Northwest

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008 Northwest Briefly: Third runway opening at Sea-Tac airport SEATAC -- More planes will be able to use Sea-Tac International Airport, especially landing in cloudy weather, with the opening of its new third runway. After 16 years of development that saw costs climb to more than $1 billion, the runway opens Thursday for airline use. The runway is 8,500 feet long, 150 feet wide and 17 inches thick. To build it, the Port of Seattle had to overcome opposition from airport neighbors, fill in a large area and create wetlands near Auburn as environmental compensation. Last year, more than 347,000 planes took off and landed at Sea-Tac. The three runways will be able to handle about 550,000 a year. Passengers will pay off bond debt for the third runway with a $4.50 fee on each ticket. D.C.: Congresswoman gets House GOP post Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state has been elected vice chair of the House Republican Conference. In her new role, McMorris Rodgers will work with House Minority Leader John Boehner and other GOP leaders to approve GOP committee assignments, manage floor debates and develop the party's communications strategy. McMorris Rodgers, of Spokane, easily won re-election to a third term this month. At a news conference Wednesday, she said the party's actions over the next two years will determine how long Republicans remain in the minority in Congress. She said the party must broaden its appeal and reach out to women, minorities and young people. Seattle: Plight of orca whales considered The Puget Sound Partnership is considering ways to help the sound's resident orca whales in its plan to clean up the region. The agency wants to increase the distance between the endangered animals and vessels, direct its cleanup efforts first to areas where the whales travel and work to increase salmon runs. Pollution and dwindling chinook salmon stocks are thought to play a role in the decline in the killer whale population. David Dicks, the partnership's executive director, said Wednesday the situation is urgent and requires immediate and long-term action. The agency will present its overall sound cleanup plan to the Legislature on Dec. 1. Spokane: Hand recount is likely in 6th Washington's closest legislative race has made a detour through Spokane County Superior Court. Judge Maryann Moreno on Tuesday denied a request by the House Republican Organizational Committee for copies of more than 7,000 ballots that had to be "remade" by elections workers because the vote-tabulating machines couldn't read them. The race for a state House seat in the 6th District has Democratic challenger John Driscoll ahead of Republican incumbent John Ahern by 63 votes out of more than 70,000 cast. A hand recount is likely to decide the winner of the Spokane-area seat. Associated Press READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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