national events and local events

SEATTLE - Washington state Gov. Gary Locke declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, estimating the damage from a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the Seattle area in the billions of dollars.

NEW YORK - Stocks spiraled lower on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq market wrapping up its third-worst month ever, after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan quashed investors' hopes for an imminent interest-rate cut.

NEW YORK - The lawyer for Sean ``Puffy'' Combs, the rap mogul on trial for weapons possession, said on Wednesday he still might call Jennifer Lopez to testify for her ex-boyfriend after Combs takes the stand on Thursday in his own defense.

NEW YORK - All-Star r...