Pair of proposed bills would offer free community college to eligible Washington students
Per capita, Washington ranks among the lowest states in the country in terms of the number of residents who apply for federal student aid to fund a postsecondary education. And community colleges are struggling to meet students’ needs nationwide. In the United States today, 16% of students who enroll in community college complete a degree in three years and only 28% complete one within eight years, according to state Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle.Pollet and a group of his fellow lawmakers hope to turn those bleak numbers around with a pair of bills aiming to increase the number of Washingtonians who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA). Continue reading at The Spokesman Review. (Ellen Dennis)
How recent WA legislative changes could save you money on health care
Rising health care costs have not gone unnoticed by state lawmakers, who last year passed a spate of bills aimed at lowering several types of out-of-pocket charges, while also trying to address some systems-level issues that have kept costs high, like updating Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers. While proponents of these bills have said the changes could save Washingtonians hundreds of dollars every year and increase access to care, critics worry they’ll increase premiums for everyone. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Alan Youngblood)
As death toll rises, Washington lawmakers look to lower legal limit for driving drunk
Efforts to lower the legal limit for driving drunk in Washington are revving up as deadly crashes involving alcohol-impaired motorists rose again in the state in 2023. Legislation to reduce the maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05% is under consideration in the House and Senate. If enacted, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Klaus Vedfelt)
Axios
Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes have returned to the skies
Bellingham Herald
Bellingham tenant advocates, landlords support statewide rent stabilization bills
Weather service issues flood warning for Whatcom County communities along Nooksack River
Columbian
Using public land to fund child care? WA lawmakers are considering it (Reeves, Jinkins)
Everett Herald
Lawmakers try tackling opioid crisis and transportation costs (Lekanoff, Liias)
Snohomish County sees second-lowest unemployment in the state
Mill Creek senator’s bill would expand solar power in WA neighborhoods (Lovick, Hackney)
‘Working well’: Student violence trends down at Evergreen Middle School
After series of deaths, Snohomish County Jail to put cameras in detox unit
County ‘indefinitely’ suspends arts grant program that helped over 7,300 kids
Comment: Recycling legislation looks to build on state’s success (Fey, Reeves, Walen)
Comment: State’s rare disease patients count on lawmakers’ help
Comment: Old-growth forests still the king of carbon capture
Comment: ReWRAP Act can help limit waves of plastic pollution
Editorial: Rep. Larsen outlines ‘to do’ list for opioid crisis
Federal Way Mirror
Opinion: A closer look at the sealing of juvenile crime records (Wilson)
Islands’ Weekly
WSF outlines Service Contingency plan in bi-annual public meeting
News Tribune
Three weeks down, six to go. Here’s what happened last week in the Legislature (Simmons, Donaghy, Frame, Wilson, Lovelett)
New rule will require insurers in WA to be more transparent about premium increases
This mega-warehouse project would replace farmland in Pierce County. Here’s what to know
Olympian
Inspired by ‘heroic’ Pasco driver, WA bill would criminalize school bus trespassing
Puget Sound Business Journal
New overtime pay rule would expand access to millions
More rental households than ever are considered cost-burdened
Seattle Times
Ivan’s Law would promote fentanyl prevention, services, testing
Children of WA farmworkers could receive greater academic support (Ortiz-Self)
Feds award $64 million to start new RapidRide bus project in Seattle
How recent WA legislative changes could save you money on health care
SPD brass recommend officer’s firing or suspension over ‘horrific’ comments
Editorial: Address problems in youth prison before the chance is lost (Goodman)
Editorial: Q: In education, does money matter? A: It’s complicated
Opinion: For the health of animals and people, expand WSU veterinary school
Opinion: FAA’s safety culture hasn’t changed, either
The Skanner
Seattle Will Pay $10 Million to Protesters Who Said Police Used Excessive Force During 2020 Protests
Spokesman Review
Bill in Washington Legislature would loosen restriction on homegrown cannabis (Kloba)
Supply chain issues leave local law enforcement agencies in dire need of new vehicles
Pair of proposed bills would offer free community college to eligible Washington students (Pollet, Bergquist)
Amid increasing STD infection in Washington, proposed law expands access to treatment of syphilis, other sexually transmitted infections
Opinion: We’re still learning about the impact of PFASs
Opinion: Updated school meals will have lifelong benefits for Washington students
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
WA Senate passes bill to update process for dissolving rural library districts (Hunt)
Kimonti Carter was freed from life in prison. Prosecutors want to send him back (Goodman)
Chevron owners say gasoline leak was ‘tragic accident’ and worry about facing cleanup costs
Washington Post
Millions of Americans face risk of a toxic ‘bomb train’
New Alzheimer’s drugs bring hope. But not equally for all patients.
WA State Standard
Green hydrogen plans take shape for former Alcoa site at Cherry Point
As death toll rises, Washington lawmakers look to lower legal limit for driving drunk (Donaghy, Goodman, Lovick, Liias, Farivar)
Democrats want independent prosecutor to handle cases where police use deadly force (Stonier)
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee orchard owners, workers rally in Olympia on overtime pay law
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Refugees given Tuesday deadline to leave Kent hotel
In Session: Lowering DUI threshold, shortening prison sentences
Vote on proposal to increase I-405, SR 167 tolling rates set for Monday
Healing mural to cover damage from racist attack at Wing Luke Museum
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
National Weather Service issues Stillaguamish River flood warning
After living in tents in Tukwila, 90 migrant families about to be evicted from Kent hotel
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
$15 tolls? Vote expected Monday on potential toll changes to I-405, SR 167
Troopers ramping up tactics to deter freeway shootings in south King County
KNKX Public Radio
Washington lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise
KUOW Public Radio
Should social media pay for addicting kids? Seattle schools lawsuit gains steam
Natural gas, opioids and DUIs: Highlights from week 3 of Washington’s legislative session (Jinkins, Doglio, Dhingra, Trudeau)
Week in Review: Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson, Boeing, and Republican-backed initiatives
KXLY (ABC)
WSU tuition increasing for 2024-25 school year
What the food insecurity crisis looks like in the Inland Northwest
‘They need to feel safe’: WA lawmakers seek protection for referees in proposed legislation
NW Public Radio
WSU’S Coalition of Academic Student Employees ratifies its first contract
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Opinion: The opioid epidemic has devastated Northwest Washington
Crosscut
Can Catholic lobbyists agree to a child abuse reporting law? (Frame)
The Stranger
Slog AM: SPD Leaders Want Discipline for Cackling Cop, WA Could Get More Neighborhood Cafes, a Gondola Mishap
UW Daily
UW students push legislation for improved sexual assault resources in higher education institutions (Orwall)