Malfunctioning RV sparks blaze near Ephrata

EPHRATA - A malfunctioning RV is reported to be the cause of a fire on Friday that destroyed boats, motorhomes and camping trailer.

Board of Health to meet Wednesday

EPHRATA - A public health report on whooping cough will be on tap when the Grant County Board of Health has its monthly meeting here on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

No new COVID-19 cases in Grant County Saturday

MOSES LAKE — The number of positive cases of COVID-19 remained at 185 on Saturday, as Grant County Health District reported no new cases of the virus in Grant County.

Strong earthquake, little damage in northern Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A strong earthquake shook northern Chile early Wednesday, but its epicenter was relatively deep beneath a sparsely populated desert region and there were no reports of serious damage or injury.

Pentagon watchdog: More child sex assault reforms are needed

For the second time this year, an independent federal review has faulted the U.S. Department of Defense for how it has responded when children on military bases sexually assault each other.

Probe: Top US official misused office to get son-in-law job

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A senior Trump administration official misused his office for private gain by capitalizing on his government connections to help get his son-in-law hired at the Environmental Protection Agency, investigators said in a report obtained by The Associated Press.

Probe: Top US official misused office to get son-in-law job

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A senior Trump administration official misused his office for private gain by capitalizing on his government connections to help get his son-in-law hired at the Environmental Protection Agency, investigators said in a report obtained by The Associated Press.

Watchdog: Data on children separated at border may be flawed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration's effort to track children separated from their families at the border is plagued by communication problems that raise questions about the accuracy of the data, a watchdog reported Thursday.

Hospitalization data flawed in Missouri, perhaps elsewhere

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — With the number of coronavirus patients requiring hospitalization rising at alarming levels, Missouri and perhaps a handful of other states are unable to post accurate data on COVID-19 dashboards because of a flaw in the federal reporting system.

US: Turkey-sent Syrian fighters generate backlash in Libya

CAIRO (AP) — A U.S. report said the presence of thousands of Syrian mercenaries sent by Turkey to Libya to fight on the side of the U.N.-supported government was likely to degrade security and generate backlash from the Libyan public.

South Sudan's spy agency abuses prisoners, says rights group

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Jabbing needles in prisoners' genitals, pouring melted plastic on their skin and hanging them upside down for long periods: These are tortures allegedly being perpetrated by South Sudan's National Security Service, according to an international human rights group.

Nevada reports deadliest day since start of pandemic

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada reported 48 new deaths from the coronavirus on Thursday, marking the state's deadliest day since the onset of the pandemic as the COVID-19 surge shows few signs of slowing and death totals peak throughout the U.S.

Asia Today: Beijing's outbreak appears to be firmly waning

BEIJING (AP) — New virus cases declined Wednesday in China and in the capital Beijing, where a roughly two-week spike appears to be firmly on the wane.

US stock indexes rally following solid retail sales report

Stocks rallied on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, placing the major indexes on track for more record highs.

NTSB blames drivers, Tesla, lax regulations in Florida crash

DETROIT (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says two drivers, Tesla and lax regulation of new partially automated driving systems are to blame for a fatal 2019 crash in Florida involving a Tesla on Autopilot.

NTSB blames drivers, Tesla, lax regulations in Florida crash

DETROIT (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says two drivers, Tesla and lax regulation of new partially automated driving systems are to blame for a fatal 2019 crash in Florida involving a Tesla on Autopilot.

Farming forecast

USDA sees good farming conditions, forecasts lower WA wheat harvest

OLYMPIA — Warmer weather and lots of sunshine in mid-May prompted a lot of farmers in the Columbia Basin to get out into the field and plant, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. “Central Washington had a great week for farming,” said the weekly Crop Progress and Condition report for the Pacific Northwest for the week ending May 14. “‘Tractors cultivated, seeded and sprayed while cattle were let out into nice spring pastures.” ...

China reports 254 new virus deaths, cases, using new method

BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday reported 254 new daily deaths and a spike in daily virus cases of 15,152, after new methodology was applied in the hardest-hit province of Hubei as to how cases are categorized.

SC juvenile prison director promises to improve conditions

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The leader of South Carolina's juvenile prisons promised Thursday to work with federal officials who determined young inmates civil rights are being violated because they aren't protected from fights and assaults and are put in isolation too often.

WHO reports new daily high in COVID-19 cases, as global tally hits more than 350,000

GENEVA (AP) — WHO reports new daily high in COVID-19 cases, as global tally hits more than 350,000.