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GUEST EDITORIAL

Wildland fire service needed for Soap Lake

A Monday fire near Soap Lake showed how much wildland fire service is needed in the more rural areas of Grant County. True, Grant County Fire Districts 7, 13 and the Ephrata Fire Department responded to the 30-acre blaze and did an admirable job at putting it out, but an additional brush fire truck would have likely helped the situation. The City of Soap Lake is without a brush truck to fight wildland fires because a loaner truck from the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs a new water tank costing about $6,600. The existing tank doesn't meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association, according to a Friday Columbia Basin Herald article. It isn't clear if the tank is truly unsafe, or just outdated. We're sure DNR officials have a good reason for the decision. At any rate, DNR officials aren't allowing the truck to be used until a new tank is installed.

Belarus says Russians plotted attacks; Kremlin rolls eyes

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Thursday accused more than 30 detained Russians of plotting terror attacks amid a presidential election campaign, allegations that Russian officials angrily rejected.

Pompeo, in Mideast, hopes for improved Israel-Arab ties

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday said he hoped other Arab countries would soon establish diplomatic relations with Israel as he kicked off a Mideast tour to build on the momentum of the recent U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Ex-President George W. Bush backs Maine's Sen. Susan Collins

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Former President George W. Bush on Friday backed Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in his first public endorsement of

Pakistan issues orders enforcing UN sanctions on Taliban

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has issued sweeping orders enforcing financial sanctions against Afghanistan’s Taliban, just as the militant group is in the midst of a U.S.-led peace process in the neighboring country.

Navajo Nation wants more say over criminal justice matters

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Shortly after the only Native American man on federal death row took his last breath, his tribe blasted the federal government and accused it of violating the spirit of a law that allows tribes to decide whether to subject their citizens to capital punishment.

Pakistan issues orders enforcing UN sanctions on Taliban

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has issued sweeping orders enforcing financial sanctions against Afghanistan’s Taliban, just as the militant group is in the midst of a U.S.-led peace process in the neighboring country.

Belarus detains dozens of Russians as election tensions rise

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarusian authorities said Wednesday they have detained dozens of Russian private military contractors days before Belarus' presidential vote, a sign of escalating tensions between the two neighbors.

The Latest: Brewers cancel January fan event

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

The Latest: Leverkusen's Amiri will miss Rangers game

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

Gulf of Mexico's 'dead zone' much smaller this year

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tropical weather stirred up the Gulf of Mexico, reducing this year’s dead zone off Louisiana’s coast to the third-smallest ever measured, the scientist who has measured it since 1985 said Tuesday.

Ex-President George W. Bush backs Maine's Sen. Susan Collins

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Former President George W. Bush on Friday backed Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in his first public endorsement of

Arizona Supreme Court revives education tax initiative

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a lower court ruling and restored a citizen’s initiative that would raise taxes on the wealthy to help boost education funding to the ballot.

EU backs Belarus pro-democracy rallies, rejects poll results

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Wednesday said they stand beside the people protesting for democratic rights in Belarus, underlining that the EU rejects the election results that kept the country's leader of 26 years in power and is preparing a list of Belarusians who face sanctions over vote fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters.

A look at how Mali's coup may affect neighboring countries

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — African and Western leaders have condemned the junta that forced Mali’s president from power, warning the coup was a deep setback that could threaten the battle against Islamic extremism across the Sahel region, where thousands have been killed by jihadists.

Georgia governor allows local mask mandates, with limits

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's governor, who has opposed local mask mandates and even sued over one in Atlanta, has signed a new executive order that allows local governments to enact mask requirements to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Arizona Supreme Court revives education tax initiative

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a lower court ruling and restored a citizen’s initiative that would raise taxes on the wealthy to help boost education funding to the ballot.

EU backs Belarus pro-democracy rallies, rejects poll results

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Wednesday said they stand beside the people protesting for democratic rights in Belarus, underlining that the EU rejects the election results that kept the country's leader of 26 years in power and is preparing a list of Belarusians who face sanctions over vote fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters.

Georgia governor allows local mask mandates, with limits

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's governor, who has opposed local mask mandates and even sued over one in Atlanta, has signed a new executive order that allows local governments to enact mask requirements to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.