Opinion: Inslee can cement climate legacy by making room for community solar
As far as state governors go, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is a clean energy and climate champion beyond compare. Under his decade of leadership, the Evergreen State has enacted policies mandating the rapid decarbonization of Washington’s high-emitting electric power, transportation and buildings sectors and established one of the country’s first state-level emissions trading systems. He has even led on energy justice, an issue where so many policymakers come up short. While he intends to maintain Washington’s position at the leading edge of climate policy, he must address neglected opportunities and do right by Washington’s most vulnerable residents to leave office with a flawless climate record. One of the key opportunities available is to use his remaining time to embrace locally sited, subscription-based community solar projects. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (AP Systems)
As road deaths rise, WA officials say traffic enforcement, driver education need work
Washington officials say they want more enforcement of traffic laws and better training for drivers as they seek solutions to reduce fatalities on the state’s increasingly deadly roads. At a meeting with top transportation officials Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee called for more use of traffic safety cameras across Washington. Earlier this year, lawmakers approved the use of speed cameras in highway work zones. “I’m glad we’ve taken the first step in construction zones, but we can’t allow this carnage to continue when we have a technology that works,” he said. According to a state analysis, traffic deaths increased 39 percent between 2019 and 2022. Preliminary data shows 750 traffic deaths last year alone, with impaired driving and speeding as key contributors. Continue reading at KUOW. (KUOW Photo)
Supreme Court guts affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions
The U.S. Supreme Court has found that Harvard and the University of North Carolina’s admissions policy violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision reverses decades of precedent upheld over the years by narrow court majorities that included Republican-appointed justices. It could end the ability of colleges and universities — public and private — to do what most say they still need to do: consider race as one of many factors in deciding which of the qualified applicants is to be admitted. In furious dissents, the court’s liberals pilloried the majority’s reasoning and its view of racial reality in the United States. “The Court subverts the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by further entrenching racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote. Continue reading at NPR. (Alex Wong)
Associated Press
Washington’s long-term care payroll tax starts July 1, as other states explore similar programs
Expect a hot, smoky summer in much of America. Here’s why you’d better get used to it
Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action, bans consideration of race in college admissions
Aberdeen Daily World
Nonprofit expands foster youth services
Animal shelter partners with prison for dog training program
Axios
What to know about student loan payments resuming
Bellingham Herald
Many WA residents still don’t have internet access. How much will $1 billion help?
Whatcom County’s unemployment rate in May is down from previous month and year
Columbian
Homelessness on the rise in Clark County, especially among newly homeless
Evergreen Public Schools’ deputy superintendent tapped to lead Oregon Department of Education
Editorial: No easy answers for Snake River dams, salmon
Everett Herald
Lynnwood police using new GPS tracking dart to pursue fleeing vehicles
Amid massive changes, Port of Everett to host open house
Apparent new orca calf spotted in endangered pod near British Columbia
Comment: High court protects speech at cost of women’s silence
The Inlander
Spokane home values just officially skyrocketed, and not everyone is happy about it
A lawyer in a local wrongful termination lawsuit says the state’s argument could render Washington’s Constitution ‘toothless’
News Tribune
Opinion: To respond to gun violence, young people need more than ‘run, hide, and fight’
Olympian
Gov. Inslee to attend ceremony for new Lacey homeless shelter, housing group says
Average 2022 annual wage in Washington grew 2% to $84,167
Puget Sound Business Journal
Council members pledge fast action on mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan
Costco is cracking down on using someone else’s membership
Seattle Medium
Seattle Fire Department Investigation: Knot Not Noose
Seattle Times
Gov. Inslee: Install speed-enforcement cameras on WA highways (Fey)
Northwest ICE detention center to remain open after WA law deemed unenforceable (Ortiz-Self)
WA hospitals no longer required to report all substance-exposed infants
Opinion: Inslee can cement climate legacy by making room for community solar (Hackney)
Spokesman Review
Regional approach to Spokane-area homelessness takes shape
Weathercatch: Exactly two years ago, Spokane baked at its hottest recorded temperature ever. Here’s how the dry ground made it even worse
White House touts ‘Bidenomics’ after announcing $1.4 billion for broadband in Washington, $703 million in Idaho
Opinion: One Year After the Dobbs Decision
Tri-City Herald
Franklin County’s entire civil service commission just quit. What happens now?
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
College Place Public Schools prepares for major population growth
Washington Post
Supreme Court restricts race-based affirmative action in college admissions
WA State Standard
Wage growth in WA slows, but average remains over $80k
Inslee calls for more speed cameras to curb deadly traffic crashes
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council not in favor of cutting funding for future community fireworks shows
More help called in on Roza Creek fire in Yakima Canyon
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
New Washington state laws go into effect in July. Here’s what you should know (Morgan)
Washington apple growers celebrate India’s lifted tariff on agriculture
Gov. Inslee wants to explore expanding the use of speed cameras on state roads (Liias)
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell prepares for renewed push on drug possession law
3 years post-CHOP: Seattle’s East Precinct reflects on policing controversy
Seattle City Council committee could vote on affordable housing legislation Wednesday
Washington State Ferries warns of potential last-minute schedule changes ahead of 4th of July weekend
KNKX Public Radio
WA minimum-security prison to close, DOC refocusing resources as part of system reform
Washington’s new drug law was ‘designed to fill our treatment centers.’ Experts say it won’t
Supreme Court guts affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions
KUOW Public Radio
Cash is still king in unincorporated King County
As road deaths rise, WA officials say traffic enforcement, driver education need work
7 graphics on kids and guns in the Seattle area
Melter to treat radioactive waste switches on for the second time at Hanford
Will some Northwest wolves call Colorado home?
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Regional Collaborative makes recommendations to reduce homelessness locally
NW Public Radio
Rising gas prices in WA fuel debate over who pays to combat climate change
Congress members dive into Northwest dams debate
Web
Crosscut
WA Cares Act paycheck tax for long-term care takes effect July 1
Washington Department of Corrections to close one of 12 prisons
Seattle parents move to reduce school fundraising inequity
MyNorthwest
Capital gains tax brings in $330M more than expected for state budget
Washington abortion numbers: Patients traveling from Idaho surge
Dep. of Ecology plans cleanup at Seattle’s Gas Works Park
Body of whale washes up in Ocean Shores raising concerns for overall health of the ocean
Nationwide flight fiasco leads to long lines at Sea-Tac Airport