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Cold temperatures worry some apple growers half finished with near-record crop
The surprise snowstorm that hit the region Wednesday may be just the beginning of a worrisome stretch for what was shaping up to be the second-largest apple harvest in Washington history. The cold weather could also cause issues for homeowners and gardeners.
Judge won’t dismiss case on wages of immigrant detainees
Washington state’s effort to force a privately run immigration jail to pay its detainees minimum wage for work they perform can continue, after all
Flavored vape products temporarily banned by Washington State Board of Health, to chants of ‘shame’
Despite the overwhelming opposition from the crowd, the Washington State Board of Health decided to enact the 120-day ban, to chants of “shame.” More than 350 people, mostly opponents of the ban, packed the ballroom at the SeaTac Marriott for the meeting, and about 60 people testified during the public comment session. As the ban’s opponents settled in for the vote after a lunch break, the ballroom filled with a sweet, sticky smell of vapor smoke.
Board of Health approves ban on flavored vaping products
Health officials in Washington state have formally adopted a temporary ban of the sale of flavored vaping products amid concern over a lung illness that has sickened hundreds of people.
Washington state Native corporation wins defense contract
A Washington state Native corporation has won a $99 million government contract for U.S. Navy projects, with much of the work expected to be done in Puget Sound.
Wife of Benton County sheriff files for divorce
The wife of Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher has filed for divorce and accused him of strangling her during a fight over his alleged extramarital affair.
Spokane’s communities of color subject of City Council candidates debate
The needs of Spokane’s communities of color took center stage Saturday at the East Central Community Center, where candidates for Spokane City Council and City Council president gathered for a candidate forum hosted by the Spokane Coalition of Color.
U.S. boosts caribou protections a year after relocating the last Lower 48 caribou to Canada
“I’m hopeful that it maintains the adequate protections for the habatat in the Selkirks so one of these days, when there is an appetite for restoration, our area is considered,” said Bart George, a wildlife biologist for the Kalispel Tribe.
Firm told to pay $1 million after funneling money to Eyman
A Thurston County Superior Court judge has ordered a for-profit signature-gathering firm and its principal to collectively pay more than $1 million for deceiving Washington state residents by funneling their campaign donations to activist Tim Eyman for Eyman’s personal use.
With one year to go, Real ID deadlines loom for airline passengers
An estimated 99 million Americans do not have any form of Real ID compliant documents which will be required to fly domestically after Oct. 1, 2020. “There’s a great deal of misunderstanding and potential confusion out there with regard to whether or not someone has a Real ID compliant driver’s license or a number of the other Real ID compliant documents that they could use for air travel,” said Larry Krauter, CEO of Spokane International Airport.
Better Business Bureau shutters Spokane office, lays off sales staff
The Better Business Bureau of Spokane closed its doors Monday and laid off most of its sales staff, a company spokesman said.
Feds again seek comment on North Cascades grizzly bear plans
Contentious proposals to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington state are once again open for public comment.
Tri-City crooks practice parkour during two rooftop chases, police say
Two Tri-City crooks tried their hand at some parkour in a pair of unsuccessful attempts to elude police.
Kennewick just ousted its fire chief. It’s now started a search for a new leader
Kennewick began its search for a new fire chief this week amid the continuing questions about why the last chief lost his job.
U.S. signs trade deal with Japan, securing important market for Washington wheat
The Washington wheat industry got its first good news in more than two years Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced a new bilateral trade deal with Japan, which traditionally has been among the biggest importers of the region’s wheat.
Limits on cancer-causing pollutants in Spokane River to be subject of EPA hearing in Seattle
The hearing follows an online webinar in late August, in which the agency laid out its rationale for revisiting a cap on polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, allowable in wastewater. The agency is accepting public comments through Oct. 7 on the proposed revision to the rule.
Climate change activists, demanding action, block Washington D.C. streets
Hundreds of activists blocked major intersections across the nation’s capital on Monday, demanding immediate government action on climate change.
Bottled water offered to North Bend area after E. coli found
Thousands of homeowners in eastern King County could be forced to boil their water through early next week because of E. coli concerns.
Suit contends affirmative action campaigners didn’t pay companies that gathered signatures to get initiative passed
When the campaign to change Washington’s affirmative action laws turned in thousands of petitions to send the initiative to the Legislature, sponsors bragged that they had a record number of signatures for such an effort. But they didn’t mention that those signatures hadn’t been paid for.
Jury to decide fate of former Pullman police officer accused of sexual assault of WSU freshman
The jury was deliberating, but no verdict had been delivered as of Wednesday in the trial of a former Pullman Police officer accused of sexual assault of an intoxicated 18-year-old Washington State University student in 2018.