PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
Ballot processing continues as certification approaches
EPHRATA — Election officials in Grant and Adams counties are nearing the finish line of the 2026 general election,…
Oregon unemployment claims spike again during virus crisis
The number of new jobless claims in Oregon climbed last week for the first time since March as more people filed for benefits during the coronavirus outbreak.
Prisoner at Oregon State Penitentiary with COVID dies
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An inmate in the Oregon State Penitentiary who tested positive for COVID-19 has died, authorities said Thursday, marking the first known death in the state of a prisoner linked to the coronavirus.
Radioactive waste cleanup paying off for giant Idaho aquifer
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Radioactive and chemical contamination in a giant aquifer below an eastern Idaho federal nuclear facility has decreased or remained constant in recent years, scientists say.
Health officials: State COVID-19 death toll may be higher
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state's death toll from the coronavirus could be two to three times the current total because some people who died of virus-like symptoms early in the outbreak were never tested, health of…
'Hundreds of millions' in fraudulent jobless benefits paid
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Impostors have used the stolen information of tens of thousands of people in the state to fraudulently receive hundreds of millions of dollars in unemployment benefits, the head of Washington’…
Lawsuit seeks to stop northern Idaho forest project
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An 18-square-mile (47-square-kilometer) forest project approved by the U.S. Forest Service in northern Idaho harms wildlife, two environmental groups say, and they have filed a lawsuit to stop i…
Fraud concerns remain as unemployment benefit claims grow
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — More than 1.1 million people in Washington have filed for unemployment benefits since businesses started closing in March due to COVID-19, but state officials said Thursday that they believe s…
Coast Guard cutter brings ton of seized cocaine to San Diego
SAN DIEGO (AP) — More than 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) of cocaine seized from smugglers in the eastern Pacific Ocean has been brought to San Diego.
Washington contract tracers making calls to help fight virus
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington has trained more than 2,100 people to work as contact tracers during the coronavirus outbreak, people who will call every person who tests positive for COVID-19 to find out who they have h…
Amazon starts hiring 2,000 workers in Spokane suburb
AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (AP) — Hiring has started for more than 2,000 jobs at a new Amazon processing facility in the Spokane suburb of Airway Heights.
Gov. OK's phase 1 reopening for Marion, Polk counties
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Restaurants, bars, salons, gyms and other businesses in Marion and Polk counties have been approved to reopen starting Friday with strict safety measures meant to halt the spread of the coronavir…
Wolves attack 2 more calves, state considering response
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A northeast Washington wolf pack attacked two more calves, state Fish and Wildlife officials have confirmed, potentially pushing the department to consider shooting at least one wolf.
Winning numbers drawn in 'Win for Life' game
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday evening's drawing of the Oregon Lottery's "Win for Life" game were:
OR-Dem-Delg-SumD
1,126 of 1,333 precincts - 84 percent
Former state Sen. Cliff Bentz has won GOP primary for 2nd Congressional District
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Former state Sen. Cliff Bentz has won GOP primary for 2nd Congressional District.