As Washington’s prison population shrank, the cost of incarceration went up
Keeping people in Washington’s prisons has gotten more expensive in recent years. The state is one of several where costs per prisoner have climbed as overall prison populations decline. Washington recently closed a prison to save money, but officials say rising prices for essentials, as well as facility maintenance, are contributing to the ballooning price of keeping people locked up. Continue reading at KNKX. (Jeanie Lindsay)
Washington adds worker protection laws, including ban on mandatory anti-union meetings Washington workers will soon gain some new rights, including protections against employers holding mandatory meetings on religious and political issues. “In Washington state, we protect that which we value. We value our workers and we value our working families,” said Gov. Jay Inslee, who signed a slate of workplace protection bills on Thursday. The Employee Free Choice Act makes Washington the sixth state to prohibit employers from disciplining or firing employees who refuse to attend “captive audience” meetings, which employers often use as a union-busting tactic. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Office of the Governor)
Study says Washington state is home to four of the healthiest cities in the country
A new study conducted by Wallethub found that where you live does matter when it comes to health, and depending on the effectiveness of your city’s wellness promotions, it can impact your ability to stay healthy. The Wallethub comparison looked at 182 cities and identified the healthiest and unhealthiest cities in the country. The study listed four cities in Washington. One was ranked among the top three healthiest cities: Seattle. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Pete Caster)
Aberdeen Daily World
Dialogue Project aims to mend community division with conversation
Axios
Traffic deaths are up in Washington state
Columbian
New Washington budget boosts state spending by $2B
Battle Ground City Council rejects partnership to create Eaton Park Apartments
Murray, Perez secure $3 million for Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment facility improvement project (Murray, Gluesenkamp)
Everett Herald
Everett faces June deadline to present AquaSox stadium plan
Congress approves $5M for Everett’s opioid crisis, child care needs
News Tribune
Study says Washington state is home to four of the healthiest cities in the country
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Northwest Asian Weekly
Police arrest suspects in string of burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Kirkland
Port Townsend Leader
Short-term rental options under review
Seattle Times
WA laws aim to detect cyber attacks, protect election workers (Leavitt, Valdez)
WA’s top problem? Your answer may depend on where you live
U.S. Supreme Court denies stay in Central WA redistricting case
‘Lost Patients’ podcast Episode 4: What led to deinstitutionalization
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Opinion: Why a TikTok ban isn’t what we need
Editorial: New alternatives to WA bar exam level the field for law licensing
Spokesman Review
Not ‘reasonable’: Spokane International Airport hits back against state PFAS cleanup order
Veteran Benefits Administration officials hold Pullman town hall to discuss PACT Act with local veterans
Opinion: We should invest in the lower Snake River Dams – not tear them down
Washington Post
Boeing’s troubles are spilling over to its airline customers
As obesity rises, Big Food and dietitians push ‘anti-diet’ advice
WA State Standard
U.S. Supreme Court won’t block Washington’s new legislative district map
Power generated from Northwest dams fell last year to lowest level in two decades
Washington adds worker protection laws, including ban on mandatory anti-union meetings (Keiser)
Wenatchee World
WA addresses AI in public schools
SCOTUS OKs new WA voting maps, Wenatchee Valley to split into 3 districts
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Northwest dairy farms push to allow whole milk, 2% milk in schools
Thurston County hires former Tacoma officer acquitted in death of Manuel Ellis
Washington now home to 18 cities where the typical home is worth $1 million or more
Facing demotion, Washington State Patrol trooper resigns after citing innocent truck driver
Scathing federal report rips Microsoft for shoddy security, insincerity in response to Chinese hack
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Race to save an orca calf off Vancouver Island
Pacific Northwest leads nation in infrastructure vandalism
Thousands of Pierce County Comcast customers without services after vandalism
Federal Student Aid Application overhaul frustrates high school seniors and families
KNKX
As Washington’s prison population shrank, the cost of incarceration went up
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle City Council approves wage increases, simultaneously growing budget shortfall
Former Redmond hotel to open as supportive housing for chronically homeless by May
KXLY (ABC)
Children and families in Northeast Spokane benefitting from local mental health clinic
SNAP hosting resource carnival to help families apply for Working Families Tax Credit
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Opinion: Another NW port city wonders: How do we keep local news alive?
Crosscut
Seattle Council unanimously approves raises for 10,000 city workers
West Seattle Blog
East Marginal Way ceremonial groundbreaking, and levy talk
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