Judge To Rule in Serviceman Shooting, Cooler – Stormy Weather Coming to Eastern WA – Northwest News Roundup May 13

Here is the latest news from the Associated Press and Newstalk 870.

Judge to Rule on Premeditation in Serviceman Shooting of Five Soldiers

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) — A military judge at Joint Base Lewis-McChord could decide today whether an Army sergeant who fatally shot five fellow service members in Iraq acted with premeditation. After that determination, a sentencing hearing for Sgt. John Russell is expected to take another week. The 14-year veteran already has pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to avoid a death sentence. Premeditation is a factor in whether Russell must serve life in prison for the 2009 slayings.

Thunderstorms, Cooler Weather - Rain Coming to Eastern Washington Monday, Tuesday

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The National Weather Service says thunderstorms are possible in Eastern Washington this afternoon as a cold front sweeps through the Inland Northwest. Forecasters say it could bring the first widespread rain in three weeks with locally heavy downpours in places. Forecasters also say cooler temperatures this week will ease the snowmelt and allow many Eastern Washington rivers to recede.

Oregon Gas Prices Jump $.26 in One Week

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Oregon is $3.92. That's up 26 cents in a week, and it's 34 cents higher than the national average. Some metro prices from today's survey -- Portland $3.91, Salem $3.92, Eugene-Springfield $3.96, and Medford-Ashland $3.94.

Federal Officials Visit Northwest Interagency Fire Center - Large Fire Season Expected This Year

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — With another extreme Western fire season predicted, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell are visiting the National Interagency Fire Center to discuss what their agencies are doing to prepare. Even before today's visit, weather forecasters at the center in Boise already laid out a grim scenario for 2013. That's because a dry winter and signs of a warming trend have them concluding the fire activity will be above normal in West Coast states, as well as Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Arizona