Northwest News Network (N3)

[101926JR_pulpmillSSPOT.wav JR/DW ERT: 1:20] [Washington] State officials say a paper mill broke the law when it let a slurry of pulp waste spill into Port Townsend Bay last November. The finding comes one month after the Port Townsend Paper Company was fined seven-hundred-thousand dollars [$734,000] for other pollution violations. KUOW’s John Ryan reports.

In the wake of the deadly school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend this week, families are navigating how to talk about the tragedy with their kids. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Natalie Pate reports on advice from local experts.

At a press conference today [[FRI]], police in Bend have released more information about the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary on Thursday. O-P-B's Joni Auden Land reports.

[[FRIDAY: Bend school shooting - Teacher killed ERT: 48 20261016_AL_TeacherKilledBendSchoolShooting_SA:11 AL/CF]] The teacher killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary school yesterday [[THURS]] has been identified by police as Megan Lambert of Bend.

Health experts gathered at Washington State University recently gathered [10/14] to discuss how to address misinformation and other public health challenges.

Bend Bystander Neighbor ((20261016_KRB_BendBystanderNeighbor_SA:13 KB/AL)) Neighbors of Silver Rail elementary school in Bend are grieving after a gunman killed three children and a teacher yesterday/Thursday.

Washington Senator Patty Murray is pursuing a new initiative to strengthen the country’s public health system. She is gathering experts to rethink and improve how the US approaches public health in the future.

[LEDE:] Nine people in King County have died in the current wave of the flu, all of them adults. That number will rise as more deaths get investigated and counted. KUOW’s Eilís [eye-LEASH] O’Neill has more…

The three candidates running to represent Oregon’s 4th Congressional district faced off in a forum at the City Club of Eugene this afternoon [Friday afternoon].

LEDE: Washington state is embroiled in a tense debate over transgender girls in girls’ sports. This after a high school running team in Camas protested a trans teammate this week. Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan has more.

[[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_FarmerCC (:10) 10/15/26 Theo Greenly/MC] A south coast nonprofit pulled out of a foster advocacy program after losing funding earlier this month.

[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.