Fewer students enroll at state’s public colleges, study says
The decline in college enrollment during the pandemic has slowed, but the state’s public colleges continue to see fewer students than in previous years. The trend is threatening to impede the state’s progress toward education equity, according to a new report from the Washington Student Achievement Council. Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Ryan Berry)
WA drafts permanent rules to better protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke
When wildfires tear through Northwest forests, pouring heavy smoke across Washington state, health officials’ guidance is often to simply stay inside. But that’s not an option for people who work outdoors. After two years of emergency rules guiding smoke response for employers and employees, the state is drafting a set of permanent rules. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)
WA Sen. Cantwell wants Congress to act on fentanyl crisis in NW tribes
On the heels of a string of overdose deaths in Lummi Nation, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is calling for a congressional hearing to examine how the fentanyl crisis has disproportionately affected Native communities. Washington state has seen the biggest increase in overdose deaths in the nation — more than 21% reported between February 2022 and February 2023. And Native communities across the country continue to experience disproportionate increases in overdose deaths despite efforts to prevent and treat drug addiction and overdoses in their communities. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Daniel Kim)
Associated Press
Thousands of US health care workers go on strike in multiple states over wages and staff shortages
Axios
Seattle just had its sixth hottest summer on record
Flyers rate Sea-Tac one of the worst airports in the U.S.
Capital Press
Ag stakeholders: Does Biden salmon announcement end dam breaching worries?
Columbian
Vancouver City Council considers restrictions on large warehouses ahead of moratorium’s expiration
Everett Herald
Helicopter crash in Copper Lake sparks environmental, health concerns
Washington’s Job Skills Program has trained employees for 40 years
Fewer students enroll at state’s public colleges, study says
Islands’ Weekly
Gov. Jay Inslee tours Kaleetan on way to Lopez Island (Ramel)
News Tribune
‘Can’t breathe, sir’: Jurors hear Manuel Ellis’ final words in trial’s opening remarks
More money for Sheriff’s Department but fewer deputy positions part of ’24-25 budget plan
Olympian
Park Service seeking comment on plan to return grizzly bears to Washington
Puget Sound Business Journal
Here’s how much more top tech CEOs make than median workers
Seattle Times
King County proposes millions in funding for cultural sector
Historic trial of Tacoma officers starts with wildly divergent accounts
Audits confirm issues with King County Regional Homelessness Authority
Out of 400 therapists in Washington, why just 32 confirmed openings for new patients
With NW tribes holding ‘too many funerals,’ Cantwell wants congressional hearing on fentanyl
Opinion: Is the state managing its public lands for all Washingtonians? Not yet
Skagit Valley Herald
Appeals to gravel pit expansion heard, county to make decision Friday
The Skanner
Washington State Minimum Wage Moving Up to $16.28 Per Hour
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Snoqualmie council talks transit, housing, crime with state reps (Ramos, Callan)
Washington Post
Climate change is driving amphibians to extinction, study finds
Supreme Court to weigh whether disability activists can sue hotels after online searches
Kaiser Permanente workers begin walking off the job; 75,000 expected to strike
WA State Standard
As union lawsuit falters, state readies Tukwila psychiatric hospital for patients
Building more homes is Oregon governor’s top priority for 2024 legislative session
Washington State Library cuts hours and leaves jobs unfilled as its budget takes a hit
Battery storage seen as ‘backbone’ of reliable electric grid but adoption uneven across US
Yakima Herald-Republic
How Quincy farmers uncovered a toxic truth in the fertilizer industry
Pacific Ag receives state grant for Sunnyside biomethane facility
Editorial: Health district’s Narcan program will save lives
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Catalytic converter thefts down in Washington, but repair costs still high for unlucky victims
Officials at Echo Glen Children’s Center were warned about an escape. Then, 7 teens still made it out
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
SDOT, Harrell create ‘first of its kind’ framework to hit city’s zero-emission goals
Tacoma city workers rally on steps of City Hall for a fair contract
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle OPA unable to investigate fake tombstone case due to ‘conflict of interest’
KNKX Public Radio
Jurors hear about Manuel Ellis’ death during opening statements in Tacoma officers trial
KUOW Public Radio
Washington state is trashy, and there’s a study to prove it
WA drafts permanent rules to better protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke
Water usage around Seattle is down, but the recent rain still won’t help reservoirs
Latinos in WA are aging. Bilingual, bicultural resources for their caregivers aren’t keeping pace
KXLY (ABC)
Staffing shortages cause Spokane paramedics to work constant overtime
New behavioral health clinic providing mental health resources in northeast Spokane
Q13 TV (FOX)
Nationwide emergency alert test will hit mobile phones, TV today
Despite rainfall, Seattle Public Utilities still calling for customers to conserve water
Web
Crosscut
Lessons unearthed from the Northwest’s little-known histories
What WA leaders are watching for in the Manuel Ellis police trial (Lovick)