Chemical Explosions in Houston: A fire broke out at the Arkema Chemical Plant early this morning after chemicals stored in box vans exploded overnight. The plant, which is 25 miles northeast of downtown Houston, was "bracing for days for explosions at the Arkema plant where floodwaters knocked out power and generators needed to keep chemicals stored at the facility cool," the Houston Chronicle reported. Fifteen deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office were treated at hospitals after inhaling non-toxic irritants in the smoke from the explosion and chemical fumes. Arkema workers and 300 nearby homes had been evacuated, but the plant issued a warning for anyone still nearby to turn off their air conditioners, the paper reported.
New Homeless Shelter on First Hill Opens Today: The shelter inside Seattle First Presbyterian Church has 100 beds and is operated by Compass Housing Alliance, Vernal Coleman reports for the Seattle Times. Like the Navigation Center, the city's first low-barrier shelter, the First Hill facility is open 24-hours, low-barrier, and allows people to store belongings and bring their partners.
Students Protected Under DACA in Limbo: About 17,000 undocumented Washington students await a federal decision about the fate of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows them to stay in the U.S. on a renewable, two-year basis. Aspiring lawyer Graciela Nuñez told KUOW's Liz Jones that she's in a "stalemate of stress" as she awaits a decision from the Trump administration, which is currently threatened with a lawsuit from 13 conservative attorneys general if officials don't begin dismantling DACA by September 5.
Fake Credit Card and Bank Accounts at Wells Fargo: There 3.1 million "potentially fake accounts" were opened without customers' permission, CNN reports.
Charleena Lyles Shot Seven Times by Seattle Police Officers: An autopsy report released by Lyles' father yesterday shows that Lyles', who was 14 to 15 weeks pregnant with a male fetus, was shot twice in her abdomen and back, and in her chest, hip and right arm. SPD Officers Steve McNew and Jacob Anderson fired the fatal shots. Toxicology reports showed that Lyles had no traces of illegal drugs, medication, or alcohol in her system.
King County Sheriff's Office Identifies Plainclothes Officer Who Had Gun Drawn When He Approached Motorcyclist During Traffic Stop: He is 53-year-old Richard Rowe of the Woodinville Police Department. He is now on administrative leave, Sydney reports.
Happy Birthday, KNKX! The local NPR affiliate with amusing call letters turns one today.
Man Killed on I-5 in Tacoma: He was fatally struck by another car while tending to his vehicle, which had broke down, KOMO reports.
Another Rabid Bat Was Found: This time in an Angle Lake park.
Speaking of Bats: After a recent bat trek through Seward Park, Sydney Brownstone would like to become a fuzzy little chiroptera. Given the world we live in, who could blame her?
