Herald staff
SEATTLE — Without ever mentioning Ralph Nader’s name, the Rev. Jesse Jackson urged liberal voters to cast their ballots for Democrat Al Gore and send Gov. George W. Bush home to Texas.
Jackson, speaking to about 1,000 cheering supporters at the University of Washington on Tuesday, said a vote for Gore is "the politically mature" decision.
"Either Gore or Bush will be president. Let’s make a president, not just make a point," Jackson said.
Jackson was visiting Washington state, where Green Party candidate Ralph Nader is making inroads, siphoning off some of Gore’s party base.
Jackson appealed to alienated voters not to give Bush "a pass" by not voting for Gore.
Times tops P-I in early numbers: The Seattle Times has taken an early lead in its competition with the rival Seattle Post-Intelligencer, though officials at both newspapers agreed Tuesday the battle is far from over. Circulation at the Times, which switched to morning publication in March after more than a century as an afternoon newspaper, was up 2.7 percent from a year ago, while the P-I’s circulation fell 8 percent. Times circulation — the number of newspapers delivered to homes plus newsstand sales — rose from 219,692 a year ago to 225,687 today, the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported. P-I circulation fell from 191,167 to 175,794, said the bureau, which provides the data every six months.
Airport to open new concourse: Expanding for the first time since the 1970s, and with traveler comfort and future growth in mind, Spokane International Airport is opening a new concourse. Starting toWday, nearly half of the airport’s 80 daily flights will shift from two existing concourses to the new, $18 million C Concourse. The two-story, 95,000-square-foot concourse just west of the main terminal increases the airport’s total space by 40 percent. The largest upgrade since just before the Expo ‘74 world’s fair is being financed by revenue bonds paid for by user fees. Spokane International handled 3 million passengers in 1999.
Liquor can flow more freely, official says: Less restrictive liquor laws are on tap in British Columbia, Finance Minister Paul Ramsey says. Starting in December, pubs, lounges and cabarets can increase their licensed capacity by 50 percent, and restaurants can establish areas where liquor may be served without food, Ramsey said Monday. An overhauled compliance and enforcement program, designed to ensure consistency across the province, will take effect Jan. 15, he added. The changes stem from a review of the province’s liquor licensing last May. The review involved representatives of the hospitality industry, local government and police. Earlier this month, the provincial government permitted Sunday liquor store openings in Kelowna, Victoria, West Vancouver and Whistler.