Regional News
What's happening in the region? Here's a roundup of news from Spokane, Montana and other regional areas.
'Atmospheric river' fuels rains, snow in Pacific Northwest
A flood watch was in effect through Wednesday
Washington lawmakers urge halt to hemp-derived THC in state
Measure would ban products both within Washington's legal marijuana industry and outside it
Yellowstone starts bison cull as animals migrate to Montana
Officials are aiming to remove up to 900 of Yellowstone's 5,000 bison this winter through slaughter, relocations and hunting
Oregon lawmakers propose $400M for housing and homelessness
A 2020 federal review found that 35 people in Oregon are experiencing homelessness per 10,000
Oregon's COVID emergency declaration to be lifted in April
Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined 48% since peaking in late January
Proposed tax on WA fuel exports angers neighboring states
Idaho’s governor and attorney general also asked Inslee in a letter to veto the tax
As climate change costs mount, Biden seeks to price damages
Environmentalists want the department to stop an ongoing Spring Creek expansion and end mining
UN: Wildfires getting worse globally, governments unprepared
Poor communities are often hit hardest by fires, which can degrade water quality, destroy crops and reduce land available to grow food
Police identify suspect, victim in Portland protest slaying
Friends and relatives said Knightly was well-known for helping people in the city's active protest movement
Dozens of vehicles crash on eastern Oregon highway
Interstate 84 was closed most of Monday westbound from Baker City to just east of Pendleton
Tribe grapples with missing women crisis on California coast
A 2021 report by a government watchdog found the true number of missing and murdered Indigenous women is unknown due to reporting problems
Wolves, bears are wary rivals as they compete for food
While grizzly competition tends to reduce wolf kill rates, it has an opposite effect on mountain lions
King County repeals bicycle helmet law, citing equity
The King County Council recently budgeted more than $200,000 to buy helmets and expand education programs
Wolf hunting, trapping ends in southwestern Montana
hunters killed 82 wolves in the region
Ex-NY Times columnist ineligible to run for Oregon governor
Questions about Kristof’s residency had dogged him