Morning News Digest: Monday, November 10, 2008

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Reichert wins re-election

The Associated Press has called Washington's 8th District race for Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn).

With 79 percent of the vote now counted, Reichert leads Democrat Darcy Burner by just under 8,000 votes, and his lead has consistently grown since trailing on election night. Reichert's lead is now three points, 51.47 percent to 48.53 percent. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2599/reichert-wins-re-election

As donations drop, nonprofits forced to get creative

Philanthropic organizations in the Northwest have become increasingly ambitious about solving global problems such as disease and poverty, but the economic downturn is putting the squeeze on their pocketbooks. (Kristi Heim, Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008371558_philanthropy100.html

State workers fear layoffs as Gregoire looks at trims

Cuts to state government, including layoffs, are almost certain as Washington's weakening economy promises to deepen the hole in the budget. (Adam Wilson, The Olympian)

http://www.theolympian.com/672/story/656577.html

Gregoire's campaign proves fruitful by large margin
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Gov. Chris Gregoire defeated Dino Rossi by a "litigation-proof" margin last week, riding a wave of Democratic support for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Closer to home, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert of Auburn appears to be avoiding the wave by winning re-election over challenger Darcy Burner in a finish reminiscent of his narrow 2006 victory over Burner. (Jason Hagey, The News Tribune)

http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernment/story/655939.html

Vancouver Democrat Moeller gets leadership role

State Rep. Jim Moeller was named Sunday to a leadership position by the House Democratic Caucus. (The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081109/NEWS02/711109967

League of Women Voters keeping an eye on local government meetings

The next time you're at a city council or school board meeting, watch for someone who's paying careful attention but doesn't have much to say. (Sara Schilling, Tri-City Herald)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/378949.html

Mayor: No decisions on layoffs

OCEAN SHORES — Mayor Dean Bunkers has not authorized any further layoffs since the termination of four city employees last week, but that hasn’t stopped rumors from circulating around the cash-strapped city. (Rachel Thomson, The Daily World)

http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/11/09/local_news/03news.txt

ELLENSBURG — Kittitas County commissioners, in a short session Thursday, formally adopted changes to the county’s comprehensive land-use plan in hopes it will satisfy the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. (Mike Johnston, The Daily Record)

http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2008/11/09/news/doc4914e6f5bb70c060443545.txt

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.