Washington

Aaron Farinacci is accused of starting the Old Trails fire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee The Washington state man accused of starting a wildfire that has destroyed homes and forced thousands to flee around Spokane was previously questioned in connection with two fire investigations last year, according to court documents.Authorities allege that Aaron Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, started Old Trails fire, one of three major wildfires burning in Spokane county in north-eastern Washington. He was arrested on Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson.The Associated Press contributed reporting Continue reading...

• Primary elections were held on August 4, 2026, across five U.S. states: Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington. • The Associated Press is providing live coverage, featuring real-time vote counts, county-level maps, and official race calls. • These elections are critical for determining which candidates will advance to the general election for various state and federal offices.

• Voters in Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, and Washington state participated in primary elections to determine candidates for upcoming congressional races. • Polls have officially closed in Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, and Virginia, marking the conclusion of the voting process in those specific states. • These contests are critical as they shape the party nominations and the overall battle for control of Congress in the next general election.

Two-term Democrat faced attacks from the left and right while defending a House seat in a territory Trump wonThe Democratic representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez secured one of two spots in the state of Washington’s crowded, all-party primary, overcoming criticism from both the left and the right to advance in one of November’s most closely watched US congressional races.The two-term Democrat – known for bucking her party on key issues – heads into the general election as she seeks to defend a district carried by Donald Trump in 2024 and a district that remains central to the battle for control of the House of Representatives. She will face the Republican state senator John Braun in November. Continue reading...

Suspect had a prior conviction for reportedly shooting his father in Arizona, after he told his son to do the dishesAuthorities on Monday charged a man in Washington state with starting a wildfire that has consumed almost 4,000 acres and forced tens of thousands from their homes.Aaron F Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson for setting the Old Trails fire, the largest of three devastating wildfires burning through the region. Continue reading...

Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a moderate who owns an auto repair shop, hopes to retain congressional seatThe two-term Democratic congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is heading into one of the country’s most closely watched contests on Tuesday after national recognition for flipping a Republican seat in 2022.Representing Washington state’s third district, Gluesenkamp Perez finds herself squeezed between Democrat and progressive Brent Hennrich and Republican state senator John Braun on her right. There are six other candidates on a single crowded ballot and the top two finishers will advance to the November general election regardless of party. Continue reading...

Hundreds of structures damaged as firefighters battle to contain 15 major wildfires amid extreme heat and droughtFirefighters in Washington state are battling wildfires that have forced 60,000 people to flee and destroyed hundreds of buildings as drought and extreme heat fuel an “extraordinary” fire season in the Pacific north-west.There are some 15 major blazes raging across the state, David Upthegrove, the head of Washington’s department of natural resources, told reporters over the weekend. Continue reading...