The heat dome event in June 20-21 was not only deadly for people. A new study estimates the damage to trees in Washington and Oregon adds up to scorched areas about the size of Rhode Island. More from KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp.

Oregon is proposing a rule that would require farmers to monitor their fields for nitrate pollution in Eastern Oregon’s Lower Umatilla Basin. But Antonio Sierra reports not everyone is happy with the proposal.

[C&C: Bateman Island causeway demolition set expected to start in December 111825CF_BatemanCauseway_CC.wav 0:10 11/18/25 Courtney Flatt/JD]

Construction crews could start removing a salmon-blocking causeway in the Tri-Cities as early as December. The Bateman Island causeway bottlenecks water at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers.

[VOICER: Bateman Island causeway demolition set expected to start in December 111825CF_BatemanCauseway_VOICER.wav 0:47 11/18/25 Courtney Flatt/JD]

HOST LEDE: Demolition of a controversial land bridge in the Tri-Cities is expected to start next month [in December]. The causeway has been impeding salmon migration. N-W-P-B’s senior environmental correspondent Courtney Flatt has more. [SOQ 0:47]

Officials confirmed Monday evening that a whale that became stranded on a beach near Yachats over the weekend had been successfully euthanized.

Work crews plan to start digging up a blueberry farm near Everett this morning [TUES] to find the cause of a jet-fuel spill.

The farm is on the route of the Olympic Pipeline.

It carries fuels to Sea-Tac Airport and other locations [in two states].

The spill shut down the major pipeline for most of last week.

KUOW’s John Ryan reports.

NOTE: Web story and awesome feature video will be available on Thurs 11-20 on opb.org

110625JB_WillapaSharks

JB/CP

Southwest Washington’s Willapa [WILL-uh-puh] Bay is known around the world for its oysters.

But what you may not know is that every summer the bay turns into a shark superhighway.

Sharks migrate in from the ocean and Northwest researchers are beginning to understand why.

OPB Science reporter Jes Burns reports.

Oregon lawmakers gathered in Salem on Monday to honor the life and service of state Rep. Hòa Nguyễn. Leaders played music and shared memories of the Portland-area lawmaker, who died of cancer in October. OPB’s Bryce Dole reports.

Efforts to save a young humpback whale stranded just north of Yachats failed this morning [Monday morning].

The most recent effort to save a young humpback whale stranded just north of Yachats failed this morning [Monday morning].