OPB’s First Look: How did the Longview disaster happen?

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Good morning, Northwest.

Officials confirmed this weekend that 11 people died in the chemical tank rupture at a Longview paper mill last week.

Now, investigators are piecing together how the disaster might have happened. Today’s newsletter starts with what we know so far and what experts say about the incident.

In other news, at least three people are dead and one police officer is wounded after a shooting in Sandy last night.

Here’s your First Look at Monday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Top story

‘Something dramatically wrong’: Questions but few answers after Longview mill tragedy

Family members of some of the 11 victims who died in last week’s paper mill disaster in Longview want answers on what led to the deadly rupture of a massive tank full of caustic chemicals.

They’re also questioning the safety culture at the mill, and at least two families say they have retained attorneys.

Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board have been on-site since Wednesday, but a spokesperson for Nippon Dynawave, the company that operates the mill, says the investigation is still “very much in early days.”

OPB spoke to seven chemical safety experts and former investigators about what officials would look for to determine how the rupture happened and what could have prevented it. (Troy Brynelson, Conrad Wilson and Lauren Dake)

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3 things to know

• Officials said Saturday they have retrieved the remains of the final victims trapped inside the mill, bringing the confirmed death toll from the disaster to 11. Also, President Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for the agency investigating the incident. (Courtney Sherwood and Joni Auden Land)
• At least three people are dead and a Sandy officer is wounded after officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect during a domestic disturbance call. (Troy Brynelson and Holly Bartholomew)
• A bipartisan group of Oregon lawmakers is asking state environmental regulators to pump the brakes on enforcing a set of civil fines against Pacific Seafood while the company appeals. (Alejandro Figueroa)

Chinese American doctor Ing Hay provided essential healthcare to Eastern Oregonians

Archaeologists and historians join us to share the legacy of Kam Wah Chung and traditional Chinese medicine in Eastern Oregon. (Jenn Chávez and Chelsea Rose)

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Northwest headlines

• Portland’s storied Burnside Bridge turns 100 years old (Joni Auden Land)
• ‘Light rail to nowhere’? Surging costs undercut I-5 bridge transit plan (Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard)
• Washington seniors face denied, delayed care under AI Medicare review program (Stephen Howie, KUOW)
• Portland Fire beat the Fever 100-84, limiting Caitlin Clark to 6 points (Anne M. Peterson, AP)
• Wilson converts penalty kick to pull Portland Thorns into a 2-2 draw with the Royals (Phuoc Nguyen, AP)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Longview disaster raises questions about Oregon’s preparedness and response to hazardous materials

One more look

Think young people are killing wine sales? Washington industry pros say it’s more complicated

Anxiety has been brewing in the beverage industry around the drinking habits of younger people.

They’re generally drinking alcohol less than people in older generations, which has presented challenges to Washington’s wine industry.

A recent event at Walla Walla Community College’s enology and viticulture program brought together winemakers, industry pros and students to discuss solutions to make wine culture more welcoming to young people.

The biggest barrier to entry? Affordability. (Erick Bengel, NWPB)

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