State lacks Spanish-speaking nurses; for Everett student, it’s personal
About 13% of people in the United States identify as Hispanic, and nearly 70% speak Spanish at home. But only 8% of doctors speak Spanish, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Latino Health and Culture research center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Just over 10% of nurses are Hispanic, according to a national nurse survey. Hispanic people make up 14% of the state’s population. A diversity snapshot last year showed Hispanic nurses were the most underrepresented in the state, making up 5% of registered nurses and 5% of registered nursing students. Just over 3% of Washington doctors were Hispanic, according to the state medical commission. Continue reading at The Herald. (Annie Barker)
How unfinished housing reform business will spill into WA’s 2024 legislative session
Washington state lawmakers hope to keep at last some of the momentum going from 2023, which many called “the year of housing.” A lot of the energy came from the House of Representatives, where a bipartisan team led the charge for statewide legalization of backyard cottages (also known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs). Another bill legalized “missing middle housing” like duplexes and townhomes in neighborhoods currently dominated by single-family homes. Peterson said short session or not, in 2024 lawmakers hope to finish some of 2023’s unfinished housing reform business. Continue reading at KUOW. (Tierra Mallorca)
Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks
A report from the state auditor’s office, released Tuesday, says that 74% of Washington kids on Medicaid born from 2014 to 2016 had not undergone a blood test for lead between their first and sixth birthdays. A blood test is the only way to reliably determine lead exposure. Lead is especially harmful to kids, who can be exposed through paint, household products made in other countries like toys and tableware, and contaminated soil. Continue reading at Seattle Times.
Associated Press
Crews work to contain gas pipeline spill in Washington state
Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County adopts 2024 budget, seeks to close $3.1 million deficit
Axios
Supreme Court agrees to hear abortion pill case
After powder threats, election offices look to Narcan and PPE
Bellingham Herald
1 killed, 2 hospitalized by suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at The Evergreen State College
Opinion: The anti-life cruelty of forcing Kate Cox to flee Texas to end a nonviable pregnancy
Columbian
Rights without a remedy: Washington law creates dilemma for low-income renter at mobile home park on Highway 99
‘A road to home’: Thrive 2 Survive to provide staffing, case management to people living at Vancouver’s Safe Parking Zone
FAFSA changes create delays for students seeking to apply for financial aid at Washington State University Vancouver, Clark College, other schools
Everett Herald
State lacks Spanish-speaking nurses; for Everett student, it’s personal
High Country News
The Endangered Species Act’s complicated legacy in Indian Country
International Examiner
Community health clinic ICHS reflects on 50 years of crisis and opportunity
Filipinotown Magazine highlights Seattle’s vibrant Filipino American community, “changes the narrative” of erasure in the CID
News Tribune
Notorious derelict vessel is finally gone from Tacoma waterway. Here’s what happened
Defense lawyer tells jury Manuel Ellis ‘created his own death’ by resisting Tacoma police
Opinion: Kroger and Albertsons want to merge. We work there. This is all about greed
Olympian
State agency had its own ‘legislative privilege’ policy in place to shield certain records
Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing revs up 737 Max deliveries as new orders roll in
Seattle council passes historic plan to reduce building emissions
Here’s why relief might be on the horizon in 2024 housing market
Seattle Times
Sound Transit CEO Julie Timm is leaving
Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks
What WA drivers should know about Tesla’s giant recall
Manuel Ellis ‘created his own death,’ Tacoma officer’s defense argues
Seattle approves new mandates for sidewalk repair and construction
A year into crisis, Tukwila church struggles as 500 asylum-seekers face winter
King County settles lawsuit filed over problematic search warrant in homicide investigation
Opinion: Take out dams and keep the Snake River salmon’s last, best place
Skagit Valley Herald
Impacts of Skagit River flooding remain
Spokesman Review
Central Valley School Board newcomers assume office
New downtown Spokane clinic offers cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatments and research
Spokane awarded $9.2 million federal grant to overhaul pedestrian safety, install new bike lanes
Getting There: Washington transportation department releases first rest stop plan in years, asks state for millions to fund renovations
Opinion: The Affordable Connectivity Program enhances health care equity
Tri-City Herald
WA Gov. Jay Inslee praises 1st-of-a-kind ‘green’ fertilizer plant planned in Richland
‘A train wreck for a long time.’ Senate committee talks fentanyl problem in Indian Country
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
AT&T sues the city of Walla Walla in federal court over cell tower permit denial
A new apple is headed to Washington orchards, with a naming contest planned in 2024
Washington Post
Supreme Court will hear case on access to key abortion drug mifepristone
Nearly 200 nations clinch unprecedented agreement to transition away from fossil fuels
WA State Standard
School officials urge state to extend emergency graduation waiver
Petitions filed for ‘parents’ bill of rights’ ballot measure in Washington
US Supreme Court to decide fate of medication abortion access nationwide
Wenatchee World
Chelan County PUD hires new chief financial and risk officer
Columbia River Drug Task Force arrest 2, seize 9,400 fentanyl pills
Chelan County commissioners pass $56.9M 2024 budget, reserve funds to fill 2.6M gap
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council directs city to stop downtown parking enforcement for 60 days
$1 million EPA grant will focus on nitrate and air quality awareness in the Lower Valley
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Kenmore City Council votes against an affordable housing building
Nurses at Seattle Children’s psychiatric unit gather to voice concerns over increased violence (Macri, Pollet)
‘A piece of me died’: Former Sea-Tac employee receives largest payout ever for workplace injury
College student dies, 3 others hospitalized after ‘symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning’
Once an eyesore in Tacoma’s Foss Waterway, problematic former fishing vessel to be deconstructed
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Child at Auburn school finds jar of cocaine on playground, tastes powder
Seattle Children’s Hospital nurses hold vigil to raise awareness on ‘combat zone’ workplace
Man arrested in King County after detective made false statements gets $225,000 settlement
US proposes replacing engine-housing parts on Boeing jets like one involved in passenger’s death
‘Their eyes were wide open’: Evergreen student dead, 2 injured from carbon monoxide poisoning
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle mayor to sign new building emissions policy into law Wednesday
Seattle-based Zulily accuses Amazon of ‘bullying’ it out of business in lawsuit
Trial of Tacoma police officers accused in Manny Ellis death close to jury deliberations
Lawsuit accuses Fred Hutch, UQ Medical Center and more of failing to protect data amid breach
KNKX Public Radio
Cascadia bullet train stuck at the station as feds dole out big bucks for rail
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Children’s nurses call out workplace violence (Berry)
Leaked documents on Snake River dams leads to congressional hearing
How the fight to stop election misinformation morphed into a free speech battle
How unfinished housing reform business will spill into WA’s 2024 legislative session (Peterson, Bateman, Gregerson, Reed)
KXLY (ABC)
Enrollment woes leave Washington school closures on the table
$40.6 million on the way to low-income Washingtonians from AG lawsuits
‘It’s just wrong’: Spokane property owner accused of profiting from tenants’ rent assistance while behind bars
Q13 TV (FOX)
‘You’re pushing the boundaries. Don’t push it any further,’ judge warns prosecution in Ellis case
1 student killed, 2 hospitalized from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at Evergreen State College
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Poverty rate declines, but that’s not the whole story
Crosscut
It’s been a tough year for legislative transparency in Washington
SCOTUS won’t hear the challenge to WA’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban
MyNorthwest
More than 30,000 gallons of gas spill after pipeline leaks in Skagit Co.
The Stranger
Bad Apples – 2023 Reveals of SPD Officers Bullying Kids, Driving Dangerously, Committing Crimes
Slog AM: Supreme Court Will Hear Abortion Pill Case, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Evergreen State College
West Seattle Blog
LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit CEO leaving after less than a year and a half