timeline for Dam Repair, Officials Say Facilities Are in ‘Safe, Operable Conditions’
  • Cracked Dam Not a Power-Supply Problem – Yet
  • Grant PUD News Releases on Wanapum Dam
  • Port Angeles Residents, City at Odds over Smart Meter Installation
  • Jefferson Public Utility District Considers Raising Some Costs of Turning Power Back On
  • Outdated Electrical System Causes Delays during Eastern Washington University Campus Power Outage
  • Bonneville Power Administration: Mainzer Taps Gendron, Ehli to Lead Power & Corporate Strategy
  • Van Dyke to Seek Seat on Clark Public Utilities Board
  • American Public Power Association Critical of Provisions in Federal Budget Proposal That Could Affect Bonds, Tennessee Valley Authority
  • Op/Ed: Harsh Winter Reveals Necessity of Coal
  • This Is What the Utility Death Spiral Looks Like
  • Washington State Senate OKs Fish Wars Bill, Heads to Governor
  • Pasco Man Catches Washington’s Largest Walleye
  • Klamath Tribes, Southern Oregon Ranchers Strike Irrigation Deal for the Upper Klamath Basin
  • California Drought Ongoing Despite Recent Storms
  • Nearly 88 Percent of Mason County PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources
  • U-S House of Representatives Approves Energy-Efficiency Bill
  • A Tale of Two Thermostats: What Nest & Ecobee Teach Us about Connected Thermostats
  • A Climate Analyst Clarifies the Science Behind California’s Water Woes
  • Comcast Turns Chicago Customer Routers into Open Hotspots
  • Seven Tips for Igniting Your Content with Social Media
  • Texans Cheerleader Accepts ‘Promposal’ after 10,000 Retweets
  • Flood Warnings Issued as March Roars in Like a Lion
  • November in March
  • Here Comes El Nino; Good News for U-S Weather Woes
  • Port of Shelton Signs Second Cannabis Lease – This One at Johns Prairie
  • Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Moving to New Location
  • Washington State Recoups Great Recession Job Losses, with Caveat
  • Community Colleges Gradually Drop the Word “Community”
  • Kroger: Storm Response Helped Boost Sales

WORD OF THE DAY

Supernumerary • \soop-er-NOOM-uh-rare-ee \ • Adjective - 1a: exceeding the usual, stated, or prescribed number b: not enumerated among the regular components of a group and especially of a military organization 2: exceeding what is necessary, required, or desired 3: more numerous

Ron Popeil is the amazing purveyor of self-professed supernumerary products that span the spectrum of excellence and poor taste. Who can forget the “Popeil Pocket Fisherman,” “Chop-a-Matic,” or the self-deluding “Hair in a Can?”

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS



ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Emergency Downgraded at Wanapum Dam (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

No Timeline for Dam Repair, Officials Say Facilities Are in ‘Safe, Operable Conditions’ (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

Cracked Dam Not a Power-Supply Problem – Yet (Everett Herald, WA)

Grant PUD News Releases on Wanapum Dam (Grant PUD, Ephrata, WA)

Port Angeles Residents, City at Odds over Smart Meter Installation (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Jefferson Public Utility District Considers Raising Some Costs of Turning Power Back On (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Outdated Electrical System Causes Delays during Eastern Washington University Campus Power Outage (Easterner Online, Cheney, WA)

Bonneville Power Administration: Mainzer Taps Gendron, Ehli to Lead Power & Corporate Strategy (Bonneville Power Administration)

Van Dyke to Seek Seat on Clark Public Utilities Board (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

American Public Power Association Critical of Provisions in Federal Budget Proposal That Could Affect Bonds, Tennessee Valley Authority (American Public Power Association)

Op/Ed: Harsh Winter Reveals Necessity of Coal (Forbes Magazine)

This Is What the Utility Death Spiral Looks Like (The Energy Collective)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Senate OKs Fish Wars Bill, Heads to Governor (Associated Press)

Pasco Man Catches Washington’s Largest Walleye (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Klamath Tribes, Southern Oregon Ranchers Strike Irrigation Deal for the Upper Klamath Basin (Associated Press)

California Drought Ongoing Despite Recent Storms (USA Today)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Nearly 88 Percent of Mason County PUD 3 Electricity Comes from Renewable Sources (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

U-S House of Representatives Approves Energy-Efficiency Bill (National Journal)

A Tale of Two Thermostats: What Nest & Ecobee Teach Us about Connected Thermostats (GigaOM)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

A Climate Analyst Clarifies the Science Behind California’s Water Woes (NY Times)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Turns Chicago Customer Routers into Open Hotspots (Broadband Reports)

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Seven Tips for Igniting Your Content with Social Media (Mashable)

Texans Cheerleader Accepts ‘Promposal’ after 10,000 Retweets (Christian Science Monitor)

GENERAL NEWS

Flood Warnings Issued as March Roars in Like a Lion (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

November in March (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

Here Comes El Nino; Good News for U-S Weather Woes (Associated Press)

Port of Shelton Signs Second Cannabis Lease – This One at Johns Prairie (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Habitat for Humanity of Mason County Moving to New Location (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Washington State Recoups Great Recession Job Losses, with Caveat (Northwest Public Radio)

Community Colleges Gradually Drop the Word “Community” (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Kroger: Storm Response Helped Boost Sales (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Gambler Sues Casino After He Loses $500,000 in One Night

Lost Password Leaves Police Department Complaints Unchecked…For 8 Years

Judge Denies Teen’s Attempt to Sue Parents for College Tuition

Washington State Waterfall Bill Heads to Inslee

HOPEFUL SONG OF THE DAY

The Beatles- Here Comes the Sun

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Energy News Digest for March 5, 2014

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 5, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Drawdown of Reservoir Eases Pressure on Wanapum Dam Crack; Closed by One Inch (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

Editorial: Senate Bill Would Treat Utilities Equally Under Renewable Energy Rules (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Energy Information Administration Posts Individual States’ Carbon Dioxide Emissions (American Public Power Association)

FCC Questions State Laws That Block Cities from Building Their Own Broadband Network (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Small Group of Gray Whales Return to Puget Sound (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Drawdown of Reservoir Eases Pressure on Wanapum Dam Crack; Closed by One Inch
  • Murky Outlook at Wanapum Dam
  • Mid-Columbia Public Utility Districts Lower River Levels
  • Human Remains Uncovered near Wanapum Dam
  • Outside Experts Weigh in on Columbia River’s Damaged Wanapum Dam
  • Man Convicted of Scrapping Metal from Lower Monument Dam Arrested with Stolen Car
  • Avista Executive Compensation Lower
  • Selling the Tennessee Valley Authority: Obama Budget Says State, Local Stakeholders Could Buy Government Utility
  • Tennessee Valley Authority & the President’s Budget
  • Landis+Gyr’s Dynamic Voltage Management Solution Chosen by Oregon Utility for Energy Efficiency Program
  • Bonneville Power Administration Engineer’s Historic Photography Featured at Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
  • Are Utilities’ Concerns About Aging Infrastructure Overblown?
  • Transformers Could Be Weak Link in U-S Power Grid
  • Op/Ed: How to Protect Our Electric Grid
  • Small Group of Gray Whales Return to Puget Sound
  • Washington State Allows Additional Day of Smelt Dipping for Cowlitz River
  • Oregon’s Governor Intends to Sign Sage Grouse Legislation
  • More Than Two Years for Former Water District Clerk
  • California: Redwood Park Closes Road to Deter Burl Poachers
  • Editorial: Senate Bill Would Treat Utilities Equally Under Renewable Energy Rules
  • Editorial: California - Green-Energy Focus Means Higher Electricity Prices
  • Maine Governor Seeks to Get Rid of Wind Energy Goals
  • What Can Solar Companies Do to Woo Homeowners in a Booming Solar Market?
  • Flathead Electric Co-Op Recognized For Efficiency
  • Energy Information Administration Posts Individual States’ Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  • Pacific Northwest Carbon Dioxide Data
  • Rising Sea Level a Big Concern for City of Olympia
  • Great Lakes Rebound
  • Chipotle: Guacamole at Risk from Global Warming
  • FCC Questions State Laws That Block Cities from Building Their Own Broadband Network
  • Here’s the ‘Fiber Ready’ Checklist Google Sent Potential Cities
  • Target’s Chief Information Officer is Stepping down in Wake of Data Breach
  • Providing Opportunity for Remote Testimony at Legislative Hearings
  • Washington State Rain Storms to Bring Threat of Flooding, Landslides
  • Realtors Speak Out For Shelton Hills Development
  • Washington State’s First Pot License Goes to Spokane Grower
  • Marijuana 101: Businesses Owners Hosting Pot Class
  • South Puget Sound Community College Ordered to Crush Rare Dodge Viper
  • An Asteroid Zooming Past Earth Will Come Closer than the Moon

WORD OF THE DAY

Meme • \meem\ • noun – An idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture

“Red state/blue state; issues that ‘resonate’ with the voters; any scandal that ends with ‘gate’; ‘soccer moms’, ‘values voters’,” blurted Donald, sounding like a tobacco auctioneer. “Sorry folks,” he murmured, wiping spittle from his lips. “I just had a tourettes edition of meme overload.”

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Drawdown of Reservoir Eases Pressure on Wanapum Dam Crack; Closed by One Inch (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

Murky Outlook at Wanapum Dam (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

Mid-Columbia Public Utility Districts Lower River Levels (RenewablesBiz)

Human Remains Uncovered near Wanapum Dam (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

Outside Experts Weigh in on Columbia River’s Damaged Wanapum Dam (Northwest Public Radio)

Man Convicted of Scrapping Metal from Lower Monument Dam Arrested with Stolen Car (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Avista Executive Compensation Lower (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

Selling the Tennessee Valley Authority: Obama Budget Says State, Local Stakeholders Could Buy Government Utility (Chattanooga Times-Free Press, TN)

Tennessee Valley Authority & the President’s Budget (Energy News Digest Café)

Landis+Gyr’s Dynamic Voltage Management Solution Chosen by Oregon Utility for Energy Efficiency Program (PR NewsWire)

Bonneville Power Administration Engineer’s Historic Photography Featured at Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center (Bonneville Power Administration)

Are Utilities’ Concerns About Aging Infrastructure Overblown? “…utilities that steadily & systematically identify, then refurbish or replace problem equipment…will find a financially sustainable path…” (Midwest Energy News)

Transformers Could Be Weak Link in U-S Power Grid (United Press International)

Op/Ed: How to Protect Our Electric Grid (USA Today)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Small Group of Gray Whales Return to Puget Sound (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Washington State Allows Additional Day of Smelt Dipping for Cowlitz River (Longview Daily News, WA)

Oregon’s Governor Intends to Sign Sage Grouse Legislation (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

More Than Two Years for Former Water District Clerk (Associated Press)

California: Redwood Park Closes Road to Deter Burl Poachers (Associated Press)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Editorial: Senate Bill Would Treat Utilities Equally Under Renewable Energy Rules (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Editorial: California - Green-Energy Focus Means Higher Electricity Prices (Orange County Register, CA)

Maine Governor Seeks to Get Rid of Wind Energy Goals (Associated Press)

What Can Solar Companies Do to Woo Homeowners in a Booming Solar Market? (Forbes Magazine)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Flathead Electric Co-Op Recognized For Efficiency (Hungry Horse News, MT)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Energy Information Administration Posts Individual States’ Carbon Dioxide Emissions (American Public Power Association)

Pacific Northwest Data (Energy News Digest Café)

Rising Sea Level a Big Concern for City of Olympia (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Great Lakes Rebound (Associated Press)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Chipotle: Guacamole at Risk from Global Warming (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FCC Questions State Laws That Block Cities from Building Their Own Broadband Network (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Here’s the ‘Fiber Ready’ Checklist Google Sent Potential Cities (Broadband Reports)

Target’s Chief Information Officer is Stepping down in Wake of Data Breach (Washington Post)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Providing Opportunity for Remote Testimony at Legislative Hearings (Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Washington State Rain Storms to Bring Threat of Flooding, Landslides (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Realtors Speak Out For Shelton Hills Development (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)\

Washington State’s First Pot License Goes to Spokane Grower (Associated Press)

Marijuana 101: Businesses Owners Hosting Pot Class (Northwest Cable News Network)

South Puget Sound Community College Ordered to Crush Rare Dodge Viper (Olympian - Paywall Advisory)

An Asteroid Zooming Past Earth Will Come Closer than the Moon (Mashable)

DIVERSIONS

British Columbia Woman Sues Casino after Blowing $330,000, Loses Again

These Amazing Illustrations Are Like Google Maps for 1900s Japan

Did You Know That Corn Kernels Turn to Liquid Before Becoming Popcorn?

Buried California Gold Likely Not from Heist, Says U-S Mint Rep

SONG OF THE DAY

Popcorn - Hot Butter

Popcorn - Hot Butter - Igor Presnyakov - Acoustic Guitar

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Energy News Digest for March 4, 2014

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for March 4, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Unusual Crack in Wanapum Dam on Columbia River is Serious, But Won’t Cause Flooding (Associated Press)

Energy Northwest Suing Company That Made Parts for Condenser System (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Tacoma’s Simpson Paper Mill Getting a New Owner - Will use the proceeds from the sale to enhance its lumber & door business (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Bonneville Power Administration Touts Mason PUD 3 Conservation Efforts (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Twitter Accidentally Reset Its Users’ Passwords (Gizmodo)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Unusual Crack in Wanapum Dam on Columbia River is Serious, But Won’t Cause Flooding
  • Columbia River Drawdown Continues to Take Pressure Off Wanapum Dam
  • Energy Northwest Suing Company That Made Parts for Condenser System
  • Centralia City Light Turbine Repairs to Cost More
  • Portland Tree Trimmer Rescued after 20 Foot Tumble
  • Clark Public Utilities Recognized By J.D. Power as a 2014 Customer Champion
  • With $3 Million-Plus Available, Bonneville Power Administration Calls For Energy Ideas
  • Grays Harbor PUD Hires New Engineering Manager
  • Energy Northwest Appoints New PIO/Manager of Public Affairs
  • Hermiston Energy Services Announces Nate Rivera to Be New Superintendent
  • Why Power Lines Aren’t as Important as a Company’s Right to Property
  • Public Power Communities: Future-Focused
  • Scratch One Drought! Buried by February Snows
  • Study: Americans Have ‘No Clue’ About Conserving Water
  • Renewable Northwest Project: Over the Rainbow for 20 Years
  • West Coast-East Coast - Floating Wind Farms Venture Farther Out to Sea
  • Bonneville Power Administration Touts Mason PUD 3 Conservation Efforts
  • Global Warming Disrupts Ocean Dynamics in Antarctica, Study Reveals
  • Tim Cook’s Climate Change Faith Costs Apple, Shareholders
  • Port of Olympia Congratulates LOTT for East Bay Public Plaza’s Sustainable Design Award
  • Small Sources Could Yield an Energy Windfall
  • Comcast Extends Cheap Web Access amid Deal Review
  • Editorial: Broadband Access Is an Infrastructure Necessity
  • Google Fiber Connects Kansas City Band for Practice, Encore
  • Twitter Accidentally Reset Its Users’ Passwords
  • 12 Selfie Tips You Can Learn From the World’s Most Retweeted Photo
  • America’s First ‘Wireless Newspaper’ Killed Catalina’s Carrier Pigeons
  • Poll: Voters Ready to Get Rid of Their Own Members of Congress in 2014
  • Tacoma’s Simpson Paper Mill Getting a New Owner
  • Georgia Company Agrees to Buy Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill
  • Rain Brings Risk of Landslides & Flooding - Includes Mason County
  • Olympic National Park/Communities Felt Federal Shutdown
  • Insider Information Reveals Seattle Digging Machine Bertha’s Ongoing Woes
  • RadioShack Closing 1,100 U-S Stores

WORD OF THE DAY

Beneficence • \buh-NEH-fuh-sunts\ • Noun - 1: the quality or state of being beneficent (doing or producing good; especially: performing acts of kindness and charity).

Beneficence: Albert Schweitzer; look it up….

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS



ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Unusual Crack in Wanapum Dam on Columbia River is Serious, But Won’t Cause Flooding (Associated Press)

Columbia River Drawdown Continues to Take Pressure Off Wanapum Dam (Northwest Public Radio)

Energy Northwest Suing Company That Made Parts for Condenser System (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Centralia City Light Turbine Repairs to Cost More (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

Portland Tree Trimmer Rescued after 20 Foot Tumble (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

Clark Public Utilities Recognized By J.D. Power as a 2014 Customer Champion (Clark Public Utilities)

With $3 Million-Plus Available, Bonneville Power Administration Calls For Energy Ideas (Sustainable Business Oregon)

Grays Harbor PUD Hires New Engineering Manager (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

Energy Northwest Appoints New PIO/Manager of Public Affairs (Northwest Public Power Association)

Hermiston Energy Services Announces Nate Rivera to Be New Superintendent (Northwest Public Power Association)

Why Power Lines Aren’t as Important as a Company’s Right to Property (JD Supra Business Advisor)

Public Power Communities: Future-Focused (Area Development Magazine)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Scratch One Drought! Buried by February Snows (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

Study: Americans Have ‘No Clue’ About Conserving Water (U-S News & World Report)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Renewable Northwest Project: Over the Rainbow for 20 Years (Sustainable Business Oregon)

West Coast-East Coast - Floating Wind Farms Venture Farther Out to Sea (Renewable Energy World)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Bonneville Power Administration Touts Mason PUD 3 Conservation Efforts (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Global Warming Disrupts Ocean Dynamics in Antarctica, Study Reveals (Christian Science Monitor)

Tim Cook’s Climate Change Faith Costs Apple, Shareholders (Investor’s Business Daily)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Port of Olympia Congratulates LOTT for East Bay Public Plaza’s Sustainable Design Award (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

Small Sources Could Yield an Energy Windfall (Christian Science Monitor)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast Extends Cheap Web Access amid Deal Review (Associated Press)

Editorial: Broadband Access Is an Infrastructure Necessity (Rochester Post-Bulletin, MN)

Google Fiber Connects Kansas City Band for Practice, Encore (Kansas City Business Journal, MO)

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING

Twitter Accidentally Reset Its Users’ Passwords (Gizmodo)

12 Selfie Tips You Can Learn From the World’s Most Retweeted Photo (Mashable)

America’s First ‘Wireless Newspaper’ Killed Catalina’s Carrier Pigeons (Paleofuture)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Poll: Voters Ready to Get Rid of Their Own Members of Congress in 2014 (U-S News & World Report)

GENERAL NEWS

Tacoma’s Simpson Paper Mill Getting a New Owner - Will use the proceeds from the sale to enhance its lumber & door business (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Georgia Company Agrees to Buy Simpson Tacoma Kraft Paper Mill (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Rain Brings Risk of Landslides & Flooding - Includes Mason County (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Olympic National Park Felt Federal Shutdown - Visits dropped 24 percent…nearby communities took a $3.4 million economic blow (Associated Press)

Insider Information Reveals Seattle Digging Machine Bertha’s Ongoing Woes (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

RadioShack Closing 1,100 U-S Stores (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Dark Chocolate ‘Good for the Heart,’ Study Suggests

Jimmy Fallon Covers “Let It Go” With Roots & Adele Dazeem - With Toy Instruments (except what appears to be a cheap ukulele)

New Jersey’s Indignation at Being Called Armpit Forces Dove to Scrap Ad Campaign

This Bluetooth Ring Is Like a Magic Wand on Your Finger (This could be dangerous for those of us who can’t talk without using our hands…)

SONGS OF THE DAY

BJ Thomas - Everybody Loves a Rain Song

Eddie Rabbitt - I Love a Rainy Night

James Taylor - Mud Slide Slim

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.