WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Tuesday, April 23

Tacoma’s new therapeutic courts take a holistic approach to tackling recidivism in Tacoma Municipal Court at the County-City Building. Photographed on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Tacoma. BRIAN HAYES bhayes@thenewstribune.com

Can intensive support in court keep people from re-offending? Tacoma is giving it a go
People ensnared in the criminal justice system often go on to re-offend. Tacoma is looking to help break that cycle through the launch of two therapeutic courts. The city announced in an April 9 news release that its Community Court and Mental Health Court seek to treat the “root causes of crime.” The courts take a holistic approach to reducing recidivism rates. Successful graduates of the therapeutic-court programs will see their charges dismissed. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Brian Hayes)


 Nicole Slemp had expected to return to work after son William arrived last August. But like an increasing number of Puget Sound families, she and her husband found that it didn’t pencil out

In WA and beyond, a child care crisis is holding parents back
In 2022, more than 1 in 10 young children had a parent who had to quit, turn down or drastically change a job in the previous year because of child care problems. And that burden falls most on mothers, who shoulder more child-rearing responsibilities and are far more likely to leave a job to care for kids. The dilemma is common throughout Washington and the U.S., where high-quality child care programs can be prohibitively expensive, government assistance is limited and day care openings are sometimes hard to find at all. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)


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New federal funds will help thousands in Washington get solar power for free
Washington state will receive $156 million in federal funds for new programs to install rooftop solar on thousands of homes and apartment buildings, and to expand access to solar energy in tribal communities. The money is a slice of $7 billion in grants nationwide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday through its Solar For All program, which aims to make solar energy more available and affordable for low- and moderate-income Americans .In Washington, the state Department of Commerce will use the funds to start four new programs. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Getty Images)


Print

Associated Press
Local election workers fear threats to their safety as November nears. One group is trying to help
A suburban Seattle police officer faces murder trial in the death of a man outside convenience store

Aberdeen Daily World
Elma gas plant property value drops by $52M

Axios
SCOTUS weighs strict abortion ban against emergency care law
Will noncompete clauses soon be illegal? The FTC is about to vote on it

Bellingham Herald
State closes another Whatcom County shooting range. Here’s why they did it.
Proposed agreement spells out Whatcom County jail construction and operations
Authorities arrest Ferndale man as part of multi-agency human trafficking investigation

Capital Press
Washington wolves set record for population growth
Comment: A snapshot of the region’s energy portfolio

Everett Herald
With light rail coming soon, Mountlake Terrace’s moment is nearly here
Comment: Setting record straight on 3 climate activism myths
Comment: Debate remains around legalized abortion and crime
Editorial: EBT program a boon for kids’ nutrition this summer

High Country News
When dams come down, what happens to the ocean?
These Washington nurses want their hospital to be more like Oregon

News Tribune
Can intensive support in court keep people from re-offending? Tacoma is giving it a go

Puget Sound Business Journal
Providence to pay over $200M for wage violations
SCOTUS ruling could result in challenges to impact fees
Union: Striking electricians have shut down multiple area job sites

Seattle Times
In WA and beyond, a child care crisis is holding parents back
WA solar energy projects getting $156 million in federal funds
Supreme Court seems poised to allow laws that penalize homelessness
Seattle Children’s won’t turn over gender-affirming care records to Texas

Skagit Valley Herald
Section of Skagit River opens for spring chinook

Spokesman Review
Schulz departing as Washington State University president
Riders can hop on a Spokane-area bus for free during weekends from May 4 to June 30
Spokane City Council will consider requiring 4 to 6 months’ notice before landlords can raise rent by much

Tri-City Herald
Thousands of Tri-Cities students forced indoors Monday by bad air after massive fire
Richland’s Chamna Preserve earthquake unusual for this area. Here’s how it was different

Washington State Standard
New federal funds will help thousands in Washington get solar power for free
Supreme Court appears to lean toward allowing local restrictions on homeless encampments

Yakima Herald-Republic
USPS to move some mail processing to Spokane, will update Yakima post office

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state prison using video games to help incarcerated fathers bond with their kids
Seattle Children’s won’t turn over gender-affirming care records in lawsuit settlement with Texas
Styrofoam, packaging with PFAS will be banned in Washington this summer. What that means for consumers

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Kroger to pay $47.5 million to Washington state to combat fentanyl crisis
Seattle small businesses unaware of storefront repair fund despite rising break-ins
Seattle hospital won’t turn over gender-affirming care records in lawsuit with Texas

KUOW Public Radio
Digital reading soars in Seattle, creating problems for local libraries
Washington’s plastic bag fee reduces waste — but not to the extent intended, report finds

KXLY (ABC)
First day of Sacred Heart workers’ strike

Web

MyNorthwest
Will a ‘Heat Dome’ be part of the upcoming Seattle summer?
Kroger to pay nearly $50M to Washington to combat fentanyl crisis
‘SPD is dying’: What Seattle police officers are saying during exit interviews
South King Fire offering free smoke alarm installation for Federal Way residents