MORNING BRIEFING: Football, puppet, and military scandals

HERE

A car fire caused an evacuation of the River Park Square mall and parking garage for 20 minutes on Saturday, ruining the day of anyone who had come to watch the Skyfall matinee, but making the day of TV news stations. (KREM)

An angry letter from former receiver Marquess Wilson — accusing the WSU football program of physical, mental and emotional abuse during practice — kicked off an investigation of the program. (SR)

After years of debate, back and forth, City Council president Ben Stuckart wants to outlaw studded tires in the state of Washington. (SR)

Kootenai County might suspend impact fees, fees charged to developers for additional traffic generated by their business. County Commissioners say the fees are tricky to implement and may squash development. (CDAP)

THERE

A ProPublica and Seattle Times investigation reveals that the military has lost the records of many veterans, therefore complicating efforts for them to claim important benefits. (Seattle Times)

Turns out, the FBI knew that former CIA director David Patraeus had been having an affair with his biographer for some time. (NYT)

Elmo in trouble. (Atlantic Wire)