MORNING BRIEFING: shooting, slapping and traveling on China's dime

Around here

Police say four people were shot early this morning: two at the Knitting Factory and two at a party less than an hour later. (KXLY) 

The Airway Heights prison is on lockdown after a fight between 16 prisoners erupted yesterday afternoon. (KREM) 

A Hayden man accused of slapping a 2-year-old boy and making a racist comment on a flight has been suspended by his employer. He's president of Unitech Composites and Structures. (CdA Press)

Out there

More international governments (often their lobbyists) are paying for members of Congress and their staffs to travel. (WashPo)

Protesters packed the National Mall Sunday asking the president to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil from Alberta to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. (NPR)

Country singer Mindy McCready died Sunday of an apparent suicide (USA Today)

More details are out about President Obama's immigration plan. (NYT) 

Spokane's Harlem Shake