Backers of Seattle's convention center say it needs a $766 million expansion to lure more free-spending conventioneers downtown. But the Washington State Convention & Trade Center's track record — and the struggles of convention centers elsewhere — raise questions about the wisdom of expansion.

Yard-waste service in Seattle — including Christmas-tree pickup — will resume today on a normal schedule for residential customers. Extra yard waste will be collected at no extra charge through Jan. 16.

Thousands of people gathered in Sparwood, B.C., Sunday to bid farewell to eight local snowmobilers who died last weekend in a string of avalanches.