Lauren Patterson

Popular Christmas tree varieties like Douglas and Fraser firs are struggling amid a changing climate.

Over the years, Washington State University scientists have been collaborating with researchers at Oregon State University to trial species from Eastern Europe that might do better in dry weather.

Gary Chastagner is a retired plant pathologist, and he says drought in the Northwest is posing a challenge for tree growers.

Results from his latest trial should be ready next fall.

He says the goal is to help growers produce high-quality trees that stay fresher, longer.

For NPR News, I'm Lauren Patterson in Pullman, Washington.

A survey by the National Retail Federation finds 73% of the participants plan to celebrate Halloween this year.

That's up from about half in 2005.

That's Jay Zagorski, an economics professor at Boston University who researches holidays.

The data also show people are spending billions on costumes this year, and more people are dressing up their pets.

Zagorski says that's due to social media.

People are predicted to spend nearly a billion on pet costumes this year.

For NPR News, I'm Lauren Patterson in Pullman, Washington.