Northwest News

RICHLAND, Wash. – Two conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against county commissioners on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge. The Skamania County commissioners have lifted a development moratorium.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a kill order for an entire wolf pack in the northeastern part of the state. There are between eight and 11 wolves in the Wedge Pack. Government officials and ranchers in Stevens County believe the pack is to blame for two more injured calves this week.

Washington state's Department of Health has shipped more than 20,000 face masks to central Washington towns blanketed by wildfire smoke. Air pollution monitors in Wenatchee, Ellensburg and nearby towns are consistently showing the air is hazardous to breathe.

Oregon Democratic Congressman Peter DeFazio tried to add an amendment requiring a study of the impacts of transporting coal by rail to the coal bill which passed the U.S. House of Representatives Friday. The Republican majority blocked the amendment.