WA paid $100 million over mental health delays. Here’s where it’s going
Up to $100 million could soon be poured into building housing for patients recently released from Washington’s state psychiatric hospitals, with the hope that increasing housing supply will stop patients from returning to the criminal justice system. The funds will come from a round of fines that a federal judge imposed on the state Department of Social and Health Services in 2023, after the agency failed to comply with a court order to quickly evaluate and treat patients who were waiting for a spot at one of the state’s psychiatric hospitals. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms.” Justice Clarence Thomas, a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment, was the lone dissent. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Ethan Miller)
Could your retail and online deliveries soon be taxed in Washington?
A proposed fee, or tax, may soon be added to retail and online deliveries in Washington. It could generate significant revenue for maintaining city and county roads. State lawmakers are considering this option as they grapple with rising transportation costs and declining gas tax collections, which traditionally fund road maintenance. The proposed “retail delivery fee” would apply to taxable retail items delivered by motor vehicles, including packages from Amazon and goods shipped by companies like UPS. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Steven Senne)
Axios
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Capital Press
Northwest summer outlook cools off
Columbian
Forest proposal doesn’t ban logging but still likely to anger industry
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Everett Herald
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Puget Sound Business Journal
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Seattle Times
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Graffiti at Seattle Holocaust center sparks hate crime investigation
Seattle police officer fired after using sexist, racist slurs against neighbor
WA paid $100 million over mental health delays. Here’s where it’s going
Spokesman Review
Spokane mayor picks 4 finalists to be next police chief
After nearly 20 years driving the bus, Spokane Transit Authority CEO Susan Meyer announces retirement
WA State Standard
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state
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U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘A very big hassle’: Permit backlog stalls Snohomish County food trucks
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2 members of Seattle police command staff under criminal investigation, still on the job
Environmental, health and labor groups petition FEMA for resources for extreme heat, wildfire smoke
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Marysville School District declared ‘financially insolvent’ by the state
Jury to begin deliberating in murder trial of suburban Seattle officer who killed a man in 2019
KNKX Public Radio
Seattle police officer fired for off-duty racist comments
Trial of Auburn police officer in death of Jesse Sarey sent to jury
KUOW Public Radio
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‘Restructuring operations’; Major changes made on Spokane radio stations
Web
Crosscut
WA mobile home complaints over rent hikes, policies surged in 2023
MyNorthwest
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Delayed construction leaves Puyallup mobile home park site vacant
Could your retail and online deliveries soon be taxed in Washington? (Liias)
Supreme Court upholds gun control law intended to protect domestic violence victims