World shares, Wall St futures advance ahead of US jobs data

Shares surged Friday in early European trading and Wall Street futures were higher after a broad advance in Asia as investors await U.S. jobs data for May.

World stock markets rise ahead of US jobs data

Global markets rose Friday and Wall Street futures as investors awaited the U.S. jobs report for May, which is expected to show another surge in unemployment in the world's largest economy.

Stocks edge higher on Wall Street following 3 days of gains

Stocks are slightly higher in early trading on Wall Street as a three-day rally loses momentum. The S&P 500 rose less than 0.1% in the first few minutes of trading Wednesday, led once again by technology companies. The recent strong streak for the market still hasn’t gotten the S&P 500 back to where it was before taking a 6% tumble last Thursday. Investors will be watching another day of Congressional testimony by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. A day earlier Powell warned that the U.S. economy faces a deep downturn with “significant uncertainty” about the timing and strength of a recovery.

Blinken brings anti-graft message, old Russia foe to Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Ukraine this week he’ll be carrying a tough anti-graft message and strong U.S. backing for the country’s response to Russian aggression. He’ll also be bringing along a familiar face in the Washington-Moscow tug-of-war over the former Soviet republic: Victoria Nuland.

State shrubsteppe habitat conservation plan submitted

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Conservation Commission and Washington State Department of Natural Resources last week submitted a new plan to the state Legislature intended to guide future conservation of Washington’s shrubsteppe habitat, according to a Monday WDFW announcement.

Ephrata passes $40.6M city budget

EPHRATA – The Ephrata City Council passed the city’s budget during its December 6 meeting. The budget includes a 3% cost of living increase for city staff and increases in insurance expenditures, while city revenues have also increased in some areas.

Fatality accident, GCSO collision shut down SR 17

MOSES LAKE – State Route 17 was closed for nearly four hours Thursday night after two accidents led to the death of one woman and non-fatal injuries for two Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Planning tools aim to help prepare the power grid for future climate extremes

PULLMAN — New planning tools developed by Washington State University researchers could someday help power grid planners and operators better prepare for extreme weather events that are expected from climate change.

WA pursuit pivot

State Legislature passes people’s initiative to lighten police pursuits criteria

OLYMPIA – A legislative initiative to amend the existing statute regulating vehicular pursuits, successfully passed through the state Senate with a vote of 36-13 and the House with a vote of 77-20. Nevertheless, law enforcement emphasizes the need to reevaluate training methods for a safer and more comprehensive approach.

WDFW to decide on 'endangered' status of gray wolves

(The Center Square) – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide later this month on lowering gray wolves’ status under the state’s endangered species law.

FIRE REPORT: Ephrata area fire shuts down SR 17

EPHRATA — The Marksman Road fire, which blazed up quickly east of Ephrata Tuesday and closed SR 17 for a time, was contained quickly thanks to a lot of interagency cooperation, according to Grant County Fire District 13 Chief Jim Stucky.

Derby turns Soap Lake street into a raceway

SOAP LAKE — Most of the time, the police take a dim view of young people racing cars through the middle of town. But in Soap Lake Saturday, the cops were helping them do it. “We've had really great turnout, supporters and kids doing it every year,” said Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox, who was supervising the Soap Box Derby from the finish line. “Every year, we try to add a couple of cars and get more kids involved.”

CWU online Master’s of Education program now offers special education endorsement

ELLENSBURG – Ever since the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – also known as IDEA – became law, K-12 schools have been required to offer special education services to students with unique needs, to ensure equitable access to education for all. However, teachers certified to provide these services are in short supply, partially due to a lack of flexible options for getting those certifications.

Public school enrollment declining in WA, across the nation as spending increases

(The Center Square) – A new report finds public school enrollment is declining in America's most populous cities, even as staffing levels and spending have increased.

Washington AG candidates talk public safety, immigration at WSU forum

(The Center Square) – The three candidates vying to be Washington state's next attorney general laid out their positions Tuesday night at Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland.

Signs of summer — local swimming pools opening this week

MOSES LAKE — It took a while but it’s finally here. Summer has arrived, and one way to tell is that the swimming pool is open. Opening day is different in different communities, but it’s usually tied to the day school is dismissed for the summer. Tuesday was the first day of daily operation at the Surf ‘n Slide water park in Moses Lake, which will be open through Aug. 27. Surf ‘n Slide, 401 W. Fourth St., is open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Court to hear legal challenge to new WA Parents Bill of Rights

(The Center Square) - A King County Superior Court judge will next week hear arguments in a lawsuit over the new parent’s bill of rights, adopted by lawmakers from citizen initiative I-2081. The new law gives parents, among other things, access to instructional materials and notification when a student is seeking counseling or medical care for issues related to sex or gender confusion.

MLSD board continues close examination of funding

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board heard about some measures being taken to cut costs at its meeting Thursday, scrutinizing some items that were brought to it for approval and discussing with Acting Superintendent Carol Lewis some ways of making up the roughly $13 million shortfall.

MLSD levy voted down for second time

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District educational programs and operations levy was voted down a second time in Tuesday’s special election. District voters rejected the levy by a vote of 3,947 against to 3,094, or 56.06% to 43.94%, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. That margin was even greater than the 3,758-3,611 vote that defeated the levy in the Feb. 13 election.

If voters decide to allow WA Cares op-out, will the state refund tax collections?

(The Center Square) – More than nine months since Washington state workers started paying into the state-mandated long-term care insurance program known as WA Cares, most working Washingtonians have contributed at least a few hundred dollars to the program.