Washington minimum wage to top $16 an hour next year
Minimum wage workers in Washington will get a pay hike in January. The state’s minimum wage will rise to $16.28 an hour starting Jan. 1, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries has announced. That’s a 54-cent increase from the current hourly rate of $15.74, which is the highest of any state in the nation and more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)
Billion-dollar disasters nearly tripled in WA over 20 years
Natural disasters causing at least $1 billion in damage nearly tripled in Washington state over the last 20 years, due primarily to wildfires and droughts, according to recent data. In addition to threatening homes and property, disasters are causing insurers to change how they factor climate and extreme weather risks into premiums. Continue reading at Axios. (Kavya Beheraj)
Opening statements to begin in historic trial of three Tacoma officers
Opening statements in the historic murder trial of Tacoma police are scheduled for Tuesday morning, beginning what is expected to be a high-profile test of Washington’s expanded power to hold law enforcement accountable. It is the first prosecution under a 2018 voter-approved initiative, which lowered the threshold to hold police officers accountable for on-duty deaths. It is also the largest Washington state prosecution against officers for an on-duty death since the 1930s. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Brian Hayes)
Axios
Washington’s Hispanic poverty rate falls, but disparities linger
Billion-dollar disasters nearly tripled in WA over 20 years
Seattle’s “Week Without Driving” challenge
Bellevue Reporter
King County Councilmember calls for audit of juvenile diversion programs
Capital Press
Cranberry growers start harvest with smaller surplus
Feds propose airlifting grizzly bears into north-central Washington
Columbian
Officials ask feds for $600 million to help pay for new I-5 Bridge
Kaiser braces for possible health care worker strike involving thousands in Washington
Editorial: Long-term value of BRT remains to be seen
Everett Herald
What to know about COVID and other vaccinations in Snohomish County
Infants’ deaths from unsafe sleeping far outpace other accidents
Comment: Estate tax would be ample, fitting child care solution
Comment: Child tax credit works against child poverty; renew it
News Tribune
Jury seated in Tacoma police officers’ in-custody death trial. Here’s its makeup
Olympian
WA minimum wage to increase to $16.28 an hour next year
October solar eclipse to darken Washington skies. Here’s what to know about historic event
Peninsula Daily News
Rain is keeping park fires in check
Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA reopens small-business contracting program after legal setback
What graduates of WA colleges can expect in early-career salary
Seattle Times
How WA’s Asian demographics have changed dramatically
Opening statements to begin in historic trial of three Tacoma officers
These turtles nearly went extinct in WA. Now they may get federal protection
She got chemo in WA and Alaska — and the price difference was a whopper
Editorial: Positive outliers may hold keys to Black student success
Opinion: WA schools and students don’t have to settle for mediocrity
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit PUD receives grant for clean energy project
Spokesman Review
Spokane County getting $4.1 million from state for wildfire recovery
Getting there: WSDOT receives $72.8 million federal grant to repair ‘dilapidated’ railroads in Eastern Washington
Even after the pandemic, broadband is critical for rural education. $1 billion won’t be enough to reach everyone in Washington.
Opinion: State, local governments making gains in racial diversity
Washington Post
An epidemic of chronic illness is killing Americans in their prime
WA State Standard
Washington minimum wage to top $16 an hour next year
Washington watches as trial of 3 Tacoma officers accused of killing Manny Ellis gets underway (Lovick)
Wenatchee World
Public comment period open on grizzly bear reintroduction proposal
Yakima Herald-Republic
Burn ban lifted in unincorporated Yakima County
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
City of Seattle will pay more than $1.8 million to resolve family’s lawsuit, attorney
Watch Live: Prosecutors, defense offer opening statements in trial for the death of Manuel Ellis
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
‘Week Without Driving’ begins in King County, aims to highlight public transit shortfalls
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
State panel in damage control after confusion about eliminating sex offender notifications
KNKX Public Radio
Opening statements expected today in trial of Tacoma officers charged with killing Manny Ellis
KUOW Public Radio
The price to ride a Washington state ferry just went up
Washington state’s minimum wage is slated to rise in 2024
Jury seated in trial of Tacoma officers charged with killing Manny Ellis
Weekend vote to keep government open has WA state politicians calling for bipartisanship
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Police note surge of retail crime in northeast Spokane
Q13 TV (FOX)
Opening statements to begin in Tacoma officers’ trial in death of Manny Ellis
‘We’re just struggling with the manpower‘; Thurston Co. Sheriff declares staffing emergency
Web
Cascadia Daily News
With shutdown averted, funding available to Whatcom flood victims