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The ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio newsdesk brings you their top stories on the afternoon of Monday, August 1.

The AM Newsdesk Minutes: Former Sonics coach Bill Russell dies, Voting centers open for primaries

Captain of ferry crash resigns

The captain at the helm when a state ferry crashed last week has resigned.

A ferry service spokesperson tells us the seasoned captain’s resignation is voluntary.

Ian Sterling also told ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 results of all crew member drug tests came in and no one tested positive.

The Coast Guard’s investigation into what caused the accident is not expected to be finished for at least a month. The Cathlamet is heavily damaged after hitting a dock piling in West Seattle and will be out of service for months.

Nine heat deaths confirmed from last week’s heatwave

Oregon has reported at least nine, heat-related deaths this past week.

State Climatologist Larry O’Neill says nearly 100 died last summer when it was hotter than 100 degrees for days in a row.

Portland had temperatures above 95 degrees for the seventh day in a row yesterday.

The region will top out around 92 today.

So far, there are zero heat deaths in Washington state.

Attorney General confronts PSE, Avista over growing costs for consumers

The state Attorney General’s office (AG) is challenging proposed rate increases from gas and electric providers PSE and Avista.

The Attorney General has filed expert testimony with the Utilities & Transportation Commission, arguing both private companies have failed to justify the proposed increases.

PSE wants to hike electric and gas rates by $405 and $215 million over three years, respectively, equating to $16 more monthly for electric customers, and $12 for gas. Avista lowered its initial ask but still wants increases that will cost electricity customers $7 more monthly, about $1 for gas.

The AG’s experts say on top of the unjustified 10% profit margin increase the companies ask for, the companies have also overestimated their cost of providing power.

Fox Island gaining more shoreline with purchase

Residents of Fox Island could soon have more access to the shoreline.

According to the Tacoma News-Tribune, the Peninsula Metropolitan Park Board has approved a $2.5 million purchase of land.

The property is on Fox Island and includes land next to the DeMolay Sandspit.

All five commissioners approved the purchase.

Tacoma Link light rail closed for approximately six weeks

Tacoma’s Link light rail is closed from today through mid-September so construction crews can connect the tracks to the new Hilltop Extension.

Shuttle buses are operating in place of the T-Link, running between the Tacoma Dome and the Theatre District.

The Tacoma Commerce Transit Center is also closed during the project.

Those routes can be picked up on Market Street.

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