Gov. Chris Gregoire last week disclosed fines of $1 million against Countrywide Home Loans for discriminatory lending.
Countrywide must also pay more than $5 million in back assessments it owes the state.
The governor said she is seeking to revoke Countrywide's license to do business in Washington for its alleged illegal activity.
"The allegation that Countrywide preyed on minority borrowers is extremely troubling to me," Gregoire said. "And I hope to learn eventually just how much this may have contributed to foreclosures in our state."
Joining Gregoire at a press conference was Deb Bortner, director of consumer services at the Washington state Department of Financial Institutions and James Kelly, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
"The Urban League is seeing far too many families caught up in the mortgage crisis who are being steered into bad loans," Kelly said. "Today's announcement from the governor is consistent with her message of protecting Washingtonians from national mortgage instability." ...

On July 4th, over 500 people from more than 75 countries will be sworn in as new citizens of the United States of America. They will be sworn in by U.S. District Court Judge Robert R. Beezer at the Safeco Insurance Fest"l: Naturalization Ceremony, July 4, at Seattle Center ... the largest daytime Independence Day observance in the Northwest....

In a world reliant on technology, people are increasingly using data to help explain the world around them.
Because of this new trend, research and mapping skills are necessary for civic and nonprofit groups.
In order to better serve their citizens, many are now choosing to learn this field for themselves.
Two upcoming workshops by New Urban Research, a nonprofit based in Portland, will teach participants the basic knowledge necessary for mapping and researching one's community.  The first workshop is in Olympia on ...

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has named Troy Hutson as assistant secretary. 
Hutson joined the state's largest agency as the head of the Economic Services Administration ...

What's happening for you in your City this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below.

Top track athletes from Special Olympics Oregon have been invited to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene. A men's and a women's team composed of eight athletes each will put on a 100-yard-dash exhibition at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Trials. Most of these athletes competed at State Summer Games June 28 and 29. Athletes throughout the Special Olympics Oregon track and field program competed for spots on these rosters. Above, Robert Neyland, of Multnomah County, fourth from left, will compete in the 100 meter sprint  on Hayward Field this weekend.

Former Blazer Antonio Harvey helps mascot Blaze plant some of the first plants in Woodlawn Park as part of the Woodlawn Children's Garden Project. Volunteers will help tend the garden which serves as an educational tool for children to learn about volunteerism, gardening, harvest and nutrition. At harvest time, volunteers will cook food from the garden's yield and serve it to the children of Woodlawn School.

My Mini City [http://myminicity.com/] Bloon…

Safeway officials and state lawmakers were on hand in Troutdale to announce a frequent shopper card program at Safeway to help people cope with fuel prices. Safeway gave $10,000 to Loaves and Fishes to help the organization offset fuel costs. Left to right, Steve Frisby, president of Safeway; State Senator Laurie Monnes-Anderson; Joan Smith, director of Loaves & Fishes; and Safeway spokesman Dan Floyd.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats bent on showing they can govern and Republicans anxious about a sour re-election climate are pushing a pared-down summer agenda in Congress. Lawmakers want to try to save homeowners from foreclosure, avert Medicare cuts and give the government power to spy on suspected terrorists.
Gasoline prices have emerged as a chief concern among voters. But lawmakers probably will not put aside their partisan blame-fest and compromise on an energy measure that could offer some relief, either immediately or down the road.
The Senate planned to return Monday and the House on Tuesday. Their abbreviated election-year calendar leaves little time to cut deals. Lawmakers will scatter again in August for their annual month-long break and the two parties' presidential conventions.
With their attention turning increasingly to re-election campaigns, not to mention the White House race, members of Congress will be away from Washington much of the ...