Washington is 2nd in the U.S. for missing and murdered Indigenous women; have recent efforts made headway?
Indigenous people go missing and are murdered at higher rates than any other group. In Washington, Indigenous people make up 2 percent of the general population but account for 5 percent of unsolved cases. Washington ranks second highest in the nation for missing and murdered Indigenous women. Although Washington has created a state task force and an alert system, advocates say justice remains out of reach for victims and their families. Obstacles include lack of data, tribal jurisdictions and the lingering impacts of colonization. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Taylor Balkom)
How much has Washington state spent on housing in the past decade?
For much of the past decade, the amount of money Washington lawmakers dedicated to housing and homelessness programs grew gradually, climbing from around $200 million to $400 million in each two-year budget between 2013 and 2021. Part of that spike is due to an infusion of federal pandemic aid. But it also reflects a growing acknowledgment among lawmakers that Washington has a housing problem, particularly a shortage of affordable homes. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Ian Dewar)
If you haven’t paid your electric bill, you may hear from a collection agency
If you haven’t paid your electric bill for a while, you may get a call from a collection agency. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) stopped using bill collection agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the utility recently got permission from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to resume its collections processes, according to a news release from PSE. Continue reading at My Northwest. (PSE)
Aberdeen Daily World
Westport wants fresh eyes on wetlands
Axios
Marijuana research could still be difficult after rescheduling
How a major real estate settlement could affect homebuying in Seattle
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County kicking tires on costs, benefits of converting fleet to electric with new study
Capital Press
Farm groups support repeal of Corporate Transparency Act
Stemilt Growers to appeal $76,000 safety fine in worker’s death
Columbian
Navy jet noise could mean long-term health impacts for Washington’s Whidbey Island
Washington is 2nd in the U.S. for missing and murdered Indigenous women; have recent efforts made headway?
Opinion: In Our View: No tolls before date to begin bridge construction
Everett Herald
New hydrogen, electric buses get trial run in Snohomish County
On I-5 in Everett, traffic nightmare is reminder we’re ‘very vulnerable’
Elected officials to get 10% pay bump, or more, in Snohomish County
Federal Way Mirror
Washington state passes Halal Food Consumer Protection Act (Wilson)
The Inlander
Spokane city leaders denounce hate following defacement of an LGBTQ+ crosswalk (Billig)
Kitsap Sun
Delays expected at Southworth ferry terminal next week
News Tribune
This Pierce County school district to lay off 60 teachers, staff amid budget issues
Weaponizing music? Some Tacoma stores are blasting tunes to deter loitering, camping
Why doesn’t WSDOT shift traffic to the other Narrows Bridge during emergency repairs?
Opinion: Hilltop and the Eastside deserve new libraries. Don’t expect it anytime soon
Puget Sound Business Journal
Investor homebuying activity grows slightly in Q1
It’s not just housing: Another soaring cost is squeezing employees
Washington state ahead of the game as lawsuit rewrites real estate commission rules
Seattle Times
Beetles killing more trees in WA, likely due to drought
Burien poised to kill King County-funded shelter project
Western WA predicted to see above normal fire risk this summer
UW protesters start taking down encampment as deadline looms
Spokesman Review
A big impact on Spokane’s housing shortage could come in a tiny form
Shooting near Lilac Torchlight Parade that resulted in two injured remains under investigation
Shoplifting has retailers putting more items behind antitheft glass, but it’s driving customers away
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Warren Community Action Fund awards $58K in grants to area nonprofits
Washington Post
Charging stations are failing to keep up with the EV boom
WA State Standard
Electrician strike in Puget Sound region stretches beyond five weeks
How much has Washington state spent on housing in the past decade?
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council appoints four new planning commission members
Construction on solar power project near Moxee is ahead of schedule
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Tukwila Schools take on hundreds of new students from asylum-seeking families
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
300 union workers join Boeing firefighter picket lines in Seattle
UW encampment organizers reach agreement to disband by Monday afternoon
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County Recorder’s Office mishandled millions, audit reveals financial flaws
College seniors wary of homeownership amid soaring prices, rising mortgage rates
Honey bees at risk for colony collapse from longer, warmer fall seasons, per WSU research
KUOW Public Radio
Samish Indian Nation debuts first village in 125 years to ‘bring the elders back home’
KXLY (ABC)
Who pays for the Pride crosswalk in downtown Spokane?
City councilman calls on Mayor to condemn antisemitism at city council meetings
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Here’s where initial Healthy Children’s Fund dollars are going: Serving vulnerable children
Crosscut
Refugees find a new home in majority-immigrant Des Moines school
MyNorthwest
If you haven’t paid your electric bill, you may hear from a collection agency
Progress or problem? Seattle’s population keeps growing, but the growth has slowed
West Seattle Blog
YOU CAN HELP: Alki UCC’s monthly clothing-donation drive, concurrent with vandalism-response community art creation