Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith faces Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley in this November's elections. Both have spent recent weeks courting rural voters. Chris Lehman caught up with the candidates and reports on the importance of the small town vote.

Northwest farmers are expected to harvest a half million more acres of wheat this year than last. They're hoping for continued record high prices brought on by a world-wide shortage of the grain. Richland Correspondent Anna King reports.

Wildlife agents around the region are fielding more bear complaints than usual this month. Correspondent Tom Banse reports on why bears are busting bird feeders and raiding garbage cans in high summer.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he will announce "very soon" whether he intends to rebid the Air Force tanker contract that Boeing lost. Gates made his comments today during a visit to the Fort Lewis Army Base. It was part