Illegal child labor is surging in WA and across US. Sen. Murray wants to hold businesses accountable
A record 138 businesses in Washington were fined for violating child labor laws last year, the highest number in recent memory, according to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat. Murray introduced legislation Thursday to crack down on the growing problem. “Companies have gotten away with it,” Murray said in an interview with KUOW. “And the more they get away with it and the more they have cheap labor and nobody’s noticing you’re doing anything, they just keep doing it.” Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)
Mobile home residents are seizing the opportunity to buy their parks
Mobile home parks are coming up for sale and there are signs that a new law giving residents a chance to buy them is working. Since mid-July, 11 properties have gone on the market in Washington and residents of seven are using tools from the three-month-old law to pursue ownership, the state House Housing Committee heard Thursday. Before Senate Bill 5198 became law, mobile home parks did not have to be sold on the open market. Now, owners must notify tenants and dozens of eligible community groups of the opportunity to make an offer. They also have to inform the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the state Department of Commerce. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Mark Hatfield)
WA has cleared its backlog of sexual assault testing kits, AG says
The state has cleared a decades-old backlog of more than 10,000 forensic kits collected from sexual assault survivors, state officials said Thursday. In 2015, legislators passed a state law requiring police agencies to send kits for testing within 30 days and for the lab to test a kit within 45 days of getting it. In 2016, the state implemented a kit-tracking system, and the next year, the Attorney General’s Office received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to inventory and test kits. In 2019, lawmakers budgeted money to build a new lab in Vancouver, which is now operating. Continue reading at Seattle Times.
Bellingham Herald
A wave of loss in opioid epidemic spurs WA tribal leaders, politicians toward a solution
Capital Press
Tech Hub aims to grow Northwest mass timber industry
Wildlife advocates petition for less hunting of cougars, bears in Washington
Everett Herald
Third inmate since September dies at Snohomish County Jail
Everett-based Housing Hope cuts positions amid financial troubles
News Tribune
New 60-unit tiny home village could fill vacant lot in Tacoma. Here’s what we know
Puyallup church ends lease of K-6 school that would play teams with transgender athletes
Jury hears recorded interview of one Tacoma officer accused of killing Manuel Ellis
Olympian
11 years after WA voters legalized marijuana, two Pasco stores will open within days
This Olympia cannabis testing lab just got its certification suspended. Here’s why
Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle’s crane count drops but still tops this list
Seattle Times
WA has cleared its backlog of sexual assault testing kits, AG says (Orwall)
Former cadets sue WA police academy, trainer over sexual harassment allegations
WA state ferry fans see red over Coca-Cola banner ads on vessels
Murray earmarks $80M to rebuild Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge
Editorial: A good news AI story shows the value of early tech education
Dow Constantine: To create safety, King County needs more than jails
Washington Post
College enrollment grew for the first time since the pandemic started
Ford workers praise new UAW contract: ‘This will change so many lives’
WA State Standard
Washington clears backlog of over 10,000 sexual assault testing kits (Orwall)
Mobile home residents are seizing the opportunity to buy their parks
Sound Transit weighs more night and weekend trips on Seattle-Tacoma train line
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima County plans to tap reserves to balance 2024 operating budget
WA farm workers voice varying opinions on increased overtime protections
Editorial: Costs shouldn’t prevent domestic violence intervention treatment
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Freeze warning leads some Western Washington cold weather shelters to open early
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bellevue School District considers middle school consolidation
Police accountability group lays out 2024 priorities for Washington lawmakers
KNKX Public Radio
Built during protests, Seattle’s BLM Garden fights for its future
KUOW Public Radio
Thousands of untested sexual assault kits finally processed in Washington state (Orwall, Dhingra)
Illegal child labor is surging in WA and across US. Sen. Murray wants to hold businesses accountable
Ballard and North Seattle teens are being mugged on their way home from school
KXLY (ABC)
CDC warns of RSV vaccine shortage, urges parents to stay informed
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Resuming police foot patrols downtown part of city’s renewed safety plan
MyNorthwest
Edmonds property taxes likely to rise as city faces budget shortfall
The Stranger
Slog AM: Washington Clears Rape Kit Backlog
West Seattle Blog
FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK: Nine replacement options shown at Community Advisory Group’s first meeting in a year
Sound Transit returns to West Seattle to talk about light-rail stations, kicking off another round of feedback