The PM Newsdesk Minutes: Alaska Airlines sued, multiple fires spread across state

The KIRO Newsradio newsdesk brings you their top stories on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 3.

The AM Newsdesk Minutes: Newhouse, Beutler faced strong opposition from MAGA backed candidates in primary

Two Muslim men sue Alaska Airlines for racial profiling

Two Muslim men from Seattle who were kicked off an Alaska Airlines flight are now suing the airline, claiming they were the targets of racial discrimination.

When another passenger noticed the two men texting in Arabic before takeoff, he notified the cabin crew — then the whole flight was emptied while the plane was searched and the texts were translated.

Imraan Siddiqi, Director of the Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is representing the men, said this is a typical experience of ‘flying while Muslim’ in the post 9-11 era.

“They were not even allowed to get back on the flight after everything was deemed normal and safe,” said Siddiqi. “This is just racial profiling at its worst.”

Vantage Fire grows, only 25% contained

The Vantage Fire has grown to about 16 square miles and has destroyed a cabin.

Tuesday, firefighters were fighting the fire on the north side, where it is currently spreading, but they had to back off because it was too dangerous. In this area, a cabin and three outbuildings were destroyed. No one was living there, and the owner had been contacted.

The good news is, while the fire is spreading, it is spreading to the north, away from Vantage and any populated areas. For this reason, evacuation orders have been lifted for the town.

Crews are fighting the fire on land, in the air, and even from the water with fire boats on the Columbia River.

Grace Debusschere, PIO for the Southeast Washington Inter-Agency Team, says Wednesday will make the difference. With hot, dry weather and strong winds, the fire could get worse if crews aren’t able to attack it enough.

Right now, the fire is 25% contained.

Wildfire in Yakima Valley

The battle against a new wildfire in the Yakima Valley is just beginning.

Until it’s under control, there is an evacuation recommendation for people in about 200 homes and businesses between Ellensburg and Naches.

Department of Natural Resources is responding to the fire in Cow Canyon, 12 miles southwest of Ellensburg. Approximately 200 acres are threatened, including multiple structures. Local authorities have enacted Level 3 evacuations near Autobahn Rd. and Maloy Rd.

Judge favors WA AG in suit against Navy

A federal judge ruled in favor of State Attorney General Bob Ferguson in his suit against the U.S. Navy.

The judge ruled the Navy did not adequately look at the impact of its loud jet flights on classroom learning and on the well-being of local birds.

Attorney General Ferguson is suing the Navy for increasing its Growler jet program to more than 110,000 flights per year.

The judge also ruled the Navy didn’t consider its fossil fuel impacts on the environment, and did not try hard enough to find an alternative training spot.

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