RICHLAND, Wash. – The number two manager at the U.S. Department of Energy is scheduled to speak to workers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation today. The visit comes after criticism of Hanford's safety culture by a federal nuclear safety watchdog.

Parents who are hesitant about giving their children all the required immunizations have an unusual chance to share their views Tuesday. The national committee that decides when kids should get vaccines is taking testimony in Shoreline, north of Seattle -- inviting the public into a discussion of values. It’s just the second time they’ve asked for input.

Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Forecast here.

• Team rescues dog from Mount Ellinor cliff
• Off the wire: Shootings; boy stuck in tree saved
• GOP complain about redistricting map of Tacoma
• State patrol reports spike in pedestrian deaths

RICHLAND, Wash. – The cherries are finally ready for harvest in the Northwestern U.S. A cold spring means that this is the latest cherry season anyone can remember. The Northwest News Network’s Anna King has this audio postcard from one of the largest fruit orchards in the world. (Watch the story inside)

If you see an unusually low-flying helicopter cruising above Seattle or Bellevue, don't worry. It’s just a project of the State Department of Health to measure naturally occurring radiation in King and Pierce Counties.

What inspires bands to make music? For Recess Monkey, it’s the lives of kindergarteners and grade schoolers.

All three musicians – Drew Holloway, Jack Forman and Daron Henry – in the band teach at Seattle elementary schools. And they're having anything but a sleepy summer: playing gigs and promoting their latest CD, "Flying" is on their agenda.

The largest private collection of photographs taken during World War II at an internment camp for Japanese-Americans is being donated to Washington State University.

The more than 2,000 black and white photo negatives were taken by George Hirahara and his son Frank between 1943 and 1945 at the Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming. (More photos inside.)

Three groups seeking to get initiatives on this year's ballot appear to have plenty of signatures to qualify.

Go out and enjoy the summer sunshine at Olympic Sculpture Park's "Get Out, Summer at SAM". Starting this week until September 15, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) will be hosting numerous events and activities.

The sun has been shining and the heat has been rising! It's time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful season of summer. This weekend's event varies from activities in a park to annual fun festivals. Take a look at the links inside for some great times to come.

NEWPORT, Ore. – Climate change may push fish native to the Northwest coast further northward and bring fish from southern waters up here.

That's according to a forthcoming study by American and Canadian fisheries biologists. They suggest West Coast fishermen will need to adapt to different prey if the Pacific Ocean warms as projected over the next fifty years.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Forecast here.

Making headlines in the Northwest:

• Bainbridge looking into polices around police misconduct
• Off the wire: Cliff rescue; crab boat runs aground
• One pot initiative won't make ballot, another still in play
• Don’t pee on the trail and other cautions urged by park
• Washington moves up in rankings for obesity

Two Mariner pitchers have been elected to the American League All-Star team. However, KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says, neither is expected to play in the game on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Adding insult to injury: One Mariner who's an All-Star veteran was left off the roster this year – Ichiro Suzuki.

When it comes to caring for its poorest and sickest people, Washington state appears to be doing better than the rest of the country. At least, that’s the view from a new study that looks at Medicaid spending.

Public spending on health-care is a hot political topic these days, as states and the federal government try to balance their budgets. Researchers were wondering: How do the 50 states compare in their spending on Medicaid, which covers low-income people? Do some states spend more because they pay doctors higher fees?

In 2009, four busy jazz musicians — saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman and drummer Eric Harland — gathered on a rare off day to see what they might cook up together. Out of that came a band they call James Farm, and an album of the same name.