Bloglander

A little extra stimulus -- Washington State is getting $98 million in new stimulus funding from the federal government. While a third goes to a new unemployment benefits computer system, the rest goes to pay unemployment benefits. A new rule, established in 2009, gives benefits to those who quit their job because of family emergencies, domestic abuse, or a moving spouse. (SR)

Loss of patriotism -- Airway Heights, once a haven of roman candles and cherry bombs, have now passed an ordinance banning setting them off on city streets and fields. Violators are fined $1000. (KREM)

Not-so-great escape -- A convicted murderer, from Spokane, had been given a 45-year sentence. He only got to five of those years before he tried to break out of prison, taking a corrections officer hostage with a pair of scissors and driving a forklift through a door, and was fatally shot. (KXLY)

The other forgotten war --  In Iraq -- remember Iraq? -- the death toll for American troops has spiked to a monthly high not seen since 2008. (NYT)