Rep. Reeves: WA families can’t find affordable childcare. Our biggest polluters should pay for it
Too many families must choose between their careers and childcare costs that often outpace their salaries. Meanwhile, despite the rising costs of childcare, nearly 20 percent of childcare workers live in poverty. Through HB 2243, we will create a Child Care Equity Land Trust that will provide secure, permanent funding for child care, expand and empower our work force, and protect our precious natural lands. Continue reading at News Tribune. (DREAMSTIME)
WA intercepts millions in child support for low-income families
Washington, like almost every other state, intercepts millions in child support payments from custodial parents who receive cash benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, historically known as welfare. Federal data shows Washington kept more than $41 million intended for children in poverty in 2022. House Bill 1652, currently under consideration in the state Senate, would redirect a significant portion of future payments back to families. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Kristina Barker)
Proposed bills aim to cap rent increases at 5% a year in Washington
Making housing affordable will be a hot topic in Olympia Thursday. At noon, a group of landlords, elected officials and small business owners plan to call for rent stabilization in the state. Two companion bills – House Bill 2114, sponsored by Rep. Emily Alvarado, and Senate Bill 5961, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau – are gaining support as they work through the state Legislature. The proposed bills would prevent excessive rent increases for tenants, allowing landlords to raise rent a maximum of 5% every 12 months. Continue reading at KOMO. (KATU)
Auburn Reporter
Washington State Office of Homeless Youth awards $4.8 million in grants
Axios
West Coast researchers drill down on bee disease
DOJ investigates Seattle-area hotels for ADA violations
FAA clears path for Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners to fly again
Columbian
Wildfire recovery leaders express frustration to officials at roundtable
Third landslide stops Amtrak services from Portland to Seattle through Friday
Sen. Cleveland takes the reins as health panel chair, juggling meetings and legislation (Cleveland)
State inspectors denied entry to privately-run immigration detention center in Tacoma (Ortiz-Self)
Washington breaks state record for firearms found in luggage for the third year in a row
Had a bad experience buying weed? How to report a marijuana product to state regulators
Everett Herald
In child care desert, Camano’s pioneering forest school faces shutdown
Boeing mechanics in Renton mis-installed piece that blew off plane, whistleblower says
Comment: Studies question ‘regret’ after transgender surgeries
Editorial: School absenteeism crisis needs an all-hands effort
Mercer Island Reporter
MI legislators delve into education, health and technology at linkage session (Wellman, Senn)
News Tribune
Is there a culture of racism inside this Pierce County department? 6 workers say yes
WA lawmakers consider limiting the legal action people seeking public records can take
Rep. Reeves: WA families can’t find affordable childcare. Our biggest polluters should pay for it
Opinion: Last year’s focus was housing. In 2024, lawmakers must tackle WA’s 2 biggest problems
Port Townsend Leader
Marchers stand up for reproductive rights
Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle home sales trend toward a ‘lenders market’
Boeing, not its supplier, may be at fault for Alaska Airlines plug
FAA halts Boeing production expansion, clears path for Max 9s to fly
Seattle Medium
Marijuana Use Among Teens Declines In Washington State
Mold Exposure Trial With Seattle Children’s Hospital Begins
Washington State Pharmacies Empowered To Prescribe Abortion Drugs
King County Invests $26 Million In Affordable Housing For Diverse Needs
Survey Shows Seattle Seeing Some Of The Highest Grocery Prices In The U.S.
DoorDash Claims New Minimum Wage Policies Will Impact Workers, Merchants And Consumers
Seattle Times
City of Seattle settles BLM protesters’ lawsuit for $10 million
Cantwell plans hearings to investigate Boeing 737 MAX 9 blowout
Puget Sound Energy cancels liquid natural gas plant expansion in Tacoma
As book battles rage, WA Senate votes to make it harder to shut down a library (Hunt)
Washington state reaches a nearly $150 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over opioid crisis
Editorial: Don’t let efforts to regulate high-potency pot go up in smoke (Davis, Keiser, Wylie, Kloba)
Opinion: Package of bills would grant real property-tax reform in WA (Robinson, Berg)
Opinion: Police accountability is not the enemy of public safety
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County rejects bids for new Guemes Island Ferry due to high costs
Spokesman Review
Wildfire recovery leaders express frustration to officials at roundtable
Why U.S. union membership has dipped to a record low despite recent high-profile wins
‘The demand is greater than the supply’: Washington officials grapple over how to combat deadly opioid epidemic
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
WSF talks Triangle route schedule, staffing in January meetings
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Reports give some details of three suicides at Washington State Penitentiary
Washington Post
Americans’ bank accounts are stabilizing after inflation shock
What a hand-cranked drill just revealed about the West’s ‘megadrought’
As doomsday predictions dissipate, Biden aides savor booming economy
WA State Standard
WA lawmaker wants to make voting mandatory … sort of? (Hunt)
State inspectors denied entry to privately-run immigration detention center in Tacoma
Wenatchee World
Parents and teachers speak out against plan to close Columbia Elementary
Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority to buy $1 million, 6-acre land in Peshastin
Chelan County has purchased a dozen medical sensors to soon be installed in holding and intake cells at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center to alert staff of rapid deteriorations of inmate health.
Yakima Herald-Republic
U.S. Postal Service might move some processing operations out of Yakima
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
City of Seattle settles case with 2020 protesters for $10 million
Whatcom County’s overdose death rate surpasses that of King County
Jefferson County prosecutor believes new state law played role in baby’s death
Bill proposal aims to address the 37.8 million pounds of trash littered per year (Ramos)
Tacoma Public Schools program builds pipeline to future careers in health care
Eastside light rail trains to start ‘practice runs’ between Bellevue and Redmond
Boeing CEO meets with lawmakers on Capitol Hill after series of mechanical issues
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Aviation consultant on Boeing’s next steps after door blew off 737-9 MAX
‘I’ve been crying for my kids’: Monroe tenants could be illegally forced out again
Seattle settles lawsuit for $10 million over 2020 protests after murder of George Floyd
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Proposed bills aim to cap rent increases at 5% a year in Washington (Alvarado, Trudeau)
Washington State Patrol intensifies efforts to deter freeway shootings in King County
Washington state reaches $149.5 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over opioids
KUOW Public Radio
Washington state bill could change how rural communities can close a library (Hunt)
Boeing’s quality control draws criticism as a whistleblower alleges lapses at factory
Advocates push for accountability one year after grad student run down by Seattle cruiser
NW Public Radio
Washington bill aims to create civil fines, could reduce illegal dumping (Ramos)
Q13 TV (FOX)
Bill that would toughen animal cruelty sentencing laws reaches House floor
Do you know how to balance a budget? New bill would make it a graduation requirement
Web
Cascadia Daily News
WA congressman’s opioid crisis report points to grim reality, path forward
Crosscut
WA intercepts millions in child support for low-income families (Taylor, Dhingra)
Everett Post
Dems, Republicans take different approaches to recruiting police officers to WA (Dhingra, Jinkins)
MyNorthwest
Initiative that would outlaw state income taxes certified, ballot may be next
Real Change
Short session may bring stronger renter protections, climate justice