NATIONAL NEWS
     
      WASHINGTON (AP) - There's been a drop in housing construction amid last month's blizzards in the Notheast and Midwest.   The Commerce Department says construction of homes and apartments fell 5.  9 percent in February, slightly more than expected.   But January activity was revised upward to the strongest pace in 14 months.  
     
      WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve has begun a meeting that's expected to focus on how and when to signal that record-low interest rates will soon come to an end.   A rate hike isn't thought to be imminent, but eventually Fed policymakers will need to start bumping up rates to head off inflation.  
     
      WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has been calling some freshman Democrats into the Oval Office as he works to build support for health care overhaul legislation.   Aides to two of the lawmakers involved say the president held at least two such one-on-one sessions in the past few days that never appeared on his official schedule.  
     
      JERUSALEM (AP) - Hundreds of Palestinians have hurled rocks at police and set tires and garbage bins ablaze in east Jerusalem, protesting Israel's plans to build 1,600 apartments for Jews.   The clashes have been the heaviest in the city in months.   Meanwhile, U.  S.   envoy George Mitchell has postponted a trip aimed at wrapping up preparations for relaunching peace talks.  
     
      ROME (AP) - A Chinese man known as the world's shortest man has died in Italy, after being stricken while rehearsing for a TV show.   The production company says a hospital gave the cause of death as a heart condition.   Guinness World Records says he was 2 feet, 5.  37 inches tall.  
     
      MIAMI (AP) - Some Toyota drivers worried about the safety of their cars are suing for a full refund.   Lawsuits filed Monday in Washington and Arizona have asked a judge to allow Toyota owners to return vehicles and get their money back.   Toyota did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment.  
     
     
     
      REGIONAL NEWS
     
      OLYMPIA, Wash.   (AP) - State lawmakers are back to work, trying to balance a $2.  8 billion budget deficit.   Senators started the special session yesterday by re-voting on a handful of bills that didn't make it to the governor during the just-expired regular session.   One was a tax break for small businesses hiring new employees and the Senate's version of an updated state budget.  
     
      YAKIMA, Wash.   (AP) - Gov.   Chris Gregoire (GREG'-wahr) has signed a bill requiring that livestock entering Washington from another state be inspected within 12 hours of entry.   The bill was pushed by segments of the livestock industry and the state veterinarian, who want to better protect animals within the state from diseases.  
     
      BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho lawmakers are backing a plan that would allow state tax bills to be paid down with silver medallions instead of cash.   It is intended to encourage the use of silver as a form of currency and reinvigorate Idaho's silver mining industry, which has been in decline for decades.   Lawmakers in Georgia considered allowing citizens to pay taxes with gold and silver last year.  
     
      Weather: Mostly sunny.   High near 65.