A few big things Washington legislators passed in 2024
Washington state lawmakers adjourned a 60-day session Thursday after passing new gun control measures, three citizen initiatives and bills to try to curb the use of fentanyl. Lawmakers approved legislation to ban guns at public libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit stations, plus another bill that will make it a civil infraction to fail to report a stolen or lost firearm within 24 hours. Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)
WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants
By the close of Washington’s legislative session last week, state lawmakers had added more funding to help reduce health care insurance costs for undocumented immigrants, as the state also prepares to expand Apple Health, its free or low-cost health insurance, to the same population in July. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Bill to create memorial to honor fallen firefighters passes Legislature
Legislation to erect a memorial to firefighters who die in the line of duty is on the governor’s desk. Sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Port Angeles, the bill passed Feb. 29 in the form of House companion legislation (HB 2091). The legislation provides funding for the memorial to be constructed and maintained on the campus of the state Capitol, with funds from an account created to accept gifts and grants. Continue reading at Peninsula Daily News.
Associated Press
Judge rejects challenge to WA law that allows suits against gunmakers
Aberdeen Daily World
CCAP expanding affordable modular housing projects
Axios
A few big things Washington legislators passed in 2024
Tips of suspected internet crimes against kids skyrocket
Seattle to spring ahead, after pitch to end time switch fails
Bainbridge Island Review
BI looks to support electrification of ferry terminal
Columbian
Washington Lawmakers, Gov. Inslee aim to help paraeducators
AI pervades everyday life with almost no oversight. States scramble to catch up
Overworked and under-recognized: Clark County schools struggle to hire and retain paraeducators
Everett Herald
Legislature OKs plan with $25M for Snohomish County projects
Congress approves $19M for new military housing in Smokey Point
At Edmonds College, students go from barista to airplane maker in weeks
Comment: TVW turning ‘sunlight’ and civility on state government
Comment: Police agencies need flexibility for diversity, safety (Lovick)
Editorial: What lawmakers accomplished in a quick 60 days
Journal of the San Juan Islands
State Government: No ‘implementation’ funds this year for privately-run water taxi service in San Juans (Ramel)
Peninsula Daily News
Bill to create memorial to honor fallen firefighters passes Legislature (Van De Wege)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Attempt to boost gig worker pay stings Seattle restaurants
Crime slows, but Seattle drops in ranking of safest cities in U.S.
The job market has hit a new normal. Here’s why everyone hates it.
Seattle Times
What happened with WA lawmakers’ climate agenda (Mena, Chapman)
WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants (Thai)
6 things to know about the costliest salmon recovery program in WA
WA lawmakers ease burden for parents challenging school special ed (Trudeau)
Financial education bill changed last minute on Senate floor and fails (Wellman)
King County Sheriff’s Office won’t enforce updated Burien camping ban
Removing WA salmon barriers surges to $1M a day, but results are murky
Editorial: Timely state bills strengthen hate crime laws
Editorial: Responsible leaders must step up on migrant crisis (Hasegawa)
Opinion: France and Washington state share the same ambitions
Opinion: All victims of violence deserve our support — not just those killed by police
Opinion: There is no credible Downtown Activation Plan until city workers come back full-time
South Whidbey Record
State budget has $2.5M for island projects (Paul, Shavers)
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla Valley lawmakers reflect on 60-day session in Olympia
State report: Job markets in Walla Walla, Columbia counties improve
Washington Post
Drugmakers blast White House initiative to lower pill costs for seniors
Less money, less house: How market forces are reshaping the American home
How one of the coldest, darkest towns on Earth is trying to get more energy from the sun
WA State Standard
Man dies at Tacoma immigration detention center
Tax on expensive real estate sales in Washington is not happening (Berg, Chopp)
Judge rejects attempt to delay building code update with new heat pump rules
At Seattle’s Boeing Field, a Rare Glimpse of America’s Troubled Deportation Flights
Wenatchee World
Chelan-Douglas Health District confirms 17 whooping cough cases
Legislature OKs funding for more than a dozen projects in Chelan and Douglas counties
Yakima Herald-Republic
Del Monte to close facility in Toppenish, laying off 127 workers
Yakima Council OKs job description for new city manager, looks at community center plans
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington state bills that failed to pass 2024 legislative session
‘Strong movement’ on Boeing plane traveling to New Zealand leaves 50 injured
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Power outages affect thousands across western Washington
Boeing says it can’t find work records related to door panel that blew out on Alaska 1282
CDC simplifies federal COVID-19 guidance, only 18% of people in WA up to date on vaccines
KNKX Public Radio
WA legislative session wraps up with budget deals, voter initiatives
Washington lawmakers vote to shore up ferry service on final day of session (Nance, Liias)
KUOW Public Radio
What to know about the political debate around daylight saving time
Week in Review: the legislative session, a plan for growth, and a judge disqualified
Why Washington’s high school financial education bill didn’t survive the ’24 session (Wellman)
‘I didn’t want one, but I needed one.’ An Idaho mother comes to Washington for an abortion
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Public Schools votes to ban immigration agents from school campuses
Spokane pediatricians address Daylight Saving Time impact on kids’ mental health
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Ninth-grade success programs get continued state funding
New Blaine substance use recovery center provides personalized, long-term care
Crosscut
2024 WA Legislature passes bills on guns, environment, education (Berg, Keiser, Orwall, Stonier, Wellman)
MyNorthwest
Sen. Karen Keiser explains why this is the time to retire (Keiser)