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(New) Crews dig through night after deadly Okla. twister (Photo Gallery)

By NOMAAN MERCHANT, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 6:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 9:03 AM PDT

Search and rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood. At least 24 people were killed.

Home

Franklin County farmers fighting for their land (Video)

By Frances Watson Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:31 PM PDT

A land grab has Franklin County farmers fighting back. They've learned hundreds of acres of their land could be taken away this week.

Local & Regional

A sex offender could be living next to your kid's playground (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:04 PM PDT

Sex offenders could be living right by your child's playgrounds.

Local & Regional

Fewer people ditching jury duty

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT

KEPR discovered stricter rules are forcing fewer people to skip out on jury duty.

News

National & World (New) Crews dig through night after deadly Okla. twister (Photo Gallery)

By NOMAAN MERCHANT, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 6:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 21, 2013 at 9:03 AM PDT

Home Franklin County farmers fighting for their land (Video)

By Frances Watson Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:31 PM PDT

A land grab has Franklin County farmers fighting back. They've learned hundreds of acres of their land could be taken away this week.

Local & Regional A sex offender could be living next to your kid's playground (Video)

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:04 PM PDT

Sex offenders could be living right by your child's playgrounds.

Local & Regional Fewer people ditching jury duty

By Ryan Simms Published: May 20, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT

KEPR discovered stricter rules are forcing fewer people to skip out on jury duty.

Home Vandals target Kennewick softball fields (Video)

By Davis Wahlman Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:40 PM PDT

Someone trashed the softball fields on Quinault Avenue in Kennewick.

Home Students celebrating prom leads to more DUIs (Video)

By Davis Wahlman Published: May 19, 2013 at 6:42 PM PDT

The number of DUIs goes up substantially in May and law enforcement says it's because of students celebrating a little too much.

Local & Regional KEPR story earns 1st place in award from Society of Professional Journalists

By Robin Wojtanik Published: May 19, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

A story about a sex offender moving into a neighborhood near an elementary school has earned KEPR Action News Reporter Frances Watson a 1st place award.

Home Human trafficking gets attention at local exhibit (Video)

By Davis Wahlman Published: May 19, 2013 at 6:50 PM PDT

A local church puts on a traveling exhibit that educated people about human trafficking both world-wide and locally.

Local & Regional Climbers remember Mount St. Helens eruption 33 years later (Video)

By Lincoln Graves, KATU News Published: May 18, 2013 at 12:18 PM PDT

Saturday marks the 33rd anniversary of one of the biggest news stories ever experienced in the Pacific Northwest.

Local & Regional GAS PRICES: what to know this traveling season (Video)

By Abby Acone Published: May 18, 2013 at 7:51 PM PDT Last Updated: May 19, 2013 at 11:18 AM PDT

Costs have surged by a dime in the last week alone. All while many of you are planning to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend.

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Your Photos

YouNews

Summer Storm Sunset

By StephenVanGorkum Published: May 19, 2013 at 7:37 PM PDT

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Entertainment

(New) Justin Bieber's monkey to become German property (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 6:54 AM PDT

Justin Bieber's pet monkey is set to become the property of Germany.

Entertainment

(New) Photos: Hangover Part III premiere (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:18 AM PDT

Entertainment

Photos: Glitzy premieres continue at Cannes (Photo Gallery)

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 3:11 PM PDT

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Offbeat

(New) Record 18-foot python caught in Florida

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:21 AM PDT

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 18-foot-8-inch snake was caught May 11 alongside a road in rural Miami-Dade County.

Offbeat

Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles

By RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 12:42 AM PDT

Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild - from an acupuncturist.

Offbeat

Bumbling crooks accidentally dial 911 during crime

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 12:24 PM PDT

Two suspects arrested for breaking into a car in Central California accidentally called 911 on a cellphone, which led police to them.

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Local & Regional

Thousands check out monster trucks at Kidz Dig Rigz (Video)

By Abby Acone Published: May 18, 2013 at 7:57 PM PDT

Hundreds of families gathered at Columbia Park today for the third annual Kidz Dig Rigz event. Kids could check out "rigs" of all kinds: police, fire and military vehicles.

Local & Regional Coast Guard rescues teen from Oregon surf

By The Associated Press Published: May 18, 2013 at 12:14 PM PDT

A Coast Guard helicopter has rescued a teenage girl from the surf on the northwest Oregon coast.

Local & Regional FBI searches Spokane apartment in ricin letter case (Video)

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press Published: May 18, 2013 at 12:16 PM PDT Last Updated: May 18, 2013 at 6:03 PM PDT

Few details have been released in the case, and no arrests have been made. Federal investigators have been searching for the person who sent the letters, which were postmarked Tuesday in Spokane.

Local & Regional 'Stand downs' serve vets who live in woods near Forks (Video)

By Eric Johnson Published: May 18, 2013 at 12:13 PM PDT

You'll find a different breed of vets at the stand down in Forks - the ones who want to be as far away from people as possible.Some have been fighting their own "personal" wars for more than four decades.

Local & Regional Wash, Ore. among states to get money for tsunami debris cleanup

By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Published: May 18, 2013 at 12:12 PM PDT

The five West Coast states affected by debris from the 2011 tsunami in Japan are about to receive an initial $250,000 each from a $5 million gift from Japan for cleanup.

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Sports

Cougs Squeak by Pilots in Pasco Monday (Video)

By Morgan Vance Published: May 20, 2013 at 11:40 PM PDT

Matt Mendenhall talks return home

Sports Seahawks begin workouts with distractions galore

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 5:09 PM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 6:19 PM PDT

Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks started organized team activities on Monday with very little talk about anything that took place on the field.

Sports Cleveland Indians rally to beat Mariners 10-8 (Photo Gallery)

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 1:49 PM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 3:06 PM PDT

Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and the Cleveland Indians, twice revived by Seattle's fielding errors, beat the Mariners 10-8 on Monday to complete a four-game sweep.

Sports Jordan changing Charlotte Bobcats back to Hornets

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 5:05 PM PDT

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan is changing his team's name to the Hornets, said a person familiar with the situation.

Sports Super Bowl 50 site to be decided Tuesday

By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 10:30 AM PDT

Where the Super Bowl will celebrate a half-century of existence will be decided this week by NFL owners.

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Around the World

National & World

(New) Court says government can keep bin Laden photos under wraps

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 7:52 AM PDT

A federal appeals court is backing the U.S. government's decision not to release photos and video taken of Osama bin Laden during and after a raid in which the terrorist leader was killed by U.S. commandos.

National & World (New) Foster mom faces 100 days in prison for spoon-spanking

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 7:55 AM PDT

Jami Littlefield, 51, of Griswold, pleaded guilty Monday in Superior Court in Norwich to third-degree assault. She told authorities she paddled the girl in January because she was acting out, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

National & World (New) FBI: Agents fell to deaths during helicopter training

By BROCK VERGAKIS Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:06 AM PDT

Two FBI agents who died while training off the Virginia Beach coast fell to their deaths when a helicopter had trouble during a "maritime counterterrorism exercise," an agency spokeswoman said Monday night.

National & World (New) Mexican town under siege by drug cartel cheers arrival of soldiers

By MARK STEVENSON Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:05 AM PDT

Residents of a western Mexico area who endured months besieged by a drug cartel cheered the arrival of hundreds of Mexican soldiers Monday.

National & World Angry mob pelts man thought to be sex attacker

By STEVEN K. PAULSON Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 1:28 PM PDT

Residents angry that police had not warned them about sex assaults of children took matters into their own hands, chasing down a man they thought was the attacker, pelting him with rocks and leaving him with a bloody face in Colorado, authorities said Monday.

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Will It Work

Will It Work?

Will It Work? The Waterproof Box (Video)

By Action News Team Published: May 15, 2013 at 8:46 AM PDT

Click on the video tab to watch as Stormtracker Jay Frank takes to the Lower Yakima River to test out the Outdoor Products' Waterproof Box.

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Consumer

(New) Want a better credit score? Here's how to do it

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:01 AM PDT

A good credit score will save you money. It will drive down the interest rates you pay on credit cards, home loans, even a mortgage.

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Politics

Senate majority names 33 bills for budget talks

By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Published: May 17, 2013 at 3:12 PM PDT

As lawmakers wrap up their first week of a special legislative session, Senate majority leaders have asked that more than 30 bills be considered as part of the budget discussions.

Technology

Technology (New) Tumblr CEO's mom gushes over billion-dollar baby

By MEGHAN BARR Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

"There were a few tears and lots of hugs, and a lot of excitement," said his mother, Barbara Ackerman. "This is something that he built — it's his baby — and it's emotional."

Technology (New) Yahoo reboots Flickr, offers 1 terabyte of free storage

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:30 AM PDT

Fresh on the heels of its $1.1 billion acquisition of Tumblr, Yahoo says it is rebooting its languishing photo-sharing site Flickr with plans to make it "awesome" again.

Technology (New) Eminem's publisher sues Facebook over song usage

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:29 AM PDT

Eminem's song publisher is suing Facebook and an ad agency, saying they copied music from one of the rapper's songs.

Technology (New) Guantanamo hack threat prompts WiFi shutdown

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:28 AM PDT

The U.S. military has shut down wireless internet service at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba because of online hacking threats.

Technology (New) Internet cable from Cuba to Jamaica comes online

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:26 AM PDT

A company that monitors global Internet traffic says another branch of the Venezuela-to-Cuba undersea fiber-optic cable has come online, connecting the island to nearby Jamaica.

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Health (New) Sports seem OK for many with heart-zapping device

By LAURAN NEERGAARD AP Medical Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:26 AM PDT

New research is challenging medical guidelines that say people with a heart-zapping device in their chests should avoid intense sports like basketball and soccer in favor of golf or bowling.

Health What do we eat? New food map will tell us

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:42 AM PDT

Until now, the only way to find out what people in the United States eat and how many calories they consume has been government data, which can lag behind the rapidly expanding and changing food marketplace. Researchers are trying to change that.

Health FDA has safety concerns on Merck insomnia drug

By Associated Press Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 1:40 PM PDT

Federal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking.

Health Measles surges in UK years after vaccine scare

By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer Published: May 20, 2013 at 7:25 AM PDT

More than a decade ago, British parents refused to give measles shots to at least a million children because of a vaccine scare that raised the specter of autism. Now, health officials are scrambling to catch up and stop a growing epidemic of the contagious disease.

Health Hep C rising in baby boomers, but can they be treated? (Photo Gallery)

By Rose Egge Published: May 17, 2013 at 12:04 PM PDT Last Updated: May 17, 2013 at 2:11 PM PDT

The CDC is recommending baby boomers get tested for Hepatitis C, regardless of other risk factors. But, treatment may not be readily available for newly diagnosed patients, and the Affordable Care Act could make things even worse.

Business

Business (New) Average credit card debt, late payments fall in 1st quarter

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:47 AM PDT

Americans got better about paying their credit card debt on time in the first three months of the year, a period when many borrowers use income tax returns to tackle their holiday season debt.

Business (New) SBA starting new lending program for veterans

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM PDT

The Small Business Administration says it has lined up pledges from more than 120 banks to increase lending to veterans.

Business (New) GM to invest $44.5 million in Lansing Cadillac factory

By Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT

General Motors says it will invest $44.5 million at a Lansing, Mich., factory, creating 200 new jobs.

Business (New) Senators agree to expansion of high-tech visas

By DAVID ESPO and ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:35 AM PDT

Officials say leading senators trying to resolve a key issue on immigration legislation have agreed to a compromise covering expansion of a high-tech visa program.

Business (New) Does France have right plan to revive its economy?

By SARAH DiLORENZO, AP Business Writer Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:32 AM PDT

The man charged with reviving France's shrinking economy and attracting businesses to invest here is gaining a reputation for doing the opposite.

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Consumer

Consumer (New) Washington ranked among top 10 for Internet crime (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 21, 2013 at 8:00 AM PDT

This may be one of the most Internet savvy parts of the country, but that doesn't mean we're internet secure.

Consumer Don't lose your toes: Practice lawnmower safety

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 2:47 PM PDT

Lawnmower accidents can be pretty nasty: deep cuts, broken bones, burns and lost fingers or toes.

Consumer What you don't know about your credit score can hurt you

By Herb Weisbaum, NBCNews.com Published: May 17, 2013 at 8:28 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM PDT

Everyone wants a good credit score. We know it's important, but a lot of people don't understand how these numbers are created and how their actions affect them.

Consumer Second-hand smoke linked to Alzheimer's disease

By Herb Weisbaum Published: May 16, 2013 at 9:19 AM PDT Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM PDT

Here's another reason to avoid second-hand smoke. Some new research indicates it could increase your risk for Alzheimer's disease or other types of severe dementia.

Consumer Address change causes delivery aggravation (Video)

By Connie Thompson Published: May 15, 2013 at 9:29 AM PDT

A change of address is one thing when you move to a new location, but people in a neighborhood near Renton say their addresses were changed without their knowledge and, more importantly, without them moving.

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