The broadcast networks and Madison Avenue may want to adopt "Honky Cat" as the official theme for the 2008-09 television season.

As a teacher, Danielle Belliston is required to complete continuing education.

Columbia Center Rotary Club member Sondra Rader plans to wear a neckerchief and a cowboy hat to the club’s annual mortgage burning party today.

Remnants of a warehouse in the Big Pasco Industrial Center in Pasco that was destroyed in a February fire will be cleared soon.

Washington is not business-friendly.

About 250 more Tri-Citians filed for unemployment benefits last month than in April last year.

Seventy-eight international wine importers, distributors and hoteliers from more than 20 countries are touring the Mid-Columbia for a taste of Washington wines.

Looking at the front of James Edes' Milton home, you'd never guess what's inside. Living room and kitchen give no clue to Edes' consuming electronic passion.

Remember that endless day you spent Christmas shopping at stores throughout the Mid-Columbia? And the wine aficionado relatives who visited the Tri-Cities and spent a small fortune on a selection of vintages?

The $15 million tucked in the Farm Bill for asparagus growers in Washington, California and Michigan appears to have made it through the scrutiny of a Senate-House conference committee.

BANGKOK, Thailand Oil prices dropped below $124 a barrel on profit-taking Tuesday in Asia after hitting another trading record in the previous session.

REARDAN, Wash. Mom-and-pop service stations are running into a problem as gasoline marches toward $4 a gallon: Thousands of old-fashioned pumps can't register more than $3.99 on their spinning mechanical dials.

SHANGHAI, China Chinese shares fell Tuesday and the country's two stock exchanges suspended trading in 66 companies based in the region hit by a major earthquake in an effort to minimize potential disruptions to financial markets.

SYDNEY, Australia St. George Bank on Tuesday agreed to an 18.6 billion Australian dollar ($17.5 billion) takeover offer from Westpac Banking Corp. that would create Australia's biggest bank and be one of the country's largest corporate deals.

NEW YORK The economic downturn is hitting roughly one in 10 middle-aged and older Americans especially hard, compelling them to borrow money for everyday living expenses and to seek help from family, friends or charities, according to a survey released Tuesday by the AARP.

SAN FRANCISCO Having seized the lead in personal computer sales worldwide, Hewlett-Packard Co. is stalking the technology services market for its next conquest.

SEATTLE Microsoft Corp. launched its WorldWide Telescope late Monday, bringing the free Web-based program for zooming around the universe to a broad audience.

SEATTLE Microsoft Corp. launched its WorldWide Telescope late Monday, bringing the free Web-based program for zooming around the universe to a broad audience.

WASHINGTON Some things about Barack Obama rub some voters the wrong way.

LOS ANGELES Will people remember three-second video ads on their mobile phones? Do high-definition commercials on big screens get people's hearts racing more than other pitches? Is the sports ticker crawl distracting or does it add value to the 30-second TV spot?