Far West

California's transportation secretary, Brian Kelly, will assume the helm at California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Walla Walla Public Schools' Community Task Force has again launched an online survey to gather public opinion of the two school bond options.

New partners Katie Dobson and Julie Wunderlich have both developed an expertise in school financing.

The ruling increases the body of law supporting strict legal protections for public pension benefits, the rating agency said.

Voters are being asked to approve construction bonds that would create a new high school in the Central Valley School District and provide more classrooms to keep up with growth north of Spokane in Mead.

Vallejo school district trustees will review survey results regarding the community's interest in supporting a school bond for the upcoming election.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer gave his State of the City speech.

City administrators in La Verne will pursue multiple strategies — some meant to cut costs while others are designed to generate revenue — as part of a plan to pay off nearly $50 million in employee pension costs.

Two bond issues return to Pullman ballots in a special election scheduled Feb. 13.

Fitch Ratings expects the Puget Sound region could see continued economic growth for two years.