Whatleigh Torsey and her 15 sled dogs were driving home Sunday night from Bear Notch Road in the White Mountains, having just had another banner business day in the backwoods off of the Kancamagus Highway, when somehow, somewhere, she lost her sled.

A controversial health care mandate that would require universities and hospitals to provide free contraception as part of their employee health plan is drawing harsh criticism from a local educator.

Likely to be signed into law: Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, celebrate Wednesday's vote. / By Elaine Thompson, AP OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state lawmakers voted to approve gay marriage Wednesday, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.