Northwest News

RICHLAND, Wash. – Occupy Portland activists took to the road this weekend. About 100 protesters showed up in sunny downtown Richland Sunday afternoon. They were there to rally against nuclear power and in favor of cleaning up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Correspondent Anna King was there.

On a large stage Native Americans and Occupy coordinators like Mirium German voiced their concerns.

“Hanford is an environmental tragedy waiting to happen,” German said.

GOLD BEACH, Ore. -- Curry County Commissioners have rejected the state's plan to help put the county on a path to fiscal stability. From Oregon Public Broadcasting, April Baer reports the Commissioners say they can't support spending  $75,000 to pay for the committee that would work out a restructuring plan. 

ATHOL, Idaho -- Tax evasion will get you into hot water with the IRS. But in north Idaho, it won’t necessarily spell the end of your political career. A Republican state legislator who believes the federal income tax is unconstitutional is battling charges of tax evasion, even as he seeks reelection.

The federal government says Phil Hart owes more than $500,ooo in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. The U.S. Justice Department is threatening to foreclose on his home near Athol, Idaho if he doesn’t pay up. Meanwhile, Idaho tax collectors say Hart owes the state another $53,000.

VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Canadian pipeline operators are considering expanding the line that brings oil from the Alberta Oil Sands to western British Columbia. Environmentalists and others say that raises the potential for oil spills in Northwest waters and, it involves a different type of oil.

Right now the Trans Mountain pipeline moves 300,000 barrels of oil per day to an export terminal near Vancouver, B.C. If the Canadian government approves the expansion that amount could almost triple. More oil in the pipeline means more oil loaded onto large tanker ships. Those ships will eventually head out the Strait of Juan De Fuca to the Pacific.

SPOKANE -- The state liquor board visits Spokane Monday for a hearing about the hours of alcohol sales. SPR’s Paige Browning tells us some think 2:00 am is too early to shut off the taps.

MEDFORD, Ore. -- Researchers say they have learned why invasive barred owls are thriving while native spotted owl populations are slowly disappearing.

The barred owl and the spotted owl are like a pair of siblings. They’re closely related species, and they compete over everything. They compete over the best trees to roost in. And for the best food source too, juicy flying squirrels. But barred owls are less picky. And that gives them an edge.