Northwest News

A small ranch in southeastern Washington is the site of some big disputes playing out between environmental regulators and farmers.

The question: How much control can the government have over pollution from agricultural runoff?

As part of EarthFix and Investigate West’s series on the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Courtney Flatt takes a look at a court case that could determine how strictly the state regulates polluted rainwater runoff.

Fire fighting officials in central Washington say it will take five to seven days to contain the Taylor Bridge fire near the town of Cle Elum. In a community meeting Wednesday, incident commander Rex Reed said the blaze has burned 22,000 acres. Previous estimates pegged the fire at more than 28,000 acres. It’s destroyed at least 60 structures.

NPR is reporting the Taliban has shown a “change of heart” that could pave the way toward the release of Northwest soldier Bowe Bergdahl. The Army sergeant from Hailey, Idaho, was captured in Afghanistan three years ago. He’s the only known U.S. prisoner of war.

Washington’s jobs and employment numbers for July contradict each other in the latest figures released Tuesday. Washington gained 5,000 jobs last month. Yet the state’s unemployment rate crept up to 8.5 percent.

About 900 firefighters are trying to contain the Taylor Bridge fire before it destroys more homes. It’s burning in central Washington near the town of Cle Elum.

The Taylor Bridge fire in central Washington is still keeping about 450 people from their homes near the town of Cle Elum. Some residents have remained, despite the heavy smoke from a fire that’s consumed 28,000 acres.

Fire management teams are hoping that additional air support and favorable weather conditions will help in the containment of the massive Taylor Bridge Wildfire east of Cle Elum.  The blaze has consumed some 60 homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.