WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass
After the Washington Legislature passed a ban on the sale of many semiautomatic rifles in 2023, Everytown for Gun Safety ranked Washington among the top 10 states with the strongest regulations. But gun safety and responsibility advocates weren’t done with their work in Olympia, and have proposed a group of new regulations during the 2024 session, with a few proposals likely headed toward the governor’s desk – including one that would require people to report the theft of a firearm within 24 hours. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)
Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done?
Washington came to understand the scope and severity of the state’s fentanyl crisis in 2023 more than any other year. State lawmakers made fentanyl one of the pressing issues in the short legislative session. A new Seattle City Council has also named the drug crisis a top priority, inspiring a renewed focus on law and order. Here are five things to look for in 2024, according to experts from state and local policy, health, education and law enforcement. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)
Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies
Out-of-state sales lead generators and marketing companies are responsible for many of the dubious solar energy ads you encounter online. Deceptive and high-pressure in-person tactics are also generating complaints to state government, notably when salespeople overpromise on incentives and electricity bill savings. And, in some cases, homeowners have reported flawed installs that left their homes damaged and their new solar panels not working correctly. In Olympia this winter, state lawmakers took a stab at addressing these issues by strengthening consumer protections for solar installations.
Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty Images)
Aberdeen Daily World
Some hospital patients may be affected by cyberattack
Bellingham Herald
A WA bill to cap rent increases just failed in the Senate. Here’s what your city can do (Shewmake)
Capital Press
Washington lawmakers take step to join California on cap-and-trade (Doglio)
Columbian
Fees, deposits barriers for renters in Clark County
Everett Herald
No grades, no teachers: Inside a Bothell school run by student vote
Following lawsuit, Providence commits to improved care for Deaf patients
Comment: What’s next for the supermarket supermerger?
Comment: Eco-nomics: Preparing for, limiting climate crisis demands a plan
Editorial: Lawmakers miss good shot for fewer traffic deaths (Lovick, Liias, Stanford)
The Inlander
This summer, Washington says good riddance to foam food containers and coolers
People in Eastern Washington throw away too much food — state policy and Spokane educators are trying to change that
A Washington initiative will let voters decide whether to repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which has brought in $1.8 billion so far
News Tribune
Washington’s first state park in nearly 40 years is closer to completion
Washington State Patrol trooper who was a Pasco native struck and killed on I-5
Puyallup School District to cut budget due to $14 million deficit. Here’s what to expect
Three new homeless shelters could open in Pierce County this year. Here’s what we know
Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing confirms it is in talks to buy Wichita’s Spirit AeroSystems
Seattle Times
Three key updates on King County’s crisis care centers
Peggy Maxie, first Black woman elected to WA state House, dies (Santos, Street)
Seattle officer who struck, killed pedestrian issued traffic infraction
Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done? (Wellman)
WA lawmakers pass bill to create hotline for hate crimes and bias incidents (Valdez, Taylor, Santos)
Jaywalking debate pits safety concerns against unnecessary stops of homeless people (Saldana)
Fentanyl, unions and Chinese American history — what records are lawmakers hiding? (Jinkins)
As an opioids scourge devastates tribes in Washington, lawmakers advance a bill to provide relief (Lekanoff)
Editorial: Sound Transit must make public safety a top priority
Opinion: Overhaul WA laws so oil companies pay for spills
Opinion: School meals are about to get more healthful; now, let’s make them free
Sol De Yakima
Legislatura aprueba iniciativa de ley para ayudar a solicitantes de asilo en Washington (Gregerson)
South Whidbey Record
Coupeville ferry run is among state’s most challenging
Spokesman Review
Washington state likely to give public school districts more money for special education
The majority of marijuana waste in Washington ends up in the landfill. New legislation aims to redirect it (Kloba)
As the infertility treatment comes under threat nationally, here’s how local politicians have weighed in on IVF
Opinion: Undoing the injustice of juvenile fines and fees (Frame)
Tri-City Herald
WSU Tri-Cities Black Student Union honors college’s first Black president
World’s 1st carbon-free fertilizer plant seeks $20M property tax break from Richland
Washington Post
CDC officially drops five-day covid isolation guidelines
Health-care hack spreads pain across hospitals and doctors nationwide
WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies (Reeves, Stanford)
Washington Legislature approves tax break for affordable housing built on state land (Kuderer)
Parents caring for disabled children left waiting for pay, as bill fails in WA Legislature (Taylor)
Wenatchee World
State legislature passes ‘Walking Start to Running Start’ bill
Yakima Herald-Republic
WA state wants school districts to keep better track of truant students
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘We will never forget’: WSP identifies trooper struck, killed on I-5
Memorial for Washington State Patrol trooper killed in line of duty growing
Former King County sheriff discusses line-of-duty deaths in law enforcement
Community holds solidarity walk for Jaahnavi Kandula after officer issued traffic citation
Two men accused of home invasions targeted Asian families, now charged with hate crime
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington to enhance survivor benefits for families of rideshare drivers (Berry)
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
US housing market value climbs $2.4 trillion, limits options for homebuyers
Tukwila officials, volunteers urge state and feds to address migrant situation
Washington House, Senate pass police pursuit initiative out of committee (Dhingra, Salomon Trudeau, Kuderer, Valdez, Pedersen)
‘It’s not enough to just be nice’: WSU study highlights importance of teachers’ mindset
KNKX Public Radio
WA police pursuit, parent rights, income tax initiatives poised for final vote in Olympia (Simmons, Farivar)
KUOW Public Radio
How will Seattle grow? Next week, we get a hint
Week in Review: protesters, rent, and strip clubs
Strippers’ rights win, tenants’ rights lose: The fate of key bills in Washington state (Dhingra)
Police pursuit, parent rights, income tax initiatives poised for final vote in Olympia (Dhingra, Farivar, Simmons)
KXLY (ABC)
Federal bill could allow marijuana shops access to financial services
UW dental students participate in training to help underserved communities
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Residents near deal to buy mobile home park in Bellingham
Raising salmon helps Puget Sound population — and students learn to run a hatchery
Crosscut
WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass (Billig, Fitzgibbon, Berry, Walen, Hansen, Dhingra, Valdez)
WA’s carbon pricing system may fund $200M for new electric ferries (Liias)