LEAD: The man accused of starting one of the three wildfires that burned hundreds of structures in Spokane appeared in court today [TUE]. Northwest Public Broadcasting Anna King was in the courtroom.

A man is suing the Eugene Police Department after an officer punched and tased him during an arrest last year. KLCC’s Nathan Wilk reports.

Grants Pass’s newest homeless shelter is assigning the last of its 150 beds this week, after months of work.

More homeless folks in Grants Pass have a roof over their heads at night, as a new shelter worked to assign its last 26 beds.

Ashland is trying to figure out what to do with four million dollars it received from Asante after the closure of some services at the city’s hospital.

Ashland received four million dollars from Asante for cutting inpatient services at the city’s hospital. Jefferson Public Radio's Roman Battaglia (buh-TALLY-uh) reports on how the city council is planning on spending that money.

[Ferguson/Monday presser//Paige/djw]

The federal government has granted an emergency declaration for the devastating wildfires burning across Washington state.

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A Lane County deputy who was arrested last week on child exploitation charges has resigned from the sheriff’s office.

The man suspected of starting Spokane’s Old Trails fire has been arrested.

The power of a powwow has been described as a collective heartbeat that draws people together. Celebrants often say they feel unity and freedom as they dance in a circle. Those elements are especially vital for those serving time at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in Salem, where life is spent behind barbed wire and fortified walls. But as KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, for one day each year, inmates get to wear Native apparel and move to the rhythm of a rawhide drum with friends and loved ones.

Warning: This story contains mentions of violent crime, suicide and terminal illness.