NO WORKERS MISSING IN TEXAS PLANT EXPLOSION

HOUSTON» An emergency management official says nearly two dozen people suffered injuries that were not life-threatening in an explosion and a fire at a chemical plant. La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says a valve exploded Saturday at Kurary America Eval, causing burns similar to a severe sunburn, and other injuries.

The plant is in an unincorporated area between the Houston suburbs.

Krueger said all workers are accounted for and no chemicals were released.

Initial injury estimates ranged from six to more than 20.

One dead, one injured in cougar attack.

NORTH One man is dead and another has been injured in a cougar attack, authorities said Saturday.

The two men were on a morning mountain bike ride in the foothills near North Bend when the attack occurred, King County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ryan Abbott said.

The cougar ran into the woods, and officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Game are trying to track it, he said.

North Bend is about 30 miles east of Seattle.

The injured victim, who is in his 40s, was flown to a hospital with unspecified injuries. A search and rescue team has been dispatched to recover the body of the deceased man.

KIRO-TV reported that the injured man called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. and shouted, “Can you hear me? Help!” and then the call hung up.

Woman arrested during raids in marijuana probe with China ties.

U.S. authorities have arrested a Seattle woman, conducted raids and seized thousands of marijuana plants in an investigation into what they say is an international black market marijuana operation financed by Chinese money, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Authorities are still searching for two men who are suspected of leading a crime ring that used hundreds of thousands of dollars wired from China to grow marijuana illegally in 17 homes around Washington and shipped it to New York’s black market, the Seattle Times reported.

Agents arrested Seattle resident Xiamin Huang, 37, and are looking for her husband and his brother, Qifeng Li and Qiwei Li.

All three have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes said. Agents also raided homes in Burien, Kent, Tacoma and Renton and seized more than 3,000 marijuana plants.

— Denver Post wire services