Lawmakers want to expand drug endangerment law
In 2021, there were 25 Vancouver police reports involving children and fentanyl. In 2022, that number jumped to 46, an 84 percent increase year-over-year, according to Vancouver police Cpl. Gunnar Skollingsberg, who testified on the issue at a public hearing in March 2023. Proposals to change the drug endangerment law lost traction during the last two legislative sessions. The Legislature created the law in 2002 to address the issue of people cooking methamphetamine around children. But in recent years, law enforcement is seeing a troubling new trend: children being exposed to or overdosing on fentanyl. Continue reading at The Columbian. (DEA/TNS)
Dozens of pregnant women, some bleeding or in labor, being turned away from ERs despite federal law
More than 100 pregnant women in medical distress who sought help from emergency rooms were turned away or negligently treated since 2022, an Associated Press analysis of federal hospital investigations has found. Even as the Biden administration publicly warned hospitals to treat pregnant patients in emergencies, facilities continue to violate the federal law. The issue became a focus for the administration following reports of women being improperly treated in emergency rooms after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion more than two years ago. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Eric Gay)
Admissions restart, crowding persists at WA juvenile detention facilities
Two state juvenile detention facilities in Washington are once again admitting youth sentenced for crimes, after a pause that began last month. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families said Friday it had reached an agreement with counties ending the freeze on admissions, which the agency said was a necessary safety measure due to overcrowding. The Washington Association of Counties sued in response to the pause. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (DCYF)
Aberdeen Daily World
County firefighters sent forward to combat wildfires statewide
City staff and other organizations clean up unhoused encampment
Axios
July temperatures point to record hottest year
New data shows violent crime dropping sharply in major U.S. cities
Bellingham Herald
Invasive species with potential for $100 million in infrastructure damage detected in WA
Rules of the Road: There’s no law against drinking and mowing, but what if you hit the road?
Columbian
As teen employment rises in WA, so do youth labor violations
‘We can’t idly stand by and let children be harmed’: Lawmakers want to expand drug endangerment law (Goodman)
The victim in a Vancouver murder-suicide had a protection order but Clark County judges say the law doesn’t let them take guns from abusers
The Daily News
Longview needs more affordable housing. Residents say Highlands can’t fit any more.
Everett Herald
Washington prisons delayed nearly a third of release dates last year
Kitsap Sun
Poulsbo set to address the age-old question of parking downtown
News Tribune
People in mental health crisis have nowhere to go in parts of Pierce County. Here’s why
Peninsula Daily News
Coalition celebrates $35M federal grant award
Beaches in Jefferson County close to shellfish harvesting
Seattle Medium
Legislation To Combat Commercial Sexual Exploitation Linked To Gun Violence Proposed
Seattle Times
WA health department sues over denied entry to Tacoma ICE facility
Dozens of pregnant women, some bleeding or in labor, being turned away from ERs despite federal law
Skagit Valley Herald
Several people die in home fire near Rockport
Public input sought on State Wildlife Action Plan
Tri-City Herald
1,100 workers at Tri-Cities’ largest hospital plan 8-day strike
Homeless camping bans vs. sit-lie laws in WA. What’s the difference?
Longtime Tri-Cities defense leader leaving. WA courts can’t handle what’s coming, he says
Washington Post
Which states get too much attention? Which ones are truly forgotten?
Insurance lobbyists block federal crackdown on costly retirement advice
WA State Standard
Admissions restart, crowding persists at WA juvenile detention facilities
High energy costs, delayed tax credit pose hurdles for PNW hydrogen hub
Wenatchee World
Pioneer Fire grows, high winds and lightning possible
Chelan, Douglas counties seek exemptions from new organic waste law as state mandate looms
Yakima Herald-Republic
Retreat Fire 68% contained as of Saturday morning
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Saving a species: UW scientists release first lab-grown sea stars
Federal Way HOA installs license plate reader cameras to deter crime
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
‘Pure hell’: Residents stay back to guard homes from Pioneer Fire
‘We are hemorrhaging:’ Woodland Park Zoo workers prepare to strike
Island County closes beaches to shellfish harvesting amid biotoxin alert
Alaskan Way Safety Project ready for bids, protected bike lanes coming soon
Caught on Video: Thieves hit Redmond cannabis shop for the fourth time in less than a year
Suspect in alleged stolen vehicle takes police on three county chase with young son in car seat
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Shoreline to introduce first parking enforcement team amid city growth
PNW tribes are battered by climate change but fight to get money meant to help them
Grant Pass, heart of Supreme Court homelessness ruling, bans camping except in some areas
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle leaders fall short on promised $20 million for student mental health
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe poised to help manage key Salish Sea wildlife refuges
Here’s what we know about the grocer buying Kroger and Albertsons stores in Washington state
KXLY (ABC)
Moses Lake community raises money to give students extracurriculars in the upcoming school year
NW Public Radio
Sniffing out invasive mussels to protect Washington’s waters
Land trusts are helping with land conservation on the Palouse
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Comment period open for DNR timber sale in Whatcom County
MyNorthwest
‘Prolific’ car thief evades police in three-county chase with girlfriend, 4-year-old son inside
West Seattle Blog
CRIME WATCH: Man shot at 15th/Roxbury