Prisoners would get to vote under bill backed by formerly incarcerated WA lawmaker
An estimated 4.6 million people in the United States cannot vote due to a felony conviction. Washington has already taken steps to change that, having restored voting rights to incarcerated people convicted of felonies immediately upon release in 2022. But Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Kitsap, said that’s not enough. The next step, she believes, should be allowing all Washington prisoners to vote. House Bill 2030 would effectively allow anyone incarcerated in a state prison to vote or sit on a jury. It only bans prisoners from voting who are convicted of a crime punishable by death. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (WA House Democrats)
Protesters urge WA lawmakers to end child marriage
People dressed in bridal gowns and veils gathered inside the Capitol on Thursday, not to get married, but to protest against child marriage in Washington state. Almost 20 protesters were seen with chained arms and taped mouths, calling on the Senate to pass House Bill 1455, which would set a minimum marriage age of 18. On Jan. 8, the first day of the legislative session, the House unanimously passed HB 1455, and now awaits action in the Senate. There have been previous attempts to end child marriage, but this measure was first introduced last year by Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, when it passed the House, but eventually stalled in the Senate. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
Nobles Named Chair Of Senate Higher Education, Workforce Development Committee
Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest) was named chair of the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee following a vote of the Senate Wednesday. Nobles, who previously served as the committee’s vice chair, brings two decades of experience in education and community leadership to the role. She also is the current caucus majority whip, vice chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, and a member of the Transportation Committee and the Behavioral Health Subcommittee. Continue reading at The Seattle Medium.
Axios
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Everett Herald
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High Country News
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News Tribune
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Seattle Medium
Washington State Wants To Block The Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Nobles Bill Would Establish Collective Bargaining Rights For Student Employees (Nobles)
Nobles Named Chair Of Senate Higher Education, Workforce Development Committee (Nobles)
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Seattle Times
A formula that pays off to keep WA’s youth housed
Protesters urge WA lawmakers to end child marriage (Stonier)
WA bill seeks to encourage building affordable housing on DNR lands
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The Skanner
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Spokesman Review
Facility treating high number of drug-exposed infants gains study, seeks Medicaid funds
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Washington Post
The hidden cost of unpaid caregiving is less money for retirement
FEMA’s updating its disaster aid program for the first time in 20 years. Here’s what that means.
WA State Standard
Prisoners would get to vote under bill backed by formerly incarcerated WA lawmaker (Simmons)
Wenatchee World
Annual Point in Time County of homeless population next week
Yakima Herald-Republic
More college financial aid workshops planned in Yakima Valley
Lack of funding and environmental review slow down East-West Corridor in Yakima
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Preview of Billy Frank, Jr. statue on display at state Capitol (Lekanoff)
Washington lawmakers look to toughen up penalties for property crime
Sound Transit light rail repairs have people speeding up just to slow down
5 people died due to hypothermia during extreme cold temps in Seattle area
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City moves to create liaison to increase transparency around Tacoma Police Department
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
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Frigid weather knocks out power to thousands from Monroe to North Bend
WSP investigating 11 freeway shootings in King County in last 3 weeks alone
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KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Improvements underway at ‘inhumane’ Tukwila refugee camp
Proposed Senate bill to mandate DUI convicts to financially support bereaved children (Lovick)
Seattle doctors claim withholding gender procedures from transgender children is ‘abuse’
KNKX Public Radio
WA Dept. of Health sues over lack of inspections at ICE facility
Design unveiled for Billy Frank Jr. statue that will be displayed at U.S. Capitol
KUOW Public Radio
Former King County sheriff sees ‘a new era of policing’
Washington schools chief encourages educators to embrace AI and use it in class
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KXLY (ABC)
Local organization helping to keep the homeless inside this winter
Washington lawmakers push for year-round Pacific Standard Time
NW Public Radio
WSU student workers reach tentative deal after one day of picketing, strike
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Q13 TV (FOX)
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Web
West Seattle Blog
FYI: Seattle Housing Authority changes how and when people can apply for rent-help vouchers