Tougher DUI Laws May Be Coming + Wenatchee Mine Cleanup Underway – Your April 9 Northwest News Afternoon Roundup

WA Could Get Even Tougher DUI Laws

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Lawmakers are considering tightening up the state's laws against driving under the influence after two recent cases that left three dead and two — including an infant — critically injured. Rep. Roger Goodman is holding a work group meeting today to discuss a variety of ideas to stop more impaired drivers. Goodman says "there's a compelling state interest here to improve road safety."

$100 Million to be Spent Cleaning up Wenatchee Area Mine

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — Work is ramping up this summer on a $100 million project to contain toxic wastes at an inactive metals mine in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest west of Lake Chelan. The Wenatchee World reports about 200 workers will be hired and housed at Holden Village for the work at Holden mine.

Oregon Cheerleading Coach Facing Rape Charges

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — A cheerleading coach accused of raping a 17-year-old cheerleader while she was unconscious has pleaded "not guilty" to rape and sex abuse charges in Corvallis. David Chatman told police he thought the girl who came to stay at his Corvallis apartment in September was 19. He coached her at a cheerleading school in Tualatin. He said the sex was consensual. KVAL reports the 38-year-old Chatman has been a registered sex offender since he was convicted of touching a 16-year-old cheerleader in 2007 as she slept on a plane.