RICHLAND – Senior U.S. District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle in Spokane has approved and entered a judicial consent decree that imposes a new, enforceable and achievable schedule for cleaning up waste from Hanford’s underground tanks.

OLYMPIA -- Washington’s investment fund for several public pension systems will receive $11.7 million from State Street Bank in a settlement agreement announced today by Washington State Treasurer James L. McIntire, the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) and the Attorney General’s Office.

This negotiated resolution stems from a contract dispute over the pricing of foreign exchange transactions executed between 1997 and 2007 while State Street was the custody bank for the WSIB.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Investigators have linked alcoholic “energy” drinks to the hospitalization of nine college students after a party in Roslyn, Wash., on Oct. 9. The investigation also concluded that no students were given drugs or alcohol without their knowledge and that no sexual assault occurred.

Northwest First Choice latest company to settle in office’s ongoing campaign to clean up industry sales practices

VANCOUVER – A Vancouver-based exterior home remodeler that allegedly built up sales by misleading customers agrees to comply with state consumer protection laws. Northwest First Choice settled claims brought by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.

OLYMPIA–The Attorney General’s Office and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation recently settled an eight-year old lawsuit against the National Education Association (NEA), which alleged the organization illegally used fees paid to it by non-members for political purposes. The suit, filed in Thurston County Superior Court in October 2002, alleged the NEA violated a state law barring unions from using non-member fees for political purposes without permission.

OLYMPIA – A former habitat biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has been fined for multiple violations of the Ethics in Public Service Act.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that Gary Ikeda, former senior legal counsel for Seattle Public Schools and a former deputy attorney general, will lead the Attorney General’s University of Washington Division.

TACOMA – Consumers who purchased vehicles from Baydo Chevrolet in Pierce County may be eligible for refunds of documentary fees. The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced an agreement that resolves concerns the dealership engaged in unfair and deceptive marketing practices.

OLYMPIA — A multi-state lawsuit challenging portions of the federal health care reform legislation will move forward, a Florida Judge ruled today.

The suit, brought by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna, 18 other states, two individuals and the National Federation of Independent Business, alleged, among other things:

Yakima - Hundreds of prevention and treatment professionals, educators, youth, and volunteers from around the state will gather at the Washington State Prevention Summit, Oct. 14-16, in Yakima to learn the latest information about substance abuse and other destructive behaviors and how to prevent these problems in their schools and communities.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna will serve as Master of Ceremonies and welcoming speaker at the Opening Celebration from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.