2 radio towers in Washington state toppled

Two radio station towers near Seattle that have generated intense local opposition were toppled early Friday in an act of sabotage that bore the initials of the radical Earth Liberation Front.

An e-mail from the North American ELF Press Office, which has represented the shadowy group in the past, says the towers for KRKO-AM were torn down because of health and environmental concerns. Authorities say a banner that bore the initials of the ELF was left at the scene.

Lora Lee, a spokeswoman for KRKO owner and general manager Andy Skotdal, says Skotdal doesn't have an immediate damage estimate.

Skotdal says KRKO remains on the air and will continue to broadcast using a back-up transmitter until the original towers are once again operational.

He says KRKO is offering a $25,000 reward in the case.

The FBI is investigating. Agent Marty Prewett says the towers apparently were taken down with a track hoe, a piece of heavy construction equipment that was already on the site.