SEATTLE – If you have a gift card for Anchor Blue, shop now. The clothing store chain is closing all of its stores and will honor gift cards, certificates and store credits as payment for purchases through Friday, Jan. 28.

Purchases made before Jan. 7 may be exchanged or returned for store credit (no cash refunds) until Feb. 5 or 30 days after the initial purchase — whichever is earlier. Customers must have a receipt. Purchases made after Jan. 7 are final.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna’s bill to help fight identity theft by increasing penalties for mail theft will be considered by a legislative committee this week.

Computer-generated e-mail campaign to legislators promotes misleading allegations

More than half of all states now pursuing challenges to federal health care reform

Attorney General urges residents to talk to their loved ones about common scams

SEATTLE – It starts with a desperate phone call, e-mail or even an instant message from someone posing as a grandchild or a friend. He was arrested overseas. She was mugged. Please send money right away. Except it’s not who you think – it’s a con artist.

Washington residents are losing thousands of dollars to manipulative criminals claiming to be relatives in need of help.

SEATTLE – The Washington Attorney General’s Office joined the U.S. Department of Justice and other attorneys general in a settlement that permits the merger of Comcast and NBC Universal, while requiring Comcast to make its programming available to competitors.

OLYMPIA – The Legislature will hear public testimony on 11 bills requested by Attorney General Rob McKenna this week, 10 pertaining to open government and protection of private property.

Monday, Jan. 17:

OLYMPIA – Washington State Attorney General’s anti-gang bill will be considered by a key legislative committee on Wednesday. 

Special to the Puget Sound Business Journal and TechFlash
By Attorney General Rob McKenna 

OLYMPIA — The state’s political parties lost another battle against Washington’s popular Top 2 primary today. It's a loss state officials hopes will put an end to years of litigation.