This morning, the president announced that Seattle Chief of Police Gil Kerlikowske is his pick for the nation's new Drug Czar. That means a local will direct national drug policy, though the position will no longer be Cabinet-level. (Curiously enough, Vice President Biden coined the phrase "drug czar" in the first place.) As the Washington Post notes in a blog post about the announcement, Kerlikowske's appointment to the position was delayed because of his stepson's legal problems--Jeffrey Kerlikowske was arrested recently for violating parole from his drug and assault charges in Florida. more ›

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From the Rainier Valley Post: "In less than a week, 75 people have donated more than $3,500 to the children of Rainier Valley neighbor Noemi Lopez, who was stabbed to death by her ex-husband and high-school sweetheart exactly one week ago today." more ›