Northwest

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Monday, August 4, 2008 Gregoire orders hiring freeze Associated Press OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire is telling state agencies to cut hiring, travel and fuel costs as the weak economy continues to take its toll. In a memo released Monday, Gregoire tells agency directors to cut gas consumption by five percent. She also orders freezes on hiring, out-of-state travel, service contracts and extra equipment. There's some exceptions for emergencies. Officials say the steps could save $90 million in the current budget. The freeze comes as Gregoire works on a new two-year state budget. The Democrat has been asking agencies to find service cuts to balance the budget. She says tax increases are a last resort. Gregoire won't say how big of a deficit the state is facing. But legislative budget experts say the gap could be about $2.7 billion.

1. Lakewood police officers killed today are identified 2. Four die in car crash near Marysville 3. Extended lack of work takes its toll on Snohomish County families 4. Prosecutor leaving county job, but still seeking justice 5. Advice if you’re trying to swoop in on a foreclosure deal 6. Public clinics in Everett, Lynnwood to offer free flu shots 7. GPS-equipped phones change market 8. Hero guitar 9. Six Lake Stevens friends earn Scouting's highest honor 10. Fire destroys indoor paintball arena in Everett 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Ruling in the pool • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Archbishop Murphy takes title • A season of performing arts • Budget numbers have official fuming • Wildcats move on to 2A semifinals • Holiday Bazaars & Fairs Calendar • Edmonds’ Westgate Chapel serves up hospitality for holiday • Mavericks fall • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million