WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Monday, April 22

Puget Sound Energy’s liquified natural gas facility at the Port of Tacoma. (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)

State’s new law involving PSE aspires to set a course for the future
Over the past couple of years, Washington lawmakers have wrestled with a daunting task. The problem: The state’s largest utility, Puget Sound Energy, sells natural gas to nearly 1 million customers and burns gas and coal to electrify cities. That contributes millions of metric tons of planet-warming gasses to the atmosphere. Seeing a tough road ahead to decarbonize, PSE requested help from lawmakers. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)


The high cost of 4/20: Expert warns of dangers associated with marijuana
April 20 is considered by many as a high holiday for marijuana aficionados. However, there’s growing evidence it’s not as harmless as once believed. Despite legalization across the country and widespread public approval, the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. That’s led to limits on research regarding medical usage that could back up anecdotal evidence of marijuana helping people. Continue reading at King 5.


Officer Jeffrey Nelson was charged with murder in the second degree, and assault in the first degree, for the death of Jesse Sarey, age 26, in Auburn. Nelson is the first officer in Washington state to be charged under a new law that was passed by initiative, I-940.

Auburn police officer’s murder trial tests new state law for police misconduct
The first police officer charged with murder in Washington under a new legal standard for police misconduct is heading to trial. Jury selection is scheduled to begin April 22 in the trial of Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson. In August 2020, then-King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg charged Nelson with second-degree murder and first-degree assault for killing 26-year-old Jesse Sarey. Nelson tackled and ultimately shot Sarey while trying to arrest him for disorderly conduct. Continue reading at KUOW. (Auburn Police Department)


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Associated Press
Supreme Court will take up the fight over ghost gun
With homelessness on the rise, the Supreme Court will weigh bans on sleeping outdoors

Axios
Seattle is the nation’s second-biggest new AI job hotspot

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County paid $225K to settle sexual harassment complaints
Public health alert: Beef with a potentially deadly form of E. coli got sent to stores
Former Bellingham police officer sues city over vaccine mandate, alleges discrimination

Capital Press
With massive Washington harvest, apple prices ‘dismal’
Yakama Nation slams Horse Heaven decision; order not public

Columbian
People are staying homeless for longer than ever before in Clark County — experts say fentanyl is a factor

Everett Herald
Lake Stevens selects new school superintendent
Here’s your chance to weigh in on how Marysville will look in 20 years
Comment: To save orcas, agencies should suspend salmon fishing
Comment: The crime of homelessness

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap teens report fewer feelings of depression, suicidal tendencies

News Tribune
Drivers will have to start paying to use those EV charging stations in Gig Harbor
Tacoma named No. 1 most sought-after renting destination in West, report shows
MultiCare at odds with another insurer. Patients being notified of potential disruptions
New tax to nearly triple county’s affordable housing money, but even that’s not enough

New York Times
Spurred by Teen Girls, States Move to Ban Deepfake Nudes (Mullet)

Olympian
Gotta go? These I-5 rest areas in Thurston County will close in May, WSDOT says

Puget Sound Business Journal
Affordable housing project backed by Microsoft opens in Renton
Supreme Court decision may have ripple effect on development impact fees
An increasingly popular perk is hitting hurdles as employers overlook the pitfalls
Seattle eyes temporarily exempting some center city developments from design review

Seattle Times
Unpaid rent in low-income housing skyrocketed, evictions may be next
A future without natural gas? New law involving PSE aspires to set the course (Nguyen)

South Whidbey Record
Whidbey part of statewide drought emergency

Spokesman Review
Sacred Heart strike starts today. Picketing begins at 2 p.m.
Use of force expert calls Spokane deputy’s actions from August park arrest ‘excessive,’ ‘unreasonable’; FBI involved
‘Even if it’s terrifying, just keep going’: Chelsea Adams gained courage to come forward about her sexual abuse years later

Tri-City Herald
Update: Burning Tri-Cities cold storage center partially collapses. Evacuations lifted
New solar farm project proposed south of Tri-Cities. Learn more this week in Kennewick

Washington Post
Biden Title IX rules set to protect trans students, survivors of abuse
The pandemic cost 7 million lives, but talks to prevent a repeat stall
As Supreme Court takes up homeless ban, a city’s unhoused feel abandoned
Nine practices from Native American culture that could help the environment

WA State Standard
WA charter school performance on par with other public schools, state report says

Yakima Herald-Republic
Nationwide FAFSA issues hit colleges and students in Central Washington
Toppenish School District announces 48 staff reductions amid budget shortfall

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Jury selection in trial of Auburn police officer accused of murder begins
The high cost of 4/20: Expert warns of dangers associated with marijuana (Davis)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
DOJ creates carjacking task force for Western Washington
After more than three months, some I-5 protesters have been charged
Deadly crash in Central Tacoma has residents worried about safety of intersection
Parts of King County are receiving additional funding to go towards homelessness assistance
‘It’s a vicious cycle’: Ballard businesses lose thousands of dollars due to recurring break-ins

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle coalition demands more housing, sustainable transportation in city growth plan
Supreme Court to hear arguments on Oregon homelessness case with regional implications

KNKX Public Radio
Excessive force, racial bias lawsuit against Tacoma police will end with $300K settlement
Despite petitions, federal regulators approve construction on expanded Northwest gas pipeline

KUOW Public Radio
An uncontained tugboat oil spill fouls Seattle waterways
Auburn police officer’s murder trial tests new state law for police misconduct
These Northwest snails might need stronger protection than just their tiny shells

KXLY (ABC)
Fencing erected days ahead of strike at Sacred Heart Medical Center

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Van Zandt Dike will close to target shooting after public safety concerns (Shewmake)
Homeless people scatter as city, business owners welcome cleaner downtown
Opinion: Nursing-home staffing mandates critical to dignified care

Crosscut
Seattle City Council rejects affordable housing development bill
A federal program could fix Washington’s salmon-killing culverts

MyNorthwest
What led to Washington drought as wildfires, rainbows on the horizon
Corrections Guild ‘extremely fearful’ as more weapons infiltrate Kent jail
International students remain in quarantine in King County hotel after measles exposure