This is Northwest Public Broadcasting's Weekly News Now.

I'm Tracci Dial.

Thanks so much for joining us.

Toxic algae is this week's top story.

For the second summer in a row, the Snake River has warning signs posted.

Whitman County Public Health recently found a toxic algal bloom at a pretty popular swimming spot known as Granite Point or Granite Rock.

It's on the Washington side of the snake, just about 30 miles from Lewiston, Idaho.

“Recently, when we have the thunderstorm rain events after a very long dry period, my theory right now is that's flushing extra nutrients down into the water.” That's Chris Skidmore.

He's the director at Whitman County Public Health.

What you need to know about these algal blooms is they're dangerous.

If ingested in high concentrations, those toxins can cause liver damage, even death.

At the very least, health leaders say it can irritate your skin, and fish are affected, too.

Go to NWPB.org for full coverage of these algal blooms over the last few years.

That's all at NWPB.org.

Northwest tribes are getting millions to build affordable housing.

HUD grants are coming in for tribes in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

That's the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

About $12 million is coming to the Northwest.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribal Housing Authority, the Colville Indian Housing Authority and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon are all getting some of that.

“There was a total of $150 million nationwide, of which we had four awardees in the Northwest, totaling about $12 million.” Applications for the next round of HUD affordable housing grants are due by August 29th.

What kinds of housing is going up with this funding is all in the web article on our website.

Now to the dog days of field trips.

“Could we just have one pup cup, please?” Dog field trips are a thing in Walla Walla and NWPB got to follow along in the dog days of summer.

The Blue Mountain Humane Society invites people to take adoptable dogs to coffee shops, on walks, even to wineries.

How very Walla Walla.

Check out that full story online.

And finally, a quick round up of the National Lentil Festival.

Once again, it proved full of fun, food and a lot of bean puns, all in beautiful Pullman, Washington.

You can find the sights and sounds of the 35th annual event, with full audio pieces and a picture gallery that's at NWPB.org.

Our team was there for the Grand Parade and had a great time working a booth and meeting so many of you.

Outside of Lentil Fest, you can find NWPB on Instagram, on Facebook, and on YouTube.

I'm Tracci Dial with your Weekly News Now.

Thanks for joining us.