WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Tuesday, September 3

The Waterfront Gateway project is expected to bridge downtown Vancouver to the waterfront district. (Photo contributed by OTAK)

Affordable housing project in Vancouver’s Waterfront Gateway gets $4.5M in state funds
The state commerce department announced Thursday that it’s distributing $12.6 million to help create 300 units of low-income housing near public transit centers across the state…[including] $4.5 million to an affordable housing project in Vancouver’s Waterfront Gateway. The six-floor apartment building to be operated by the Native American Youth Association, or NAYA Family Center, will serve low-income residents. The development will cost more than $40 million. Continue reading at The Columbian. (OTAK)


 Incarcerated women make phone calls in Connecticut, the first state to make prison phone calls free. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

WA prisoners pay millions in fees to the state. Most of the money isn’t being used
Washington is sitting on millions of dollars collected from incarcerated people for phone calls and other fees – money that is supposed to be spent to improve prisoner welfare. The Incarcerated Individual Betterment Fund grew by about $1 million from last July to an estimated $12 million at the end of June, according to budget documents. Advocates, prisoners and their family members say much of the money in the fund is collecting dust. And many believe the account shouldn’t exist at all, arguing the state should bankroll programs the fund is supposed to support. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (John Moore)


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Washington state puts $29 million toward loans for communities most impacted by ‘war on drugs’
A Washington state program meant to address the disparate impacts of the “war on drugs” has given $29 million to 12 homeownership and loan programs for Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities. A slice of that funding has gone to community development financing institutions and other programs that provide low-interest loans for things like a second mortgage to renovate a home, or a loan for a small business or to buy a used car. The effort is only one part of the state Department of Commerce’s $200 million dollar Community Reinvestment Project to help address the legacy of punitive state and federal policy for low-level drug offenses. Continue reading at KUOW. (Tierra Mallorca)


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Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen city council votes to remove request for proposal for ‘homeless village’

Capital Press
EFSEC resets Horse Heaven vote; windmill layout wild card

Columbian
‘Actions must be taken’: Camas schools face $14M budget shortfall
New COVID vaccines arrive in WA as respiratory virus season approaches
Affordable housing project in Vancouver’s Waterfront Gateway gets $4.5M in state funds
Often delayed, I-5 Bridge replacement environmental impact statement expected in September

Everett Herald
South Everett ballfields get inclusive playground
‘Today feels like Christmas’: Lynnwood light rail is here at last
South Everett program sending kids on boat adventure could soon end
‘It’s not a cake walk’: Overdose event spotlights treatment in Snohomish County
Comment: To save one species, should we be killing another?
Comment: Protect state’s strength in drug research, development
Editorial: Light rail reshaping the future of Snohomish County

Indian Country Today
What it takes to preserve and revitalize the Nooksack language, Lhéchelesem

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Governor vaguely hints at possible ‘short-term solutions’ for WSF inter-island service

News Tribune
Stay away from toxic algae at this Key Peninsula Lake, health department warns
A simulated neighborhood is being built in North Puyallup. What will it be used for?
Proctor neighborhood controversy about Amici House church conversion project continues

New York Times
From School Librarian to Activist: ‘The Hate Level and the Vitriol Is Unreal’

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle’s hiring market is one of the hottest in the nation
Seattle lands funding to help building owners curb emissions
Club nurtures space for Native community experiencing homelessness

Seattle Times
What to know about connecting to the new Lynnwood light rail line
What safety measures will be in place on first day of school in Seattle?

Skagit Valley Herald
State Supreme Court rejects recall attempt of three Skagit County officials

Spokesman Review
Spokane County settles $5 million debt to Costco
City of Spokane to spend $9 million to create or rehab 67 affordable housing units
State superintendent recommends school districts update their cellphone policies by next year

Washington Post
A louder voice in fighting abortion bans: Men in red states
New coronavirus vaccines are costing uninsured Americans up to $200
Biden administration moves to end subminimum wages for disabled workers

WA State Standard
Washington embarks on once-a-decade update of wildlife conservation plan
‘Perfect storm’ of crises is leading to cutbacks in abortion care, advocates say
WA prisoners pay millions in fees to the state. Most of the money isn’t being used (Hansen)
Despite federal dams, Columbia and Snake River tribes fight to keep fishing traditions alive

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
How UW scientists are using AI to fight the opioid epidemic
Yelm teachers, district to vote on tentative agreement Tuesday
This popular recreation area in the Cascades could close for a decade
Sewer line collapses in front of Port Townsend ferry terminal, leaving a sinkhole
Washington hotel workers walk off the job, join thousands of others striking across the country

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Officer involved shooting in Kent ruled homicide
Seattle students heading back to classes with new safety plan
Yelm teachers, district reach tentative agreement to avoid strike
Rash of highway shootings increase to as many as 5 with 4 hurt; suspect in custody

KNKX Public Radio
Thawing Alaskan permafrost is unleashing more mercury, confirming scientists’ worst fears

KUOW Public Radio
Puget Sound tanker traffic thickens as Canadian pipeline boosts oil flow
Washington state puts $29 million toward loans for communities most impacted by ‘war on drugs’

KXLY (ABC)
How to spot fake news on social media
Spokane organization awarded grant to help increase homeownership

Web

Crosscut
Idaho, Oregon take different approaches to worker heat deaths
DACA recipients now eligible to be police officers in Washington (Lovick)

MyNorthwest
City of Lakewood raises illegal parking fines by more than $100

The Urbanist
Lynnwood Link Opens to Huge Crowds and Night Markets
Seattle’s Downtown Activation Plan Remains Stuck in Low Gear