Washington officials turn to schools in fight against opioid epidemic
As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage Washington and the rest of the country, officials are considering new policies to curb youth overdoses and addiction. Washington has seen a dramatic increase in opioid overdose deaths among young people, particularly due to fentanyl, a cheap and devastating drug. In 2022, at least 31 adolescents ages 10 to 17 and 157 people ages 18 to 24 died from an opioid overdose in Washington, according to Department of Health data. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Friends for Life)
Washington Legislature aims to regulate AI — but treads cautiously
At least three AI bills are proposed for the session that began Jan. 8. The legislature passed a minor bill on AI in 2023. This session marks the first time that the Legislature will attempt to address AI in a methodical way. Artificial intelligence is an ill-defined, rapidly evolving technology that has entered commerce, education and daily life. Continue reading at Crosscut. (John Locher)
Washington bill aims to reduce ‘fast fashion’ carbon emissions, pollution
Fast fashion adds thousands of new styles daily into the market. While that might be a shopaholic’s dream, it’s a nightmare for some environmental advocates. That’s why Washington State Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, sponsored a bill to help regulate large fashion companies. Manufacturers and sellers would have to make more than $100 million globally and operate in Washington. The bill would require these large companies to report their environmental due diligence policies and environmental impacts. Continue reading at KUOW. (Flickr Creative Commons)
Associated Press
FAA to audit Boeing manufacturing, increase scrutiny after panel blew off jet in midflight last week
Aberdeen Daily World
Homelessness response groups brace for frigid conditions
Auburn Reporter
Dept. of Health to give Naloxone to schools as opioid overdoses increase
Axios
Mass shootings rose in Washington in 2023
Biden cancels student loans for more borrowers
Seattle-area housing crunch predicted to last decades
Alaska Airlines passengers sue Boeing over 737 MAX 9 incident
Capital Press
Washington lawmakers hear bill to ban gas-powered equipment (Walen)
Feeding the Northwest reports 20% higher shipment volume of produce
Columbian
Design unveiled for Billy Frank Jr. statue that will be displayed at U.S. Capitol
Over 180 EV chargers coming to Western WA in nationwide buildout. Here’s where
Everett Herald
Despite turnaround, Everett buys Waits Motel for $1.85M
Mill Creek rep proposes new tax to fund over $3M in affordable housing (Berg)
New York Times
At Sea With the First Major Offshore Wind Farm to Power U.S. Homes
F.A.A. to Increase Oversight of Boeing and Audit 737 Max 9 Production
Puget Sound Business Journal
TikTok expected to take former Microsoft office in downtown Bellevue
Cancellations mount at Sea-Tac Airport as probes open into 737 Max 9 blowout
Seattle Medium
Top 10 Most Commonly Stolen Cars In Washington State In 2023 Are
Washington Voters Urge Legislators To Invest In Social Services And Call For Tax Repeal
Seattle Times
SPD official sues department, alleging gender discrimination
Cantwell blasts FAA oversight of Boeing after 737 MAX 9 blowout
Tukwila church tries to keep asylum-seekers warm with little help
Some Americans will get their student loans canceled in February as Biden accelerates his new plan
Editorial: Fix WA climate law’s broken promise to farmers (Mullet, Chapman)
Opinion: Inslee budget fails WA’s strapped school districts
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County to translate elections material into Spanish
Spokesman Review
‘This is a day on, not off’: Spokane set to celebrate, honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day
State certifies Washington ballot measure that would erase police pursuit restrictions
‘It’s practically health care’: WA teens urge lawmakers to require Narcan in every high school (Kuderer)
Male pronouns within Washington state constitution could be changed to gender-neutral terms (Jinkins, Ramos, Mena)
Spokane declares state of emergency, increasing homeless shelter capacity as temperatures plummet
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla City Council reelects Tom Scribner as mayor, recognizes MLK Day
Washington Post
How plastic hides in supposedly eco-friendly laundry products
Is this covid surge really the second biggest? Here’s what data shows.
WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers look to cap rent increases (Alvarado, Trudeau, Billig)
Washington officials turn to schools in fight against opioid epidemic (Kuderer)
For second time, Washington House backs tougher penalties for threatening election workers (Leavitt)
Yakima Herald-Republic
Fewer homicides in Yakima and Yakima County in 2023, but rate exceeds Seattle’s
Comprehensive Healthcare in Yakima gets $4 million federal boost to increase services
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Passengers of Alaska Airlines flight sue Boeing following 737 Max 9 door plug loss
State patrol continues gathering evidence from ‘illegal and unsafe’ protest that blocked I-5 for hours
‘It terrifies me, the thought of freezing to death’: Cold weather exposes shelter shortage in Skagit County
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Boeing whistleblower ‘not at all’ surprised after door plug blows of MAX 9 midflight
Lawyer explains your rights as a renter amid rising threat of winter weather damage
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle light rail service to be reduced for 3 weeks as crews work on tracks
Washington high schools set to receive Narcan amidst rising opioid overdose rates
KUOW Public Radio
Washington State Patrol investigating protesters who blocked I-5
Washington bill aims to reduce ‘fast fashion’ carbon emissions, pollution (Mena)
Washington schools chief calls for changes to better fund special education
Olympia gets preview of Billy Frank Jr. sculpture slated for Washington, D.C. (Lekanoff)
WA lawmakers weigh proposal to slow rising rental costs amid ongoing housing crisis (Peterson)
KXLY (ABC)
“We’re going to fix a law”: Lawmakers introduce bill to re-define hate crimes (Billig)
Q13
New Washington bill could make ‘stealthing,’ described as akin to rape, a penalty (Berry)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Thousands without power in Bellingham; county-run severe-weather shelter full
Crosscut
Washington Legislature aims to regulate AI – but treads cautiously (Keiser, Shavers, Valdez, Nguyen)
MyNorthwest
Legislature considers rent increase cap, but don’t call it ‘rent control’ (Alvarado)