Monday, January 13, 2014

Energy News Digest for January 13, 2014

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THE NEWS DIGEST WORD CLOUD

Energy News Digest Word Cloud for January 13, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Seahawks Storm Watch - High Winds Bring Down Trees, Knock Out Power (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Despite Recent Dryness, Water Supply Forecast Shows January-July Columbia Basin Runoff at 93 Percent (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

Chinook Salmon Help Bring Record Number of Eagles to Hanford (Tri-City Herald, WA)

After a Building Boom, Solar Energy’s Prospects Now Aren’t As Sunny (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Washington State Lawmakers Return for 60-Day Session (Associated Press)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Seahawks Storm Watch - High Winds Bring Down Trees, Knock Out Power
  • Peninsula Whipped by Two-Day Storm; Power Restored After Weekend’s High Winds
  • Nearly 2,800 Lose Power in Storm
  • Time’s Short to Comment on Snohomish PUD’s Skykomish River Mini-Dam
  • Sweeping Changes Sought for Electricity Bills - Time-of-Use Pricing Would Encourage Conservation
  • California: Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Email Scam; Consumers Report Receiving Bogus Bills
  • British Columbia: Proposal at Peace River Site C Dam Hearing - Put a Nuclear Plant in Victoria
  • Polar Vortex - Nuclear Saves the Day
  • Japan Nuclear Agency to Conduct ‘Controlled Meltdown’ of Reactor
  • Ohio: Threats against Electric Co-Op Alleged
  • Chinook Salmon Help Bring Record Number of Eagles to Hanford
  • “Beaver” Dams Aid Fish Restoration in John Day River Drainage
  • Toxic Waters: Consumption Advisories on Life-Giving Year-Round Fish Threaten Health
  • Taylor Shellfish Educates Students to Shift Our Impact on Water Quality
  • Despite Recent Dryness, Water Supply Forecast Shows January-July Columbia Basin Runoff at 93 Percent
  • After a Building Boom, Solar Energy’s Prospects Now Aren’t As Sunny
  • Familiar Holiday Wind Rush a Little Different This Year
  • Stormy Weather Sees Europe’s Electricity Prices Turn Negative
  • Blame It on Coal: Carbon Emissions Up Again In U-S
  • Editorial: Use California Cap & Trade Auction Proceeds Wisely
  • Germany Out In the Coal
  • New Zealand: Seal Poo May Hold Clue to Climate Change
  • Hot New Wood Stoves: High-Tech & Eco-Friendly
  • Alaska Town Hasn’t Had Internet Since New Year’s Eve Revelers Shot Out Fiber-Optic Cable
  • How Should New Seattle Mayor Murray Bring Broadband Alternative to Capitol Hill?
  • Report: More Holiday Credit Card Breaches to Be Revealed
  • Social Media Meets Appliance Innovation
  • Facebook Tells Former AG’s Wife, Marilyn McKenna, Her ‘Fat Pants’ Photo Is Not OK
  • Washington State Lawmakers Return for 60-Day Session
  • Pressures Grow for Rodney Tom, State Senate’s Maverick Majority Leader
  • WSDOT May Face Lawsuit If White Businesswomen Removed from Program
  • Seahawks Winning Streak Pumps Millions into Local Economy
  • Should NFL Teams Restrict Out-Of-State Fans From Buying Tickets?
  • Beast Quake: Seahawks Fans Rock Stadium Again
  • Banks Shun Washington State Marijuana Money
  • Yakama tribe moving to ban pot in 10 counties
  • Oxymoron? - Cannabis Energy Drink appears popular in Moses Lake

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Seahawks Storm Watch - High Winds Bring Down Trees, Knock Out Power (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Peninsula Whipped By Two-Day Storm; Power Restored After Weekend’s High Winds (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

Nearly 2,800 Lose Power in Storm (Longview Daily News, WA)

Time’s Short to Comment on Snohomish PUD’s Skykomish River Mini-Dam (Everett Herald, WA)

Sweeping Changes Sought for Electricity Bills - Time-of-Use Pricing Would Encourage Conservation (SF Chronicle, CA)

California: Pacific Gas & Electric Warns of Email Scam; Consumers Report Receiving Bogus Bills (Sacramento Bee, CA)

British Columbia: Proposal at Peace River Site C Dam Hearing - Put a Nuclear Plant in Victoria (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

Polar Vortex - Nuclear Saves the Day (Forbes Magazine)

Japan Nuclear Agency to Conduct ‘Controlled Meltdown’ of Reactor (U-S News & World Report)

Ohio: Threats against Electric Co-Op Alleged (Marietta Times, OH)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Chinook Salmon Help Bring Record Number of Eagles to Hanford (Tri-City Herald, WA)

“Beaver” Dams Aid Fish Restoration in John Day River Drainage (The Dalles Chronicle, OR)

Toxic Waters: Consumption Advisories on Life-Giving Year-Round Fish Threaten Health (Indian Country Today)

Taylor Shellfish Educates Students to Shift Our Impact on Water Quality (Thurston Talks, Olympia, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Despite Recent Dryness, Water Supply Forecast Shows January-July Columbia Basin Runoff at 93 Percent (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

After a Building Boom, Solar Energy’s Prospects Now Aren’t As Sunny (Los Angeles Times, CA)

Familiar Holiday Wind Rush a Little Different This Year (Renewable Energy World)

Stormy Weather Sees Europe’s Electricity Prices Turn Negative (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Blame It on Coal: Carbon Emissions Up Again In U-S (The Business Journals)

Editorial: Use California Cap & Trade Auction Proceeds Wisely (Sacramento Bee, CA)

Germany Out In the Coal (Toronto Sun, Ontario)

New Zealand: Seal Poo May Hold Clue to Climate Change (3 News)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Hot New Wood Stoves: High-Tech & Eco-Friendly (Discovery Channel News)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Alaska Town Hasn’t Had Internet Since New Year’s Eve Revelers Shot Out Fiber-Optic Cable (Consumerist)

How Should New Seattle Mayor Murray Bring Broadband Alternative to Capitol Hill? (Capitol Hill Seattle Blog)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Report: More Holiday Credit Card Breaches to Be Revealed (Consumerist)

Social Media Meets Appliance Innovation (Albany Business Review, NY)

Facebook Tells Former AG’s Wife, Marilyn McKenna, Her ‘Fat Pants’ Photo Is Not OK (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Lawmakers Return for 60-Day Session (Associated Press)

Pressures Grow for Rodney Tom, State Senate’s Maverick Majority Leader (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

WSDOT May Face Lawsuit If White Businesswomen Removed from Program (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

GENERAL NEWS

Seahawks Winning Streak Pumps Millions into Local Economy (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

Should NFL Teams Restrict Out-Of-State Fans From Buying Tickets? (Consumerist)

Beast Quake: Seahawks Fans Rock Stadium Again (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Banks Shun Washington State Marijuana Money (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

Yakama tribe moving to ban pot in 10 counties (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Oxymoron? - Cannabis Energy Drink appears popular in Moses Lake (Columbia Basin Bulletin, Moses Lake, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Woman Claims Lawyers Should Have Told Her Divorce Would End Her Marriage

Virginia Woman Must Return Renoir Painting She Bought at a Flea Market for $7

Taco Bell Franchisee Doesn’t Tell Social Security About Dead Mom For 23 Years, Collects $200K

Actually, Your Cat Thinks You Are a Giant Cat
Consider yourself a kitten’s mommy? You’re actually more like its freakishly large roommate

SONG OF THE DAY

Tammy Wynette - D.I.V.O.R.C.E

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.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Hot Shots Edition - Energy News Digest for January 10, 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:

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP STORIES

January Storm Trilogy: Heavy Rain, Mountain Snow, Gusty Wind (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Mason County, Washington State (National Weather Service, Seattle)

Americans Are Becoming Weather Wimps (Associated Press)

Bill Drummond Resigns from Bonneville Power Administration, Accepts New Post with Mid-West Electric Consumers Association (American Public Power Association)

Seattle Is Not Alone: Gigabit's $2M Deal with Illinois Also in Trouble (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

CenturyLink Pricing Flexibility Approved (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

Top Ten Markets for Energy Efficient Lighting (The Energy Collective)

Target Data Breach Much Worse, Affected 70 Million Customers (Christian Science Monitor)

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


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.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Energy News Digest for January 9, 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 January 9, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Bonneville Power Administration CEO Bill Drummond Resigns - Customers, Wyden Lobby for Elliot Mainzer as Replacement (Oregonian, Portland)

Special Weather Statement for Western Washington (National Weather Service, Seattle)

Western Washington: Heavy Wind, Rain to Accompany Weekend Storm (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Hats off to Public Utility Districts - The Fastest & Slowest Internet Speeds in America (Washington Post)

Energy-Storage System to Move to Richland (Tri-City Herald, WA)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Bonneville Power Administration CEO Bill Drummond Resigns - Customers, Wyden Lobby for Elliot Mainzer as Replacement
  • Lewis County PUD Proposes Rate Increase
  • Oregon’s Electricity by the Numbers – A Guide for the Power Curious
  • As Winter Takes Hold, Plunging Temperatures Test Utilities
  • Polar Vortex: How Will It Affect Your Utility Bill?
  • Hoover Dam Is a Super-Gadget That Keeps the Lights in Vegas Burning
  • Alcoa Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Bahrain Bribery
  • Nile River Dispute Hinders Hydropower Development
  • No Consensus on Columbia Spring Chinook Sharing
  • EPA Moves to Cut Wood Stove Emissions
  • Energy-Storage System to Move to Richland
  • Video: The Cleantech Crash
  • 60 Minutes Hit Job on Clean Energy Ignores the Facts
  • Birds, Blades, and the Brutal Business of Clean Energy
  • Smart Bulbs Light the Way for Internet of Things
  • 100,000 Dead Bats Fall from the Australian Sky
  • From Promising Biofuels Pitch to Federal Custody
  • Solar Energy to Power Iconic Vegas Welcome Sign
  • Strap This Wind Turbine to Your Electric Car & You Can Drive Forever
  • Hats off to Public Utility Districts - The Fastest & Slowest Internet Speeds in America
  • FCC: 70% of Broadband Lines Now 3 Mbps or Faster
  • The UTOPIA Network Offers a Glimpse into the Future of Broadband Infrastructure
  • Gigabit Squared Co-Founder Stepping Down after Botched Broadband Deal in Seattle
  • Twitter Founder Unveils Search App Tied to Photos
  • Transportation Funding Will Keep State Lawmakers Busy
  • Washington Senator Proposes End to Pensions for Elected Officials
  • Western Washington: Heavy Wind, Rain to Accompany Weekend Storm
  • Heavy Rain Saturday Could Ease By Seahawks’ Kickoff
  • Special Weather Statement for Western Washington
  • Insulation Fire at Olympic Panel in Shelton
  • Boeing Machinists Get $10,000 Bonus This Month
  • Governor Bentley: Boeing Used Alabama ‘To Some Extent’
  • Northern Lights May Be Visible Tomorrow
  • Seismologists to Monitor Seahawks Game for Repeat of Beast Quake

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Bonneville Power Administration CEO Bill Drummond Resigns - Customers, Wyden Lobby for Elliot Mainzer as Replacement (Oregonian, Portland)

Lewis County PUD Proposes Rate Increase (KELA Radio, Centralia, WA)

Oregon’s Electricity by the Numbers – A Guide for the Power Curious (Willamette Live)

As Winter Takes Hold, Plunging Temperatures Test Utilities (NY Times)

Polar Vortex: How Will It Affect Your Utility Bill? (Christian Science Monitor)

Hoover Dam Is a Super-Gadget That Keeps the Lights in Vegas Burning (Gizmodo)

Alcoa Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Bahrain Bribery (Washington Post)

Nile River Dispute Hinders Hydropower Development (Renewable Energy World)

FISH & WILDLIFE

No Consensus on Columbia Spring Chinook Sharing (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

EPA Moves to Cut Wood Stove Emissions - Central Oregon stove sellers, DEQ say upgrade is needed (KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Energy-Storage System to Move to Richland (Tri-City Herald, WA)

Video: The Cleantech Crash (CBS News, 60 Minutes)

60 Minutes Hit Job on Clean Energy Ignores the Facts (The Energy Collective)

Birds, Blades, and the Brutal Business of Clean Energy (Quest)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Smart Bulbs Light the Way for Internet of Things (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

100,000 Dead Bats Fall from the Australian Sky (Orange)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

From Promising Biofuels Pitch to Federal Custody (Associated Press)

Solar Energy to Power Iconic Vegas Welcome Sign (Associated Press)

Strap This Wind Turbine to Your Electric Car & You Can Drive Forever (Gizmodo)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Hats off to Public Utility Districts - The Fastest & Slowest Internet Speeds in America (Washington Post)

FCC: 70% of Broadband Lines Now 3 Mbps or Faster (Broadband Reports)

The UTOPIA Network Offers a Glimpse into the Future of Broadband Infrastructure (StateTech)

Gigabit Squared Co-Founder Stepping Down after Botched Broadband Deal in Seattle (GeekWire)

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Founder Unveils Search App Tied to Photos (Associated Press)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Transportation Funding Will Keep State Lawmakers Busy (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Washington Senator Proposes End to Pensions for Elected Officials (Northwest Public Radio)

GENERAL NEWS

Western Washington: Heavy Wind, Rain to Accompany Weekend Storm (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Heavy Rain Saturday Could Ease By Seahawks’ Kickoff (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

Special Weather Statement for Western Washington (National Weather Service, Seattle)

Insulation Fire at Olympic Panel in Shelton (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

Boeing Machinists Get $10,000 Bonus This Month (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

Governor Bentley: Boeing Used Alabama ‘To Some Extent’ (Associated Press)

Northern Lights May Be Visible Tomorrow (Associated Press)

Seismologists to Monitor Seahawks Game for Repeat of Beast Quake (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Marshawn Lynch Wins Appeal for $50,000 Fine

U-S Senate Women Bet Beer & Oysters on Seahawks vs Saints (WA oyster bet is sourced to Taylor Shellfish, based in Shelton)

Slowly I Turned, Step…By…Step - Frozen Niagara Falls: ‘Polar Vortex’ Brings Freeze to Falls

Three Stooges - Slowly I Turn

At Least 50 Scalded by Boiling-To-Frozen Water Trick

SONG OF THE DAY

George Frederic Handel - Water Music

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, January 8, 2014

Energy News Digest for January 8, 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 January 8, 2014

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Washington State Arsenic Tests Show Puget Sound Geoduck Clams Safe to Eat - Officials hope for lifting of China’s import ban (Associated Press)

Arctic Air Eases Its Grip on Much of the U-S (Associated Press)

While the U-S is in Deep Freeze - ‘Highly Significant’ Heatwave Smashes Australian Records (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia)

January is Best Chance for Pacific Northwest Snow (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Eugene Water & Electric Board Selling Idaho Power Plant - Board votes to put the northern Idaho site on the market to reduce the amount of surplus electricity (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)
  • Eugene Water & Electric Board Selling Idaho Power Plant
  • Montana: Columbia Falls Aluminum Clean-Up Could Be Costly
  • Canadian Hydropower: Peace is Priceless, Site C Hearing Told
  • Cities Shutting Off Utilities When Unpaid Keeps Write-Offs Low
  • Power Lines Spark Small Fire after Semi Hits Tree in SE Portland
  • California: New Sonoma Utility Promises Cleaner, Cheaper Power
  • Colorado: Boulder Tells Xcel It Plans to Acquire Parts of Electric System
  • Co-ops Work through Cold Snap
  • Energy Prices Rise as U-S Temperatures Fall
  • Natural Gas Exports: Slow Walk or ‘Danger Zone’?
  • Three Major Energy Themes to Watch in 2014
  • Washington State Arsenic Tests Show Puget Sound Geoduck Clams Safe to Eat
  • Lower Columbia Commercial Fishing Policy to be Reviewed
  • Solar Rankings Released, Oregon Lands Outside the Top 12
  • Arizona: Salt River Project Now Importing Geothermal Power from Utah
  • Wind Energy Helps Ward Off Power Outages
  • Burned to Death by a Refrigerator
  • While the U-S is in Deep Freeze - ‘Highly Significant’ Heatwave Smashes Australian Records
  • Republican Legislators Call for Continuation of Climate Legislative Executive Workgroup
  • Court Battle Could Force New Jersey to Resume Carbon Trading
  • Cap-and-Trade Throws a Wrench into the Gears of Green Consumerism
  • Intel Greenery Gets Star Treatment on NYT Front Page
  • Testing of New Okanogan PUD High-Speed Network Causes Periodic Internet Outages
  • Ellensburg Pursues Its Fiber Project in Washington State
  • Seattle’s Fiber-Network Deal with Gigabit Squared is Dead
  • Washington State Senate: Another Change for Democrats as Shin Steps Down, Citing Health
  • Arctic Air Eases Its Grip on Much of the U-S
  • January is Best Chance for Pacific Northwest Snow
  • Mulally Staying at Ford, Not Leaving for Microsoft
  • Mason County’s Chambers of Commerce Hold Legislative Send Off
  • Jeffreys is Mason County Commission Chair
  • Seattle Apartment Explosion Caused by Hash Oil Process
  • Sheriff: Suspect Hiding in Retention Pond Foiled by Hypothermia

WORD OF THE DAY

Chiropody • \kuh-ROP-uh-dee \ • Noun – Podiatry
Origin of CHIROPODY: chir- + pod-; from its original concern with both hands & feet (From Merriam-Webster)

The podiatrist
One step ahead of the others
Fun chiropody

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS


ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Eugene Water & Electric Board Selling Idaho Power Plant - Board votes to put the northern Idaho site on the market to reduce the amount of surplus electricity (Eugene Register-Guard, OR)

Montana: Columbia Falls Aluminum Clean-Up Could Be Costly (Hungry Horse News, MT)

Canadian Hydropower: Peace is Priceless, Site C Hearing Told (Victoria Times-Colonist, BC)

Cities Shutting Off Utilities When Unpaid Keeps Write-Offs Low (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

Power Lines Spark Small Fire after Semi Hits Tree in SE Portland (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

California: New Sonoma Utility Promises Cleaner, Cheaper Power (SF Chronicle, CA)

Colorado: Boulder Tells Xcel It Plans to Acquire Parts of Electric System (American Public Power Association)

Co-ops Work through Cold Snap (Electric Co-op Today)

Energy Prices Rise as U-S Temperatures Fall (Associated Press)

Natural Gas Exports: Slow Walk or ‘Danger Zone’? (Associated Press)

Three Major Energy Themes to Watch in 2014 (Forbes Magazine)

FISH & WILDLIFE

Washington State Arsenic Tests Show Puget Sound Geoduck Clams Safe to Eat - Officials hope for lifting of China’s import ban (Associated Press)

Lower Columbia Commercial Fishing Policy to be Reviewed (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Solar Rankings Released, Oregon Lands Outside the Top 12 (Sustainable Business Oregon)

Arizona: Salt River Project Now Importing Geothermal Power from Utah (American Public Power Association)

Wind Energy Helps Ward Off Power Outages (American Wind Energy Association – All while balancing an egg on a spoon!)

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Burned to Death by a Refrigerator (Courthouse News Service)

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

While the U-S is in Deep Freeze - ‘Highly Significant’ Heatwave Smashes Australian Records (Sydney Morning Herald, Australia)

Republican Legislators Call for Continuation of Climate Legislative Executive Workgroup (Washington State House Republicans, Olympia)

Court Battle Could Force New Jersey to Resume Carbon Trading (Grist Online)

Cap-and-Trade Throws a Wrench into the Gears of Green Consumerism (The Energy Collective)

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Intel Greenery Gets Star Treatment on NYT Front Page (Sustainable Business Oregon)

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Testing of New Okanogan PUD High-Speed Network Causes Periodic Internet Outages (Methow Valley News, Twisp, WA)

Ellensburg Pursues Its Fiber Project in Washington State (Community Broadband Networks)

Seattle’s Fiber-Network Deal with Gigabit Squared is Dead (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Senate: Another Change for Democrats as Shin Steps Down, Citing Health (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

GENERAL NEWS

Arctic Air Eases Its Grip on Much of the U-S (Associated Press)

January is Best Chance for Pacific Northwest Snow (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

Mulally Staying at Ford, Not Leaving for Microsoft (Associated Press)

Mason County’s Chambers of Commerce Hold Legislative Send Off (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Jeffreys is Mason County Commission Chair (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

Seattle Apartment Explosion Caused by Hash Oil Process (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

Sheriff: Suspect Hiding in Retention Pond Foiled by Hypothermia (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

DIVERSIONS

Olympic Speed Skater’s Parents Couldn’t Afford to Go to Sochi, So the Internet Stepped In

Cheesy Shortage: Kraft Says Velveeta Running Low

Bigfoot Hunter Claims to Have Shot, Killed Hirsute Cryptid

Willie the Wheeled Wiener Dog Recovers from Spinal Injury

SONG OF THE DAY

Deep Purple – Hush

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.