Editorial: To land a second airport, WA’s case must be ironclad
The arduous effort to find a second international airport in Puget Sound is flying in circles. The Legislature created a new work group to look closely at the expansion of existing airports. The stakes are astonishingly high. Without future expansion, the current capacity will fall short of the 27 million trips — called enplanements — needed each year by 2050, according to a Puget Sound Regional Council 2021 study. The review maintained that, if the region could meet that demand, another $31 billion would be added to Washington’s economy, as well as more than 200,000 jobs. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
A WA worker’s death reveals the limits of safety enforcement
A fatal trench collapse in 2016 set precedent for holding employers criminally liable, but officials still struggle to head off repeat violations. Washington saw 80 trauma-related workplace deaths last year, the highest number since 2010, according to state figures. The state’s Department of Labor & Industries bears responsibility for enforcing safety standards and investigating workplace fatalities. The agency imposed more than $14.7 million in fines last year for employer safety failures, injuries and other violations. Continue reading at Crosscut. (M. Scott Brauer)
Washington makes another run at heat pump rules
Controversial requirements aimed at getting electric heat pumps installed in newly constructed houses, apartments and commercial buildings cleared a final regulatory hurdle Tuesday. The suite of changes, approved by the Washington State Building Code Council, is part of a broader effort by the state to slash carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in residential and commercial construction. What the council enacted Tuesday offers builders incentives in the permitting process for choosing electric heat pumps – which provide both heating and cooling in the same unit – instead of natural gas furnaces. The appliances are more energy efficient and result in less pollution than gas furnaces. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)
Aberdeen Daily World
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Axios
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Everett Herald
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Olympian
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Puget Sound Business Journal
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Editorial: To land a second airport, WA’s case must be ironclad (Fey)
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Spokesman Review
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Tri-City Herald
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Walla Walla Union Bulletin
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Washington Post
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WA State Standard
Washington makes another run at heat pump rules
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Yakima Herald-Republic
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Editorial: Toppenish mini-forest offers welcome healing
Comment: Redistricting was meant to boost Pasco Latino voices. Some wonder why they lost ground
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Marysville School District facing ‘extreme’ budget crisis that could close schools, eliminate sports
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
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KUOW Public Radio
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KXLY (ABC)
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Q13 TV (FOX)
SPD Officer quits job amid allegations he worked as ‘muscle’ for a couple dealing drugs
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Web
Crosscut
A WA worker’s death reveals the limits of safety enforcement
MyNorthwest
Derelict boat with troubled past sinks off Orcas Island
Vashon Island struggling economically due to state ferry crisis
West Seattle Blog
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