News

Conditions in many older county jails are grim, dangerous

PRINEVILLE, Oregon — The noise in the tiny jail, built decades ago to house firefighting equipment, is constant. Voices bounce off the walls.Nothing dissipates the… Continue reading

Prosecutor: Occupiers being tried for actions, not beliefs

PORTLAND, Ore. — The armed occupiers who seized a remote bird sanctuary in Oregon early this year are being tried because their actions intimidated and… Continue reading

Judge denies Spokane mayor recall effort

SPOKANE, Wash. — An effort to recall Spokane Mayor David Condon because of his firing of former police chief Frank Straub was thrown out Tuesday… Continue reading

Hawaii volcano offers view of rolling, spattering lava

HONOLULU — The lava lake at the summit of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been rising in recent days, offering visitors a dramatic view of rolling,… Continue reading

This image provided by NOAA shows a humpback whale sighted off Maui, Hawaii. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, that the animal is emaciated and covered in whale lice. At least four sharks were following the whale. She says these are all indicators of a whale in distress.

Feds: Plan addresses impact of ocean noise on marine mammals

PORTLAND, Maine — The federal government says a new strategy to address the issue of noise in the ocean will better protect the safety of… Continue reading

This image provided by NOAA shows a humpback whale sighted off Maui, Hawaii. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, that the animal is emaciated and covered in whale lice. At least four sharks were following the whale. She says these are all indicators of a whale in distress.
A line of protesters against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota head to a unity rally on the west steps of the State Capitol late Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Denver. Several hundred marchers walked from the four directions to the Capitol to take part in the rally against the oil pipeline.

Feds halt work on part of oil pipeline despite court ruling

NEAR THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX RESERVATION, N.D. — The federal government stepped into the fight over the Dakota Access oil pipeline Friday, ordering work to… Continue reading

A line of protesters against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota head to a unity rally on the west steps of the State Capitol late Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Denver. Several hundred marchers walked from the four directions to the Capitol to take part in the rally against the oil pipeline.
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2013 file photo, volunteers harvest hemp during the first known harvest of the plant in more than 60 years, in Springfield, Colo. Colorado is expected to reach another national first on cannabis Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, when state agriculture officials show off the first domestic certified hemp seeds. The Colorado Department of Agriculture has been working for years to produce hemp seeds that consistently produce plants low enough in the chemical THC to qualify as hemp and not its intoxicating cousin, marijuana. (AP Photo/P. Solomon Banda, File)

Colorado hits another cannabis first with certified hemp seed

DENVER — Colorado notched another nationwide first Wednesday involving cannabis when state agriculture officials showed off the first certified domestic hemp seeds.The Colorado Department of… Continue reading

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2013 file photo, volunteers harvest hemp during the first known harvest of the plant in more than 60 years, in Springfield, Colo. Colorado is expected to reach another national first on cannabis Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, when state agriculture officials show off the first domestic certified hemp seeds. The Colorado Department of Agriculture has been working for years to produce hemp seeds that consistently produce plants low enough in the chemical THC to qualify as hemp and not its intoxicating cousin, marijuana. (AP Photo/P. Solomon Banda, File)

Authorities to build up presence before N. Dakota pipeline ruling

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota authorities are recruiting law enforcement officers from across the state to guard the site of a protest in anticipation of… Continue reading

US clears way for cleanup of Colorado mine after huge spill

DENVER — A Colorado mine that spewed 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into rivers in three Western states was designated a Superfund site Wednesday,… Continue reading

Settlements of $12M-plus reached in minimum wage cases

SEATTLE — Several companies that provide transportation and hospitality services at or near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport have agreed to settle back-pay lawsuits alleging that they… Continue reading

Historic commercial flight from US lands in Cuba

SANTA CLARA, Cuba — The first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in more than a half century landed in the central city… Continue reading

Seattle weighs new rules for businesses with hourly workers

SEATTLE — Seattle leaders have proposed new rules for retail and food-service businesses with hourly employees, including requiring them to schedule shifts two weeks in… Continue reading

Fires prompt emergency declaration for Washington counties

SPOKANE, Wash. — Several wildfires continued to burn in Eastern Washington Tuesday and Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for 20 counties.Firefighters appeared… Continue reading

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2014, file photo, Cathy Woods appears in Washoe District court in Reno, Nev. Woods, imprisoned for 35 years before being exonerated in a 1976 Reno murder case, is suing officials in Nevada and Louisiana on federal civil rights, malicious prosecution and conspiracy claims. (Andy Barron/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, File)

Woman exonerated after 35 years sues officials in 2 states

RENO, Nev. — A woman who spent 35 years in prison for a 1976 Reno killing before being exonerated by DNA evidence has sued officials… Continue reading

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2014, file photo, Cathy Woods appears in Washoe District court in Reno, Nev. Woods, imprisoned for 35 years before being exonerated in a 1976 Reno murder case, is suing officials in Nevada and Louisiana on federal civil rights, malicious prosecution and conspiracy claims. (Andy Barron/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP, File)

Court: Out-of-state license plates don’t justify search

WICHITA, Kan. — Law enforcement officials in Kansas cannot stop and search motorists just for having out-of-state license plates from states that have legalized marijuana,… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 17, 2016, file photo, a new sticker designates a gender neutral bathroom at Nathan Hale high school in Seattle. A federal judge in Texas is blocking for now the Obama administration's directive to U.S. public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Texas judge blocks transgender rules

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge in Texas has blocked the Obama administration’s order that requires public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 17, 2016, file photo, a new sticker designates a gender neutral bathroom at Nathan Hale high school in Seattle. A federal judge in Texas is blocking for now the Obama administration's directive to U.S. public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows dead whitefish floating in the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, Mont. Montana wildlife officials closed a stretch of the river and numerous tributaries after a massive fish kill that is blamed on a contagious parasite. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

More tests set for Yellowstone, tributaries after fish deaths

BILLINGS, Mont. — Wildlife workers will conduct tests on fish from additional areas of Montana to determine the extent of a disease blamed in a… Continue reading

This Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, photo shows dead whitefish floating in the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, Mont. Montana wildlife officials closed a stretch of the river and numerous tributaries after a massive fish kill that is blamed on a contagious parasite. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

10th Oregon standoff defendant pleads guilty to conspiracy

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Arizona man who took part in a pair of armed standoffs over federal land policy has pleaded guilty to a charge… Continue reading

Washington state attorney general files suit against Comcast

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Monday filed a $100 million lawsuit against Comcast, saying the cable and internet giant deceived… Continue reading

Illinois girl is youngest to hit 48 states’ highest peaks

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — A 12-year-old Naperville resident is the youngest girl to climb to the highest point in each of the lower 48 states.The Highpointers… Continue reading