Sen. Billig: Voters sent clear message to WA leaders for 2023 Legislative session
By returning every single Democratic incumbent and even growing the majorities in both state legislative chambers, voters sent a clear message on a range of issues. They voted for expanded access to quality, affordable child care. They want leaders who will act on climate change, and they appreciate sending their kids to the nation’s best public schools. They recognized that their communities are safer when we prioritize investments in police training, behavioral health and gun violence prevention, and when we work on real solutions to issues like homelessness, rather than playing politics with it. This is a validation of the path our Democratic leadership. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)
DUI limits, prison wages and abortion are already on the docket for 2023 WA legislature
State lawmakers have less than a month to go before the 105-day legislative session convenes, and many of those lawmakers have already submitted legislation prior to the Jan. 9 start date. So far, more than 100 bills have been submitted leading up to the Legislature. Continue reading at The Olympian. (The Olympian)
In 2023, WA lawmakers will decide the legal future of drug possession
As they return to Olympia in early January, legislators now seek a longer-term solution for a thorny issue that has scrambled party lines and raised a host of complicated questions. “I think there’s a diversity of views in the Legislature about what the right approach is,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane. “But I do feel like there’s a consensus building to do something that’s public-health focused, but also a little bit of an increased role in the justice system.” A former King County deputy prosecutor, Senator Dhingra said that narratives and political messaging on crime make it harder for many politicians to think clearly about policy solutions. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Jovelle Tamayo)
Associated Press
Seafood company sues over terminated fish-farming pen leases
Crabbers, fishermen seek US aid after disaster declaration
Facial recognition tool led to mistaken arrest, lawyer says
Bellingham Herald
Mail delivery has been sporadic for many Bellingham residents. Here’s what’s going on
Coastal flood watch continues with extreme high tides in Whatcom
Capital Press
Was wet spring the new normal for Palouse?
Columbian
Opinion: Inslee’s plan to end homelessness ambitious
Opinion: Congress slow to address farmworker shortage
Everett Herald
Top health news in 2022
Federal earmarks deliver small sums in a big way for local projects
Comment: Conservative gains on religion in schools may reverse
Comment: New state tax credit will help working families
International Examiner
Opinion: Punishing unhoused people in the CID makes things worse for everyone
News Tribune
Pierce County leaders don’t want an airport. But how much power do they have to stop it?
Are you ready for 2023? Here’s what to know about the new laws affecting workers
Another holiday weekend brings ‘high alert’ after power substations vandalized in Pierce County
Editorial: ‘It’s a mess.’ As the ice storm hit Tacoma, homeless residents were left out in the cold
New York Times
Lawmakers Unveil Sprawling Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown
E.P.A. Tightens Rules on Pollution From Vans, Buses and Trucks
Amazon and E.U. Reach Deal to End Antitrust Investigation
Nearly Every Country Signs On to a Sweeping Deal to Protect Nature
Northwest Asian Weekly
Lincoln District senior housing
Olympian
Derek Sanders eager to shape Sheriff’s Office in new year, but expects ‘baptism by fire’
Dori Monson, conservative Seattle radio host, dies at 61
Are you ready for 2023? Here are the new WA laws and local changes taking effect
Democrats propose WA state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights (Kuderer, Keiser)
DUI limits, prison wages and abortion are already on the docket for 2023 WA legislature (Morgan, Simmons, Thai, Leavitt, Lovick, Keiser, Kuderer)
Peninsula Daily News
Volunteers sought for annual Point in Time count
Clallam Transit OKs its budget for this year
In one month, three cities proclaim rights for Southern Resident Orcas
Puget Sound Business Journal
Here’s how long Seattle homebuyers need to save up for a down payment
The window to claim this lucrative business tax credit is closing.
Boeing ends 2022 on high note, but supply chain delays linger
Starbucks illegally refused to bargain with WA, OR stores, NLRB says
Seattle Times
On transportation, WA Legislature looks to tackle safety, equity, inflation (Liias, Lovick)
Washington law requiring salary range on job postings takes effect
Seattle home prices will likely fall in 2023. That won’t help buyers
Housing one of biggest predictors of getting kicked out of WA schools
Sen. Andy Billig: Voters sent clear message to WA leaders for 2023 Legislative session
Here’s what the WA Legislature expects to tackle on climate and environment in 2023 (Doglio, Fitzgibbon, Rolfes)
Skagit Valley Herald
Three Skagit County churches step up to help the homeless
The Skanner
Washington Adopts Plan for Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
Spokesman Review
Here’s how the $1.7 trillion spending bill Congress passed affects the Northwest
Untreated sewage overflowed into Spokane River after Tuesday rain, snowmelt
WA has high number of homeless students, gets lowest federal funding
Washington lawmakers secure $464 million in congressional earmarks while North Idaho’s representatives opt out
Opinion: Dr. Umair A. Shah: Looking back on coronavirus hasn’t been easy, but it’s time to look ahead
Tri-City Herald
BNSF train derails New Year’s Day in downtown Kennewick
Over $1 billion in Tri-Cities construction in 2022. What’s coming next?
Tri-Cities’ only hospice house reopens after partial roof collapse forces evacuation
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla, College Place approve annual city budgets
College Place Police Department approaches full staffing
Tri-State Steelheaders granted $4.7 million to continue fish passage work in Mill Creek
Washington Post
Biden aims to cut homelessness 25% by 2025
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakama Nation awarded grants to improve fish passages in Yakima River Basin
Massive proposed Central Washington wind farm a step closer to construction
Proposed biomethane plant in Sunnyside could bring benefits, but environmental advocates have concerns
Yakima County Commissioners approve land designation that could expand Yakima Ridge mining
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Recovery for Duwamish area community could take months
2022 was a record-breaking year for weather in western Washington
Owner of only West Seattle warming center says the space is a ‘start to a solution’
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
In wake of devastating flooding, South Park residents worried about water quality
Repairs underway in Whatcom County after levee failure
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gas prices drop across Washington, rise nationwide as new year begins
Free ‘Identicard’ program now available for those experiencing homelessness
KUOW Public Radio
Lots of whales spotted around offshore wind farm zones along West Coast
KXLY (ABC)
WSDOT captures cougar using I-90 wildlife undercrossing
‘Top of mind’: Local lawmakers focusing on crime, public safety in new legislative session (Riccelli)
Q13 TV (FOX)
These new Washington state laws go into effect in 2023
Web
Crosscut
In 2023, WA lawmakers will decide the legal future of drug possession (Dhingra)
Top environmental bills on the 2023 WA Legislative agenda (Nguyen, Fitzgibbon, Duerr)
Washington remains a hub for reproductive health care post-Roe (Hansen)
MyNorthwest
High amounts of COVID-19 antibodies found among Washington children
Mukilteo waterfront parking on hold until early 2023
The Stranger
State Legislature Could Finally Fix Nonsensical Sentencing Guidelines
West Seattle Blog
SDOT’s new director tours Fauntleroy