Bill would provide alternatives to defendants with mental health crises
A Seattle lawmaker is proposing to let judges send defendants accused of some lower-level crimes to alternatives, such as mental health or substance use treatment, instead of jail. House Bill 1994, sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar, a Democrat, would allow judges to set conditions, like getting treatment, and to eventually dismiss a case if a defendant complies “substantially” with those conditions. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)
The latest push to fund some of Washington’s toughest-to-build housing
Last year, lawmakers set aside the most money in state history for housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But the $25 million only addressed a portion of the need. This year, advocates are asking the Legislature for more, including another $25 million in the near term and a more permanent funding stream for the future. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Laurel Demkovich)
WA schools nearing paraeducator ‘labor crisis.’ What lawmakers, Inslee are proposing
Paraeducators — or paraprofessionals, as they’re sometimes called — are classified public school employees who work in classrooms, alongside teachers, to provide direct instructional support to students. Roughly 1-in-5 school district employees in Washington state are paraeducators, for a total of nearly 38,000.But paras are also among the lowest-paid employees in a school building, with some districts paying them only a few bucks above the state’s minimum wage. Many say they are forced to work other jobs to get by financially. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Bob Brawdy)
Axios
Seattle housing inventory tanks
Seattle’s big buildings must reach net-zero emissions by 2050
Capital Press
Washington state: Solar panels will damage farm soils
New Spokane mayor looks to strengthen agriculture partnership
Columbian
Washington’s climate efforts hit Clark County utility bills; Typical NW Natural customer will see increase of $28.14
Point-in-Time Count: Annual survey of homeless people, resource fair give advocates way to reach those in need
The Daily News
Longview updates shared driveway rules to encourage denser lots
Cowlitz County outreach agencies gear up to count unsheltered people this week
Everett Herald
Snohomish County lawmakers again push to lower alcohol limit to 0.05% (Donaghy, Liias, Lovick)
The Inlander
One of four such facilities in the country, Maddie’s Place seeks to help Spokane’s drug-addicted babies and their parents (Riccelli)
New data from Idaho and Washington helps debunk some myths about who’s moving here, and whether they came as self-identified political refugees or for the quality of life
News Tribune
Should clergy be required to report abuse or neglect? Lawmakers hear bill on a mandate (Frame)
Olympian
WA schools nearing paraeducator ‘labor crisis.’ What lawmakers, Inslee are proposing
Nearly $5M in new grant funding will go toward services for homeless youth in Washington
Seattle Times
GOP senator’s bill to support DACA recipients advances in Olympia
Bill would provide alternatives to defendants with mental health crises (Farivar, Goodman)
FTC opens inquiry into Big Tech’s partnerships with leading AI startups
Homeowners win against King County in Lake Sammamish trail dispute
WA could require public schools teach LGBTQ+ history under proposed bill (Liias)
Editorial: A decade later, don’t let go of Oso’s lessons
Opinion: Lawmakers, let gift card proposal expire and focus on what matters
Spokesman Review
Whistleblower: Department of Energy contractor fraudulently billed millions for fire protection at Hanford
Second time’s the charm? Washington Legislature again considers lowering blood alcohol concentration to 0.05 (Donaghy)
Spokane-area legislators give the red card to angry spectators with bill that would make threatening a referee a felony (Goodman)
Washington Post
The U.S. economy boomed in 2023, thanks to consumers opening up wallets
WA State Standard
WA’s opioid epidemic and the state’s effort to fight it, by the numbers
The latest push to fund some of Washington’s toughest-to-build housing (Jinkins)
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima area college help workshops to help students apply for financial aid
Program offers free mental health care to Spanish-speaking adults over 60 in WA
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Boeing holds ‘quality stand down’ at Renton factory
Farm workers fight new overtime law in Washington
.05 BAC limit proposal has public hearing in state House (Donaghy)
State inspecting county landfill after KING 5 investigation reveals arsenic violations, worker concerns
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
New WA bill would allow teens to buy housing without parents
737 Max 9 set to return to service for United and Alaska airlines Friday
Work halts for day at Boeing Renton plant as airlines push to bring back grounded 737s
‘Rights are being violated’: WA public defender shortage leads to alleged gap in representation
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO calls for billionaires to give away more and soon
Proposed Washington legislation would lower legal BAC limit for driving to curb fatalities
What’s the future of South Tacoma? Business owners see program on crime, but want more
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle doles out $10 million to settle 2020 protest injury claims
Washington lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise
Can Boeing correct course and fly right? Despite recent debacles, industry expert says skies will clear
KXLY (ABC)
Resident-owned community offers affordable housing in Mead
WSU medical school raises homegrown doctors east of the Cascades
NW Public Radio
Wine on wheels? Mobile tasting rooms possible for Washington wineries, breweries
Washington state bill could change how rural communities could work to close a library (Hunt)
Q13 TV (FOX)
Lawmakers, the FAA, and CEOs put Boeing on blast after whistleblower report
Controversial anti-homeless rocks spark outrage and legislative action in Washington
Washington lawmakers discuss new bill that would increase consequences for graffiti, tagging
Web
Cascadia Daily News
New WA law blocks employers from rejecting job applicants based on cannabis use (Keiser)
Respiratory illnesses in Whatcom County spiked in December, COVID numbers declining
Crosscut
WA’s energy ‘green rush’ could endanger cultural Indigenous lands