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LATEST NEWS
Echandia Joins the Growing Green-Propulsion Industry in Washington State
In a sign of the favorable investment climate in the U.S. shipbuilding supply chain, Swedish battery maker Echandia has decided to set up a manufacturing plant in Washington State, just 50 miles from Norwegian-owned competitor Corvus. "The US market holds immense strategic importance for us, and this represents a pivotal...
ACLU sues Washington state city over its anti-homeless laws after a landmark Supreme Court ruling
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the city of Spokane, Washington, on Thursday, alleging that its anti-camping laws violate the state constitution. It is believed to be the country’s first such legal challenge since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans. The court’s landmark decision — which found in June that such bans do not violate the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment, even when shelter space is lacking — has prompted homeless advocates to seek new ways to challenge laws prohibiting outdoor sleeping. The complaint filed in Spokane County Superior Court challenges city ordinances that make camping, sitting or lying on public property misdemeanor crimes in certain circumstances. Under state law, a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or jail for up to 90 days. “This Spokane case serves as another opportunity for us to build out those protections under our state constitution, which is more protective than its federal counterpart,” Jazmyn Clark, director of the ACLU of Washington’s Smart Justice Policy Program, told The Associated Press.
Wildfire conditions roar back, Pacific Northwest braces for challenging August
Firefighters have harnessed the temporary break of cooler weather and no new lightning fires to add miles and miles of new containment lines across nearly 30 large wildfires on national forests in Oregon and Washington. But after just a short 72-hour reprieve, wildfire conditions across much of the Pacific Northwest are set to come roaring back. “August is showing us nothing but hot, dry, windy conditions and dry lightning all in the first week,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations. “Exhausted...
The Danger of Lightning During Current Hot, Dry Spell in WA
There's currently a heat warning in place for Wenatchee and much of North Central Washington, but there's no chance of rain in the days ahead. Rain and thunderstorms present hazards this time of year in the region because they bring the risk of wildfires. National Weather Service meteorologist Charlotte Dewey...
UPDATE: Spokane Valley Deputies and Detectives Investigate Shooting Call – Warrant Issued, Armed Shooting Suspect by U.S. Marshals
UPDATE: Detectives Obtain Warrant for Armed Shooting Suspect – U.S. Marshals Locate and Arrest. Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect in this shooting, 40-year-old Kevin W. Nichols, an 8-time convicted felon. Detectives, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF), worked to locate and arrest Nichols, who was considered armed and dangerous.
KREM Cares Tools 2 Schools: How to Give School Supplies
SPOKANE, Wash. — So many kids need support to go back to school fully prepared. Many school districts have nearly half of their families financially struggling. And going back to school no longer means just pens and pencils. Kids throughout our region need all the traditional supplies but also need snacks, socks, hygiene products, and clothing. KREM Cares Tools 2 Schools works to meet kids where they are in their journey at school. And we do that by partnering with Communities in Schools Spokane. The team at the non-profit organization is embedded in the schools and can get kids what they need. However, we need you to donate so we can help them complete the mission. There are multiple ways to help.
Whitman County Sheriff’s Office Looking For Runaway Teenage Girl From Rosalia
The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a teenage girl from Rosalia who has run away from home. 13 year old Rylee Morkve was last seen on Wednesday afternoon around 6:00 at the Oakesdale Pool. Deputies believe she is staying with unidentified acquittances in Spokane. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Rylee Morkve is asked to contact the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office.
Stutzman Ranch closed for summer following harsh winter freezes
Following a particularly cold winter and early spring in 2024, local fruit planters Floyd and Betsy Stutzman were forced to cancel their widely popular U-pick cherry, nectarine, and peach season for the summer. The cancellation comes after two major freezes in January and April destroyed the Stutzmans’ crops of cherries,...
Retreat Fire burns 31,514 acres near Naches, reaches 37% containment
NACHES, Wash. — The wildfire burning 14 miles southwest of Naches, Wash., is now 37% contained, according to an update from fire officials Thursday. The Retreat Fire started on July 23 and so far has burned approximately 31,514 acres in eastern Washington. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.