A big Pacific Northwest quake could cause land to sink in minutes
The Pacific Northwest is ripe for a major earthquake — and shaking and tsunamis wouldn’t be the only threats from such an event, according to new research. Coastal land would also sink nearly seven feet, meaning people who survive the initial catastrophe would face severe flooding. An earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone with a magnitude greater than 8.0 could cause a sudden subsidence — the sinking of land — that, paired with rising sea levels, would enlarge floodplains expanding up to 115 square miles, found the study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (USGS)
Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months
State Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, one of the chief architects of legislation to cap rent hikes across Washington, says Gov. Bob Ferguson’s team has made clear to lawmakers since the second week of the legislative session, back in January, that he supports the measure. But even with the bill approved by the Legislature and awaiting his signature, Ferguson repeatedly declined to take a public stance on it. He finally did so Wednesday when pressed about Trudeau’s comments. The situation has stoked frustration for Trudeau, who would like to see the legislation swiftly enacted. It also underscores Ferguson’s reluctance to weigh in publicly on many of the biggest policy debates that unfolded over the past four months, ahead of the session wrapping up Sunday. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Legislative Support Services)
Federal investigation launched into Washington’s education office
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have launched a “first-of-its-kind” investigation into the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), officials announced Wednesday. The department said multiple Washington state school districts reported that OSPI is requiring school boards to adopt policies that allow males to participate in female sports and use female-only facilities, raising Title IX concerns. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Axios
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WA State Standard
Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months (Trudeau)
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Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
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Cascadia Daily News
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MyNorthwest
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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Thursday info