Washington Republicans introduce bills targeting abortion providers and transgender youth
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Monday, January 8, marked the first day of session for the Washington State Legislature, and Republican lawmakers in Washington have introduced some controversial bills. According to the Washington State Legislature website, Senators Mike Padden, Phil Fortunato, Jim McCune, Cyndy Jacobsen and Leonard Christian have sponsored bills that would affect abortion providers, LGBTQ+ youth and those seeking gender affirming care. Continue reading at KXLY. (4 News Now)
Edmonds lawmaker wants to stop police from lying in interrogations
Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds) introduced House Bill 1062, which would effectively ban police from lying about evidence during suspect interrogation. Under HB 1062, anything a suspect says in custody while a police officer uses “false facts about evidence or unauthorized statements regarding leniency” during interrogation will be thrown out of court. The legislation is meant to prevent false confessions. Continue reading at The Herald. (Ryan Berry)
Washington lawmakers look at providing unemployment benefits to striking workers
Washington may become one of a few states that allow striking workers to qualify for unemployment benefits under certain conditions. Under House Bill 5777, workers who walk off the job will qualify for unemployment if employers lock them out of their place of employment. Lockouts are one way management can pressure a striking workforce during contract negotiations. Workers experiencing lockouts would still have to wait a week before being eligible for unemployment insurance. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Anna Liz Nichols)
Associated Press
2023 was the hottest year on record: What can be done?
Starting his final year in office, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee stresses he isn’t finished yet
Axios
Antisemitic incidents in U.S. surged 360% after Hamas attack: ADL
Bellingham Herald
‘The strongest state in the nation’: Gov. Jay Inslee delivers State of the State address
Capital Press
Impending cold snap not likely to harm winter wheat
Report: Wind and solar projects cause tax shift in Washington
Columbian
Bill to ban child marriage gets unanimous support in Washington House, moves to Senate (Stonier)
State Department of Ecology fines Washougal waste transfer facility $25,000 for violations
Everett Herald
State pays out $250K to inmate for neglect of Monroe prison injury
Edmonds lawmaker wants to stop police from lying in interrogations (Peterson)
Letter: Take action at state, national level to address poverty, homelessness
News Tribune
Strong winds bring Pierce Co. power outages. How to prepare, what to do if you lose power
New York Times
U.S. Carbon Emissions Fell in 2023 as Coal Use Tumbled to New Lows
More Than 20 Million People Have Signed Up for Obamacare Plans, Blowing by Record
Olympian
‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.’ Smokey Bear could soon be on WA state license plates (Nobles, Donaghy)
Peninsula Daily News
Legislature kicks off with a housing focus (Jinkins)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Amid Max 9 grounding, Boeing reports brisk order, delivery activity
Seattle Medium
Declaring, “Hate Has No Home Here,” Renton Used COVID Funds To Close Racial Gaps
Washington Lawmakers Prioritize Fentanyl Addiction, Homelessness, And Housing Affordability
Mayor Harrell Seeks To Increase Affordable Housing By Advancing Improved Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan
Seattle Times
Truck fuel leak disrupts WA ferries in Anacortes
Gov. Inslee to WA lawmakers: ‘I’m not riding into the sunset’ (Billig)
Federal proposals could curtail climbing anchors in WA wilderness
Extra homeless shelter space opening during Seattle-area cold weather
Editorial: Fully explore option of Sound Transit fare gates
Opinion: Bring back oversight for WA’s jails. Lives depend on it
Opinion: King County setting records for homeless deaths is becoming awfully routine
Spokesman Review
Meet two guests of honor at Inslee’s annual state legislature address this year
In last annual address, Inslee tells Washington lawmakers the state is the best it’s ever been (Billig)
New bill aims to solve healthcare shortage by offering med school scholarships for underserved areas
Spokane city attorney, spokeswoman and housing and homelessness leaders approved by City Council
Tri-City Herald
High winds rattle Tri-Cities, knocking out power. Next up is a frigid snowstorm
2023 was Earth’s hottest year on record. Here’s how hot it got in Tri-Cities last year
Whatever happened to Richland’s plan to build a 3rd high school to ease crowding?
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Oil tank removal from Heritage Square Park site adds $130K in project costs
WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers look at providing unemployment benefits to striking workers (Keiser)
Inslee vows to press ahead on climate policy and other priorities in final year of term (Ortiz-Self)
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee Valley College receives grant for agricultural department
Chelan County PUD decides not to change Columbia River water levels
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Around 3,400 PSE customers still without power in Puget Sound area
‘Our state is stronger than ever’: Inslee addresses priorities in final State of the State address
Blizzard Warning in effect for the Cascades, WSDOT recommends delaying mountain pass travel
Police shoot, kill woman who was experiencing mental health crisis, firing shots outside Tacoma home
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Blizzard-like conditions descend on Western Washington mountain passes
Starting his final year in office, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee stresses he isn’t finished yet
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his final state of the state address
Seattle city attorney rejects statewide proposal to lessen misdemeanor cases
KNKX Public Radio
Lawmakers return to Olympia to tackle housing, public health, education and transportation
KUOW Public Radio
3 takeaways from Gov. Jay Inslee’s last ‘State of the State’ address (Billig)
State Patrol was not prepared for ‘sheer size of the crowd’ at I-5 protest
A prayer for cooperation and compassion as Washington’s 2024 legislative session begins (Jinkins)
KXLY (ABC)
Washington Governor Inslee to sign executive order to reduce recidivism
Spokane Public Schools partners with nonprofit to expand student mental health services
Washington Republicans introduce bills targeting abortion providers and transgender youth
‘It feels like nobody cares’: Homeless Spokane couple struggling to find shelter as temperatures get colder
Web
Cascadia Daily News
What to do if you see a suspected overdose
Everyone should carry naloxone. Here’s how to get it
300-bed Bellingham homeless shelter slated for November opening ‘at the latest’
Crosscut
Q&A: Gov. Jay Inslee talks policing housing and his final year
The Stranger
Slog AM: WA GOP Wants to Ban Trans Care, Florida School District Bans Five Dictionaries, Serious Winter Weather Ahead