CenterMostly Factual
The Straits TimesNews report · Aug 4, 10:42 PM
Arson suspect in court as wildfires rage around Spokane, Washington
He started 1 of 3 fires that have destroyed over 700 houses and other buildings.
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4 sources checked · 2 source groups included · 2h ago
Still Watching
Arson suspect in court as wildfires rage around Spokane, Washington
CBS News and The Straits Times describe the same event in different terms.
2 Left2 Center0 Right
STILL WATCHING
As of August 5, 2026 at 12:40 AM, this is how Optics News reads the wording differences in this story.
What happened He started 1 of 3 fires that have destroyed over 700 houses and other buildings.
The headline split The left frames it as "Arson suspect in Spokane wildfire had prior manslaughter conviction". The center frames it as "Washington wildfire arson suspect twice linked to other blazes, authorities say".
Match confidence Medium confidence. 4 sources across 2 bias buckets. Useful framing signal — check the source list before sharing.
Same-event confidenceMedium
4 sources across 2 bias buckets agree on the event.
Framing confidenceModerate
61/99 — meaningful wording shift across the spectrum.
WHAT EACH SIDE EMPHASIZED
Left / center-leftArson suspect in Spokane wildfire had prior manslaughter conviction
CBS News · Center-left · News report
CenterArson suspect in court as wildfires rage around Spokane, Washington
The Straits Times · Center · News report
Right / center-rightNo matching source in this bucket yet.
Optics keeps watching for pickup.
SEE THE HEADLINES
Open source
CenterHigh
BBC News - US & CanadaNews report · Aug 5, 12:40 AM
Washington wildfire arson suspect twice linked to other blazes, authorities say
Aaron Farinacci, 37, was allegedly spotted near the latest blaze and was found to have matches and a lighter.
Center-leftHigh
CBS NewsNews report · Aug 5, 12:05 AM
Arson suspect in Spokane wildfire had prior manslaughter conviction
More than 700 buildings in the Spokane area have been destroyed and 400 more haven't been assessed, officials said as three fires burned in the area and an arrest was made in connection wit...
Center-leftVery High
PBS NewsHourNews report · Aug 4, 10:55 PM
Man charged with arson as Washington wildfires devastate Spokane area
Firefighters in eastern Washington are struggling to gain the upper hand on the wildfires devastating the Spokane area. The three blazes have forced tens of thousands to flee and destroyed...
Details61/99 Wording Gap · Medium confidence · 4 sources
61/99 Wording GapMedium confidence4 sources · 2 bias bucketsLive match · 4 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news formatFormats: News report
SOURCE MAP CHANGES
Aug 4, 10:42 PM: The Straits Times joined the source map.
Aug 4, 10:55 PM: PBS NewsHour joined the source map.
Aug 5, 12:05 AM: CBS News joined the source map.
Aug 5, 12:40 AM: BBC News - US & Canada joined the source map.
Now: Wording Gap is 61/99 and story health is live match · 4 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news format.