Northwest News Network (N3)

[[20261016_TB_GrandfatherBend_VCR ERT: :52 Troy Brynelson/ Rob Manning NOTE: THERE IS NO SOC. SEE HOST OUTRO]] Families in Bend are grieving after three children were killed yesterday ((THURS)) at a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary school. The grandfather of the 5-year-old described his grandson - “Rhoam” (like “Rome”) Summer as bright and playful. OPB's Troy Brynelson has more. OUTRO: That was...

[Washington voters should cast ballots early, election officials say FM-FX-WA MAIL BALLOT ISSUES.wav FX (ERT 3:42) 10/15/2026 Freddy Monares/Jennifer Wing Note: N/A] Voters in Washington state are starting to receive ballots in the mail… and election officials want them to return them in as soon as they can ahead of the November 3rd general election. That message comes after the number of ballots...

After 14 years of wandering Whidbey Island, the lone elk Bruiser has died.

[A CASA shutdown leaves Coos and Curry foster children waiting for advocates 101526TG_AdvocatesN3 (:40) 10/15/26 Theo Greenly/MC] About 70 foster kids in Coos and Curry counties are temporarily without their court-appointed advocates. JPR’s Theo Greenly reports the statewide group that oversees those programs is stepping in to restart the service.

Some local lawmakers are renewing their calls to disband the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

[[101626_LG_StateInitative001_SS 10/16/26 Superspot Lauren Gallup/JD ERT: 1:20 Host lead-in: An initiative on the Washington ballot this November would allow parents and guardians more immediate access to records at their child’s school. But some say the proposed initiative makes things more confusing. N-W-P-B’s Lauren Gallup reports.

[[101626_LG_StateInitative638_SS 10/16/26 Superspot Lauren Gallup/JD ERT: 1:17 Host lead-in: An initiative on the Washington ballot this November would change rules in girls sports. N-W-P-B’s Lauren Gallup talked to legislators that support and oppose the initiative.

The city of Bend is reeling this morning after a shooter entered Silver Rail Elementary School yesterday [[THURS]], killing three students and a teacher. Thousands attended a vigil near downtown last [[THURS]] night. Joni Auden Land reports.

[[Bend school shooting ((20261015_AL_BendSchoolShootingNEWPresser_SA:10 AL/aw))]] Families and community members are shaken across Oregon after police confirmed this evening [[THURS]] that three children and a teacher were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend.

Bend shooting ((20261015_AL_BendShooting_Neighbor_SA:12 NOTE: This holds to Friday morning The audio is 48 khz AL/AW)) Police confirmed three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, are dead following a shooting at an elementary school in Bend.

[voicer: Annual census shows endangered Puget Sound orca population grew, ERT 1:06, BP-VX-ORCA CENSUS, Bellamy Pailthorp, Jennifer Wing, 10-15-2026] The southern resident killer whale population that frequents Puget Sound grew in the most recent census [reported Monday Oct 12.] As of July 1st, the official count of the endangered orcas is 76 identified individuals — two more than last year.

Bend shooting ((20261015_AL_BendShooting_Neighbor_SA:12 AL/AW)) NOTE: THIS IS IN 48 KHZ Three children were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend today [[THURS]]. That’s according to three sources who confirmed the deaths to OPB.

With colder weather on the horizon, preparations are underway for a local network of warming centers. But as KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, it’s uncertain if a Springfield site will be available.

Bend reporter standup ((20261015_AW_Bend reporter standup_SA:30 AW/al)) Police in Bend say multiple people have been shot at Silver Rail Elementary School. Officials say at least two people were taken to Saint Charles Bend hospital and that the suspected shooter is dead.

Bend shooting ((20261015_AL_BendShooting_Neighbor_SA:12 AL/AW)) The suspect in an active shooter incident at an elementary school in Bend is dead, according to police. Authorities say multiple people, including children, were transported to a nearby hospital.

((20261015_AL_BendShooting_SA:12 Note: The audio is in 48 k 24. Did not have time to re-export to 44 ERT: 52 AL/AW)) Multiple victims — including children — have been transported to Saint Charles Bend hospital, after police responded to reports of an active shooter at Silver Rail Elementary School today [[THURS]].

Grants Pass’s newest homeless shelter has announced a partnership with a local nonprofit.

In November, Seattle residents will vote on a sales tax to expand bus service in the city. The proposal from Mayor Katie Wilson would double Seattle’s expiring transit measure — from 15 cents to 30 thirty cents on every hundred dollar purchase.

Seattle voters will decide in November whether to double the city’s transit sales tax to pay for expanded bus service. KNKX reporter Nate Sanford has more.

Officials in the Northwest say big earthquakes don’t happen often in this region, but they want people to be ready when they do.

[[101526_LG_WesternStateCemetery_Feature 10/15/26 FEATURE Lauren Gallup/JD ERT: 3:43 Host lead-in: For over 20 years, a nonprofit has been working to finally put names on the gravestones at Western State Hospital. As N-W-P-B’s Lauren Gallup reports, the last one has been placed.

The three Northwest states participated today [Thursday] in a global earthquake preparedness exercise.

[WRAP ERT: 1:01 Editor: Carol Smith] Inflation in the Seattle area rose faster than almost any other West Coast city over the past year. KUOW’s Monica Nickelsburg has more.

Eugene School District 4J is discussing possible budget reductions for the 2027-28 school year. That comes after already making tens in millions of cuts ahead of this school year. KLCC’s Ellie Graham reports: [SOQ 0:49]

[101526JR_CruiseShipFEA.wav. JR/LJ. ERT: 7:03] Seattle’s cruise ship season wrapped up this week [Oct. 11]. Close to a million people hopped on a cruise ship in Seattle this year, a record number. Moving these floating resorts through the sea can have big impacts – from hitting whales to heating the planet. Cruise lines are under pressure to do less harm. Our story begins along the Inside Passage...