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PHELAN, Calif. (AP) — An arson fire that destroyed 189 homes and eight businesses in a Northern California town is nearly under control. California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention officials say the 6-square-mile fire in Lower Lake is now 95 percent contained. Damin Pashilk, of nearby Clearlake, is charged with 14 counts of arson in connection to the Lower Lake blaze that started Aug. 13 as well as 11 other fires dating back to July 2015.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The last thing people in southern Louisiana need is more rain and flooding. But parts of the hard-hit Baton Rouge-area are experiencing more thunderstorms with heavy rain today. The National Weather Service says 2 to 3 inches of rain have fallen and the area is under a flash flood warning. Among the areas that could experience flash flooding were Baton Rouge, Zachary, Baker and Port Allen.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada officials are facing yet another obstacle in carrying out the death penalty if they need to do so. One of the two drugs that are included in the lethal injection mixture has expired, and the pharmaceutical company that produces it refuses on principle to give the state any more. The lack of drugs is another hurdle for a state that hasn't had a working execution chamber since 2011. Nevada hasn't had an execution since 2006.
DRAPER, Utah (AP) —A paraglider is dead after crashing through the roof of a Utah church. Authorities say it happened this morning at a Mormon church in Draper, just a few minutes before a service was to begin. Authorities say 57-year-old Jim Petersen, of Bluffdale, was operating a motorized paraglider when he plunged to his death. The church was evacuated, and services were canceled for the rest of the day. There are no other injuries.
HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Six scientists are close to wrapping up a year of near isolation in a Mars simulation on a mountain in Hawaii. The scientists are housed in a dome on Mauna Loa. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that they can go outside only in spacesuits. They manage limited resources while conducting research and working to avoid personal conflicts. This simulation is the second-longest of its kind after a mission that lasted 520 days in Russia.
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