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AP, OLYMPIA, WASH. - Washington faces a $1.3 billion budget shortfall after a revenue forecast issued Thursday determined that the economy was not showing the signs of recovery that officials had initially expected.

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AP, SEATTLE - A 54-year-old Shoreline, Wash., accountant has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from Microsoft Corp. when he worked there. Federal prosecutors say Randal Ray Seal was an analyst in Microsoft's accounts payable department when he exploited features in the company's system for paying vendors and stole the money. Court records show the theft was discovered some time after he left Microsoft. At his federal court sentencing Tuesday, Seal repaid more than $515,000. Judge James Robart ordered him to repay an additional $550,000. The judge told Seal he wanted to send a message that such money laundering and fraud won't be tolerated and ''the accountants of the world can end up going to jail because of it.'' 

AP, SEATTLE - Starbucks Corp. will start selling its Keurig coffee pods at U.S. grocery stores and specialty retailers beginning in November.

Many coffee companies have started to concentrate on the single-serve coffee pods that consumers brew at home because it is a fast growing business. Starbucks hopes to build its K-cup deal into a business worth more than $1 billion.

The Keurig coffee system is made and sold by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., with Starbucks serving as the exclusive licensed coffee brand. The companies announced their partnership in March.

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Campaign continues to encourage discovery and exploration of new neighborhoods and businesses SEATTLE – On July 27, 2011, the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) launched the 2011 Only in Seattle marketing campaign, which is a celebration of Seattle’s locally-owned “hidden gem” retail shops and restaurants that help shape Seattle’s unique neighborhoods. This year’s campaign features 36 new businesses in eight Seattle neighborhoods, including: Belltown, Capitol Hill, Chinatown/International District, Madison Valley, Phinney/Greenwood, Queen Anne, South Lake Union and the University District. The businesses featured in the campaign all deliver one-of-a-kind experiences and range from wine shops to butchers to the home of one of the largest video collections in the world.