Fentanyl crisis descends on jail in a small WA town short on treatment
Fentanyl is the most ubiquitous opioid available without a prescription and the cause of record-breaking overdose deaths across Washington. Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin, and opioid treatment experts say that access to medications like methadone and buprenorphine is more important than ever to help people stay alive. As the fentanyl crisis tightens its grip in Washington and across the country, there is growing agreement in the public safety sphere that people in jails and prisons would benefit from medications to treat opioid use disorder. But logistical and bureaucratic barriers still exist. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Elise Amendola)
New WA law aims to erase black market for stolen catalytic converters
When the price of precious metals began tumbling late last summer, so too did demand for stolen catalytic converters, the exhaust-cleaning components that can be cut from a vehicle’s undercarriage in seconds and sold on the black market. But demand will inevitably go back up once the prices of rhodium, palladium and platinum — metals used in the manufacture of catalytic converters — rise again, law enforcement officials and lawmakers say. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Steve Helber)
Washington youth mental health shows best improvement in 20 years
Suicidal thoughts among 10th graders in Washington are at the lowest rate in 20 years, according to a new survey from the state Department of Health. The same survey also found that while mental health among youth in the state is improving, 30% of 10th graders are experiencing persistent depressive feelings and six in 10 report feeling anxious or nervous. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Dorothy Edwards)
Aberdeen Daily World
Less likely to ignite: Westport launches wildfire resilience effort
Agreement would lend Aberdeen staff to process Cosi utility bills
Axios
$3 million from state advances Garfield Super Block
Bellingham Herald
Bellingham City Council votes to explore possible annexation of area northeast of city limits
Columbian
Controversial clean energy law takes effect in Washington
Inslee signs final transportation budget, warns of tough sledding
Fearing political violence, more states ban guns at polling places
Fentanyl crisis descends on jail in a small WA town short on treatment (Goodman)
Labor and love: 1 in 10 Clark County residents are caregivers, dealing with isolation and rewards
Everett Herald
‘A huge year for transit’: Swift Orange Line begins in Lynnwood
Roundabout, walkway, bridge coming to ‘atrocious’ Bothell intersection
Comment: At higher cancer risk, firefighters need early tests
Comment: Eco-nomics: Changes to cycle of water weigh on climate plans
Comment: Loss of power reliability calls for a stronger grid
Editorial: A welcome return of grizzlies to North Cascades
News Tribune
WA immigration rights activists say they faced harassment, intimidation in Tacoma
The fighting’s not over, but site work has begun on Tacoma mega-warehouse project (Mena)
Instead of tearing down old buildings, what if we recycled them? Tacoma might try it
Olympian
Tumwater delays decision on code on nighttime loitering on city property
Puget Sound Business Journal
Small-business grants you can apply for in April 2024
Why Microsoft’s diversity chief says her work will never be done
Homelessness authority at critical juncture, Seattle council says
Seattle Times
In Tacoma, a detention center where people become ‘invisible’
State takes over closed Burien facility, plans to serve kids in crisis
New Gates Foundation grant will tackle WA’s postsecondary problem
New WA law aims to erase black market for stolen catalytic converters (Ryu)
Why Seattle Public Schools is closing its highly capable cohort program
Spokesman Review
Roadwork to watch for this week
Bipartisanship rises in Washington Legislature (Billig, Pederson)
Getting There: Spokane County begins work on final stretch of Bigelow Gulch project
Tri-City Herald
In-depth investigation into troubled Pasco group ordered after damning WA state audit
What’s being built there? $24M apartments + $7M church remodel + Queensgate terraces
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla City Council approves $15M police guild contract for 2022-2024
Washington Post
America is divided over major efforts to rewrite child labor laws
‘You only live once’: How covid changed the way we spend money
Last year was bad for commercial real estate. 2024 could be worse.
Algorithms are guiding senior home staffing. Managers say care is suffering.
America suddenly has a record number of bees. What happened to colony collapse?
WA State Standard
New Washington budget boosts state spending by $2B
Calls for federal investigation into Tacoma detention center mount amid detainee death
Yakima Herald-Republic
Dispute over Caton Landfill operations moves to state pollution control board
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
New public transit Swift Orange Line opens in Snohomish County
Revive I-5 to impact traffic between Tukwila and Seattle overnight this weekend
Gun violence disproportionately affects Black and brown people. What’s being done about it?
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WSP explains why there was no Amber Alert for 4-year-old Ariel Garcia
City of Burien suing King County Sheriff’s Office over camping ban enforcement
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Western Washington University starts online cannabis course for industry hopefuls
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle businesses caught in tug of war between app companies and delivery drivers
KXLY (ABC)
Deputies shoot, wanted felony suspect dead in Deer Park standoff
Police shoot, kill one person at house fire in West Central Spokane
Former Washington pipeline retiree takes on big oil, wins 8-year-long battle over pension losses
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Northwest Washington state: Dead zone for tech startups?
Is Bellingham’s waterfront future ripe for a reset after past missteps?
Crosscut
Washington youth mental health shows best improvement in 20 years
West Seattle Blog
WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Madison MS to pilot new laptop surveillance software before it goes district-wide