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The shift comes amid a flurry of lawsuits against gear manufacturers as well as the makers of PFAS chemicals. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Every time he rushed out on a fire call, East Providence Lt. Thomas Votta knew he put himself at risk for cancer. There are potential carcinogens in the smoke billowing out of a house fire, but also risks from wearing his chemically-treated gear. Last month, the Rhode Island fire department became the nation's first to give the 11-year veteran and all his 124 fellow firefighters new gear free of PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Known as forever chemicals because of how long they remain in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a host of health problems, including increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease and babies born with low birth weights. “We are exposed to so many chemicals when we go to fires,” Votta said. “Having it inside our gear, touching or very close to our skin was very, very concerning. Knowing that’s gone now, it gives us a little bit of relief. We’re not getting it from every angle.” Why is PFAS in the gear? The PFAS in the multilayered coats and pants — primarily meant to repel water and contaminants like oil and prevent moisture-related burns — have been a growing concern among firefighters for several years. Cancer has replaced heart disease as the biggest cause of line-of-duty deaths, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union that represents firefighters and EMS workers. Firefighters are at higher risk than the general population of getting skin, kidney and other types of cancer, according to a study led by the American Cancer Society. Firefighters are exposed to smoke from faster and hotter blazes in buildings and wildfires, many containing toxic chemicals like arsenic and asbestos. In addition to the PFAS in their gear, the IAFF is also concerned about firefighting foam that contains the chemical and is being phased out in many places. “The question that is obvious to us is that why would we have carcinogens intentionally infused into our personal protective equipment?” IAFF General President Edward Kelly, who was elected in 2021 in part on a campaign to address PFAS dangers, said at a news conference this month. It can be difficult to determine the cause of a firefighter's cancer since the disease can take years to develop and genetics, diet and other lifestyle factors can play a role, experts say. Where a firefighter works — cities, suburbs or rural areas — also can impact the level of exposure to toxins. “That’s good they’re shining a light on the health of their workers,” said Dr. Lecia Sequist, program director at the Cancer Early Detection and Diagnostics Clinic at Mass General Hospital. “But I don’t think the data is mature enough that we have a clear understanding of what the unique causes of cancer in firefighters might be that’s different from the general population.” Lawsuits and state bans Still, health concerns among firefighters have sparked a flurry of lawsuits against makers of gear and PFAS chemicals. Seven states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have passed laws banning PFAS in gear and two others introduced bills calling for bans, according to the IAFF. The union has also targeted the agency that sets voluntary standards for firefighting gear and other safety requirements. In a 2023 lawsuit, the union accused the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, of setting standards that can only be met with PFAS-treated material and working with several gear makers to maintain that requirement — something the association denied. Last year, the agency announced new standards restricting use of 24 classes of chemicals including PFAS in gear — though it is considering delaying the law until March to give companies more time to comply. “The development of this new standard marks the most significant and complex shift in how firefighter protective gear is made in a generation," said NFPA spokesperson Tom Lyons. Finding PFAS-free gear isn't always easy Amid the state bans and legal fights, some of the largest gear makers are shifting away from PFAS. Smaller companies have also emerged marketing what they claim is PFAS-free gear. Hydrocarbon wax or silicone-based finish often replaces PFAS in the outer shell and removes it from the middle, moisture barrier. The changing gear landscape is giving fire departments an opportunity to make the switch to safer alternatives. Vancouver, Canada, purchased PFAS-free gear last year while Manchester, New Hampshire, bought new gear in March. Gilroy, California, and Belmont, Massachusetts, are in the process of making the switch, the IAFF said. “We’re trying to take every step possible to limit their exposure to the chemicals," said Manchester Assistant Chief Matt Lamothe. But switching to PFAS alternatives hasn't been easy. Since companies often don't list chemicals in gear, fire departments are often in the dark as to whether it's actually safer while also complying with heat stress, moisture and durability requirements. And PFAS-treated gear is still on the market, supported by the American Chemical Council, which argues these materials are the “only viable options” to “meet vital performance properties.” San Francisco was considering getting PFAS-free gear from one company until tests showed the chemical was present. The company addressed the problem and the fire department bought its first 50 of 700 sets this month. “The biggest challenge has been trust — or more accurately, the lack of it,” said Matthew Alba, a San Francisco department battalion chief who is being treated for a brain tumor he blames on fighting wildfires. In Quincy, Massachusetts, the department bought what it thought were 30 sets of PFAS-free gear, but independent tests revealed the chemical's presence. “These last few months dealing with this issue has been frustrating, angry and truthfully sad seeing what these companies continue to pull,” Tom Bowes, president of the IAFF local, told a news conference attended by dozens of Quincy firefighters this month. Is the transition going too fast? Researchers at Duke and North Carolina State universities argue concerns over the new gear suggest the transition away from PFAS has been rushed — potentially exposing firefighters to new chemicals and giving them gear that hasn't been proven safe. “I’ve talked to fire chiefs, fire departments across the country, across the world, they’re all dealing with it,” said Bryan Ormond, a professor at North Carolina State and director of its Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center. “They’re all trying to figure out ... how to move forward safely and protect our people because we don’t necessarily know what the new gear is going to do." But Graham Peaslee, an emeritus professor at the University of Notre Dame who tested gear for San Francisco and Quincy and is working with five other departments, said concerns about PFAS-free gear were a “scare tactic” from the chemical companies that want to keep selling their products. In East Providence, testing showed the fire department's first attempt to buy PFAS-free gear contained flame retardants that pose increased cancer risk and didn't adequately protect from heat. A new supplier provided PFAS-free materials that offered the heat protection. “It's a home run,” Fire Chief Michael Carey said of the gear, which cost $658,000 and was paid for by pandemic funds. “It takes a sizable weight off of my shoulders,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about them being in that gear and being exposed to a known carcinogen.” Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

The E-Verify system has been in use for nearly three decades. OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Some U.S. businesses verify applicants' eligibility to work using an online government system called E-Verify. When individuals present their documents showing they're authorized to work, employers can check the validity of that information by using the free tool to compare it with records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. A Homeland Security official has accused authorities in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, of “reckless reliance” on the program after a Jamaica national working as a police officer there was arrested by immigration authorities even though he'd been vetted through E-Verify when he was hired. But experts say there are few other options for validating information on work eligibility. A look at E-Verify by the numbers: The E-Verify system has been in use for nearly three decades. It was established as part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to help verify the documents that workers present showing that they are authorized to work. Unlike I-9 forms, which are federally required for every employer, E-Verify is voluntary unless required in some way by a specific state. Almost half the states require E-Verify for at least some public or private employers, according to an Equifax tally. The government said the number of employers participating in E-Verify rose to nearly 1.4 million this year, but the system isn't widely used. About a fifth of U.S. employers use it, according to U.S. Census figures that show about that there are roughly 6.2 million employer companies in the country. But some big businesses do so, including Walmart, Starbucks and Home Depot. Department of Homeland Security statistics state that E-Verify was used to perform about 43.5 million checks of prospective employees in fiscal 2024. The figure rose toward the end of the fiscal year, as more than 11.5 million checks were run in the final quarter. The vast majority of prospective employees checked via E-Verify were confirmed as eligible. About 98.3% were automatically confirmed as work-authorized instantly or within 24 hours, and that required no action by the employer or the employee, according to federal data. About 1.5% were found not to be work-authorized. The remaining prospective employees were later confirmed as work-authorized after taking action to resolve a mismatch, according to E-Verify's website. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

To keep the birthday parties going - Renton-based organization Birthday Dreams is hosting a '16 Candles' Gala of Dreams celebration on Saturday, Sept. 27. RENTON, Wash. — In its 16 years of existence, Birthday Dreams has helped make nearly 17,000 birthday parties happen for children facing homelessness and difficult times in their lives. Birthday Dreams, based in Renton, was launched with a mission to bring hope and joy into the lives of children. To celebrate its 16-year milestone - the nonprofit will host the '16 Candles' Gala of Dreams on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The 80's themed gala will feature music from the era, dinner, and silent and live auctions. KING 5's Farah Jadran will be the event emcee (stepping in for New Day's Kelly Hanson) accompanying auctioneer Ron Hippe The event serves as a key fundraiser to ensure the Birthday Dreams mission continues.  Jenn Warrick, a board of director with the nonprofit, joined KING 5 Weekend Mornings on Saturday to talk about the importance of birthday celebrations for youth. "Volunteers come together," Warrick said. "We've got lots of fun party decorations...cake decorators come in and decorate cakes for each kid." It's more than just a party, according to Warrick, who said these celebrations give each child hope and helps them feel special. To see the full interview - click the video player above. For information about volunteering or to donate to Birthday Dreams, click here. You can find gala information by clicking here.

Projects in the central Puget Sound area that will require additional funding include the West Seattle, Ballard, Tacoma Dome, Everett extensions, and more. SEATTLE — Sound Transit is facing a shortfall of $22 billion to $30 billion for major expansion work in the central Puget Sound area, the agency's board of directors were told Thursday. That's a hefty increase in the budget shortfall compared to 2021, when a realignment plan was announced that included the agency showing a $6 billion shortfall.  Now, the agency needs billions more to complete its Sound Transit 3 (ST3) light rail projects. Those include extensions to West Seattle, Ballard, the Tacoma Dome, Tacoma Community College, Everett and South Kirkland-Issaquah, according to a presentation to the board of directors. The infill stations at Graham Street and Boeing Access Road are also under the ST3 umbrella of projects. The shortfall "represents conservative and unmitigated cost estimates before any cost savings opportunities are applied," according to the presentation. The increase cost estimates stem from cost growth since 2021. The increases, according to the information presented during the board meeting, are mainly due to inflation, complex project delivery, tariffs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, increased scope and the purchase or lease of real estate. An "Enterprise Initiative" was introduced Thursday as the agency looks at ways to reduce costs while trying to deliver on the promises of ST3. A cost savings work plan update will be given in September. Voters approved ST3 in 2016. The $54 billion measure was expected to cost an average adult $169 in tax increases, according to Sound Transit at the time. ST3 passed in King and Snohomish counties with 58% and 52% of ballots cast for the initiative, respectively. Pierce County rejected the measure with 56% of ballots cast in opposition.

The 2025 edition of the Redhead Days festival this weekend includes music, food trucks and workshops tailored to particular needs of redheads. TILBURG, Netherlands — The southern Dutch city of Tilburg is seeing more color than usual this weekend, as thousands of redheads from all over the world gather in the Netherlands for a once-a-year festival to celebrate their flaming locks. The 2025 edition of the Redhead Days festival includes music, food trucks and workshops tailored to particular needs of redheads, from makeup explainers to skin cancer prevention. Organizers expect the three-day event to draw several thousand attendees from some 80 countries. Elounda Bakker, a Dutch festival veteran of 15 years, played cards with a group of redheaded friends from across the world who meet together every year at the festival. “I came out of curiosity mostly, just to see what it would be like not to stand out in the crowd,” said Bakker, 29. “It was really an interesting first experience and I just keep coming because I met some really nice friends here.” Magician Daniel Hank traveled six hours from Germany to join the festivities, now proud to flaunt the hair that made him the target of bullying when younger. “I think it’s really easy to recognize me because there are not that many people with a red beard, there are not many guys with long red hair,” he said. The festival is free and open to all, with the exception of the group photo on Sunday. That event is restricted to “natural” redheads. The 2013 edition set a Guinness World Record for the “largest gathering of people with natural red hair” with 1,672 people posing for the group photo. The tradition emerged two decades ago when Dutch artist Bart Rouwenhorst put out a call for 15 red-haired models for an art project in a local newspaper. He got ten times the response he was expecting and brought the group together for a photo. The project got so much attention, Rouwenhorst organized a similar meetup the following year and has continued to oversee the festival as it has expanded into the multiday event it is today. “The festival is really amazing because all the people, they resemble each other and they feel like it’s a family,” he said. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

It's a setback for the Republican administration’s efforts to remove migrants from the country without appearing before a judge first. WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants detained in the interior of the United States. The move is a setback for the Republican administration's efforts to expand the use of the federal expedited removal statute to quickly remove some migrants in the country illegally without appearing before a judge first. President Donald Trump promised to engineer a massive deportation operation during his 2024 campaign if voters returned him to the White House. And he set a goal of carrying out 1 million deportations a year in his second term. But U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., suggested the Trump administration's expanded use of the expedited removal of migrants is trampling on individuals' due process rights. “In defending this skimpy process, the Government makes a truly startling argument: that those who entered the country illegally are entitled to no process under the Fifth Amendment, but instead must accept whatever grace Congress affords them,” Cobb wrote in a 48-page opinion issued Friday night. “Were that right, not only noncitizens, but everyone would be at risk.” The Department of Homeland Security announced shortly after Trump came to office in January that it was expanding the use of expedited removal, the fast-track deportation of undocumented migrants who have been in the U.S. less than two years. The effort has triggered lawsuits by the American Civil Liberties Union and immigrant rights groups. Before the Trump administration's push to expand such speedy deportations, expedited removal was only used for migrants who were stopped within 100 miles of the border and who had been in the U.S. for less than 14 days. Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, didn't question the constitutionality of the expedited removal statute, or its application at the border. “It merely holds that in applying the statute to a huge group of people living in the interior of the country who have not previously been subject to expedited removal, the Government must afford them due process,” she wrote. She added that “prioritizing speed over all else will inevitably lead the Government to erroneously remove people via this truncated process.” Cobb earlier this month agreed to temporarily block the Trump administration’s efforts to expand fast-track deportations of immigrants who legally entered the U.S. under a process known as humanitarian parole — a ruling that could benefit hundreds of thousands of people. In that case the judge said Homeland Security exceeded its statutory authority in its effort to expand expedited removal for many immigrants. The judge said those immigrants are facing perils that outweigh any harm from “pressing pause” on the administration’s plans. Since May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have positioned themselves in hallways to arrest people after judges accept government requests to dismiss deportation cases. After the arrests, the government renews deportation proceedings but under fast-track authority. Although fast-track deportations can be put on hold by filing an asylum claim, people may be unaware of that right and, even if they are, can be swiftly removed if they fail an initial screening. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Brayan Rocchio singled in Nolan Jones with the tying run, then scored on Steven Kwan's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning in the Guardians' 5-4 victory over the M's. CLEVELAND — Brayan Rocchio singled in Nolan Jones with the tying run, then scored on Steven Kwan's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning in the Cleveland Guardians' 5-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. Jones led off the ninth with a double and came around on Rocchio's soft hit to left, with left fielder Randy Arozarena throwing the ball away to allow Rocchio to advance to third. Tim Herrin (5-3) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory that pulled Cleveland within four games of Seattle for the final AL wild-card position. Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz (3-2) recorded one out and gave up two runs, one unearned. The Guardians trailed 4-0 after five innings before Kyle Manzardo homered in the sixth and Jones added another solo shot in the seventh, both off George Kirby. Angel Martínez pulled the Guardians to 4-3 in the eighth, singling home José Ramírez. The Mariners scored four times in the first against Logan Allen. Julio Rodríguez and Eugenio Suárez drove in runs before Jorge Polanco cleared the fence in left with his 21st home run of the season. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 50 homers, went 0 for 1 with three walks. Outfielder Victor Robles began serving a seven-game suspension for throwing his bat at a pitcher on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma. Key moment Mariners relievers Matt Brash and Muñoz allowed three runs, two earned, while combining for four outs. They gave up three hits and a pair of walks after entering to begin the eighth. Key stat Guardians third baseman Ramírez doubled in the first inning for his 826th hit at Progressive Field, becoming the career leader at the 31-year-old ballpark. Omar Vizquel is second with 825. Up next Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (4-5, 3.69 ERA) was set to face RHP Gavin Williams (8-5, 3.36 ERA) on Saturday night. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Emma Heming Willis opened up in interviews this week about the difficult decision to move Bruce to a separate, one-story home with 24-hour care nearby. NEW YORK — Emma Heming Willis shared her thoughts Friday on the public response to her emotional interviews this week about her husband Bruce Willis' battle with frontotemporal dementia. The 49-year-old author and advocate shared her thoughts on the coverage following her candid conversations with ABC News' Diane Sawyer, which aired earlier this week in the special "Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey." "I think that they did a beautiful job with amplifying FTD awareness, as well as shining a spotlight onto caregivers," she said in the video after acknowledging she wanted to wait a few days to respond after the interview aired Tuesday. "What I knew is that by sharing some of our intimate information that we would see these two camps. It would be people with an opinion versus people with an actual experience." During those interviews, Heming Willis had opened up about the most intimate details of their family's journey since the legendary actor's dementia diagnosis, including the difficult decision to move Bruce to a separate, one-story home with 24-hour care nearby. "It was one of the hardest decisions that I've had to make so far but I knew first and foremost Bruce would want that for our daughters," she had told Sawyer. "He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs." Heming Willis said the comment section of the interview played out how she expected, with many showing "how quick they are to judge the caregiver. And that is what caregivers are up against, judgment from others and criticism from others."  The emotional interviews revealed that while the 70-year-old "Die Hard" star remains in "really great health overall," his brain "is failing him" as his condition progresses. Heming Willis described how Bruce's language abilities are declining, though she treasures the moments when glimpses of his former self still shine through. "It's his laugh, right? Like, he has such a hearty laugh and you know sometimes you'll see that twinkle in his eye or that smirk and you know, I just get like transported and it's just hard to see because as quickly as those moments appear then it goes," she had said tearfully. Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 after he was first diagnosed with aphasia, which was later determined to be frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The degenerative brain disorder is estimated to impact around 60,000 people in the U.S. and is one of the most common forms of dementia for people under age 60. Heming Willis, who married Bruce in 2009 and shares two daughters with him, has become a vocal advocate for FTD awareness and caregiver support. Her book "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on The Caregiving Path" is set to be released on September 9. She shared a passage from her book, recounting what a therapist told her: "Nothing changes an opinion quite as powerfully as when you have an experience. Even if someone is closely familiar with dementia or the condition you are caring for, they aren't in your home, so they don't know how your person is behaving or your family dynamics." "The truth is that the opinions are so loud and they're so noisy," she continued. "But if they don't have the experience of this, they don't get a say, and they definitely don't get a vote." The family has largely kept Bruce's condition private since his diagnosis, with rare public updates about his health. Heming Willis has previously used social media to address speculation about her husband's condition and to advocate for better understanding of dementia and caregiving challenges. During her interview with Sawyer, she described their current living situation as filled with love despite the challenges. "It is a house that is filled with love and warmth and care and laughter," she said of Bruce's care home. "It's been beautiful to see how many of Bruce's friends continue to show up for him and they bring in life and fun." [embedded content]

Trash Club, a volunteer group in Bellingham, plans to install "Guerrilla Garbage Cans" to combat litter in Whatcom Creek. BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Whatcom Creek is a treasure in Bellingham, but it's also getting trashed.  Much of the garbage left on the streets makes its way to the waterway, and with the city not putting out garbage cans, locals are taking matters into their own hands. When Matt Bryant looks at the trash littering the creek, he doesn't just see garbage. He sees us. "I've pulled many syringes straight out of the water. We find weapons," Bryant said. "You see the layers of our struggles. You see addiction and consumption and excess and waste." Welcome to Trash Club. The group started during the pandemic when Bryant saw garbage piling up along Whatcom Creek, especially in areas around homeless camps. "I thought to myself someone should do something about that. I had that moment of realizing I'm the somebody," he said. The group of bike-riding volunteers meets monthly to do cleanups. Over the past four years they've collected an impressive 75 tons of trash. "Honestly it's hard to keep up," Bryant said. Among those helping with the cleanup efforts is David Banzini, a homeless man who lives near the creek. Banzini assists in the cleanups and uses plastic shopping bags from grocery stores as makeshift trash receptacles. "The problem is some people feel entitled to do whatever they want," Banzini said. "My grandpa said leave every place nicer than you found it, if you can." When Bryant asked Bellingham officials about simply putting out trash cans along that portion of the creek to cut down on the amount of waste going into the water, he was told it was too expensive -- at least $7,000. It's also difficult to get a truck down the path for pick up. Richard Griffin, Bellingham park facilities manager said, "We appreciate the many volunteers who help in this complicated and well-used corridor. The City has multiple trash can locations along this corridor in places our facilities team are able to reach with a truck to empty." Trash Club is now assisting the city by launching an online fundraising campaign. With the city's consent, Bryant is planning to put six far cheaper trash bins along the creek -- what he calls "Guerrilla Garbage Cans" -- that volunteers will maintain. Fundraiser by Matt Bryant : Support Trash Club's New Guerilla Garbage Cans "The full idea behind Trash Club is we are not powerless. We can take action to help improve our situation," he said. The hope is that one day when people look at Whatcom Creek, it will be a far better reflection of us. "We can keep picking up the trash but until we address some of the root causes it's not gonna stop," Bryant said. Trash Club plans to start deploying the garbage cans on September 7 and is always looking for more volunteers. You can reach via email or on Instagram.

Alyssa's Law mandates new safety tools and emergency plans in Washington state schools. MARYSVILLE, Wash. — Students returning to Washington schools may notice some new technological tools meant to make campuses safer. Districts are required to install safety devices and emergency response plans with police under a law passed by legislators earlier this year. "Alyssa's Law" was signed into law by Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson in May. Under the law, districts have until Oct. 1 to inform the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction the details of their emergency plans and what devices are on campus. Districts have multiple options for improving campus security: issuing panic alarms or two-way radios to all staffers, installing remotely controlled door locks, or surveillance cameras. Snohomish County equipped all Marysville School District staff with Motorola's "Rave" app, allowing teachers and administrators to alert colleagues and emergency services directly from their phones during shootings, fires or medical emergencies.  At Marysville-Pilchuck High School, where four students were killed in a 2014 shooting, the optional app was downloaded by most staff, said Principal Pete Apple. "Every school that I've been in has always had the buy-in of staff on safety," Apple said. "We know our No. 1 priority is safety and a supportive learning environment, and everyone needs to be focused on that." Marysville-Pilchuck English teacher and yearbook advisor Nicole Burns said she feels safer with the app.  "It's great for peace of mind. It's great for being in the loop and understanding what any given situation is," said Burns. The law is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida school shooting. Alyssa's mother, Lori Alhadeff, believes panic alarms might have saved her daughter's life and is working to pass similar legislation nationwide. Tumwater schools have installed high-definition, controllable cameras throughout their campuses that can track movement and be monitored remotely by both school officials and police.  "I'm able to move in, if I need to. I can move the camera side to side," Heidi Center-Howden, principal at Michael T. Simmons Elementary, said while demonstrating how the camera works. Some districts are going beyond the law's requirements. Olympia schools now require visitors at all schools to enter through secured vestibules that direct them to the main office first.