LEDE: About a dozen farmers grow the Walla Walla Sweet Onion in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Now, harvest time for the world-famous onion is coming to a close. N-W-P-B’s Erick Bengel reports.

[WRAP] What could happen in the hotly contested Central Washington U.S. House Race?

[073126_CF_CentralWashingtonPrimary_WRAP 07/31/26 wrap Courtney Flatt/JD ERT: 0:43]

LEDE: Congressman Dan Newhouse, who represents Central Washington in the U-S House, is retiring. His district is a longstanding Republican stronghold. And now, 11 candidates say they want to take his seat. [N-W-P-B’s Courtney Flatt has more.]

[CC] What could happen in the hotly contested Central Washington U.S. House Race?

[073126_CF_CentralWashingtonPrimary_CC 07/31/26 cc Courtney Flatt/JD ERT: 0:43]

The race to represent Central Washington in the U-S House is heating up. There are 11 candidates in the August primaries. U-S Representative Dan Newhouse, a Republican, will retire after holding the seat for over a decade.

Campaign spending has been increasing in two Southwest Washington legislative races. OPB's Erik Neumann reports, they’re in seats that Democrats want to flip to get a state supermajority.

Republicans and Democrats are vying for two competitive state legislative districts in Southwest Washington. The 17th and 18th districts cover parts of Clark County.

They’re already seeing increases in outside campaign spending and attack ads against candidates.

The Spokane City Council has approved an ordinance intended to bring relief to people whose homes are too hot in the summer.

[ CC: Traditions come alive as annual canoe journey lands at Nisqually 073026 BP-CX-PADDLE TO NISQUALLY.wav TRT 1:01 (or early out for TRT 0:46

NOTE:this is written for air on Friday 7/31, landing day.] The paddling portion of the annual tribal canoe journey in Northwest waters is nearly complete. Some canoe families have been traveling for two weeks.

[FEA- Tribal Traditions come to life as annual canoe Journey lands at Nisqually

AUDIO POSTCARD TRT 4:15

Bellamy Pailthorp, Jennifer Wing, 7/30/26

NOTE: CANOE JOURNEY POTLACH ENDS AUG. 5th- PADDLING & traveling ENDS AFTER LABDINGS on FRI 7-31.]

[Host’s Lead:]

Tribal families from around the northwest have been traveling in traditional cedar canoes since mid-July – part of an annual canoe journey. The theme of this year’s journey is “healing through our waters by honoring our ancestors.” The destination is the Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlach, near Olympia. KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp got an invitation to ride along during a practice with the Nisqually Canoe Family. She brings us this audio postcard.

[Host’s Tag - optional after // :]

That was 19-year-old Aliyah Choke [uh-LEE-uh CHOKE,] a descendant of Billy Frank Jr -- the famous Nisqually leader who fought for tribal treaty fishing rights. ....and Hanford McCloud - the lead skipper for the Nisqually Canoe Family.

This audio postcard was produced by KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp.

[// The formal canoe family landings at Nisqually will start around noon today [FRI July31] and will be followed by 5 days of dancing, drumming, feasting and gift giving. The public is welcome to attend. //]

Before the announcement that Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes had resigned, leaders from across the city’s Black community *spoke up* for him at City Hall.

KNKX’s Gary Davis was there.

[TAG] Mayor Katie Wilson is scheduled to speak with the press at 11 a.m. this morning.

[GD-JW]

[Coos bay will stop operating state’s dredge

073026TG_DredgeN3.wav VOICER (ERT:29)

07/30/2026 Theo Greenly/Maria Carter]

The Port of Coos Bay is ending its contract with the state to dredge Oregon ports. JPR’s Theo Greenly has more.