Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
The number of abortions provided in Washington rose 23% last year, to the highest level in a decade, as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, recently released data shows. Over 20,000 abortions were performed in the state in 2022, according to new data from the Washington State Department of Health provided to The Seattle Times. That is nearly 3,800 more than the number of abortions recorded the previous year, and a reversal of a long-term decline in the number of abortions performed in the state. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Why are grades up and test scores down in Washington state? UW study examines grade inflation
A study from the University of Washington’s Center for Education Data and Research released last month reveals that average grades in math, English, and science for middle and high school students improved during the pandemic. At that time, state education officials recommended schools not fail students while schools were closed. Now, even though schools have returned to normal, the study finds average grades are still up. At the same time, standardized test scores remain far below where they were before the pandemic. Continue reading at KUOW. (Elaine Thompson)
Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session
Legislators on Monday could begin pre-filing bills for introduction on the session’s first day, Jan. 8. To succeed, legislators will have to push their ideas through the process pretty quickly because the coming session is scheduled to last just 60 days. Here’s a look at a few bills that are now in the hopper. Continue reading at Everett Herald
Axios
Seattle approves pilot program for gunshot detection tech
Columbian
Lewis River Highway closed near Cougar as Southwest Washington rivers under flood warning
Judge awards $1.3M in fees to 3 Latino Clark County Public Works employees who won hostile workplace lawsuit
Vancouver raises income limits for Affordable Housing Fund homeownership projects to make benefits available to more people
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s reconnection project allows excess water to naturally drain into Columbia River
‘The victim has the right to feel more safe’: Delegrates from country of Georgie visit Clark County to learn about electric monitoring, victim notification system
Everett Herald
Providence Swedish tightens COVID, mask policy
Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment
Everett council president pitches ban on serving in 2 elected offices
Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session (Keiser, Trudeau, Alvarado, Billig)
Opinion: Seniors, kids share in rising rates of poverty
The Inlander
Mayor-elect Lisa Brown introduces a (very large) transition team of 92 people (Riccelli)
News Tribune
Officer testifies he told Manuel Ellis: ‘If you can talk to me, you can still breathe’
Northwest Asian Weekly
C-ID Public Safety Survey highlights safety anxieties, crime surge in CID
Olympian
Puyallup, Nisqually, Chehalis rivers among those under threat of flooding.
Landslide brings Amtrak Cascades’ most popular route to a halt for two days.
Judge threatens to remove observers after reactions to officer’s testimony in Ellis case
Olympia officer who shot and killed Timothy Green near Starbucks will not be charged
Masks to be required again by Tacoma-area health system. Here’s what prompted change
Record rainfall possible as ‘Pineapple Express’ slams WA. Here’s how much rain has fallen
Puget Sound Business Journal
Providence Everett nurses reach labor agreement that includes rare win
Clock running down on Boeing’s efforts to meet wide-ranging 2023 goals
Seattle Times
What to know about flooding in Western WA
King County Council forecasts dire cuts to come as it trims budget
Feds propose shooting one owl to save another in Pacific Northwest
SPD union chief claims discrimination in probe into officer comments
Skagit County warns residents to prepare for evacuation due to floods
Some WA hospitals bring back indoor masking with flu, RSV on the rise
Tacoma officer acknowledges sitting on Manuel Ellis as he gasped for air
King County OKs sales tax increase for ‘transformative’ cultural funding
Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade long decline
Opinion: Back to normal? Not for WA when it comes to crime (Goodman)
Opinion: WA lawmakers will play a part in the next big shift in college sports
Editorial: Embrace new ideas to triage WA’s fentanyl epidemic
Skagit Valley Herald
East Skagit County communities come together for river flooding
The Skanner
Atmospheric River Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding and Warm Winter Temperatures to the Pacific Northwest
Spokesman Review
Spokane is safe from flooding as rain persists, but temperatures will drop this week
Lisa Brown announces mayoral transition team, opens website to community feedback
Opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan is now available for free in two vending machines provided by the north Idaho Panhandle Health District
Opinion: EWU redefining success to help students, community achieve better futures
Washington Post
Job openings fall to 32-month low, as the labor market tightens from boom times
WA State Standard
After Clean Water Act ruling, states that want to protect affected wetlands need millions
Washington pays $100M fine for neglecting mental health services months earlier than expected
Wenatchee World
WA legislature to update $70B budget, Hawkins cautious on spending, citing national economic uncertainties
Yakima Herald-Republic
WA panel recommends more funding for DNA testing and forensic genealogy
Power back on after damaged power pole causes Pacific Power outage in Yakima
Opinion: Yakima’s ‘Green Bay lady’ is an all-star
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Many western Washington rivers under Flood Warnings after heavy rain
Providence Swedish, MultiCare locations now requiring masks. Here’s why
Skagit County officials urge anyone living in flood prone areas to plan and prepare to evacuate
Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot indicted on lesser charges after trying to cut engines on Everett flight
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Homes, roads remain flooded after relentless rainfall drenches Western Washington
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Tacoma becomes 1st Washington city to adopt cat declawing ban
Skagit County braces for potential flooding as heavy rain continues
Will homebuyers catch a break in 2024? Redfin, Zillow make annual predictions
KNKX Public Radio
Health inspectors turned away at Tacoma ICE detention center as hunger strike continues
Atmospheric river soaks Pacific Northwest with record-breaking rain and warm winter temperatures
KUOW Public Radio
Will regulators stop the Alaska Hawaiian merger?
Studies show link between food insecurity and housing instability
Farms in Western Washington evacuate during record river flooding
Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant churns out first container of clean test glass
Why are grades up and test scores down in Washington state? UW study examines grade inflation
KXLY (ABC)
Liberty Lake City Council passes ordinance to give them control over library board
Q13 TV (FOX)
Skokomish River Valley submerged by flooding
‘We’re here to help’: Neighbors help neighbors as Skagit River continues to rise
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Raucous Bellingham crowd rails against metal shredder
Flood updates: NW Washington towns set up shelters, prep for evacuees
Crosscut
How the overturn of ‘Roe’ still impacts Washington abortion care (Keiser)
MyNorthwest
Landslide blocks Amtrak train service from Seattle to Portland
The Stranger
Seattle Police Department Pitches Dramatic Expansion of Vehicle Surveillance
West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: Council OKs affordable-homeownership future for ex-substation in Highland Park. Here’s where the money’s coming from
FOLLOWUP: Council committee delays vote on tribal art project under West Seattle Bridge