WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Wednesday, April 10

The Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. Over a period of less than three months this year, the federal immigrant detention center has seen at least six, possibly seven, suicide attempts, according to audio and records of 911 calls

At least 6 suicide attempts at Tacoma ICE facility, 911 calls show
Over a period of less than three months this year, the federal immigrant detention center in Tacoma has seen at least six, possibly seven, suicide attempts, according to audio and records of 911 calls. On Tuesday, the University of Washington Center for Human Rights shared the audio and records of dozens of calls it obtained through public records requests, covering a period of Jan. 1 to March 18. Six calls were related to people held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center attempting to kill themselves through hanging or asphyxiation. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)


Apartment buildings in Tacoma.

How Washington’s local governments have moved to allow for denser housing
Washington lawmakers in recent years have passed laws to require local governments to allow for more housing density with duplexes, triplexes or attached dwelling units. But before lawmakers required these changes, they looked at ways to incentivize local governments to do this on their own. Two laws, one passed in 2019 and one passed in 2020, provided grants to local governments to create housing action plans intended to increase the number of units that could be built. For many places in Washington, the incentives worked, according to a new study. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Jason Finn)


Image of students at Grand Ridge Elementary School in Issaquah.

New WA state law mandates K-5 recess for physical, mental health benefits
Any school kid will tell you, recess is fun. But it’s more than just a chance to get out of class and run around. It’s also important for a child’s mental health. A new state law passed in the 2023 legislative session takes effect in the fall, mandating at least 30 minutes of recess time every day, for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Continue reading at KOMO News . (KOMO News)


Print

Associated Press
New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices

Aberdeen Daily World
Taholah starts to craft vision for new school on higher ground

Axios
EPA imposes first national limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water

Bellingham Herald
Bike lanes, safer crossings planned for downtown Bellingham’s busiest street
Bellingham City Council approves purchase of new site for tiny home transition-living villages
Opinion: Imagine what it’s like to be an LGBTQ teen as politicians around the country attack us

Capital Press
Fruit harvesters at center of international patent dispute

Columbian
Study says Washington is home to four of the healthiest cities in the country; Vancouver is No. 57
Safe Stay gains lifeline: Vancouver boosts Hope Village, providing for wage increases, addition of case manager
Vancouver woman’s death certificate debacle: Communication gaps, software changes, state rules cause one-month delay after husband dies

Everett Herald
Boeing whistleblower reports dangerous ‘shortcuts’ at Everett plant
‘Silent disease’: Many have kidney disease, but don’t know till it’s too late
Editorial: Adopt federal rules on data privacy and rights
Letter: Officials’ inaction on mobile home rent increases shameful

Indian Country Today
The biomass boom is coming

Kitsap Sun
Multi-million St. Vincent de Paul redevelopment to add housing, services in Bremerton

News Tribune
New village with more than 2K homes, trails, businesses proposed in Pierce County city
Opinion: A mega-warehouse project threatens Tacoma’s health. It’s not the only one

Northwest Asian Weekly
Ramadan Iftar dinner (Dhingra, Kloba)

Olympian
‘Gone for good.’ U.S. workers flee farms, leaving WA growers struggling under old rules

Peninsula Daily News
Port Townsend awarded grants for urban forestry

Port Townsend Leader
School superintendent on the big picture

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle biotech research hub launches with big goals for growth

Seattle Times
At least 6 suicide attempts at Tacoma ICE facility, 911 calls show
State imposes corrective action against Why Not You charter school
‘Lost Patients’ podcast Episode 5: Out of the hospital, into homelessness
Have Boeing planes really had more problems lately? Look at the numbers
Opinion: Rethink sites for light rail stations in South Lake Union
Opinion: WA gun ruling is another warning we’re headed back in a time warp
Editorial: New Seattle police contract must include stronger accountability

Skagit Valley Herald
Swinomish tribe receives grant to study river floodplains

Spokesman Review
NAIA ruling to ban transgender women from competing in sports will affect Inland Northwest colleges
Judge rules Washington’s ban on high-capacity magazines unconstitutional, case now heads to state Supreme Court
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis accepts WSU’s inaugural Thomas S. Foley Award for Distinguished Public Service

Tri-City Herald
Opinion: Five ways to see how AI can improve government efficiency and save taxpayer money

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Business notes: State officials set aside 500K to help clean up gas leak

Washington Post
Here’s how EVs could get 200 miles per gallon
EPA limits toxic air pollution from chemical plants
Inflation keeps coming in hot, likely delaying interest rate cuts
In a first, EPA sets limit for ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
Earth sees hottest-ever March, the 10th record-breaking month in a row
We mapped nature across the U.S., neighborhood by neighborhood. Look up where you live.

WA State Standard
Why are these WA industry leaders heading to Japan to play games?
How Washington’s local governments have moved to allow for denser housing

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Drivers crash into WSDOT work zones 4 times in less than 24 hours
Boeing whistleblower warns of ‘shortcuts’ in 787, 777 Dreamliner production
Both sides of gun debate ready for high-capacity magazine battle in Washington state

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
At least a dozen suspects burglarize, ransack Central District marijuana store
Washington state lawmakers Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers lead plan to expand digital privacy nationwide

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
SPD reports significant decrease in use of force from 2021 to 2023
New WA state law mandates K-5 recess for physical, mental health benefits
Port Angeles School District paraeducators go on strike, schools closed Tuesday

KNKX Public Radio
WA state ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines ruled unconstitutional, but state appeals

KUOW Public Radio
How data privacy united a Washington Democrat and Republican
A Boeing whistleblower raises fresh concerns about the 787, and the FAA investigates
Short on staff and ships, can Washington’s new ferry chief navigate out of troubled waters?
Vulnerable patients caught in ‘churn’ between Washington mental health care systems face life and death circumstances

KXLY (ABC)
Tax deadline for Spokane County wildfire victims extended
New Fire Chief O’Berg plans to tackle Spokane’s drug and mental health crisis
South Hill Catholic Charities apartment complex raising rent, leaving residents concerned

NW Public Radio
Unhoused residents file complaint in court against city of Clarkston

FOX13 TV
Washington firearm background checks plummet in 2024

Web

Crosscut
Judge rules Washington high-capacity magazine law unconstitutional

MyNorthwest
Our brains are changing because of the environment, says PNW scientist

The Urbanist
Heroes and Zeroes of the 2024 Washington State Legislature (Peterson, Street, Alvarado, Gregerson, Mena, Duerr, Nobles, Trudeau, Kauffman, Cleveland, Mullet, Van De Wege, Fey, Liias, Lovelett)