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Tuesday, August 8

Climate change is making PNW hydropower less reliable
As drought settled in over the Pacific Northwest this year, some electric utility managers did something unusual: They looked to California for hydropower. While the Golden State’s reservoirs retained an abundant supply of water after an abnormally wet winter, in Washington, the nation’s leading producer of hydropower, some systems saw less water than expected. The hydropower variability this year represents one example of some of the changes the country can expect in a warming world, according to a new report from Stanford researchers. The report challenges the notion that hydropower will carry the Northwest into its clean energy future, suggesting that without meaningful modeling for climate change in energy resource planning, the West will be ill-prepared to meet demand and its ambitious clean-energy goals. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Earth recorded its hottest-ever month in July. But how hot did it get in Western WA?
The World Meteorological Organization has declared that July 2023 was officially the hottest month on record. Interestingly, Western Washington was one of the only regions in the country that didn’t get blasted by heat throughout July. The Puget Sound area stayed at an average high of about 80 degrees during the mid-July “heat dome” that cooked most of the U.S. west of the Rocky Mountains. Western Washington escaped the heat thanks in part to a low-pressure system sitting off the coast providing the region with cooler air, National Weather Service meteorologist Carly Kovacik told McClatchy News. After a month of going against the grain when compared with the rest of the county, August will finally be Puget Sound’s turn to warm up. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (Steve Bloom)

Washington cities, counties now required to plan for climate change
Planning for severe storms, flooding, wildfires and poor air quality will soon be required for Washington cities and counties. A law passed by the Legislature this year requires local governments to consider climate change in their 20-year comprehensive plans beginning in 2025. The Department of Commerce released early guidance last month on how to do that. The guidance focuses on two new sections that must be included in long-range plans: lowering greenhouse-gas emissions and raising defenses against climate-related threats. With the law, the state isn’t mandating that localities meet specific emissions targets, just that they commit to strategies that can help with reductions. Sarah Fox, climate program manager for the Department of Commerce, said the guidance helps cities and counties reduce their impact on the planet as well as improve their ability to withstand the harsher effects of climate change. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Jovelle Tamayo)

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Associated Press
Oregon extends crab fishing restrictions to protect whales
After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be in peril
Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation’s most violent fields
Artificial intelligence is gaining state lawmakers’ attention, and they have a lot of questions (Wellman)
FAA warns of safety hazard from overheating engine housing on Boeing Max jets during anti-icing

Aberdeen Daily World
Crews establishing containment of Moclips wildfire

Axios
Everett clocks worst pollen levels on West Coast
Potential heat wave approaches Seattle
More than half of Seattle lives on “heat islands”

Bellingham Herald
Earth recorded its hottest-ever month in July. But how hot did it get in Western WA?
Whatcom County wildfire closes major highway, grows overnight to nearly 3K acres
Whatcom County selected by the state to be a Health Equity Zone. Here’s what that means

Capital Press
Washington farm couple loses suit against PUD
Worried states hurry to comment on EPA pesticide controls

Columbian
Would rent control solve affordable housing crisis?
Clark County studies environmental public health fees
Letter to support I-5 bridge grant a challenge for county council
Murray addresses climate concerns at roundtable event
Clark County Veterans Assistance Center haven for homeless veterans
Editorial: Increase supply in housing to address issue

The Daily News
Cowlitz County maps potential flood risks in new plan
Kelso housing development shifts to two building design, still looking for land
Phishing scam hits Kalama School District

Everett Herald
Snohomish County absent from study concluding jurors tend to be white
In Sky Valley, embedded social worker is a ‘department of one’
Marysville schools to ask state for help in solving $18M shortfall
Snohomish County moves forward with BIPOC Chamber of Commerce
Editorial: Help proposed to stem growth of U.S. ‘news deserts’
Editorial: Paine Field’s biggest news wasn’t name change
Comment: Eco-nomics: Climate change’s impacts arrive in Snohomish County
Comment: State lawmakers acted on housing; now it’s our turn

High Country News
People are starting a lot of fires in the Pacific Northwest

News Tribune
It’s important to observe construction zone speed limits. Here’s why
Washington has some of the most expensive house prices in the nation. Here’s where we rank
Opinion: The Northwest is choking on wildfire smoke. Residents deserve better national coverage

Olympian
3 WA doctors, Idaho pathologist accused of improper COVID treatments. Patients died
Port of Olympia commission places executive director Gibboney on paid leave
Olympia nonprofit that helped house people closes after ‘critical financial crisis’

Peninsula Daily News
Dabob Bay area could expand

Port Townsend Leader
Help for inmates upon release

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA doubles loan limits, defers interest on popular loan program

Seattle Times
SPD illegally searched trunk after driver says he was stopped due to race, judge rules
Climate change is making PNW hydropower less reliable
UW study finds racial bias in rideshare driver deactivations
Families fall deep in debt for mental health care. Why is insurance so spotty?
Severe shutdown ahead for Seattle light rail due to sinking tracks
School bus stop-sign violators skirt consequences in King County
Washington buys closed Tukwila psychiatric hospital for nearly $30 million
Editorial: WA to Idaho: The fight for abortion rights has no borders

Skagit Valley Herald
Members of U.S. House visit Skagit Regional Airport

Spokesman Review
Getting There: Latah Bridge inspection could lead to federal rehabilitation grant
Seniors and disabled people in Spokane County will get a tax break
A year after Spokane relaxed its rules to allow more duplexes, the city is looking to go further

Tri-City Herald
Does your rent keep going up? Tri-Cities workers say 40% rent surge is crushing them

Vancouver Business Journal
Clark College receives $1 million to Develop Center for Clean Energy

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
New union approved for Walla Walla Community College professional salaried workers

Washington Post
‘12 years of hell’: Indian boarding school survivors share their stories
What to know about EG.5, the most prevalent covid subvariant in the U.S.

WA State Standard
High prices trigger special auction of emission allowances
What do Washington’s rest stops need most? The state is trying to figure it out.
Billions spent on hatcheries, habitat fails to help native Columbia River salmon, study finds
Less than a third of WA police certified in new deescalation and mental health training
Oil spill fines aid restoration projects in Washington

Yakima Herald-Republic
Editorial: County’s solar farm moratorium creates needless drama

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Orca Network commemorates orca captures near Whidbey Island in the ’60s and ’70s
Doug’s Defenders: Community activists rally to save Douglas Fir in Maple Leaf Neighborhood
Pacific County sheriff says agency will no longer do interviews with Long Beach newspaper
Sourdough Fire burns near important power generators for Seattle
Those displaced by Lakewood mobile home park receiving donations after devastating fire
Proposed light rail line could bulldoze Hispanic market at the heart of Everett’s Casino Road community

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle fire union warns of escalating ‘violence and disorder’ after recent attacks on firefighters
Repeat crashes at dangerous Tacoma intersection spark calls for safety measures

KUOW Public Radio
Acting U.S. Attorney in Seattle turns focus to gun crimes, mental health solutions
Colman Dock is back! Ferry riders delight in Seattle’s upgraded terminal
Understaffing leads to safety problems at King County juvenile detention, draft report finds

KXLY (ABC)
Looking at the laws: How Thursday’s high-speed pursuit fell under new regulations
Surveillance footage shows patrol car hitting pedestrian during Spokane chase
WSDOT crews to begin restoring Camp Hope to original state
Protestors gather outside Spokane County Courthouse to raise awareness on police brutality

NW Public Radio
Cosmic Crisp boasts big sales for Washington, with new apple varieties on the way
En Yakima, clínica legal le ayuda con su solicitud de ciudadanía
Forecasted rain expected to dampen Eagle Bluff Fire in Okanogan County

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Climate summit brings local high school students together
Patty Murray tours Bellingham businesses, future Whatcom child care site
Post Point upgrades move ahead with lower price tag

Crosscut
Washington cities, counties now required to plan for climate change (Duerr, Lovelett)

MyNorthwest
Seattle City Council to hold public hearing ahead of police contract negotiations
Community fights Sound Transit’s plan to remove hundreds of trees
Homeowners face $32,000 lawsuit from Pierce County over homeless camps on their properties

Friday, August 4

Opinion: Don’t let the oil industry gaslight us about high prices at the pump
Climate policies are a familiar punching bag for the oil industry, which has spent many millions of dollars blocking progress at every turn. For decades, they’ve avoided accountability for their impact on our health, lands, waters, communities, and wallets. Last year, while Washingtonians dealt with exorbitant fuel prices, Shell, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and others brought in record profits. In Washington, they are starting to be held accountable with the recently implemented Climate Commitment Act. With oil companies finally being required to pay their fair share of the climate crisis, it’s little surprise that they are trying to stop this transition to a sustainable future — these investments are our pathway away from fossil fuel dependence, and are a direct threat to their profits. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

$142K salary needed to afford a ‘starter’ home in Seattle, Redfin reports
A “starter” home in Seattle looks a lot different than elsewhere in the United States — it’s a lot more expensive and you need to earn a lot more to afford it. According to recent data published by Redfin, a first-time homebuyer needs to earn about $64,000 annually to afford a “typical” starter home in the United States. The national numbers pale in comparison to Seattle where the median sale price of a starter home is around $535,000. Redfin reports that a person needs to earn $141,794 a year to afford this type of property, with a median mortgage payment of $3,545. That’s 4.4% higher than a year ago. For a non-starter home, Redfin reported last November that a person needs to earn $205,000 annually to afford one in Seattle. Continue reading at KUOW. (Tierra Mallorca)

Connecting with non-English speakers is still a challenge during emergencies
When Fabiola Cortez received text messages asking how the fire was going, she drove quickly to her home in Underwood where her husband was waiting for her. Cortez’s family evacuated during the Tunnel 5 wildfire that destroyed ten homes and close to 600 acres in Skamania County in mid-July. Cortez speaks Spanish, but the information came in English. “I understood a little bit, but my daughter was with me,” Cortez said. Some adults rely on the translation their bilingual children can often provide. Cortez went to community meetings but those were in English, too. While Washington requires local organizations to develop emergency communication plans for Limited English Proficiency populations, officials say providing fast and accurate information for these communities during wildfire emergencies is challenging. Raul Martinez, external affairs manager at the Washington Department of Natural Resources says the agency tries to serve all non-English speaking communities, but “this isn’t something that we can do by ourselves.” Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting.

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Bellingham Herald
Sourdough fire could burn all summer as firefighters defend town, hydroelectric plant
Homeless and a lack of resources: Why this Bellingham family of 8 is living in their car
‘All means all’: Sehome High School models a new standard of inclusive learning

Columbian
Vancouver Housing Authority makes air conditioning a priority in facilities housing low-income seniors

Everett Herald
State launches refund portal for legal fees from vacated drug cases
Fire levies fail in Mukilteo, Arlington area; pass elsewhere

News Tribune
‘Reckless, negligent and wrongful.’ Mother of man killed by Pierce County deputy sues
Comment: Feds should spark prescribed burns on federal lands to mitigate extreme fire seasons

Olympian
You’ll never guess the stories behind these six uniquely-named places in Washington State

Peninsula Daily News
Department of Natural Resources seeks to buy 82 acres southeast of Forks to replace trust lands

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon posts highest quarterly profit since 2021
Microsoft’s Bellevue workforce dwindles as leases lapse, records show
Washington ranks as one of the worst states for retirees. Here’s why.

Seattle Medium
Refunds Going To Residents Of Washington State Drug Cases
Electric Vehicles On The Rise In Washington State
Wash. Supreme Court: Authorities ‘Plainly Breached’ State Statute Governing Mental Care

Seattle Times
WA starts new system for hit-and-run alerts
Plans for long-delayed Seattle streetcar line hit City Hall snag
Seattle-area child care is scarce, costly and out of reach. Here’s why
Family of woman killed by Redmond police appeals to new state agency for fresh investigation
On San Juan Island, tension over red foxes and photographers’ access to them
Opinion: Don’t let the oil industry gaslight us about high prices at the pump

Spokesman Review
Snake River sockeye run sputters
Rosauers to pay employees over $350,000 for labor violations

Washington Post
Economy adds 187,000 jobs in July, showing strong but moderating growth

WA State Standard
‘Severe violator’: Dollar Tree fined again for breaking worker safety rules

Wenatchee World
Sen. Patty Murray provides update on state’s wildfire response

Yakima Herald-Republic
Grant will address health equity for Yakima County’s Latino population
Editorial: EV charging stations in the Yakima Valley foretell changes to come
Editorial: Refunding drug-possession fines is only fair

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
I-90 bridge to stay open during Seafair, heavy traffic expected this weekend
‘Suspicious materials’ found inside envelopes mailed to King, Okanogan County election officials
Seattle firefighters ask for more protections as violent attacks continue

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Traces of fentanyl found inside envelope sent to King County Elections office
Seafair security plan includes SPD, federal partners as influx of visitors expected
Rise in drownings along Snoqualmie River sparks call for increased safety measures
Congresswoman tours Issaquah Target, touts organized retail theft legislation

KNKX Public Radio
New, community-driven performing arts venue in Port Angeles has its grand opening

KUOW Public Radio
Tribes call for national ban on salmon-killing chemical in car tires
Dolly Parton to visit WA in celebration of children’s book program
$142K salary needed to afford a ‘starter’ home in Seattle, Redfin reports
They once faced housing insecurity themselves. Now they help other Seattleites find stability
A wheelchair ramp, respite care: What WA’s long-term care tax could realistically get you

NW Public Radio
Connecting with non-English speakers is still a challenge during emergencies

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Ross Lake Resort evacuated due to Sourdough fire

Thursday, August 3

National parks, including 3 in WA, will be free to enter Friday
In honor of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, national parks will offer free admission Friday. That includes Washington’s three big ones: North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. There are two more free entrance days at national parks this year: National Public Lands Day on Sept. 23 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Jennifer Buchanan)

A vending machine in Seattle that dispenses the morning-after pill
Starting in 2024, public colleges and universities statewide will be able to get funding to install vending machines selling emergency contraception. Washington will become the first state to have set aside money to do so. State representative Gerry Pollet, who represents northeast Seattle, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore, helped get the vending machine funding into the state budget. Schools can apply for up to $10,000 to install a machine, and the total fund is $200,000. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

Transformed Colman Dock opens to ferry riders in Seattle
Just after 5 a.m. Thursday, commuters got off the ferry from Bainbridge Island and walked through the newly-designed Colman Dock for the first time. Washington State Ferries said about 50,000 square feet of new space is created with the concourse and other new features. The $467 million project also included foundational work on the pier. Continue reading at KING5.

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Axios
Seattle residents: Watch out for this phone scam
Washington’s most beautiful colleges

Capital Press
WDFW: Barred owls must go to save spotted owls
Lightning, low humidity increase fire risk in E. Oregon, Washington
THE RISE OF CANOLA: Northwest canola acreage continues to surge

Columbian
Columbia Palisades plan in east Vancouver adds 835 residential units, restaurants
La Center City Council OKs policing proposal from Cowlitz Indian Tribe
State grant aids Clark County landowners in repair of salmon habitat
Street requirement could make ‘missing middle’ development in Walnut Grove smaller, more expensive

The Daily News
Editorial: Thumbs up to Longview summer school changes, thumbs down to low Cowlitz River flows

Everett Herald
Housing, new roads coming to Everett waterfront’s Millwright District
Study: 49,000 new homes built last year in Washington not enough

The Inlander
One year ago, Spokane became a statewide leader in housing reform — but did the law work?
Washington debuts a new bureau to handle vacated drug possession conviction refunds

News Tribune
Fight over renters’ rights moves to court. Citizens group says Tacoma is confusing voters

Olympian
Dolly Parton is coming to Washington to celebrate Imagination Library. What to know

Peninsula Daily News
Brush fire contained off Highway 19

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tacoma agency boosts worker pay to keep pace with housing costs
Lenders worry about rent control after agency’s tenant-protection ask

Seattle Medium
Encampment Closed In Rare Emergency Action

Seattle Times
National parks, including 3 in WA, will be free to enter Friday
Ticks spreading in the Pacific Northwest? Warming trends could worsen health threat
King County levy for seniors and vets wins voter approval
Seattle’s new Colman Dock ready to open
Opinion: Expand treatment courts to address King County’s fentanyl crisis

Spokesman Review
Weathercatch: Spokane’s dry streak is approaching two months. But it could be a lot worse
Car chased by police stops only after it crashes through wall of building in downtown Spokane
Gardening: Hotter, drier summers means it’s time to rethink landscapes

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Wallan elected Washington State LGBTQ Commission co-chair

Washington Post
Strikes spiked in July, as workers seek higher wages to keep up with inflation

WA State Standard
Xylazine or ‘tranq’ in WA: Rising drug threat or an empty one?
New study reveals illegal shooting of eagles and other protected birds

Wenatchee World
Farmers voice funding requests as Senator Murray visits Wenatchee

Yakima Herald-Republic
Free health screenings and back-to-school resources part of Yakima health fair Saturday

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Transformed Colman Dock opens to ferry riders in Seattle
Unions, employees preparing for Tacoma paper mill closure

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle activists call for a ban on encampment removals during winter, cite inadequate services

KNKX Public Radio
ICE now using two Washington airports for deportation flights

KUOW Public Radio
Amazon takes Washington regulators to court over alleged safety violations
A vending machine in Seattle that dispenses the morning-after pill (Pollet)

KXLY (ABC)
Federal judge temporarily blocks persecution of out-of-state abortion referrals
Evacuations lowered for wildfire burning near Cheney

NW Public Radio
Mega-warehouse legal battle continues over traffic, water quality

Q13 TV (FOX)
Salmonella outbreak at Washington Care Center: 29 confirmed cases

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom adjudication process delayed by months
Proposed changes to Skagit agritourism code vex farmers, event venues

Crosscut
Activists sue Idaho over ‘abortion trafficking’ travel ban (Hansen)
WSU researchers study a coronavirus spread by camels in Kenya

MyNorthwest
‘I want to see a more humane response’: 43% of Seattle homeless sweeps given no notice, no help

Wednesday, August 2

What WA’s new wildfire smoke rules might mean for outdoor workers
As climate change worsens the number and intensity of wildfires, people everywhere face the short- and long-term health effects of smoke exposure, from shortness of breath, to headaches and even death. Those who work long hours outside are increasingly at the mercy of their employers to minimize their exposure. There are no federal regulations explicitly protecting outdoor workers from wildfire smoke. But in the next few months, Washington could be the second state to impose a permanent rule regulating outdoor workers’ exposure to one of the fastest-growing pollutants. But, employers and workplace advocates disagree on the proposal. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Elaine Thompson)

Tribes call for feds to ban chemical in car tires that is linked to salmon deaths
The Port Gamble S’Klallam and Puyallup tribes, along with the Yurok, which is the largest native nation in California, petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday to establish regulations prohibiting the manufacture and use of the substance, known as 6PPD. Researchers in 2020 identified an offshoot of the chemical–6PPD-quinone, or 6PPD-q–as the culprit causing premature salmon deaths in urban streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region. In the current budget cycle, the state Legislature approved $2.7 million for developing a 6PPD action plan and completing an assessment of replacement options for the chemical, along with about $5.2 million for addressing toxic tire wear material in stormwater. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

Federal judge temporarily blocks any possible prosecution of Idaho doctors for providing out-of-state referrals for abortion
A federal judge has temporarily blocked any attempt to prosecute or strip medical licenses from Idaho doctors providing out-of-state referrals for abortion. Idaho implemented its ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy last year following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The court case is part of a broader strategy of Planned Parenthood to encourage those seeking abortions in Idaho to receive them in states where they are legal. Continue reading at Spokesman-Review. (Sarah A. Miller)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen city administrator discusses homelessness survey
Westport drafts rules for winter homeless shelter

Axios
Predictions for hotter, drier late summer spark Washington wildfire fears

Capital Press
Washington blueberry farm fined $12,000 for irrigating without water right
Officials toast new USDA ARS building on WSU campus
Vilsack on Snake River dams: Ag ‘well-represented’ in mediation

Columbian
Clark County considers buying waste transfer stations
Clark College gets $1M in federal funding to develop Center for Clean Energy
Editorial: Lack of early learning spots hurts children

The Daily News
Fire department levy lid lift passing in Ryderwood, Vader and failing in Kalama

Everett Herald
2023 August primary election results for Snohomish County
Series of brush fires stalls I-5 traffic in Marysville
Editorial: Lacking confidence in elections? See how it’s done.

News Tribune
Live voting result updates for Aug. 1, 2023 primary election in Pierce County, WA
Can you drive through a yellow light in WA or should you stop? Here’s what the law says

Olympian
Live voting result updates for Aug. 1, 2023, primary election in Thurston County, WA
All six fire ballot measures on track to pass in Tuesday’s primary

Puget Sound Business Journal
Tacoma paper mill will close in September
Sound Transit to study Amazon’s preferred site for SLU station

Seattle Medium
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Seattle Public Library Present “Black Activism In Print”
Savannah Parker Makes History As The 2023 Miss Seafair: Inspiring Young Black Girls Across Seattle

Seattle Times
Seattle City Council votes down Sawant’s rent control proposal
Skagit County farm owners split over proposal to stop hosting weddings
Inflation is hurting meal providers as need for food rises
Seattle’s I-5 squeeze finally not so tight as new lane opens
Editorial: Give Seattle’s Community Violence Task Force time, resources
Opinion: I-5 wildlife crossings can ‘bridge the divide’ that hurts species diversity

Spokesman Review
Federal judge temporarily blocks any possible prosecution of Idaho doctors for providing out-of-state referrals for abortion
State dismisses allegations that Spokane City Councilman Zack Zappone violated campaign finance disclosure law

Vancouver Business Journal
Pickleball present exciting opportunities for local businesses

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Voter turnout appears in line with previous Walla Walla County primary elections

WA State Standard
Washington weighs in against Idaho law restricting out-of-state abortions
Tribes call for feds to ban chemical in car tires that is linked to salmon deaths

Yakima Herald-Republic
Editorial: Army’s doing the right thing for East Selah’s wells

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Tacoma’s Emergency Medical Services levy lid lift passing after initial returns
Paper license plates are out the window in Washington
Female Colonel takes over command of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District
Seattle City Council votes down rent control trigger law

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Climate change may be to blame for dying landscapes along I-5

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County voters favoring levy to support veterans, vulnerable communities
Inslee, Ferguson say Idaho’s abortion ‘travel ban’ is illegal

KNKX Public Radio
Seattle mayor proposes drug measure to align with state law, adding $27M for treatment

KUOW Public Radio
King County on pace to reach 35% turnout in Aug. 1 primary
The pandemic transformed Seattle’s homeless shelters for the better, advocates say. But challenges remain

KXLY (ABC)
Former Spokane city administrator refutes city’s claims of sexual misconduct
Nearly three years after Babb Road Fire, Malden continues to recover

NW Public Radio
Idaho Freedom Caucus asked hospitals for abortion records
Teams battle Eagle Bluff Fire in Okanogan County
As the money grows, Washington’s film and TV industry is taking root

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Incumbents fare well in Whatcom, Bellingham primaries

Crosscut
What WA’s new wildfire smoke rules might mean for outdoor workers

MyNorthwest
Link Light Rail tracks sinking near stadiums, disruptions expected
Dry July continues trend of below-average rainfall in WA
Seattle City Council votes down rent control proposal
AG Ferguson files brief challenging Idaho’s abortion travel ban
Seattle City Council tree protection ordinance goes into effect

The Stranger
Mayor Bruce Harrell Shares His New Pitch for the War on Drugs

West Seattle Blog
ELECTION 2023: County Council, School Board, Port, levy results

Tuesday, August 1

WA attorney general challenges Idaho’s abortion travel ban
Washington is joining several states in challenging Idaho’s recent abortion travel ban, arguing the new law is harmful and has already flooded Idaho’s neighbors with residents seeking care, according to a brief filed Monday. It’s the third time Washington has weighed in on Idaho’s latest abortion laws. The ban infringes on the right to interstate travel and First Amendment rights to talk about abortion with minors and engage in “expressive conduct,” the complaint argues. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert)

Labor’s plan for fighting climate change and creating jobs in Washington
A coalition of unions on Monday released a report laying out an ambitious “worker-centered climate roadmap” to create more than 800,000 jobs across Washington in the building, transportation, energy, and low-carbon manufacturing sectors. The 104-page blueprint details 20 actions that collectively, labor leaders say, will promote a healthier environment and economy by curbing greenhouse gas emissions and providing workers with family-sustaining wages. Some ideas in the report are already on the state’s to-do list, like expanding public transit to increase ridership, committing to 100% electric school buses, and building out electric vehicle public charging infrastructure. Some are bound to stir debate should they gain traction in the Legislature. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Scott Eisen)

Washington State Patrol announces new hit-and-run alert system to begin Tuesday
The Washington State Patrol will implement a statewide hit-and-run alert system on Tuesday that will help various law enforcement agencies readily identify dangerous drivers who have been involved in serious crashes, the agency announced Monday. The alert system, which was authorized by the state legislature earlier this year, is scheduled for a two-year pilot and evaluation period. Last year, the state saw more than 300 hit and runs resulting in serious injury or death, WSP Chief John Batiste said in Monday’s news release. Continue reading at Olympian. (WA State Patrol)