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Friday, May 5

WA’s first-of-its-kind officer training center opens in Pasco. Inslee signs police pursuit law
Name placards are all laid out for Monday’s start of the first class of Washington state’s first regional police training center in Pasco. Among those who will fill those seats next week are a single mother and the only English-speaking member of an immigrant family. They are among many police officer candidates who in the past couldn’t have considered a law enforcement career because they would need to be away from their families for five months during the rigorous training in Western Washington. “It was law enforcement in the state of Washington’s vision of how we could better recruit officers, potentially better train them at the local level,” Pasco Police Chief Ken Roske told a crowd gathered Wednesday outside the new training site. The training center is one of four that are expected to open across the state, and the only one in Eastern Washington. Others are planned for Vancouver, Everett and Bellingham. Continue reading at Tri-City Herald. (Bob Brawdy)

Opinion: Amid the celebrations, a somber MMIP remembrance
One of the most exasperating aspects of the ongoing tragedy of the missing and murdered is that many of the root causes are preventable. As experts at an April 28 community forum in Yakima explained, a lack of basic services like reliable internet and cellphone signals often leave residents of rural reservations with no means of communicating plans or calling for help. And without transportation, they can be left stranded. Efforts are underway in our region to address the underlying factors that put so many rural residents at risk. The Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force has been exploring why the rate of disappearances and murders is so high among Indigenous people. The group plans to report its findings to Gov. Jay Inslee next month. Continue reading at Yakima Herald. (Emree Weaver)

WA lawmakers increase special education funding, but gap still remains
As state lawmakers went dark for budget negotiations last month, there was hope they’d emerge with a solution to fully fund special education. But the new state budget signals they’re still not done talking about it. Programs for disabled kids in Washington schools got a $365 million boost over the next two years, bringing the total budget for special education up to $4.1 billion. It’s a significant increase — 9% — in a session where concerns over an economic downturn shaded many decisions, but the extra funds meet only half of the gap outlined by state education officials. Lawmakers also kept in place a major driver of that funding gap — a policy that caps funding to school districts if they enroll more than a certain percentage of disabled children. Among disability rights advocates, one of the most-watched K-12 proposals this session called for removing this cap entirely. Instead, lawmakers increased the percentage from 13.5% to 15%. Advocates warn that this cap opens the state to litigation: The state has a constitutional promise to cover basic education costs for all students. About 95 school districts are above the cap, including the Olympia and Spokane school districts. Continue reading at Seattle Times.

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Associated Press
Washington AG’s office, DSHS fined for evidence withholding

Capital Press
Outlook improves for Yakima basin irrigators
Washington Supreme Court clarifies animal-cruelty law

Everett Herald
After state law stalls, Everett bans public drug use (Fosse)
Arlington Pride event delayed after mayor questions ‘drag story time’

The Inlander
A tech executive from San Diego wanders the streets of Spokane with one mission — find his son

News Tribune
‘Check on him.’ How did a Pierce County welfare call end in a deadly police shooting?
Controversial Pierce County homeless village is being challenged. Here’s what we know

Peninsula Daily News
First first time in 10 years, tribe to have limited fishery on Elwha
Port Townsend approves supplemental budget

Puget Sound Business Journal
Top counties for growth in Washington
Four changes businesses are making in 2023 — including a shift on pay

Seattle Medium
Washington New Hazing Law Has Teeth
County Levy To Fund Mental Health Passes
Washington Cities Looking At Sunset Of Decriminalization Law

Seattle Times
Seattle to expand bans on right turns on red
WA to tackle caregiver shortage with new plan to reduce barriers
Seattle-area banks avoid turmoil so far, but see real estate market chill
WA lawmakers increase special education funding, but gap still remains (Pollet)

Tri-City Herald
WA’s first-of-its-kind officer training center opens in Pasco. Inslee signs police pursuit law (Lovick)

Washington Post
WHO declares covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency

Yakima Herald-Republic
Pain endures for families of missing, murdered Indigenous people
EPA adding resources in Yakima Valley for air quality and water
Yakima County officials working on local drug law in case special session fails to produce one
Opinion: Amid the celebrations, a somber MMIP remembrance

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Ingraham High School parents demand follow-up on security promises
Insurers will pay for hearing aids in Washington, thanks to 8-year-old’s testimony (Orwall)
Family of man shot and killed by Auburn police officer concerned after another delayed hearing
Mother urges victims of domestic violence to reach out, get help after her daughter was murdered

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
FTC wants to ban Facebook, Instagram from profiting off kids’ data
Washington state receives B grade for preterm birth rate
WSDOT short hundreds of millions of dollars to make all necessary fixes to bridges, roads

KNKX Public Radio
Ruling might cancel Alaska commercial king salmon season
In a surprise, the job market grew strongly in April despite high interest rates
Southwest Washington police hope newly funded training center will solve staffing woes

KUOW Public Radio
Sponsor of WA bill on trans youth targeted by right-wing groups (Liias)
Seattle Schools plan would drain rainy day fund to help cover $131M shortfall

Q13 TV (FOX)
‘Gold Rush’ of green aviation tech unfolding in Snohomish County

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Lummi Nation honors missing and murdered Indigenous people

Crosscut
For Native activist Roxanne White, MMIWP advocacy is a lifeline

The Stranger
Progressive Democrats Want to Compromise on a New Drug Law (Frame, Macri, Robinson, Trudeau, Dhingr, Salomon, Conway, Mullet, Van De Wege)

Thursday, May 4

‘Clean energy revolution.’ WA Gov. Jay Inslee signs 7 energy bills into law in Tri-Cities
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee came to the energy hub of the Pacific Northwest — the Tri-Cities — to sign seven clean energy bills passed by the Legislature in the session just ended. The bills Inslee signed are intended to help move the state toward its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045. “The world is looking to Washington state to lead a clean energy revolution and we are delivering,” Inslee said. The bills are intended to help the state prepare the electric grid for increased clean energy transmission, require cities to support greenhouse gas emission reduction, support the transition of workers into clean energy jobs and make environmental review of new clean energy projects more efficient. Continue reading at Tri-City Herald. (Bob Brawdy)

WA passed a ‘Voting Rights Act 2.0’ bill. Here’s what’s in it
Voters across Washington have a new tool that strengthens their voting rights and makes it easier for citizens and community groups to challenge discrimination in local elections. House Bill 1048, sponsored by one of the new Latina members of the Washington Legislature, Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, is another boost for voting rights in Washington, both local and national advocates say. “I hope that lowering the barrier of access will lead to more people using it,” said Rep. Mena. “If there’s one thing I want to make sure I do in my time in the Legislature, is make it easier for folks of color and folks from diverse communities to run for office and not have those [election] systems be an impediment.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

New police pursuit bill signed by Gov. Inslee
Governor Inslee signed a new police pursuit law into place, rolling back some restrictions from previous laws limiting when police in Washington could engage in a pursuit. It changes the wording of the existing law to allow pursuits if an officer has “reasonable suspicion” rather than “probable cause” of a violent crime. The bill also says that officers could chase a suspect as long as the suspect poses a serious risk of harm to others. “It’s kind of a fine line, and the way I look at it is, at what point are we going to say, you could pursue a stolen car, but do we really want to endanger a person’s life? Put people in danger? Not only the officer but the public in danger over a stolen car?” Sen. John Lovick, a Democrat representing the 44th district, the bills sponsor said. “I’m just not there yet. But I’m not saying maybe next year, we can’t come back and take a closer look at that.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Ryan McFadden)

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Associated Press
Inslee rolls back limitations on police chases (Lovick)

Aberdeen Daily World
School-based health center finalized for North Beach

Axios
Washington will add more pot shops as part of social equity push (Saldaña)
Washington ranked second-best state, behind … Utah

Bellingham Herald
‘We’re all very excited’: Major expansion planned for this Bellingham community park
Youth in WA foster care face financial, educational barriers to earning a driver’s license

Capital Press
Washington trucking industry braces for California law coming north

Columbian
Vancouver to add $140.2M to 2023-24 budget
Washington Department of Ecology seeks input on state’s plastics law
Clark County Council rejects state’s population estimates, use figures from Building Industry Association of Clark County
Opinion: Oregon should rethink interstate toll proposal

Everett Herald
Mayor given new authority to expand Everett’s ‘no sit, no lie’ zones
‘We can’t let hate scare us’: Edmonds vigil pushes back at hateful flyers
Pilchuck, Big Four, other trails to close for part or all of 2023
Homelessness in Snohomish County at highest since 2012, count finds
Editorial: Ease path to hire farmworkers for state agriculture

The Inlander
Washington lawmakers’ failure to update drug possession law could end in compromise or piecemeal rules (Billig)
Once thick with salmon, Spokane’s thundering waters pulse through our past and present — coursing on toward climate change

International Examiner
CM Morales hosts first gathering of Seattle’s new Social Housing Developer Board

News Tribune
Remann Hall programs turn around at-risk kids’ lives. Can they help prevent violence?

New York Times
F.T.C. Seeks ‘Blanket’ Ban on Meta’s Use of Young Users’ Data

Puget Sound Business Journal
New grads have high expectations. Here’s what they’re looking for.
Amazon employees return to downtown, bringing hope and traffic

Seattle Medium
Opinion: New Social Equity Law Will Provide Opportunity To Participate In Cannabis Marketplace

Seattle Times
Culprit revealed in Bainbridge Island ferry grounding
ACLU challenges claim that SPD is a ‘transformed’ department
WA judge fines AG’s office, DSHS in ‘cavalier’ withholding of lawsuit evidence
Editorial: The King County Crisis Care Centers levy passed. Now get to work

Spokesman Review
Summerlike heat caused quick snowmelt and rising rivers
Another ‘error’ blamed as homeless turned away from Trent shelter amid Cannon closure

Tri-City Herald
‘Clean energy revolution.’ WA Gov. Jay Inslee signs 7 energy bills into law in Tri-Cities

Washington Post
Western fires could be delayed after months of rain and snow, but risk remains

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘Gun ownership is a huge responsibility’: Tacoma police address gun theft in the city
Push for better use of mental health advance directives in Washington
Everett City Council votes to expand controversial ‘no sit, no lie’ ordinance

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington cities want the state to follow their lead on unlawful drug possession
Seattle police unable to engage in pursuits unless they undergo specific training
Inslee signs slew of laws aimed at moving Washington to clean energy (Fitzgibbon, Nguyen, Billig)

KNKX Public Radio
WSU researchers win historic FDA approval for gene-edited pork

KUOW Public Radio
What’s in a name, like ‘assault weapon’?: Today So Far
Volunteers needed to defend Washington against the green crab invasion

Public News Service
WA Legislation Could Improve Workplace Safety (Dhingra)

Q13 TV (FOX)
West Seattle Bridge ramp closed until further notice due to 5×4 hole in the road

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Ecology seeks public comment on Whatcom Waterway cleanup

Crosscut
WA passed a ‘Voting Rights Act 2.0’ bill. Here’s what’s in it (Mena, Saldaña)
Washington aprueba la “Ley de Derecho de Voto 2.0”. Esto es lo que significa (Mena, Saldaña)

MyNorthwest
New police pursuit bill signed by Gov. Inslee (Lovick, Hackney, Stonier)
WA, DOE agree to updated cleanup plan for Hanford Nuclear Reservation
Megabus an option for public transportation to Eastern Washington

Wednesday, May 3

Inslee announces special legislative session to pass new drug possession law
The Washington Legislature will attempt to wrap up its unfinished business on drug possession this month. Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday he’s calling for a special legislative session to begin on May 16, so lawmakers can finalize new drug possession penalties and addiction treatment options. The announcement comes after Republicans and progressive Democrats rejected changes to the state’s drug possession law on the final day of the regular session, after months of back-and-forth negotiations between lawmakers in the House and Senate. Inslee and other leaders say the special session is vital. Washington’s current drug possession statute was initially passed as a temporary solution in response to a state Supreme Court decision in 2021 – commonly referred to as “The Blake Decision” – that struck down the state’s felony drug possession penalties. That temporary law expires July 1. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

A pioneering effort seeks new voters anywhere they may be, including prison
Washington appears to be the only state where the person who oversees elections also runs prison libraries. So perhaps it’s not surprising that Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is planning to start civics education for people in prison. However, it is unusual. Hobbs’ civics-in-prison course will be part of his broad effort to engage populations often overlooked in voter outreach, particularly low-income and Native communities. “We can’t just urge voting,” he told The Seattle Times editorial board last week. “We have to explain how your ballot is processed.” The Legislature passed a law in 2021 allowing the reinstatement of voting rights immediately upon release from prison; 24,650 Washingtonians become newly eligible. But, only 7% had registered to vote by the November 2022 midterms, according to data from Hobbs’ office. Of those, just 414 actually cast ballots. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Colin Mulvany)

Opinion: Capital budget invests in state’s economy
Because it represents the largest chunk of state spending, the biennial operating budget passed by the Legislature draws the bulk of attention. But in many ways, the capital budget provides more insight into the thinking and priorities of lawmakers. Such is the case again this year. Legislators passed an $8.7 billion two-year capital budget to fund construction projects throughout the state, including more than 50 in Clark County. That works out to more than $1,100 for each Washington resident, contributing to construction and repair of public school buildings, prison facilities, parks and recreation facilities, low-income housing and a variety of projects that impact the lives of Washingtonians. In the process, the budget is a lifeline for city and county governments. Continue reading at Columbian.

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Associated Press
Washington state to decriminalize drugs unless lawmakers act (Goodman, Simmons)
Hazing becomes a felony in some cases in Washington state

Aberdeen Daily World
Unhoused chime in on community homeless discussion

Axios
You could soon need a reservation for Mount Rainier

Bellingham Herald
New Wheelhouse building to meet growing Bellingham Community Boating Center demand
WA lawmakers to return to Olympia for special session to address drug possession law (Robinson)

Columbian
Oregon governor pauses toll plans until 2026
Habitat loss brings bears, cougars closer to suburbs, cities in Southwest Washington
Partnership aims to ease barriers for first-time homebuyers in Clark County
Opinion: Capital budget invests in state’s economy

Everett Herald
Marysville presses forward with new drug possession ordinance
After outcry, Hope Church won’t be turned into Everett homeless shelter
Business Briefs: Pandemic recovery aid and workforce support program

News Tribune
Cost of living in parts of America are out of control. How expensive is living in WA?
’Gamble hire.’ Ex-Puyallup cop had training, eligibility issues before rape arrest
Puyallup passes regulations for transitional and emergency housing. Here’s what to know
Op-Ed: WA lawmakers keep undermining public records law. We need an Office of Transparency

Olympian
Washington state crowned the top state in the U.S. for nursing, says new national study
WA state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will not seek reelection

Peninsula Daily News
Missing, murdered indigenous legislation signed (Lekanoff, Van De Wege)

Puget Sound Business Journal
PUMP Act penalties kick in for business owners
Amazon to move 2,000 employees from Seattle to Bellevue

Seattle Times
Jay Inslee sees greener pastures ahead
Seattle says the bad times are easing. Do you feel it?
Inslee calls WA Legislature special session to address drug possession (Goodman, Dhingra, Robinson)
Editorial: A pioneering effort seeks new voters anywhere they may be, including prison
Opinion: On-site child care would alleviate companies’ return-to-office struggles

Spokesman Review
Spokane police seek authority to arrest people in parks after hours
Inslee calls WA Legislature special session to address drug possession (Goodman, Dhingra, Robinson, Billig)

Tri-City Herald
This Marine survived 5 combat tours. Now a Tri-Cities program is helping him live
3 years later Hanford nuclear waste cleanup negotiators reveal this breakthrough
Flood watch: Rivers rising quickly with mountain snowmelt. What to watch out for

Wenatchee World
Grant helps educate Wenatchee Valley students on proper bike safety
Inslee signs Hawkins’ public facilities district legislation into law

Yakima Herald-Republic
ICE appears to resume using Boeing Field; future operations in Yakima unclear
Opinion: Heritage Connectivity Trails project is a step forward for community safety

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gov. Inslee announces special session for legislators to finalize drug possession law
Modified Washington state police pursuit bill to be signed by Gov. Inslee
Tenino fires officer who made a deal to remove records of past termination from personnel file
Seattle’s Metropolitan Improvement District renewed for another 10-year term

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
UW Medicine works to fill national gap in abortion care training

KNKX Public Radio
Retired Alaska Airlines turboprop to get new life as ‘world’s largest’ hydrogen-powered plane

KUOW Public Radio
Inslee announces special legislative session to pass new drug possession law
End to pandemic food assistance hitting people hard in Washington state
Words In Review: Should we say ‘assault weapons’?
Remote work has changed us, but for good?: Today So Far

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Co. leaders call on governor, legislators to create new drug possession law

Q13 TV (FOX)
Fewer guns reported stolen, yet gun violence amongst teens increasing
‘Gold Rush’ of green aviation tech unfolding in Snohomish County

Web

Cascadia Daily News
State funds arts, crisis care in Whatcom, Skagit (Ramel)
Legislature codifies ‘Transition to Kindergarten’

MyNorthwest
Gov. Inslee increases affordable childcare access with new bill (Wilson)
Report: Sugary beverages consumption decreases due to Seattle tax

Tuesday, May 2

New law, inspired by WSU student’s death, stiffens penalties for hazing
Washington’s laws against hazing were significantly stiffened Monday, as Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation named in honor of a Washington State University student who died of alcohol poisoning after he was hazed at fraternity events. The new law makes hazing a gross misdemeanor, rather than a simple misdemeanor. It makes hazing a felony if it results in substantial bodily harm. It bumps up penalties for hazing from a maximum of 90 days to up to a year — and up to five years for the felony version. Known as the Sam Martinez Stop Hazing Law, it passed both the House and Senate unanimously. The law, Inslee said in a signing statement, “reflects the inherent danger of hazing rituals that can pressure college students to consume large amounts of alcohol.” Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Courtesy of the family)

WA transgender youth bill targeted in national culture war
Washington state Sen. Marko Liias knew his bill to help unsheltered transgender youth would generate controversy. Approved in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate along party-line votes, Senate Bill 5599 expands an existing law that allows organizations providing services to unsheltered youth to delay notifying a parent or guardian if there is a compelling reason not to, such as abuse or neglect. SB 5599 adds to these reasons youth who are seeking protected healthcare services, which include gender-affirming treatment and reproductive health care. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

Washington’s regular legislative session is over. Here are some of the highlights
Washington’s legislature adjourned its 2023 regular session with a new two-year state budget, alongside dozens of policy changes focused on housing, health care and public safety – and a surprising last-minute bill failure. It was the first session with lawmakers back in-person since the pandemic hit, and legislators talked for weeks about how collaborative the session felt as they worked on bills together in person for the first time in years. “We’re able to have more thoughtful conversations,” said Rep. Joe Nguyen (D-West Seattle). “There’s been a significant amount of work being done across the aisle.” But echoes of pandemic-era sessions remained, with hybrid committee hearings allowing the public to testify on bills remotely and weekly news conferences with legislative leaders held online. Continue reading at NW Public Radio. (Jeanie Lindsay)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean Shores gives Corps access for jetty repairs

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham REI employees announce plans to unionize, file paperwork seeking an election

Columbian
Open House Ministries gains grant to build more affordable housing
Apartments proposed near Washington State University Vancouver

The Daily News
WSU first university to produce gene-edited meat for human consumption

Everett Herald
‘Zero Emissions’: New breed of plane gets spotlight at Paine Field
In visit, DelBene warns GOP bill could slash food assistance
Comment: After state failure, county must act on drug law

News Tribune
Developer shares plans for new behavioral health campus envisioned for Tacoma
‘Negligent and reckless.’ Family of man shot by Pierce deputy files wrongful death claim

Peninsula Daily News
Wilcox steps down from House Republican leadership position

Port Townsend Leader
Gov. Inslee announces he won’t seek another term

Puget Sound Business Journal
How economic turmoil is shaping growth plans for small businesses
As money pours into clean energy companies, leaders look to the future

Seattle Times
May Day Seattle: Hundreds march for worker, immigrant rights
New law, inspired by WSU student’s death, stiffens penalties for hazing
Service providers losing confidence in Regional Homelessness Authority

Spokesman Review
Spokane City Council to move forward with local drug use, possession law

Tri-City Herald
WA AG’s Office admits to withholding 100,000 additional records in lawsuit
Kids with hearing loss in Eastern WA often must travel for care. Tri-Cities lab is helping

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Port of Walla Walla accepts $2M loan for new Life Flight Network hangar
Whitman College to build $30M student residential village
Transitional kindergarten, special education bills make progress in legislative session

Wenatchee World
Opinion: Legislature approves funding and timeline for Confluence Parkway

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima comes together to recognize workers and immigrants at May Day march

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Guemes Island ferry workers stage one day strike
Washington is 15th state to make hazing a felony under new law
Gov. Jay Inslee announces he won’t seek reelection in Washington state
Alaska Airlines plane to be retrofitted with hydrogen-electric propulsion system
Gov. Inslee plans to announce special session for legislators to finalize drug possession law
What does it mean to be Asian American? Community members from the Seattle area weigh in

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Toxic chemical train derailments spark safety concerns in Washington

KNKX Public Radio
Federal regulators want public input on Goldendale Energy Storage Project

KUOW Public Radio
Were you ‘wrong’ during the pandemic?: Today So Far
What will Jay Inslee’s legacy be after 12 years as governor?
Walla Walla ferry is ready for a comeback just weeks after running aground

NW Public Radio
New online toolkit to provide help, comfort to families with missing loved ones
Washington governor signs new gun bills into law, including ‘assault weapons’ ban (Peterson)
Washington’s regular legislative session is over. Here are some of the highlights (Nguyen, Cortes)

Q13 TV (FOX)
New state law cracking down on hazing honors WSU student who died in 2019 (Leavitt)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Legislature unanimously passes Nooksack adjudication bill (Timmons, Lekanoff, Rule, Ramel, Lovelett, Duerr)

Crosscut
WA transgender youth bill targeted in national culture war (Liias)

MyNorthwest
Westlake Station closed this week as disruptions continue

The Stranger
Inslee to Set Date for Special Session on Drug Possession Law (Goodman, Dhingra)
New Police Pursuit Law Requires Less Evidence to Give Chase (Goodman, Dhingra, Farivar)

Monday, May 1

Student, family homelessness funding doubles in state budget
State lawmakers more than doubled the funding for a program that helps homeless students and their families across Washington connect to housing and services, answering advocates’ calls for greater financial support. The Homeless Student Stability Program grew by $4.6 million to total $9 million — an unprecedented increase for a 7-year-old program whose funding has generally hovered around $4 million. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

State budget includes $21 million for ‘safety net’ abortion providers
State lawmakers allocated $21 million for safety net abortion providers to cover the costs of care, increase their workforce and enhance security. Planned Parenthood is one of these safety net providers, serving uninsured and underinsured patients. In a press release, state Planned Parenthood leaders hailed the money as the “largest investment in abortion services in recent memory.” Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Lindsey Wasson)

Legislative report card: A mix of achievements, progress and failures
The Washington Legislature ended its 105-day session on April 23 with long-fought achievements, some misses and some incomplete work. Gov. Jay Inslee says he wants lawmakers to come back in special session to try again to reach an agreement on the state’s expiring drug possessions law. Here are The Seattle Times editorial board ratings on only a few of the issues The Times has followed closely. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Legislative Support Services)