The Alaska House on Monday unanimously approved a bill to guarantee health coverage for family members of firefighters and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. House Bill 23, sponsored by Anchorage Democratic Rep. Andy Josephson, is the latest attempt at passing such legislation, which died in the Senate during a special session last year.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Dispatch News

The fire that heavily damaged an apartment above a Vancouver restaurant Monday was likely started by a charging electronic tablet, according to investigators. The blaze, reported just before 3:10 p.m. at Igloo Restaurant, 3128 E. Evergreen Blvd., caused an estimated $75,000 fire and smoke damage, Vancouver Lead Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Drone said.
- PUB DATE: 3/15/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Columbian

Gainsville (FL) Fire Department pumper. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 350-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,750-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon tank.

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said 2.7 million acres of state land is in poor health and some of that is at risk of catastrophic wildfire. Franz has asked the state Legislature for $38 million this year -- a big ask in a year when the legislature is mandated to solve an education funding deficit and has other requests.
- PUB DATE: 3/14/2017 5:45:21 PM - SOURCE: Northwest Public Radio