Outdoor / Destinations

Birding adventure
April 25, 2025 3:30 a.m.

Birding adventure

Join the Central Basin Audubon Society at Sun Lakes State Park Saturday

COULEE CITY – As the sun peeks over the horizon on an April morning, the air is alive with the sounds of chirping birds, signaling the arrival of spring migration. Join the Central Basin Audubon Society for an exciting bird walk at Sun Lakes State Park, where participants can witness golden eagles and a variety of migratory bird species in their natural habitats.

Airborne adventure
May 27, 2025 3:30 a.m.

Airborne adventure

Moses Lake Airshow returning June 20-21

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Airshow will take to the skies again June 21-22.

Fire safety, preparation important in an RV
June 2, 2025 5:33 p.m.

Fire safety, preparation important in an RV

MOSES LAKE — Among many other things, summer is a good opportunity for a road trip – or road trips – in the trailer, maybe out in the woods or to the beach, maybe a multi-state adventure, maybe setting up camp at a family event. Unfortunately, fire does not respect road trips, and in some ways trailers or recreational vehicles present different hazards than a house does.

Soap Lake Conservancy meeting highlights challenges for lake health
July 6, 2025 8:15 a.m.

Soap Lake Conservancy meeting highlights challenges for lake health

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Conservancy held a special meeting Saturday to discuss Soap Lake water level trends. The meeting brought in experts from the Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District. “A couple of years ago, a few of the people in this room started calling the Department of Ecology with concerns,” DOE Eastern Region Contact, Jaime Short said. “The lake level was going down. What's going on?”

Officials are tracking an earthquake swarm at Mount Rainier but say there is no cause for concern
July 10, 2025 3:48 p.m.

Officials are tracking an earthquake swarm at Mount Rainier but say there is no cause for concern

SEATTLE (AP) — Officials are tracking the largest swarm of earthquakes in more than 15 years on Washington's Mount Rainier but say there is no indication that the cluster of quakes is cause for concern.

Soap Lake updates Smokiam fee schedule
September 6, 2025 3:35 p.m.

Soap Lake updates Smokiam fee schedule

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council updated the fees for Smokiam Campground and allowed for future changes to be done by resolution instead of changing the city code.

Nearly 80,500 acres burning in WA on Monday
September 8, 2025 4:40 p.m.

Nearly 80,500 acres burning in WA on Monday

MOSES LAKE — Washington’s fire season is heating up with nearly 80,500 acres burning across the state as of Monday. “Part of the reason that you are seeing a lot of those large fires on the landscape is because we had several lightning storms that moved through during red flag conditions,” Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Ryan Rodruck said. Despite this, the fire season is still under the 10-year average of about 470,000 acres with the state sitting at around 122,300 acres this year.

WDFW takes over Beezley Hills Preserve
September 22, 2025 3 a.m.

WDFW takes over Beezley Hills Preserve

EPHRATA – In a move for conservation efforts in Washington State, the Nature Conservancy has transferred ownership of the 9,000-acre Beezley Hills Preserve to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The goal is to bolster habitat conservation efforts, particularly for endangered species such as the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, and provide opportunities for low-impact public recreation, according to WDFW Communications Contact Nicole Jordan.

Hiking Trails in the Columbia Basin
March 18, 2026 4 a.m.

Hiking Trails in the Columbia Basin

COLUMBIA BASIN — Eastern Washington boasts a variety of different hiking trails to enjoy as the weather begins to warm up. Below are five hiking trails in the Basin to try out this year. Remember while out hiking to stick to the hiking trails, clean up after your pets and yourself to keep the areas beautiful.

Authorities urge safety as ORV season ramps up at sand dunes
April 6, 2026 4 a.m.

Authorities urge safety as ORV season ramps up at sand dunes

MOSES LAKE — With warmer weather drawing thousands of riders to the Moses Lake Sand Dunes and Beverly Sand Dunes, Grant County law enforcement is urging visitors to follow safety rules meant to prevent crashes, fires and other hazards. Deputies say most injuries at the dunes stem from preventable behavior.