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Wednesday, December 6

Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
The number of abortions provided in Washington rose 23% last year, to the highest level in a decade, as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, recently released data shows. Over 20,000 abortions were performed in the state in 2022, according to new data from the Washington State Department of Health provided to The Seattle Times. That is nearly 3,800 more than the number of abortions recorded the previous year, and a reversal of a long-term decline in the number of abortions performed in the state. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Why are grades up and test scores down in Washington state? UW study examines grade inflation
A study from the University of Washington’s Center for Education Data and Research released last month reveals that average grades in math, English, and science for middle and high school students improved during the pandemic. At that time, state education officials recommended schools not fail students while schools were closed. Now, even though schools have returned to normal, the study finds average grades are still up. At the same time, standardized test scores remain far below where they were before the pandemic. Continue reading at KUOW. (Elaine Thompson)

Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session
Legislators on Monday could begin pre-filing bills for introduction on the session’s first day, Jan. 8. To succeed, legislators will have to push their ideas through the process pretty quickly because the coming session is scheduled to last just 60 days. Here’s a look at a few bills that are now in the hopper. Continue reading at Everett Herald

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Axios
Seattle approves pilot program for gunshot detection tech

Columbian
Lewis River Highway closed near Cougar as Southwest Washington rivers under flood warning
Judge awards $1.3M in fees to 3 Latino Clark County Public Works employees who won hostile workplace lawsuit
Vancouver raises income limits for Affordable Housing Fund homeownership projects to make benefits available to more people
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s reconnection project allows excess water to naturally drain into Columbia River
‘The victim has the right to feel more safe’: Delegrates from country of Georgie visit Clark County to learn about electric monitoring, victim notification system

Everett Herald
Providence Swedish tightens COVID, mask policy
Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment
Everett council president pitches ban on serving in 2 elected offices
Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session (Keiser, Trudeau, Alvarado, Billig)
Opinion: Seniors, kids share in rising rates of poverty

The Inlander
Mayor-elect Lisa Brown introduces a (very large) transition team of 92 people (Riccelli)

News Tribune
Officer testifies he told Manuel Ellis: ‘If you can talk to me, you can still breathe’

Northwest Asian Weekly
C-ID Public Safety Survey highlights safety anxieties, crime surge in CID

Olympian
Puyallup, Nisqually, Chehalis rivers among those under threat of flooding.
Landslide brings Amtrak Cascades’ most popular route to a halt for two days.
Judge threatens to remove observers after reactions to officer’s testimony in Ellis case
Olympia officer who shot and killed Timothy Green near Starbucks will not be charged
Masks to be required again by Tacoma-area health system. Here’s what prompted change
Record rainfall possible as ‘Pineapple Express’ slams WA. Here’s how much rain has fallen

Puget Sound Business Journal
Providence Everett nurses reach labor agreement that includes rare win
Clock running down on Boeing’s efforts to meet wide-ranging 2023 goals

Seattle Times
What to know about flooding in Western WA
King County Council forecasts dire cuts to come as it trims budget
Feds propose shooting one owl to save another in Pacific Northwest
SPD union chief claims discrimination in probe into officer comments
Skagit County warns residents to prepare for evacuation due to floods
Some WA hospitals bring back indoor masking with flu, RSV on the rise
Tacoma officer acknowledges sitting on Manuel Ellis as he gasped for air
King County OKs sales tax increase for ‘transformative’ cultural funding
Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade long decline
Opinion: Back to normal? Not for WA when it comes to crime (Goodman)
Opinion: WA lawmakers will play a part in the next big shift in college sports
Editorial: Embrace new ideas to triage WA’s fentanyl epidemic

Skagit Valley Herald
East Skagit County communities come together for river flooding

The Skanner
Atmospheric River Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding and Warm Winter Temperatures to the Pacific Northwest

Spokesman Review
Spokane is safe from flooding as rain persists, but temperatures will drop this week
Lisa Brown announces mayoral transition team, opens website to community feedback
Opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan is now available for free in two vending machines provided by the north Idaho Panhandle Health District
Opinion: EWU redefining success to help students, community achieve better futures

Washington Post
Job openings fall to 32-month low, as the labor market tightens from boom times

WA State Standard
After Clean Water Act ruling, states that want to protect affected wetlands need millions
Washington pays $100M fine for neglecting mental health services months earlier than expected

Wenatchee World
WA legislature to update $70B budget, Hawkins cautious on spending, citing national economic uncertainties

Yakima Herald-Republic
WA panel recommends more funding for DNA testing and forensic genealogy
Power back on after damaged power pole causes Pacific Power outage in Yakima
Opinion: Yakima’s ‘Green Bay lady’ is an all-star

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Many western Washington rivers under Flood Warnings after heavy rain
Providence Swedish, MultiCare locations now requiring masks. Here’s why
Skagit County officials urge anyone living in flood prone areas to plan and prepare to evacuate
Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot indicted on lesser charges after trying to cut engines on Everett flight

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Homes, roads remain flooded after relentless rainfall drenches Western Washington

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Tacoma becomes 1st Washington city to adopt cat declawing ban
Skagit County braces for potential flooding as heavy rain continues
Will homebuyers catch a break in 2024? Redfin, Zillow make annual predictions

KNKX Public Radio
Health inspectors turned away at Tacoma ICE detention center as hunger strike continues
Atmospheric river soaks Pacific Northwest with record-breaking rain and warm winter temperatures

KUOW Public Radio
Will regulators stop the Alaska Hawaiian merger?
Studies show link between food insecurity and housing instability
Farms in Western Washington evacuate during record river flooding
Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant churns out first container of clean test glass
Why are grades up and test scores down in Washington state? UW study examines grade inflation

KXLY (ABC)
Liberty Lake City Council passes ordinance to give them control over library board

Q13 TV (FOX)
Skokomish River Valley submerged by flooding
‘We’re here to help’: Neighbors help neighbors as Skagit River continues to rise

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Raucous Bellingham crowd rails against metal shredder
Flood updates: NW Washington towns set up shelters, prep for evacuees

Crosscut
How the overturn of ‘Roe’ still impacts Washington abortion care (Keiser)

MyNorthwest
Landslide blocks Amtrak train service from Seattle to Portland

The Stranger
Seattle Police Department Pitches Dramatic Expansion of Vehicle Surveillance

West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: Council OKs affordable-homeownership future for ex-substation in Highland Park. Here’s where the money’s coming from
FOLLOWUP: Council committee delays vote on tribal art project under West Seattle Bridge

Tuesday, December 5

How gift card rules in WA could change
Advocates and some lawmakers want to change Washington state’s laws to make gift cards more consumer-friendly and to require that, after three years, unspent gift cards be transferred to the state as unclaimed property. The change could affect major companies based in Washington, like Starbucks and Nordstrom. Under the proposals, consumers could still seek back that money from the state, but, if it goes unclaimed, it could also be used by the state to pay for public services. (A customer could also still use a gift card after three years because the state would reimburse the company.) Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)

Food insecurity is rising in Washington, new report shows
The number of Americans who couldn’t reliably afford to eat is rising, both in Washington state and around the country, according to new government data. Across Washington, an average of 8.3% of households were living with food insecurity between 2020 and 2022, compared to 7.9% from 2019 to 2021. Among households with children, 17.3% are food-insecure, up nearly 5 percentage points from the previous year. The last time that number was higher was in 2014. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)

Inslee wants to spend $50M more to combat opioid crisis
Gov. Jay Inslee is calling for another $50 million in state spending to fight the flow of illegal opioids into Washington and to provide services for people with substance use disorder. The governor included the funding in the budget proposal he will ask state lawmakers to consider in the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January next year. The money would go to public health campaigns in schools, recovery houses and expanded access to medically assisted treatment, including in tribal communities and prisons. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)

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Auburn Reporter
One-time grant offered for homelessness assistance in south King County

Axios
Food insecurity is rising in Washington, new report shows

Capital Press
West Coast states tell FERC to heed their climate laws
Ag groups: Snake River dam deal ‘leaves farmers behind’

Columbian
Port of Vancouver’s 2024 budget climbs $24M over 2023
‘We’ve been saved’: Community steps up for The Giving Closet in Vancouver, keeping store for low-income people open
Editorial: Study finds state’s rest areas need a break

Everett Herald
After strike, Everett nurses, Providence agree on tentative contract
Comment: Schools’ student absence rates should alarm everyone
Editorial: City’s $1 million an investment in Everett baseball

High Country News
Washington State residents ask: What is our wildlife agency for?

News Tribune
Tacoma officer charged in the death of Manuel Ellis takes the stand in his own defense
The salmon were no-shows for Gig Harbor’s Chum Festival. Why are they late this year?
Opinion: Medicare doesn’t cover weight loss drugs. Seniors deserve it. So do U.S. taxpayers

Northwest Asian Weekly
Fire at Jumbo building marks the end of an era

Olympian
Olympia officer who shot and killed Timothy Green will not be charged
Thurston County adopts racial equity plan more than 2 years after declaring racism a crisis
Opinion: Design work begins for a Deschutes Estuary that can support salmon and orcas

Peninsula Daily News
Three state ferries projects get federal funding

Puget Sound Business Journal
Business grants you can apply for in December 2023
Microsoft to remove permanent desks, offices for some hybrid employees

Seattle Times
Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment
More gay men will at last be allowed to give blood in Seattle this week
‘Pretty extraordinary’ atmospheric river continues to soak Western WA
What happens to unspent gift card funds? That could be about to change (Trudeau, Alvarado)
The Supreme Court is taking up a case that could rule out a tax on wealth favored by some Democrats

Spokesman Review
Army veteran files lawsuit alleging VA computer system delayed cancer diagnosis
‘The nuclear weapon of drugs’: Inslee, panel of experts talk Washington fentanyl epidemic
A month after Spirit Lake police shot at a blind woman in her apartment, agencies haven’t released basic details on the investigation: ‘This person lost their life, and nobody knows about it’

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
2024 Walla Walla annexation application period opens in January
Hearing extended: Walla Walla County needs more time to finalize 2024 budget

Washington Post
The call of Tokitae

WA State Standard
Inslee wants to spend $50M more to combat opioid crisis
Sex traffickers evade justice as child victims openly walk PNW streets
Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session (Keiser, Trudeau, Alvarado, Billig)

Wenatchee World
Wenatchee Valley College offers public arts classes
Unemployment ticks upward in Chelan and Douglas counties

Yakima Herald-Republic
Sunnyside residents express concerns about proposed biomethane plant

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington businesses might have to give unclaimed gift card profits to state (Trudeau, Alvarado)
How Gov. Inslee plans to address fentanyl overdose deaths in Washington
No charges will be filed against Olympia police officer who shot, killed man in crisis

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Inslee outlines $50 million plan to combat Washington’s fentanyl crisis
Pasco pilot program aims to help grade school students with emotional development

KNKX Public Radio
Hanford managers and watchdogs hold first in-person cleanup meeting since before pandemic

KUOW Public Radio
Quinault Tribe builds new village site away from rising seas
Atmospheric river hits Western Washington with high winds, heavy rain, and possible flooding

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter reopens
Spokane City Council searching for applicants for open position

Q13 TV (FOX)
Pineapple Express chugs into Washington, Pacific Northwest triggering flood fears

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham landlords may see stiffer penalties for substandard housing
Major flooding forecast for Skagit River, up to three inches of rain expected
Early WWU analysis shows need for more parking, transportation and swing spaces

Crosscut
A WA city council might give itself the power to ban library books

MyNorthwest
Former foster kid works to connect other foster kids with job resources

The Stranger
Bill to Reduce Solitary Confinement Stalls (Peterson)

West Seattle Blog
City councilmembers to consider spending leftover Reconnect West Seattle money for tribal art project under the bridge
LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit talks about stations with West Seattle Transportation Commission, asks for your feedback

Monday, December 4

A year full of best, worst rankings. How Washington ranked on national studies in 2023
Throughout each year, studies are done on all different facets of life across America and in Washington state. Studies and reports on state rankings tend to place the Evergreen State either in the top ten or the bottom ten. It seems the state is mentioned over and over again, across all kinds of categories. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tony Overman)

Federal funds to extend life of ferries
One of the ferries on the Clinton-to-Mukilteo route will benefit from an award of $4.8 million in federal funds meant to keep the aging vessels in service years longer. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, along with U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, announced the award, which comes through the Federal Transit Administration. Continue reading at South Whidbey Record. (Sue Misao)

‘Unexpected’ deaths are up in Washington’s prisons
At least 29 people died unexpectedly in Washington’s state prisons from July 2022 to June 2023, according to a new state report. That means deaths are up from the last reporting period, when the state Department of Corrections identified 11 unexpected deaths in its prisons. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Brian Lyman)

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Associated Press
Alaska Air acquires Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9B agreement, including debt
OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal goes before Supreme Court with billions for victims at stake

Axios
Washington state population hits 8 million
How Washington and other states say Meta knowingly hurt kids
New Washington state rules promoting heat pumps face pushback

Capital Press
White House: Snake River dam mediation ‘still in active negotiations’
Washington Farm Bureau: Cap-and-trade costs farmers over $153 million
West Coast leaders urge feds to reverse decision allowing natural gas line expansion

Columbian
Taxes, tolls, tugboats: Interstate 5 Bridge faced growing pains
Evergreen, Vancouver public schools brace for staff cuts in 2024
Oregon’s legal psilocybin clinics draw hundreds – mostly from out of state
Main Street in downtown Vancouver ready for makeover as city strives to assure businesses
A lahar on Mount Adams would put thousands at risk but monitoring stations would warn of dangerous flows
Editorial: U.S.-China cooperation good for Washington

Everett Herald
Index, smallest town in Snohomish County, is No. 1 in voter turnout
Again, Boys and Girls Club tagged with suspected gang signs in Everett
Free STI clinic opens in Everett after 14-year hiatus — and as rates spike
Comment: Officials, citizens can make pledge to build bridges
Comment: Mukilteo needs traffic cameras for safety, less noise
Comment: Amid AI and ‘deepfakes,’ a thirst for the ‘authentic’
Editorial: Improving civic health starts by coming to table (Heck)

Journal of the San Juan Islands
State awards $100,000 grant toward repairing Sunken Park’s boardwalk

News Tribune
East Pierce County city considers safe parking site for those experiencing homelessness
Opinion: The nursing crisis is ravaging U.S. hospitals — including a local military facility

Olympian
A year full of best, worst rankings. How Washington ranked on national studies in 2023
Facing a $6.2 million budget shortfall, Saint Martin’s rolls back raises. Faculty aren’t happy

Puget Sound Business Journal
Home sellers saying ‘sayonara, Seattle’; ‘hello, Spokane’
Emerging challenges are weighing on business optimism and profits

Seattle Times
Despite cooling inflation, many costs rising for Seattle residents
Floods put WA historic documents at risk, but a new home is pricey (Mullet)
WA special education school accused of abuse is closing amid scrutiny
Metro outreach teams at Burien Transit Center aid passengers in need
WA winner of Rise prize seeks global solutions to environmental problems
Former WSDOT economist alleges he was pressured to lie about gas prices (Liias)
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s Bellevue home spray-painted with demands for Gaza cease-fire
Editorial: Hold King County’s Doors Open arts tax accountable
Editorial: Restore balance to juvenile legal system in King County
Editorial: WA lawmakers double down on cynical ‘legislative privilege’
Opinion: ‘Escape liberal hell’: Republicans really are fleeing WA
Opinion: Seattle is an artificial intelligence hub in a rapidly changing field

South Whidbey Record
Federal funds to extend life of ferries

Spokesman Review
Spokane County Commission votes against property tax increase
Are state rules enough to protect against the heavy metals in farm fertilizers?
Northwest Republicans object to leaked draft of Snake River dams agreement
Spin Control: Can’t leap to conclusions on study of justices’ campaign money
Getting There: Studded tires are unnecessary and destructive, WA officials say
Death of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra O’Connor hits home for Spokane judges, attorneys
Comment: Alaska Airlines plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines

Washington Post
What you can do to boost your covid and flu shots’ effectiveness
How a single word could hold up global talks to save the planet
Companies made big climate pledges. Now they are balking on delivering.

WA State Standard
‘Unexpected’ deaths are up in Washington’s prisons
Looking for child care in Washington? A new online marketplace aims to help
‘Forever chemicals’ in thousands of private wells near military sites, study finds
Initiative poses extra hurdle for merging of Washington, California carbon markets (Nguyen, Doglio, Mullet)

Yakima Herald-Republic
Latest Yakima County job numbers include slight decline in ag employment
Are state rules enough to protect against the heavy metals in farm fertilizers?
Family members talk about fight to find missing and murdered Indigenous people in WA
Editorial: Historic boarding school photos speak timeless truths

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Where we could see flooding in western Washington this week
What you need to know about Washington Health Benefit Exchange
Snohomish River expected to rise to near ‘major’ flood stage by Wednesday

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
At least half of Mukilteo elementary school damaged in overnight fire

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New Alzheimer’s drug given to first patient at Harborview Medical Center
Holiday shoppers beware: Study shows 80% of US retail receipts contain harmful chemicals

KNKX Public Radio
Seattle Children’s nurses pen letter about low staffing levels, violence
Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law

KUOW Public Radio
Okanagan River salmon eyed for endangered-species protection
Washington state population tops 8 million and it’s not getting any younger
Week in Review: Burien, price tags, and an update on the trial of three Tacoma police officers
Anti-Asian hate is underreported in King County. New community gatherings aim to change that

Q13 TV (FOX)
Thick, wet snow heightens avalanche risk in the Cascades

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham physician has new lawyers in PeaceHealth lawsuit
Lummi ‘Commod Squad’ provides hundreds with food, services every week
Opinion: Tired of packaging? Let’s fix it

Crosscut
Tumwater mobile home tenants lobby against rent hikes
Tokitae’s death surfaced orcas’ complicated history in the PNW

MyNorthwest
Atmospheric river returns to Western Washington, bringing heavy rains
Former WSDOT economist files claim against state over gas price forecast

West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Bridge bus-lane camera up and running and citing
FOLLOWUP: Here’s what SDOT plans to add, and remove, along Alki Point Healthy Street

Friday, December 1

Native and state leaders push for K-12 schools to fully implement tribal history curriculum
Miranda Lopez remembers when she first learned about local Indigenous activist and athlete Rosalie Fish. Fish, a University of Washington runner from the Cowlitz Tribe, is nationally known for dedicating her races to Indigenous women who are missing or murdered, including her aunt. Lopez is from the same part of eastern Washington where Fish’s aunt is from.“It was eye-opening. I didn’t realize that this really big issue is happening right where I grew up,” Lopez said. “It breaks my heart.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Grace Deng/Washington State Standard)

Leaked document says US is willing to replace the power generated by Snake River dams
The U.S. government is willing to help build enough new clean energy projects in the Pacific Northwest to replace the hydropower generated by four controversial dams on the Snake River, according to a leaked Biden administration document that is giving hope to conservationists who have long sought the removal of the dams as a key to restoring depleted salmon runs. Still, Congress would have to agree before any of the Lower Snake River dams in Washington state are removed, and that’s unlikely to happen in the near future. Continue reading at KNKX. (Nicholas K. Geranios/AP)

Washington State and Oregon State reach scheduling agreement with Mountain West
Washington State still doesn’t have a full picture of what its 2024 season will look like. The Cougars are almost there now, though. Pac-12 holdovers WSU and Oregon State have reached a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference for next season, Washington State announced Friday, striking a deal that will provide each school six games against Mountain West teams, three home and three away. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review)

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Columbian
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity completes 3 homes in east Vancouver’s Johnson Village
‘The state of Washington is making this a highest priority’: Gov. Jay Inslee wants Intersate 5 Bridge
Clark County Council OKs voting precinct changes, adding 3 new precincts and amending 11 others
Southwest Washington under flood watch, according to NWS Portland
Amtrak adds 2 additional Portland-Seattle round-trips
Clark County’s Environmental Justice Coalition seeks members
Port of Vancouver accepts applicants for community funding
Public Service Center in Vancouver hosts law enforcement training
Opinion: Secret talks on Snake River dams bad policy

Everett Herald
Everett AquaSox stadium upgrade gets $1.1M green light from city
Man sentenced for racist threats to Edmonds animal control officer

The Inlander
Spokane judge dismisses lawsuit attempting to remove Trump from Washington’s 2024 ballot

News Tribune
Op-Ed: The loss of responsible local newspapers and reporters is a problem for democracy

Olympian
Washington state records worst general election turnout. Here’s how Thurston County compares
Amtrak will add trains to route between Seattle and Portland starting in December
Trial of Tacoma police officers postponed again. This time one of the defendants is ill
New Thurston County, Port of Olympia Commissioners sworn in Tuesday

Puget Sound Business Journal
State council updates energy efficient standards for new buildings
Washington’s labor force participation rate dips, again
Canadian government orders Boeing spy jets
Port, Tacoma Schools plan maritime skills center on waterfront site
Proposed capital gains tax shelved by Seattle City Council committee
The new program aims to attract local laid off tech workers

Seattle Times
House expels New York Rep. George Santos. It’s just the sixth expulsion in the chamber’s history
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has died at age 93
News outlets turn to Reddit as Musk’s X descends into chaos
Lawsuits against Trump over Jan. 6 riot can move forward, appeals court rules
WA AG, others support blocking Idaho bathroom law
Opinion: Take toxins out of tires to protect salmon, other wildlife
Opinion: Ask not what AI can do for you; ask about your own well-being

Spokesman Review
Translators ensure ‘all are welcome’ at the Christmas Bureau
Washington State and Oregon State reach scheduling agreement with Mountain West

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Walla Walla County commissioners decide to increase current expense levy by 1%

Washington Post
This year will be Earth’s hottest in human history, report confirms
Biden’s got a new set of orders for Obamacare. Is it his last?

WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers look at shielding people from surprise ambulance costs (Cleveland)
Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law
Fed consider removing Snake River dams in leaked agreement with plaintiffs in lawsuit
Native and state leaders push for K-12 schools to fully implement tribal history curriculum (Lekanoff)

Wenatchee World
Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority nails down 2024 budget, anticipates $44 million revenue

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
No trespass order dissipates downtown homeless camp
Former WSDOT economist accuses state leaders of retaliation for refusing to lie about gas prices
Renton could soon have a higher minimum wage. Here’s what you need to know.
EB I-90 closed near North Bend after 30 spun out semis didn’t chain up, WSDOT says
Safety Commission to recommend lowering blood alcohol content level, return of DUI checkpoints

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Olympia could widen zone prohibiting people from sleeping on sidewalks
New shelter could be coming for asylum seekers staying at Tukwila church

KNKX Public Radio
Seattle’s biggest holiday makers market returns this weekend
Skagit’s white birds of winter are ambassadors among land use, values conflicts
Leaked document says US is willing to replace the power generated by Snake River dams

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle sets new record for most homicides in a single year
Avoid cantaloupe unless you know its origins, CDC warns amid salmonella outbreak
New homes in Washington state will have to include energy efficient heating and cooling

KXLY (ABC)
23,000+ Washington students will qualify for maximum amount in Pell Grants under new FAFSA reforms

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom sheriff’s early retirement to create brief leadership void

Crosscut
Tumwater mobile home tenants lobby against rent hikes

The Stranger
Slog AM: War Resumes in Gaza, Congress Expels Santos, Have You Seen the Whale?

West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: Here’s why West Seattle Stadium site might become EV-charging lot instead of off-leash area
FOLLOWUP: Here’s where the ‘Quiet Zone’ project stands, four months in

Thursday, November 30

Native and state leaders push for K-12 schools to fully implement tribal history curriculum
According to a 2022-2023 school year report from the State Board of Education, around 80% to 90% of school districts are incorporating tribal history and culture in their social studies programs. That’s a big jump from the last report from the 2021-2022 school year when 44% of districts reported having yet to implement tribal history and culture into their social studies curricula. But without minimum standards, Henry Strom, executive director of the state’s Office of Native Education, said it’s difficult to know how many schools are providing quality Since Time Immemorial curricula because the original 2015 legislation did not set minimum standards. That’s why HB 1332 is important, he said. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Grace Deng)

WA adopts new rules to phase out fossil fuels in new construction
This week the state Building Code Council approved a watered-down version of its original heat pump mandate. Rather than outright requiring electric heat pumps, it would make it more cumbersome and expensive for builders to meet energy efficiency targets without installing heat pumps. The codes will require new homes and buildings to meet the same total energy performance as those built with electric heat pumps while allowing builders flexibility to choose appliances. Basically, if builders choose gas appliances, they will need to make up the efficiency losses elsewhere in the construction. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Do you want to visit a WA state park for free? Here are 12 days that you can in 2024
Did you miss the twelfth and final day of this year to visit one of Washington’s state parks for free? Not to worry, the Washington State Discover Pass Program has announced designated free days for 2024. Every year, Washington State Parks has 12 Discover Pass free days in which people are able to visit any of the over 140 state parks or lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for free. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Adam Lynn)