The scene at last year's massive Okanogan Complex fire. Credit: Alex Garland
The scene at last years massive Okanogan Complex fire.
The scene at last year’s massive Okanogan Complex fire. Alex Garland

Governor Jay Inslee Declares State of Emergency Due to Wildfires: Fires near Spokane have prompted some evacuations. “These fires threaten people, property and the natural resources of Eastern Washington,” Inslee said in a statement declaring a state of emergency in 20 Eastern Washington counties. “This proclamation frees up state resources so we can provide the assistance that these communities might need. This is a time for all Washingtonians to come together.”

Is Climate Change to Blame? Inslee said a “combination of dead and dying trees [and] climate change is changing the significance of temperatures and drought,” KUOW reports.

Attack Underway at American University in Kabul: Witnesses say gunmen stormed the university and students and Associated Press photographer are trapped inside.

“Half the Town Is Gone.” A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit an area in the mountains of central Italy, leaving at least 73 people dead and others trapped under rubble. Some buildings shook for 20 seconds, and 80 aftershocks have been reported, according to the BBC. “The roads in and out of town are cut off,” said Amatrice mayor Sergio Pirozzi. “Half the town is gone.”

An Earthquake Also Hit Myanmar: At least one person has died, 20 were injured fleeing a building, and 66 temples were damaged.

Seattle Mayor Names New Top Homelessness Official: George Scarola is a former teacher and education lobbyist who’ll start the new cabinet-level job today. Scarola has limited direct homelessness service experience, but in announcing the pick, Mayor Ed Murray emphasized Scarola’s experience in Olympia, where he lobbied lawmakers and worked with House Speaker Frank Chopp. Murray, a former legislator himself, has been begging Olympia for more money to fight homelessness in Seattle.

Police Arrest Two After Capitol Hill Robberies: The Seattle Police Department says it arrested two robbery suspects near Cal Anderson Park. The two had a handgun and “a backpack full of narcotics.”

Homeless Shelter Staff Battle Bed Bugs: The Salvation Army Family Lodge and other shelters have bed bugs, KING 5 reports. Crosscut reported on this issue—and how it can discourage homeless people from using shelters—last month.

Soon, all these people will be able to talk on their phones.
Soon, all these people will be able to talk on their phones. Sound Transit

Cell Service Coming to Light Rail: How excited are you to listen to your fellow riders’ phone calls? Sound Transit will begin a phased rollout of cell service on Link, starting with the segment between Westlake and the University of Washington, this week.

Seven-Year-Old Podcaster Totally Killing It: The child-podcaster has interviewed Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole, Union Gospel Mission President Jeff Lilly, and Seattle Symphony violinist Elisa Barston, KING 5 reports. Now she wants to interview Seahawks players.

Stanford Bans Hard Alcohol at Parties, No Word on Plans to Ban Men: The university has banned hard alcohol from undergraduate parties, The Los Angeles Times reports, citing the “misuse of distilled alcohol products (‘hard alcohol’), and the dangers that arise from that misuse.” Stanford is where Brock Turner blamed “party culture” for his decision to sexually assault a woman while she was unconscious.

BNSF to Pay for Water Quality Violations: The railroad reached a $75,000 settlement over its use of creosote-treated railroad ties, which can be toxic to aquatic life.

Oso Landslide Victims Accuse State of Fraud: “Attorneys representing victims and family members in the 2014 Oso landslide have accused state lawyers of orchestrating ‘a fraud’ to keep secret any word of deleted emails sent among defense expert witnesses,” the Seattle Times reports. The case, which focuses on state actions that may have increased risks in the area, is scheduled for a trial this fall.

Think You’re Accepting of Mixed-Race Couples? A new study shows that despite reports of increased acceptance of mixed-race couples, some study participants harbored hidden feelings of disgust.

The Clinton Foundation Will Shrink if Hillary Clinton Is Elected President: That comes after persistent criticism about the connection between foundation donors and access to Clinton during her time as secretary of state.

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Heidi Groover is a staff writer at The Stranger.