NORTHWEST

Gay marriage ruling rallies state activists
Discouraged by recent legal defeats for same-sex marriage in Washington, activists here were suddenly buoyed at news Thursday that a massive and powerful neighbor -- the state of California -- has legalized gay marriage.

Judge deals blow to online poker players
A King County judge Thursday upheld a state law that bans Internet gambling in a widely watched case filed by a Renton poker player.

Nader leads way for political also-rans
The 2008 race: Ralph Nader and Seekers of the lost limelight

Fish in Lake Washington rapidly evolved -- in reverse
New research from the Hutch and UW documenting quick evolution in spiny fish in Lake Washington gives hope for some animals confronting climate change -- but not others.

UW tuition could climb $400 next fall
Students at the University of Washington will again pay more for tuition next fall -- an increase of hundreds of dollars that continues an ever-rising trend that has seen UW tuition nearly double in a decade.

Governor's disputed pesticide panelist resigns
Gov. Chris Gregoire's controversial appointment of a scientist affiliated with Dow Chemical to a state panel that tracks pesticide exposures ended Thursday with the researcher resigning before his first meeting.

Initiative to make races nonpartisan goes to ballot
A push to remove political party labels from most King County elective offices has won enough support to bring it before voters for approval.

Skeletal remains unearthed at Renton construction site
Renton police planned to search for human remains Thursday after a human jawbone was found earlier this week at a construction site in the Renton Highlands.

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

'Grand Theft Auto' can't slow the Wii
Nintendo's Wii video-game console dominated U.S. sales in April despite the release of the blockbuster "Grand Theft Auto IV" for Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3, according to data released Thursday.

Venture Capital: OVP, at 25, broadens its vision
As OVP Venture Partners celebrates its 25th anniversary, the firm is looking at deals in new arenas.

Inside Entrepreneurship: Insurance needs vary for small businesses
Small-business owners should consider insurance that is tailored to their specific needs, Susan Schreter advises.

Earnings: Nordstrom profit sinks 24% in 'tough environment'
Nordstrom Inc. said Thursday that its profit fell 24 percent in the first quarter, as recession rumblings in the U.S. crimped even wealthier consumers' shopping habits.

SPORTS

Storm Preview: 2008 team full of perennial All-Stars
Picture this: Another parade in Seattle for another Storm championship. With an influx of talent and new leaders at the top, the WNBA team says it's possible.

From NBA glory to homeless shelter
Thirty years ago, Joe Pace helped the Washington Bullets win an NBA championship in Seattle. He stayed in fancy hotels. Today, he's a homeless person, relegated to a short mat and cold floor downtown.

Storm Preview: Air around team just feels warmer, fresher
THE STORM HELD a meet-and-greet the other night at the Metropolitan Grill, and I went because:

Storm Preview: Bryant's the woman at the center of the Storm
When four local women bought the Storm from Clay Bennett this year, the first thing they did was promote Karen Bryant to CEO. It was a wise move, given Bryant's history at the heart of women's basketball in Seattle.

Ex-Storm coach Donovan faces Olympic expectations
WHETHER IT WAS more the push by Clay Bennett or the pull of the Olympics is hard to say. But Anne Donovan seems happy to be done with the Storm and Seattle.