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Wednesday, October 23

New analysis ranks the most energy-efficient states. See why Washington came out on top
Energy is a top household expense, with the average family in America spending over $2,000 each year on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Gas ran the average consumer another $2,449 in 2023. However, the DOE estimates that energy-efficient measures can reduce utility costs up to 25%, and more fuel-efficient vehicles can save drivers nearly $900 per year. Washington state took the top spot for home and auto energy efficiency in the U.S., according to the analysis. Continue reading at the Bellingham Herald. (Steve Chenn)

Washington ban on over-the-counter sexual assault kits upheld by federal judge
Washington’s ban on the sale or advertising of over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits was upheld by a federal judge on Monday. Proponents of Washington’s law, passed in 2023 as House Bill 1564, said over-the-counter kits aren’t sufficient compared to forensic sexual assault examinations by trained medical staff. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office called the kits “rarely, if ever, admissible in court.” In its lawsuit, Leda argued that the state’s 2023 ban targets sexual assault survivors and violates First Amendment rights related to free speech and advertising. But U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo disagreed, ruling that the statute is “an economic regulation of the sale of a particular product,” not a regulation of speech. Continue reading at the Washington State Standard. (Leda Health)

New audit reveals Washington’s cannabis tracking system is ‘yet to be fully realized’
Washington remains behind when it comes to tracking cannabis sales from production to smoke shop shelves, according to a new state audit. According to a press release from Adam Wilson, assistant director of communications for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, the active cannabis tracking system, developed more than a decade ago when voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana use in the state, doesn’t efficiently track how cannabis is produced, processed or sold. The system helps identify risks of illegal or unsafe practices within the cannabis business from farm to store. Continue reading at KIRO. (Julio Cortez)

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Bellevue Reporter
Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses

Bellingham Herald
New analysis ranks the most energy-efficient states. See why Washington came out on top

Capital Press
Federal workers kill two E. Oregon wolves blamed for killing 12 sheep
USDA won’t regulate gene-edited orange resistant to citrus greening disease

Everett Herald
Amid police staffing crisis, new state academy opens in Arlington

Kent Reporter
City of Kent receives $6 million in state grants for two parks

Kitsap Sun
Washington gas prices fell from last week: See how much here

Lynnwood Times
Lawmakers celebrate soft open of new law enforcement training academy (Lovick, Robinson)

News Tribune
Fixing Tacoma’s bad streets would cost billions. That’s right, billions — with a ‘B’
Opinion: The defense industry is vital to Washington’s economy. We should focus on growing it

New York Times
U.S. Study on Puberty Blockers Goes Unpublished Because of Politics, Doctor Says

Olympian
New analysis ranks the most energy-efficient states. See why Washington came out on top

Port Townsend Leader
Civil rights lawsuit against county prosecutor dismissed
Zoom hack derails Quilcene school board’s LGBTQ+ books decision

Puget Sound Business Journal
Apartment project for homeless families opens in Edmonds
Big penalties await businesses with hard-to-cancel subscriptions
Home sales flatline as housing market remains unaffordable for most
Kroger-Albertsons merger: Here’s the updated timeline for court cases

Seattle Times
October surprise: Seattle schools enrollment doesn’t fall as expected

Snoqualmie Valley Record
WA Board of Education wants to overhaul high school graduation requirements

Washington Post
Colleges enrolled fewer freshmen this year, the first decline since the pandemic

WA State Standard
Washington ban on over-the-counter sexual assault kits upheld by federal judge

Yakima Herald-Republic
Community Q&A: Alicia Stromme Tobin, Safe Yakima Valley executive director

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Attorney, fire commissioner accused of smuggling drugs into King County jail
Man sentenced to 40 years for attempted murder of Whatcom County deputies
Boeing reports $6 billion quarterly loss ahead of vote by union workers who have crippled production

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Lawsuit blames Seattle for lack of affordable housing
Boeing workers to vote on contract as company reports $6B quarterly loss
New audit reveals Washington’s cannabis tracking system is ‘yet to be fully realized’

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Affordable housing provider sues Seattle over laws meant to help tenants
Union workers to vote Wednesday on proposal as Boeing reports $6 billion quarterly loss
New law enforcement training academy opening in Arlington aims to improve recruitment (Lovick)

KNKX Public Radio
Boeing workers vote on a new contract, but the company’s problems are far from over

KUOW Public Radio
American Airlines fined $50 million for its treatment of passengers with disabilities

KXLY (ABC)
Months-long wildfire mitigation project begins in Dishman Hills
14-year-old arrested for making threats against Lind-Ritzville High School on Snapchat
Sandpoint High School senior petitions to bring free feminine hygiene products to school bathrooms

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Estimated price tag for new jail and behavioral health facility rises 16%
A planned covered sports court in East Whatcom will bridge recreation gap
Whatcom County Search & Rescue missions jump this year, already higher than 2023

MyNorthwest
Boeing reports $6 billion Q3 loss, second-worst quarter in company history

Tuesday, October 22

How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
In Washington state, you can track your ballot with a few quick clicks. Go to the VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov and sign in with your first and last name and date of birth, and you can see the status of that electoral baby of yours. You can also text “VOTE” to 868392 to get text updates on your ballot’s status. If you haven’t voted yet, here’s what you should know: Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, or put in a drop box or returned in person to your county elections office by 8 p.m. that day. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free
The Biden administration is proposing a rule that would expand access to contraceptive products, including making over-the-counter birth control and condoms free for the first time for women of reproductive age who have private health insurance. Under the proposal by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor Department, and Treasury Department, which was announced by the administration on Monday, health insurance companies would be required to cover all recommended over-the-counter contraception products, such as condoms, spermicide and emergency contraception, without a prescription and at no cost, according to senior administration officials. Continue reading at KUOW. (Getty Images)

Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses by about 12%
Health insurance costs in Washington for small businesses and their employees will increase an average of 11.9% in 2025, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This marks the highest increase for small employers in the last decade. Nearly 220,000 people will be affected by the new rates starting in January. Ten insurers were approved to sell group plans to small employers, with the largest increase going to Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon at 21.9%, impacting around 6,000 people. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

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Axios
La Niña could bring cold, snowy winter to Seattle
Washington probes first human cases of avian flu
AI is already making it easier to spread election lies

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County identifies location of severe weather shelter for upcoming winter season

Capital Press
Bird flu infects four Washington farmworkers
Farm Bureau: Thousands of farmers at risk of federal fines, jail time over new law
Commentary: Staggering cost of a wind and solar future in the Pacific Northwest

Everett Herald
In Monroe schools, families allege rampant racism left unchecked
North County EMS is underfunded and understaffed, workers say

News Tribune
Opinion: Puyallup council member: Objectification of female elected officials is far too common

Peninsula Daily News
Sequim’s $58M budget largest in history
Public comment open on proposed PNNL aquatic research
Clallam County commissioners to host budget presentations
Planning workshop to cover Port Townsend comprehensive plan
Clallam Transit to hire security agency for downtown Port Angeles location

Puget Sound Business Journal
UW unveils plans to supercharge battery research
Sea-Tac lands federal funding for airport upgrades
Mortgage rates finally fell, but homebuyers still face a big problem

Seattle Times
Can $1.55 billion make Seattle streets safer?
How to track your WA ballot and get text updates
Social Security benefits in 2025: 5 big changes retirees should plan for
WA residents overwhelmingly support taxes on the wealthy, poll shows
A King County deputy shot Tommy Le in the back. Then the case languished

Spokesman Review
A Democrat paid for a billboard attacking Mayor Lisa Brown’s homeless plans. Brown says it’s personal.
Mead School District decries transgender girls’ participation in sports with resolution at busy board meeting
Spokane dermatologist accused in federal indictment of using COVID relief funds on Arizona townhouse, two Porsches
Spokane’s Catholic bishop denounces gender-affirming care in the name of religion, spurring concern from a local hospital
State bar association declines to discipline extremist former lawmaker Matt Shea over Malheur incident, citing ‘constitutional scrutiny’

Tri-City Herald
Proposed $5 billion data center would be transformative for this Eastern WA county
Nuclear contractor to pay $1.1M after charges of COVID loan fraud to pay his credit cards

Washington Post
Global fight against historic inflation surge is nearly over, says IMF
More than 10,500 actors, musicians, authors protest tech’s AI data grab
How good are you at spotting misinfo online? Test yourself with these 8 questions.
Accessibility problems with U.S. currency are holding up Harriet Tubman’s appearance on the $20 bill
Environmentalists long decried the impact of rubber production. This small shrub may offer an alternative.

WA State Standard
Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses by about 12%

Wenatchee World
Wenatchee School District under federal investigation over Columbia Elementary closure

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Man to be sentenced for 2022 shooting of Whatcom County deputies
Washington counties spend millions to make elections more transparent. It might not sway doubters

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle Public Schools Director of Public Safety named
Daughter denied bathroom after getting visible period in class
2 adults, 3 teens killed in Fall City shooting, teenage boy in custody

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Boeing machinists to vote on offer on Wednesday, members claim ‘not a done deal’
Seattle’s Memorial Stadium renovation set for 2025 groundbreaking, 2027 opening
How will the new executive director of public safety tackle violence in Seattle schools?
Washington school district lets staff hide students’ gender identities, sparking outrage

KUOW Public Radio
Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane utility rates to increase in 2025 and 2026
All Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools closed for Snapchat threat
Mead School District passes resolution against transgender athletes

Web

Cascadia Daily News
DNR releases first statewide recreation plan, asks for public input
Western dean who was arrested last week no longer employed at university

Crosscut
‘Beyond failure’: WA teen loses legs at school-based work program
Seventy percent of WA students have access to free school lunches

MyNorthwest
Dozens of Everett city employees may get cut due to new budget
Washington State’s EV Rebate Program runs out of funds ahead of schedule

The Urbanist
Pacific Northwest’s largest highway project ever is in deep denial
Opinion: Seattle Council should double rental assistance, not slash it

Monday, October 21

Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion
The May opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia has led to a sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca so far this year. Both state and federal law require oil transport companies to prepare stringent spill response plans, conduct regular drills to stay in compliance and keep a fleet of response vessels at the ready. But environmental advocates like Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman say the risk in Washington’s inland waters is disproportionate. Although the Lummi, Suquamish, Swinomish and Tulalip tribes, as well as Gov. Jay Inslee, all registered opposition to the pipeline expansion last decade, neither tribal nor Washington state government had jurisdiction over Canada’s decision to export more crude via tanker. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Gregory Scruggs)

Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds
Washington prisoners held in solitary confinement are not receiving basic quality-of-life care, such as frequent showers, health care, visitation, regular meals and enough toilet paper, according to a report from a state watchdog. The state’s independent investigations office for the Department of Corrections also describes “dehumanizing and traumatizing” restraint practices used by the department, including spit hoods, pepper spray, tasers and shock shields. The report is the second in a three-part series the Office of the Corrections Ombuds is releasing at the request of state lawmakers, who are considering ways to reduce or end solitary confinement. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)

WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Four farm workers in Franklin County tested presumptively positive for bird flu, in what WA Department of Health said are the state’s first cases of bird flu detected in humans. Officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies held a press conference on October 20 to provide updates on their investigation into the cases. The cases originated at a farm that was the site of a bird flu outbreak in chickens. Roughly 800,000 birds were euthanized after the outbreak was confirmed by WA Department of Agriculture on October 15. Continue reading at KXLY.

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Axios
Boeing reaches tentative deal to end strike
What to know about Seattle’s revised growth plan
Biden admin floats expanded contraception coverage

Bellingham Herald
State Ecology fines North Whatcom County berry farm for illegal use of water
Indigenous families continue fight against eviction amid Nooksack disenrollment dispute

Everett Herald
Striking Boeing Machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
$25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?

News Tribune
Feds award $657 million contract to get fish past dam in Tacoma Public Utilities watershed

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing reaches tentative deal with union
Puget Sound Energy lands federal funding to improve the power grid

Seattle Times
West Seattle Blog co-founder Patrick Sand dies at 67
Four test positive in WA’s first human bird flu infections
Tux and gown alert: Washington will have an inaugural ball after all
Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County opens survey on climate element of comprehensive plan

Spokesman Review
Section of Centennial Trail to temporarily close
Franklin County egg farm workers contract bird flu
Spokane elder refugee program helps them bust through language barriers, isolation

Tri-City Herald
Power knocked out to thousands in Tri-Cities and Hanford nuclear site. What we know
Egg farm workers sickened with bird flu near Pasco in WA’s 1st suspected human cases
How a small reactor in Eastern WA became the world’s first nuclear plant 80 years ago

Washington Post
What’s behind the sudden surge in young Americans’ wealth?
A young teen gives birth. Idaho’s parental consent law snags her care.
Heat pumps were supposed to save the planet. But they’ve run into a bump.

WA State Standard
Striking Boeing machinists plan to vote on new contract offer
Four farm workers in Washington appear to test positive for bird flu
Washington prisoners in solitary confinement denied basic care, report finds

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
2 shot at memorial site for woman killed in deadly Capitol Hill shooting the day before
WSP: Washington records more than 200 deadly crashes with dozens caused by impaired drivers

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Amazon executive defends controversial office policy
Boeing offers new strike proposal, union vote to come this week
Franklin County the site of first presumed human infection of avian influenza
Monroe School District sued for allegedly ignoring years of bullying and discrimination

KNKX Public Radio
Millions of aging Americans are facing dementia by themselves

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle’s growth plan inches toward more housing, draft by draft
Fewer staff, longer reviews? Seattle Mayor Harrell proposes cuts to city’s construction department

KXLY (ABC)
Paraeducators rally against Mead School District
WA Department of Health investigates first potential cases of bird flu detected in humans
Families come together for tree planting event promoting environmental justice and community health

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom County eyes ‘banked capacity’ to ward off budget woes
What can be done to fix Washington’s under-funded public school system? (Rules, Timmons)

Crosscut
Klickitat sheriff’s growing volunteer posse raises questions (Goodman)

The Urbanist
Opinion: Expanding tree canopy is a climate solution and livability boost

West Seattle Blog
Announcing a death in the WSB family
CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closure next Friday-Sunday, October 25-27

Friday, October 18

Moms hold above-average share of Washington Legislature
Mothers of young children remain vastly underrepresented in state capitols across the country, according to a new report. But Washington does better than most states when it comes to having moms at the table. Among U.S. states, Washington has the 10th-highest percentage of state legislators who are moms of kids under 18, the analysis from the Vote Mama Foundation found. This year, 17 of Washington’s 147 state lawmakers — about 11.6% — are moms of minor children, the report found. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visual)

Voting begins in Washington’s 2024 general election
Ballots for the general election are on their way to the mailboxes of the state’s 4.9 million registered voters. Friday marks the start of Washington’s 18-day voting period, which will end at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.In a few short weeks, voters will know who the next president, governor and hundreds of other elected officials will be. Want to have a say? Make sure to turn in your ballot to a state ballot drop box, county elections center or have it postmarked and in the mail by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Continue reading at the Washington State Standard. (Lindsey Wasson)

Washington Board of Education wants to overhaul high school graduation requirements
The Washington Board of Education has launched a multi-year initiative to rework the state’s high school graduation requirements, arguing that the current standards fall short of “fully preparing all students for success.” The initiative, “FutureReady,” is part of the Board of Education’s 2025 legislative platform, which was approved by members on Thursday. The board is requesting an additional $273,000 in the upcoming 2025-2027 budget from the Legislature for FutureReady. Continue reading at KNKX. (SDominick)

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Axios
Moms hold above-average share of Washington Legislature

Capital Press
Ecology fines Washington blueberry farm again
Bird flu strikes Eastern Washington chicken farm
Sportsmen group scores win from Washington Supreme Court

Everett Herald
Everett mayor: 55 jobs could be affected by budget cuts
Council to vote on $13M for housing in Everett, Lynnwood and Arlington

News Tribune
Did Tacoma school district know for years that teacher was abusive? A mother says yes

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon releases findings from racial equity audit
How small businesses can prepare for and recover from disasters

Seattle Times
WA drivers can’t put down their phones, new data shows

Spokesman Review
Whooping cough surging in Spokane and statewide as school year begins
Feeding young minds: County libraries use federal program to provide snacks to children and teens
‘Our community deserves resources’: Mujeres in Action releases Spanish-language voter pamphlets, bilingual voter information videos coming next week

Vancouver Business Journal
Local businesses support “Pick It Up, Vancouver”

Washington Post
What to expect for winter weather in the U.S. this year
Regulators open new probe of Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ after crashes
Alone with dementia: Solo adults often slip through caregiving cracks

WA State Standard
Tux and gown alert: Washington will have an inaugural ball after all
Washington Board of Education wants to overhaul high school graduation requirements

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Here’s when are ballots mailed in Washington
What do this year’s earthquakes mean for the Pacific Northwest?

KNKX Public Radio
Voting begins in Washington’s 2024 general election
Boeing faces a new FAA review as a key supplier plans temporary furloughs

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle students want more mental health funding — and say in how it’s spent

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane residents save money through home performance program
Health experts emphasize importance of keeping vaccinations up-to-date amid rising illnesses

Web

Cascadia Daily News
WCC president leaving legacy of growth, mentorship — especially for women of color
Former nonprofit leader under state investigation for alleged ‘inappropriate relationships’ with youth

The Urbanist
Tacoma set to slash ‘Vision Zero’ road safety budget by 90%
Judge demands crowd control reforms before lifting SPD’s consent decree

Thursday, October 17

Amazon accused of violating WA’s ban on noncompete agreements
Washington banned noncompete agreements for workers who make less than $100,000 annually in 2020. The Legislature then passed an amendment this year to strengthen enforcement of its ban and bring the threshold for exemption to a roughly $120,000 annual salary. The lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court this month accuses Amazon of tucking a noncompete agreement into its offer letter for workers in its warehouses and retail stores. In a statement this week, the company disputed the allegations in the case and denied that its policies broke Washington law. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

This normally quiet Cascades volcano has been trembling. Why scientists say you shouldn’t worry.
Seismically, Mount Adams, located in southern Washington state, is relatively calm. So the alert earlier this month by the USGS that there has been a flurry of earthquakes around Adams got some attention from volcano watchers. The recent earthquakes have been small — ranging from magnitudes of 0.9 to 2.0 — but the federal government has only one seismometer in the vicinity of Mount Adams, the second-tallest volcano in Washington state, so it is difficult to get precise information about their locations and depths. The agency is using the recent rumblings as an opportunity to learn more about this sometimes overlooked volcano. Continue reading at the Washington Post. (Sofia Jaramillo)

70% of Washington public school students now have access to free meals
Nearly 800,000 kids are eating free meals in school after the Legislature expanded access — but the state will need to come up with more money if it wants to continue the program. That’s according to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which announced on Tuesday that 70% of Washington’s kids now have access to school meals at no cost to students or families. But the state underestimated how many students would participate — leading Superintendent Chris Reykdal to request an additional $17.6 million in the 2025-2027 budget cycle to continue feeding this many kids. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (Getty Images)