New chief justice of Wash. Supreme Court sworn in

OLYMPIA — The Washington state Supreme Court has a new chief justice. Barbara Madsen was sworn in to the top administrative role on the state’s high court Monday morning. She replaces Gerry Alexander, who has served as chief justice since 2001. Alexander, who is set to retire at the end of 2011, will serve out the remainder of his term as an associate justice. Madsen, 57, was unanimously elected to the position by her colleagues in November. She is the second woman to hold the position. Madsen was first elected to the state Supreme Court in 1992. She will serve as chief justice for the remainder of Alexander’s term.