House Democrats are starting to explore a potential compromise that would end a dispute over Washington state's debt limit. A House panel gave narrow approval yesterday to a plan that would reduce the state's usage of bonds to 8.5% of state revenues in 2018. The Legislature would also work under a suggested debt limit that would be another half-a-percent lower.

A slight change in the current Walla Walla school year calendar. The Board of Directors voted to extend Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences to include Wednesday, March 9 as a no school day. Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 11 school will still be out as previously noted. The calendar change will allow district staff to participate in a morning workshop March 9 with a brain research and child development expert.

It's the season for giving and sharing...but when most people give to charity, they probably don't expect to 'share' more than half their donation with a professional fund-raising company. And yet, it's happening with at least one in four phone solicitations in Washington. Secretary of State Sam Reed says most of the callers aren't local...and their companies charge the charities hefty fees for their service. ***charities 1*** Reed says check out the company before you give. Ask questions of the caller and visit the Secretary of State’s website for a list of reputable organizations.

Walla Walla--tHE wALLA wALLA CHAMBER OF cOMMERCE HAS HIRED A NEW CEO. wALLA WALLA NATIVE DAVID WOOLSON WILL TAKE OVER THE POST LEFT BY DAVE WARKENTIN IN MAY STARTING OCTOBER 25^TH.

wOOLSON LEAVES HIS POSITION WITH THE METROPOLITAIN EXPOSTION RECREATION CENTER IN PORTLAND.

The latest state revenue forecast is out signaling a new $1.4 billion shortfall in revenue through the next biennium. After reserves are completely spent, the current budget that runs through June will be 520-million dollars in the hole. State Chief Economist Arun Raha says he wishes he had better news. ***economist*** He says things will eventually