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Friday, March 29

WA Gov. Inslee signs slate of climate and environment bills into law
During the last bill-signing tour of his career at the helm of Washington, outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee signed a wide slate of climate and environmental bills into law Thursday afternoon. The bills include Senate Bill 6058, an attempt to help link Washington’s carbon market with that of California and Quebec. Combining markets would stabilize the cost of greenhouse gas allowances paid by major polluters, in turn lowering pass-through costs for gasoline, Inslee and others have repeatedly said. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Washington becomes first state to ban lead in cookware
Governor Jay Inslee signed the Lead in Cookware Act Thursday, banning lead from any products used to cook food, becoming the first state in the U.S. to do so. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46), officially bans any manufacturing or sales of cookware or related components that contain more than five parts per million (ppm) of lead by 2026. It passed on a 47-0 vote (two excused) in the Senate before passing in the House on a 96-0 vote (one excused). Continue reading at My Northwest. (Hazardous Waste Management Program)

Washington Saves retirement act signed, set to launch in 2027
Washington is set to create a state-run automatic retirement savings system for workers who don’t already have access to an employer-based retirement system. Washington Saves will require businesses without retirement plans for employees to allow their workers an opportunity to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) via an automatic payroll deduction through the Washington Small Business Retirement Marketplace. Employers will be required to enroll employees who have had continuous employment of one year or more in the program at default contribution rates. Continue reading at Crosscut.

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Auburn Reporter
New state law gives green light to more traffic cameras (Donaghy)

Bellingham Herald
‘I’m so grateful’: Leaders, planners, future tenants unite to celebrate new Bellingham senior housing

Capital Press
Inslee signs wolf bill, tips cap to Kretz
Inslee vetoes study to keep elk off farms, urges alternative (Van De Wege)

Everett Herald
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Eligible Washington state taxpayers can now use free IRS Direct File

News Tribune
Why is litter along Puyallup highways ‘much worse’ this year? Mayor asks state for help
Could Baltimore bridge disaster happen to Tacoma Narrows spans? Here’s what we know

Olympian
Best- and worst-run cities in Washington

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon reportedly moving to cut empty office costs by $1.3B
Seattle council weighs changes to delivery-app driver pay law
Seattle Housing Authority acquires former Post-Intelligencer building

Seattle Times
Burien sues King County, Sheriff claiming breach of contract
WA Gov. Inslee signs slate of climate and environment bills into law
Eastside developers track the light rail rollout with measured optimism
Editorial: WA must continue its role as lead defender of abortion rights

Tri-City Herald
‘Built with parts from eBay.’ Tri-Cities leaders rush to replace failing 911 system
PNNL scientists are working to advance the future of offshore floating wind farms
Seattle company proposes new solar farm near Tri-Cities. It could be the county’s 6th
What’s known about the evacuation and need for a bomb squad at Hanford last month?
Opinion: New WA legislative districts could dilute Tri-Cities clout in Olympia

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref addresses crime, fentanyl on tribal lands

Washington Post
Biden aims to smooth the bumpy road to electric trucks
Covid changed how we spend: More YOLO splurging but less saving
U.S. updates how it classifies people by race, ethnicity for first time in decades

WA State Standard
Controversial clean energy law takes effect in Washington
WA governor urged to veto $25M for nuclear power project (Mullet, Tharinger)
Inslee signs final transportation budget, warns of tough sledding

Wenatchee World
Budget update: Wenatchee School District considers cutting 63 positions
Amazon to open 45,000 square-foot ‘last mile’ distribution center in NCW

Yakima Herald-Republic
Students walk out of Yakima high schools to protest staff cuts
Fewer farms, but Yakima County still No. 2 in state for farm products sold
Experts keep close eye on Yakima Valley economy as 2024 begins with layoffs

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Instacart settles with Seattle over alleged sick leave policy violations
White House rolls out new steps to try to protect people who buy short-term health plans

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Carnation leaders say ‘drain the dam,’ threaten to sue Seattle after latest false alarm
Seattle City Council may revise delivery pay law following restaurant, gig worker pushback

KNKX Public Radio
Olympia oyster comeback impact goes beyond the menu and the shooter glass

KUOW Public Radio
After receiving racist hate mail, UW students call for action
Meaty razor clams bring profits, protein to Quinault Nation in Washington state
Washington’s largest newspaper publisher sold to out-of-state investors following financial hardship
Muslims observing Ramadan at Tacoma ICE center aren’t receiving timely meals, immigration advocates say

KXLY (ABC)
Metal fences removed from Browne Street viaduct
Affordable housing initiative announced in Spokane Valley
Former CVSD teacher pleads guilty to sexual misconduct charges, required to register as a sex offender

NW Public Radio
WA leaders highlight progress on homelessness, worry about encampment cleanup funding

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Mount Baker schools to cut $3M in spending
Bellingham drivers facing pain at the pump — average gas prices continue to rise

Crosscut
Washington Saves retirement act signed, set to launch in 2027
U.S. Appeals Court won’t block WA’s new legislative district map
WA Department of Health updates COVID-19, flu quarantine guidance

MyNorthwest
Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock
Washington becomes first state to ban lead in cookware (Pollet)
Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

West Seattle Blog
West Seattle’s second off-leash area location is finalized
Sound Transit Board gives staff go-ahead to pursue first ‘early property acquisitions’ for West Seattle light rail

Thursday, March 28

Washington legislators voted this session to add the perspective of marginalized communities into state learning standards
Nearly 40 years ago, Cal Anderson was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the office in the state. His name, however, is absent from any Washington curriculum on state government, according to state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle. That may soon change though with Gov. Jay Inslee’s March 18 signing of Senate Bill 5462 into state law, which would make sure that the K-12 curriculum is more inclusive of people from marginalized communities. The law takes effect on June 6. Continue reading at The Inlander.

You need to earn how much for a ‘starter home’ in Seattle?!
Rising costs of living and property price tags are hitting first-time homebuyers hard — and even harder in Seattle. A person would have to earn a $173,378 annual salary to earn what Redfin considers a “starter home” in Seattle, according to the real estate company’s February 2024 data. That salary estimate is up roughly $31,000 from just six months ago, and up 8.4% from February 2023. As of February, the median sale price of a Seattle starter home is $535,000, with a monthly mortgage of $4,334. Seattle’s numbers are a significant uptick from just six months ago when Redfin calculated that a person needed to earn $142,000 annually to afford the purchase. Continue reading at KUOW. (Jaye Haych)

In rural Washington, patients travel hours for basic healthcare
In Washington, patients outside of urban centers often travel long distances to get basic health care, and researchers and providers say the impact — on everything from dementia treatment to maternity care — can lead to worse patient outcomes and delays in treatment. Telehealth is also making a difference. But training physicians can take a decade or more, and not all kinds of care translate well to a virtual space. In the meantime, patients face major disparities in access to basic — and sometimes urgent — care between urban and rural Washington, and between east and west. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Harbor Regional Hospital)

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Associated Press
Stock market today: Wall Street holds near records as it coasts to another winning month and quarter

Axios
Financial exploitation of older adults up in King County

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham mobile home park’s affordability uncertain after residents’ land purchase attempt fails
‘I’m so grateful’: Leaders, planners, future tenants unite to celebrate new Bellingham senior housing

Capital Press
USDA gives organic product grants to nine Northwest firms
Shell shocked: Egg producers carry on despite avian flu, cage-free regulations

Columbian
Could fatal collapse of Interstate 5 Bridge happen?
Vancouver officials developing new green building policy
WA passes bill to protect libraries, as other states target them (Hunt)
What the Supreme Court abortion pill case could mean for WA (Randall)
New Washington law will allow traffic cameras on more city streets and county roads (Donaghy)
Fighting period poverty: Hockinson High School students fundraise for menstrual products at middle school

Everett Herald
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

The Inlander
A new Washington program will automatically start retirement accounts for workers who don’t already have access
Washington legislators voted this session to add the perspective of marginalized communities into state learning standards (Pedersen, Wilson)
As deaths on our roads continue to rise, a local stay-at-home dad is on an ambitious quest to make Spokane’s streets the safest in the U.S.

News Tribune
‘It’s about time’: Much anticipated new Pierce County high school finally breaks ground
Opinion: What’s ‘climate-smart’ wood? Hopefully, a big part of Pierce County’s future

Northwest Asian Weekly
CAPAA Golden Celebration
New UW athletic director Pat Chun

Olympian
North Thurston announces 3 finalists for superintendent. One of them is local
Washington leaders brace for U.S. Supreme Court ruling on access to abortion drug (Randall)
College enrollment rose in 2023, but Washington state ranks low nationally in new students

Peninsula Daily News
Funding needed for Port Townsend homeless shelter

Puget Sound Business Journal
Nintendo lays off 86 contract workers in Redmond
How a major credit-card settlement could save businesses billions

Seattle Times
Instacart settles over alleged labor violations for nearly $750K
Washington State University officer fires at student in residence hall
Despite All-Star summer, recovery is elusive for Seattle’s tourism industry
Comment: Trump Treasury chief tried to force a sale of TikTok. Now he’s a possible bidder
Opinion: WA schools don’t have ‘bad kids.’ They lack enough tools to help them

Spokesman Review
Inslee signs slew of bills boosting gun restrictions in Washington (Ormsby, Berry)

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Ellen Brigham oversees changes at Dayton Memorial Library
Columbia County Commissioners appoint Dale Walling to library board

Washington Post
AI hustlers stole women’s faces to put in ads. The law can’t help them.
U.S. clamps down on oil and gas firms releasing potent greenhouse gas
Americans who’ve given up religion often point to anti-LGBTQ+ teachings

WA State Standard
Housing and homelessness in Washington, by the numbers

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Carnation residents, officials frustrated after another false alarm from Tolt River Dam emergency system

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Deadly Renton accident raises question – should teens have ‘speed limiters’ in their vehicles?

KNKX Public Radio
Olympia police the latest in South Sound to buy car-tracking cameras

KUOW Public Radio
Electric vehicles keep charging ahead in Washington state
You need to earn how much for a ‘starter home’ in Seattle?!

KXLY (ABC)
Washington State Police shot at student in campus residence hall
The State of Hate: A look at the history of racial hate in the Inland Northwest
New housing law passed to promote co-living development in Washington State
Spokane County deputies who shot and killed man in Loon Lake will not face charges

NW Public Radio
Hometown med student raising awareness for colorectal cancer testing
Service changes begin March 31 for Pierce Transit, lack of funding means no new routes
Lewiston-Clarkston Valley’s senior population could strain healthcare providers in coming years

FOX13 TV
King County plans to close youth detention centers by 2028
‘No locks, no cells’ approach in youth detention expected by 2028

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Add wildfire, climate change to the list of Lake Whatcom worries
Whatcom Skills Center gets needed funding for phase one of project
Ferndale School Board debates local control, diversity at heated meeting

Crosscut
In rural Washington, patients travel hours for basic healthcare

MyNorthwest
Protests at Amazon HQ object to use of fossil fuels in Oregon
Luxury tiny homes creating a stir in Washington home market

West Seattle Blog
State, city days away from removing 1st/Cloverdale encampment
Questions about the East Marginal Way project? West Seattle Transportation Coalition’s online meeting Thursday features SDOT

Wednesday, March 27

State spending to rise tenfold on housing for people with developmental disabilities
Housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is about to see another boost in state funding. Lawmakers this year set aside $19 million for it in the Housing Trust Fund. That brings this two-year budget cycle’s total to almost $44 million, a tenfold increase from most other budgets. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Laurel Demkovich)

Gun owners have 24 hours to report theft or face up to $1K fine, new law says
Washington Governor Jay Inslee officially signed a bill into law Tuesday that will require gun owners to notify the police of a stolen firearm within 24 hours of when they discover the theft or loss. As part of HB 1903, gun owners who fail to report stolen firearms within a 24 hour period would face up to a $1,000 civil infraction fine. It would also require law enforcement agencies to register stolen firearm reports with the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, which is used by police to pursue suspects and locate stolen items. Continue reading at KOMO News. (Brittainy Newman)

Inslee signs numerous bills, including new gun laws
Two omnibus bills to improve the response to survivors of sexual assault and child trafficking in Washington state’s legal system were signed into law. SB 5937 streamlines eligibility for crime victim benefits, covers some of victims’ costs for forensic examinations, expands protections to more victims, improves state and local teams to respond to sexual assault, and ensures that children ages 13 and up can consent to forensic sexual examinations and examinations for sexually transmitted infections, among other changes. Continue reading at Tacoma Weekly.

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Axios
Washington sees human smuggling spike, feds say

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County to approach fentanyl crisis like a natural disaster response
Washington leaders brace for U.S. Supreme Court ruling on access to abortion drug (Randall)

Capital Press
Northwest honey production, prices drop in 2023
Utility: Washington’s cap-and-trade unfair to other states

Columbian
Vancouver officials rethink Section 30 plan, pushing for more multifamily housing
Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad ordered to comply with water pollution laws
Southwest Washington cities OK interlocal agreement to form opioid abatement council
What to know about PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ in some Vancouver, Clark Public Utilities’ water sources

The Daily News
Fentanyl deaths double in Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County aims to end court backlog after new study reviewed efficiency
Cowlitz County OKs housing funds after state increases document recording fees

High Country News
Fixing culverts can save migratory fish

Kent Reporter
Bill providing support for victims of hate crimes signed into law (Valdez)

Olympian
Callers bombard Lacey Equity Commission with hate speech during Monday meeting

Peninsula Daily News
YMCA to build childcare facility

Seattle Medium
Seattle Judge Reassigned To Parking And Traffic Tickets – Blocked By Prosecutors
Making A Difference Foundation Received Grant To Support BIPOC Farmers’ HUB And Technical Assistance Program
Crisis And Change: Tukwila School District Attempts To Tackle Challenges Of Declining Enrollment, Racial Tensions, And Leadership Instability

Seattle Times
WA passes bill to protect libraries, as other states target them
What the Supreme Court abortion pill case could mean for WA
Inslee signs new gun laws, including ban at transit facilities, libraries
Opinion: State’s libraries, freedom to read are preserved

Skagit Valley Herald
Guemes Ferry transitioning to electronic tickets

South Whidbey Record
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, Island Transit highlight challenges of rural transportation

Vancouver Business Journal
Workforce to Host Workshop on Employee Recruitment and Retention

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla Clinic’s walk-in facility closes

Washington Post
Mnuchin tried to force a sale of TikTok. Now he’s a possible bidder.
GOP lawmakers are fueling a conspiracy theory without mentioning ‘chemtrails’

WA State Standard
State spending to rise tenfold on housing for people with developmental disabilities (Chopp, Taylor)
New Washington law will allow traffic cameras on more city streets and county roads (Donaghy)

Yakima Herald-Republic
Return to Quincy: Waste-derived products in agriculture impact Yakima County too

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Gov. Inslee takes stance on return of grizzlies to North Cascades
Ballard business owners fed up after string of burglaries this year
Seattle City Council approves $50K for repairs after Wing Luke Museum hit by vandal

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County leaders to hear final updates on plan to end youth detention
Gun owners have 24 hours to report theft or face up to $1k fine, new law says
More than 210 bridges in Washington are in ‘poor condition’ WSDOT data shows
Seattle health experts address surge in eating disorders impacting young athletes

NW Public Radio
Washington bans sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom County passes resolution aimed at combating fentanyl
Skagit County searches for common ground in contentious agritourism debate
Whatcom Center for Early Learning nets $2M grant from MacKenzie Scott foundation

Crosscut
U.S. Appeals Court won’t block WA’s new legislative district map

Shoreline Area News
Stanford bill to crack down on predatory loans signed into law (Stanford)

Tacoma Weekly
Inslee signs numerous bills, including new gun laws (Dhingra, Orwall, Trudeau, Valdez, Hunt, Stanford, Saldana)

Tuesday, March 26

SCOTUS abortion pill hearing puts FDA discretion on trial
The Supreme Court’s blockbuster case over access to abortion drug mifepristone could upend the way the Food and Drug Administration broadly regulates medicines and other products. Courts for years have given the FDA latitude to make judgments about health and safety based on scientific studies, but a challenge the justices hear Tuesday could set a precedent for courts to substitute their own conclusions for agency decisions. Continue reading at Axios. (Shoshana Gordon)

Clark County Jail gains naloxone vending machine
Clark County Jail Services and its partners have installed a naloxone vending machine in the jail’s public lobby. This is the county’s fourth naloxone vending machine. Better known by its brand name Narcan, naloxone helps prevent opioid overdose by temporarily blocking the effects of opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine and oxycodone. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Clark County)

House Bill 1939 to increase social worker availability in Washington State
House Bill 1939 sits on Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk, awaiting his signature which would allow social workers in other states to enter private practice under a compact agreement. Under a multistate license, social workers could migrate to Washington State or provide social services through online telehealth communication. Rep. Orwall is the primary sponsor of House Bill 1939, which expands career opportunities for out-of-state social workers through the Social Work Licensure Compact. Continue reading at Tacoma Ledger.

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Axios
SCOTUS abortion pill hearing puts FDA discretion on trial
Alcohol will soon be allowed at Washington state strip clubs (Macri)

Bellingham Herald
Neighbors said it was too noisy. Now the port is booting this waterfront business

Capital Press
Cherry season officially a disaster in Washington, Oregon

Columbian
Clark County Jail gains naloxone vending machine
Life expectancy in WA counties varies by as much as 11 years
WA’s AG, health officials raise questions about gravel yard by school
‘We’re still a long way off’: Vancouver closing gap between housing, residents’ needs; more work to be done
Millennial Money: Installment plans for rent divide up payments, but drive up costs
Boeing CEO to exit in broad management shakeup as manufacturing issues plague storied plane maker
Supreme Court hears arguments in case that could restrict access to abortion medication mifepristone

Everett Herald
Washington looks at new ways to clean up graffiti along state highways (Liias)
Judge fines Providence debt collectors for deceiving low-income patients
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival (Liias)

News Tribune
Massive real estate settlement promises to shake up housing market. But will it affect WA?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing CEO to step down as jet maker prepares to overhaul leadership
Why it’s become more favorable to rent than buy in these U.S. metros

Seattle Times
Strippers’ bill of rights bill signed into law in Washington state (Saldaña)
Appeals court OKs legislative map that changes Central WA districts
Opinion: Redistricting decision hurts Latino voters

Spokesman Review
Spokane Mayor proposes using $1 million of opioid settlement funds on treatment
New lower passing rate for Washington’s bar exam opens possibilities, but also leads to questions

Tri-City Herald
Did WA Legislature drop the ball? Hundreds of Tri-Cities nuclear fuel jobs in the balance
300-ton Eastern WA melter reaches peak temperature to turn radioactive waste into glass

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
District 16 lawmakers schedule town halls in Walla Walla, Columbia Basin College

Washington Post
Supreme Court hears arguments on a key abortion pill
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down amid management shakeup
Federal officials say 20 have been charged for threatening election workers
Steel, cement and — cheese? U.S. spends big to cut these carbon footprints.

WA State Standard
Federal appeals court won’t block Washington’s redrawn legislative district map

Wenatchee World
Wolves in NCW: A decades-long conflict between settlers, conservationists, WDFW

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima school board approves plan to lay off more than 100 staff

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Burien spent more than $500k on human services programs in 2023. Here’s who got the money

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Group says UW student group targeted by anti-Islam letter during Ramadan

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee signs ‘Strippers’ Bill of Rights’ into law, paving way for alcohol sales (Saldaña)
Boeing employee unions want new leadership with engineering background, prioritize safety

KUOW Public Radio
What’s at stake in the Supreme Court mifepristone case
10 female cops speak out about sexism, harassment within the Seattle Police Department

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane receives state funds to clean up Division, Browne near I-90

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Blaine School District anticipates $2.5M in budget cuts
Bellingham vehicle thefts spiked in 2022, then dropped in 2023
Behavioral health specialists responded to 830 crisis calls in program’s first six months
Western receives $2M for engineering and cybersecurity programming, academic outreach
Opinion: More Washington students will soon get clean rides to school; it’s a good thing

Crosscut
Seattle Councilmember pushes housing, community development pilot

Tacoma Ledger
House Bill 1939 to increase social worker availability in Washington State (Orwall)

Monday, March 25

Inslee signs Strippers’ Bill of Rights today. When booze will hit WA clubs is uncertain
Madison Zack-Wu, 25, championed Washington’s Strippers’ Bill of Rights, groundbreaking legislation designed to improve safety and workplace conditions for adult dancers across the state. On the last Tuesday of February, with just over a week left in the 2024 session, she received the news she’d been waiting for. The state House — where similar legislation had stalled the year prior — would bring the Strippers’ Bill of Rights to a vote. It had been approved in the Senate a few weeks prior. Continue reading at Tri-City Herald. (Psychi Media)

Legislature passes bills that may help King County’s budget crisis
Last fall, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued dire warnings about the county’s budget situation: Without help from the Legislature, it would be forced to shutter all or almost all of its 10 public health clinics. [This session] legislators passed two obscure bills that could help King County raise taxes to fill its budget gap. House Bill 2044 allows King County to run a voter-approved levy to help fill its general fund. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert)

Extended foster care for young adults up to 21 set to expand in WA
Extended foster care is a voluntary program in Washington available to certain foster care youth ages 18-21 who are no longer eligible for the usual foster care program. The program is aimed at making sure young people in foster care have the skills to enter independent adulthood. But Washington lawmakers want to lower the barriers to accessing extended foster care by removing those federal requirements. Senate Bill 5908, which does that, passed both legislative chambers. It is now awaiting Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature to become law. Continue reading at The Columbian.