Eugene Water and Electric Board has begun the process of adding a second water treatment plant that will take water from the Willamette River.

Protesters interrupt Microsoft's head of sustainability at PNW Climate Week

[Cleaner Air Center in Ashland opened because of smoke,

071726_PGairqualityCC.wav (ERT:34), CC

July 17, 2026, Peyton Gast, Maria Carter]

Much of the Rogue Valley is experiencing unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the East Evans Creek fire. This triggered the Cleaner Air Center to open.

[New art fair in Seattle launches Thursday [07/23]

FM-WX-NEW ART FAIR LAUNCH.wav Cut Copy (ERT 1:10)

07/17/2026 Freddy Monares/Jennifer Wing

Note: This art fair begins on Thursday, July 23. Run it before then. The wrap includes a host tag.]

Seattle Art Fair is happening this week at Lumen Field. Meanwhile, a gallery near Ballard is launching its own art fair.

More from KNKX Arts and Culture Reporter Freddy Monares.

[New art fair in Seattle launches Thursday [07/23]

FM-CX-NEW ART FAIR LAUNCH.wav Cut Copy (ERT 1:00)

07/17/2026 Freddy Monares/Jennifer Wing

Note: This art fair begins on Thursday, July 23. Run it before then.]

A new art fair in Seattle is set to launch this week along the ship canal just east of the Ballard bridge.

[Experts recommend resources to stay up to date about smoke

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July 17, 2026, Peyton Gast, Maria Carter]

Ashland air quality got worse overnight because of the East Evans Creek fire. Experts are encouraging people to use caution if they are outdoors. JPR’s Peyton Gast reports on resources to help stay informed about smoke.

[ :54 BEFORE // 1:12 IN FULL]

It’s Pacific Northwest Climate Week in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

LEDE: The voting period has begun for Washington state’s primary election. State Government Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan [MYE-zehz tan] has more on what’s on their ballot this summer.

A Head Start program in Walla Walla recently worried it might have to close. It has since received a federal grant of over a million dollars to continue operating through December. But the lack of stable federal funding has caused problems in staffing and enrollment. N-W-P-B’s Erick Bengel reports.

STORY:

Walla Walla Public Schools’ Head Start program has received a federal grant of more than a million dollars. That funding means the program will be able to stay open through December. But the future of Head Start funding remains unclear. Under the Trump administration, the normal five-year grant cycle has lapsed. That means school districts like Walla Walla’s can’t tell families how long the Head Start program will continue.