Bloglander

When protesters collide What happens when two groups of protesters on opposite sides of the political spectrum show up for the same event? Things get loud and awkward, Bush v. Gore style. At 8:30 pm, on Saturday, Spokane celebrated Earth Hour — where lights are turned off across the world to support energy conversation. Outside City Hall, however, candle-toting environmentalists met with let's-not-bow-to-the-U.N. global warming skeptics. Words were exchanged.

And then there's McKenna Meanwhile, in Olympia, Washington's Attorney General Rob McKenna got a vigil of his own, as 850 Tea Party protesters gathered to say "thank you" for joining several other states to file a lawsuit against recent national health care legislation. Protesters also gave gentle reminders to the federal government that, if there's one thing they hate, it's being tread on.

Take two aspirin and call next fiscal year With a $27 million budget deficit in Idaho's Medicaid program, their Department of Health and Welfare announced it would delay dispersing Medicaid payments until July.

New taxes, yes, but which ones? The special session in Olympia drags on despite Governor Christine Gregoire's hope it would end on Friday. The state House and Senate split on how, exactly, to raise sales tax to make up a $2.8 million deficit. The Senate wants to raise sales tax across the board, while the House and governor want to target taxes toward, specifically, things like bottled water and chewing gum.

Terrorism's long reach A subway bombing in Moscow, Russia, killed 12 commuters and injured hundreds. Two female suicide bombers are to blame, investigators say. The country has suffered a long string of terrorist attacks linked to Chechen rebels.