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Wednesday, March 6

Dual language education is one step closer to becoming a WA law
Educators say that to sustain and expand dual language and tribal education, increased funding is needed. House Bill 1228, sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. It would create permanent funding to make these programs available to every school district by 2040. The Legislature plans to annually fund at least 10 new dual language education programs, with the average grant award of $40,000. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Aidé Villalobos)

WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas
Washington lawmakers are expanding the list of places in the state where weapons, including firearms, will be prohibited under a new bill passed by the Legislature Monday. Senate Bill 5444, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, will prohibit individuals from possessing weapons at zoos, aquariums, libraries and transit stations in Washington. The prohibitions in the bill do not apply to those with a concealed pistol license. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Tri-City Herald)

Local students, staff have better access to naloxone under new law
Last month, lawmakers in both the state House and Senate voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 5804, requiring all public schools to stock naloxone, also known as Narcan. Another bill, House Bill 2112, would provide free Narcan to high school and college students to take home. The House bill was proposed as part of the state’s operating budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is set to decide on the budget this week. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Olivia Vanni)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Former Gateway Center property listed for surplus sale, then removed

Axios
How wildfires impact mental health

Bellingham Herald
WA Legislature passes 3 controversial initiatives as clock counts down for 2024 session (Robinson, Pederson, Kuderer)

Columbian
Interstate 5 Bridge program releases second set of renderings for replacement span
Meals on Wheels gets 2 grants for $1.7M for meals tailored to those just released from hospital
EPA proposes adding Columbia River from Grand Coulee Dam to Canada border to superfund list
Major Columbia River property owner frustrated that I-5 Bridge project has yet to get Coast Guard approval

Everett Herald
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’
Local students, staff have better access to naloxone under new law (Kuderer)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools (Ortiz-Self)

Kent Reporter
State Sen. Keiser announces retirement after 29 years in Legislature (Keiser, Billig)

News Tribune
WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas (Valdez)
This city just committed $1 million to controversial Spanaway homeless village project
What’s up with Tacoma apartment building? Rents on rise as city mulls new housing options

Peninsula Daily News
Closures for fish passages shortened

Puget Sound Business Journal
The Washington capital gains tax is here to stay, for now

Seattle Times
Bill that would up oversight of WA hospital consolidations dies (Simmons)
Dual language education is one step closer to becoming a WA law (Ortiz-Self)
WA to train public defenders, prosecutors for rural, underserved areas (Dhingra)
WA won’t legalize cafes in residential neighborhoods, lawmakers decide
After march on King County Courthouse, help arrives for asylum-seekers
WA’s lackluster snowpack draws concerns, especially on the Olympic Peninsula
Opinion: Fencing will make our freeway overpasses safer
Editorial: Close gap between promise and reality of dual-credit courses

Spokesman Review
EPA proposes adding Upper Columbia River to superfund list
Keep on trucking: Spokane confronts issues in replacing its fire and police vehicles
Not just ‘a big city issue’: Stevens County raises community awareness of opioid overdoses

Tri-City Herald
WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas (Valdez)
Worse than COVID shutdown. Pasco businesses in dire straits over overpass closure project

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Planned Parenthood installs 24/7 morning-after pill vending machine

Washington Post
Businesses escalate fight against Biden rule on gig worker pay
Federal judge orders minority-business agency opened to all races
Why hospitals in many states with legal abortion may refuse to perform them

WA State Standard
House, Senate at odds on rules to govern collective bargaining with their staff (Stanford, Riccelli)
Child sex trafficking survivor says update of WA laws will help prevent stories like hers (Dhingra)
EPA looks to unlock Superfund dollars for Columbia River site in northeast Washington

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley junior water rights holders looking at reduced supply for coming year

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Duwamish tribe wants input on City of Seattle projects
Puget Sound Energy works to make power outages ‘invisible’ to customers
Some law enforcement agencies say they won’t change pursuit policies after new initiative goes into effect
Hundreds of Longview residents are unable to get opioid medication for chronic pain from local pharmacies
Former WSDOT economist sues agency and governor’s office, claims he was pressured to lie about gas prices

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Bill to create AI task force passes Washington state legislature
Seattle Mayor announces “One Seattle” comprehensive housing plan affecting all neighborhoods

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
K-12 parental ‘bill of rights’ set to become law in Washington State (Marci)

KNKX Public Radio
Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives (Trudeau)

KUOW Public Radio
Here’s why WA Democrats passed 3 Republican-backed voter initiatives (Goodman, Pedersen, Jinkins)
King County leaders say they have new plans to fight the opioid crisis. But when?
Washington’s legislative maps were challenged by someone who helped draw them
Facing another hotel eviction, Seattle area asylum-seekers lean on religious groups to foot the bill

KXLY (ABC)
New law aims to ease police chase restrictions in Washington
EPA proposes adding Upper Columbia River to National Priorities List for cleanup

FOX13 TV
Washington’s ‘Stripper Bill of Rights’: Proposed bill aims to protect sex workers

Web

B-Town Blog
Sen. Karen Keiser announces that she will retire from WA State Legislature (Keiser, Billig)

Cascadia Daily News
A maxed-out power grid: What it takes to keep the lights on in Whatcom County
New Skagit hearing examiner to review controversial decision on gravel mine project

Crosscut
Seattle shares plan for more housing density in every neighborhood

Tuesday, March 5

As an opioids scourge devastates tribes, lawmakers work to provide relief
A bill that would bring millions of dollars to tribes in Washington state to address the opioid crisis received unanimous support in the House on Friday, opening the door for state funding to address a scourge that some say is claiming a generation. “This bill invests in Indian country. It invests in the Native Americans of Washington state. It invests in the preservation of generations of Native Americans whose land we stand on today,” Democratic Rep. Debra Lekanoff, who is Tlingit and Aleut, said during the vote. Continue reading at ICT News. (Lindsey Wasson)

Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee
Washington House and Senate lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill requiring all public, charter and certain tribal schools in the state to carry naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication also known by the brand name Narcan. Senate Bill 5804, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, will move to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law, Kuderer’s office said. “We all wish we weren’t here as a nation, but we are,” Kuderer said. “This bill is about saving lives.” Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Drew Angerer)

Rules on firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks, and gun dealers advance in Washington Legislature
As the Washington Legislature heads into its final week, four bills that address firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks and gun dealers have passed both chambers and appear headed to the governor’s desk. HB 1903 establishes a civil infraction and fine of up to $1,000 for gun owners who fail to report a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours. The owner could be fined if a “prohibited person” subsequently gains access to the firearm. Continue reading at KUOW. (Everett Police Department)

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Axios
Seattle among first to get double-decker wireless electric buses

Bellingham Herald
Thousands of schools at risk of closing due to enrollment loss: An exclusive report
This WA agency handled dozens of complaints in ’23. Here’s what angered consumers

Capital Press
Federal water managers to increase spill over dams
Reclamation bureau projects 72% water supply in Yakima River basin

Columbian
Housed, but hanging on by thread: Vancouver family struggles as they watch neighbors end up homeless
PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center sued by former worker, accused of wage and hours violations

Everett Herald
To combat overdoses, Mountlake Terrace police expand naloxone access
Editorial: Schools need to adopt policies on use of AI tools

Indian Country Today
As an opioids scourge devastates tribes, lawmakers work to provide relief (Lekanoff)

Islands’ Weekly
State Government: No ‘implementation’ funds this year for privately-run water taxi service in San Juans (Ramel)

News Tribune
Locked-up sex predators sued WA over dirty water. State’s agreed to settle for millions
WA Legislature passes 3 controversial initiatives as clock counts down for 2024 session (Robinson, Pedersen, Kuderer)

Puget Sound Business Journal
FAA finds production line issues at Boeing and key supplier
Bankruptcy filings are on the rise, but a larger surge is looming

Seattle Medium
Washington State Legislature Passes Bill To Expand Benefits For Veterans (Lovick)

Seattle Times
King County announces 5 new priorities in addressing fentanyl crisis
Mayor Harrell proposes housing density in every Seattle neighborhood
As free COVID test program ends, here’s how to get no-cost tests in WA
WA Legislature passes 3 initiatives covering taxes, schools and police chases (Street, Macri, Kuderer)

Spokesman Review
SPS investigates racist slavery-themed item in Wilson Elementary newsletter
Initiative enhancing parental rights over school-aged children approved by Washington legislature (Wellman, Wilson)
Washingtonians do not – and will not – have to pay personal income tax with initiative passed by the Legislature (Robinson, Ormsby, Street)
Washington Legislature loosens restrictions on police pursuits as Legislature backs initiative walking back chase reforms (Billig, Ormsby)
Opinion: New parental rights legislation poses a threat to youth health

Tri-City Herald
Bill to avert U.S. government shutdown includes record $3B Hanford nuclear site spending

Washington Post
Want to electrify your home? It might need this upgrade first.
U.S. caps most credit card late fees at $8 in new Biden crackdown
‘On stolen land’: Tribes fight clean-energy projects backed by Biden

WA State Standard
Washington Legislature approves three citizen initiatives (Robinson, Street, Wellman, Macri, Kuderer, Farivar)
WA Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig not running for reelection (Billig)
Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee (Kuderer, Leavitt)

Wenatchee World
Columbia Elementary supporters rally at Washington Park

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County reveals plans to combat fentanyl overdoses
Burien City Council approves amendment to make public camping ban stricter
Seattle family real estate business shares hope amid decades-old racist housing practices
Driver who hit and killed WSP trooper on I-5 admitted to weed, alcohol use before deadly crash, court documents say

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit beefing up security after numerous violent occurrences
Washington lawmakers pass initiative to roll back limits on police pursuits (Farivar)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County announces new fentanyl overdose prevention actions
FAA says Boeing fails to meet quality-control standards in manufacturing
Seattle city attorney’s office seeks removal of judge from future cases, alleging bias

KUOW Public Radio
State steps in as Tukwila School District faces fiscal crisis
FAA audit faults Boeing for ‘multiple instances’ of quality control shortcomings
Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives (Trudeau)
Measure would clear the way for Washington high schoolers to get an even earlier jump on college
Rules on firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks, and gun dealers advance in Washington Legislature

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane City Council considers declaring a public health emergency due to growing drug crisis

NW Public Radio
New hearing is scheduled for WA redistricting map case

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Lynden High School sees double-digit jump in freshmen passing classes
Opinion: Secrecy spreads as Washington’s landmark transparency law is shredded

Crosscut
How the Israel/Hamas war influenced a WA genocide education bill (Wellman, Alvarado)

West Seattle Blog
State Legislature passes initiative allowing more police chases; West Seattle legislators all vote no (Nguyen, Alvarado, Fitzgibbon)

Monday, March 4

WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass
After the Washington Legislature passed a ban on the sale of many semiautomatic rifles in 2023, Everytown for Gun Safety ranked Washington among the top 10 states with the strongest regulations. But gun safety and responsibility advocates weren’t done with their work in Olympia, and have proposed a group of new regulations during the 2024 session, with a few proposals likely headed toward the governor’s desk – including one that would require people to report the theft of a firearm within 24 hours. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done?
Washington came to understand the scope and severity of the state’s fentanyl crisis in 2023 more than any other year. State lawmakers made fentanyl one of the pressing issues in the short legislative session. A new Seattle City Council has also named the drug crisis a top priority, inspiring a renewed focus on law and order. Here are five things to look for in 2024, according to experts from state and local policy, health, education and law enforcement. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies
Out-of-state sales lead generators and marketing companies are responsible for many of the dubious solar energy ads you encounter online. Deceptive and high-pressure in-person tactics are also generating complaints to state government, notably when salespeople overpromise on incentives and electricity bill savings. And, in some cases, homeowners have reported flawed installs that left their homes damaged and their new solar panels not working correctly. In Olympia this winter, state lawmakers took a stab at addressing these issues by strengthening consumer protections for solar installations.
Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Some hospital patients may be affected by cyberattack

Bellingham Herald
A WA bill to cap rent increases just failed in the Senate. Here’s what your city can do (Shewmake)

Capital Press
Washington lawmakers take step to join California on cap-and-trade (Doglio)

Columbian
Fees, deposits barriers for renters in Clark County

Everett Herald
No grades, no teachers: Inside a Bothell school run by student vote
Following lawsuit, Providence commits to improved care for Deaf patients
Comment: What’s next for the supermarket supermerger?
Comment: Eco-nomics: Preparing for, limiting climate crisis demands a plan
Editorial: Lawmakers miss good shot for fewer traffic deaths (Lovick, Liias, Stanford)

The Inlander
This summer, Washington says good riddance to foam food containers and coolers
People in Eastern Washington throw away too much food — state policy and Spokane educators are trying to change that
A Washington initiative will let voters decide whether to repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which has brought in $1.8 billion so far

News Tribune
Washington’s first state park in nearly 40 years is closer to completion
Washington State Patrol trooper who was a Pasco native struck and killed on I-5
Puyallup School District to cut budget due to $14 million deficit. Here’s what to expect
Three new homeless shelters could open in Pierce County this year. Here’s what we know

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing confirms it is in talks to buy Wichita’s Spirit AeroSystems

Seattle Times
Three key updates on King County’s crisis care centers
Peggy Maxie, first Black woman elected to WA state House, dies (Santos, Street)
Seattle officer who struck, killed pedestrian issued traffic infraction
Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done? (Wellman)
WA lawmakers pass bill to create hotline for hate crimes and bias incidents (Valdez, Taylor, Santos)
Jaywalking debate pits safety concerns against unnecessary stops of homeless people (Saldana)
Fentanyl, unions and Chinese American history — what records are lawmakers hiding? (Jinkins)
As an opioids scourge devastates tribes in Washington, lawmakers advance a bill to provide relief (Lekanoff)
Editorial: Sound Transit must make public safety a top priority
Opinion: Overhaul WA laws so oil companies pay for spills
Opinion: School meals are about to get more healthful; now, let’s make them free

Sol De Yakima
Legislatura aprueba iniciativa de ley para ayudar a solicitantes de asilo en Washington (Gregerson)

South Whidbey Record
Coupeville ferry run is among state’s most challenging

Spokesman Review
Washington state likely to give public school districts more money for special education
The majority of marijuana waste in Washington ends up in the landfill. New legislation aims to redirect it (Kloba)
As the infertility treatment comes under threat nationally, here’s how local politicians have weighed in on IVF
Opinion: Undoing the injustice of juvenile fines and fees (Frame)

Tri-City Herald
WSU Tri-Cities Black Student Union honors college’s first Black president
World’s 1st carbon-free fertilizer plant seeks $20M property tax break from Richland

Washington Post
CDC officially drops five-day covid isolation guidelines
Health-care hack spreads pain across hospitals and doctors nationwide

WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies (Reeves, Stanford)
Washington Legislature approves tax break for affordable housing built on state land (Kuderer)
Parents caring for disabled children left waiting for pay, as bill fails in WA Legislature (Taylor)

Wenatchee World
State legislature passes ‘Walking Start to Running Start’ bill

Yakima Herald-Republic
WA state wants school districts to keep better track of truant students

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘We will never forget’: WSP identifies trooper struck, killed on I-5
Memorial for Washington State Patrol trooper killed in line of duty growing
Former King County sheriff discusses line-of-duty deaths in law enforcement
Community holds solidarity walk for Jaahnavi Kandula after officer issued traffic citation
Two men accused of home invasions targeted Asian families, now charged with hate crime

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington to enhance survivor benefits for families of rideshare drivers (Berry)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
US housing market value climbs $2.4 trillion, limits options for homebuyers
Tukwila officials, volunteers urge state and feds to address migrant situation
Washington House, Senate pass police pursuit initiative out of committee (Dhingra, Salomon Trudeau, Kuderer, Valdez, Pedersen)
‘It’s not enough to just be nice’: WSU study highlights importance of teachers’ mindset

KNKX Public Radio
WA police pursuit, parent rights, income tax initiatives poised for final vote in Olympia (Simmons, Farivar)

KUOW Public Radio
How will Seattle grow? Next week, we get a hint
Week in Review: protesters, rent, and strip clubs
Strippers’ rights win, tenants’ rights lose: The fate of key bills in Washington state (Dhingra)
Police pursuit, parent rights, income tax initiatives poised for final vote in Olympia (Dhingra, Farivar, Simmons)

KXLY (ABC)
Federal bill could allow marijuana shops access to financial services
UW dental students participate in training to help underserved communities

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Residents near deal to buy mobile home park in Bellingham
Raising salmon helps Puget Sound population — and students learn to run a hatchery

Crosscut
WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass (Billig, Fitzgibbon, Berry, Walen, Hansen, Dhingra, Valdez)
WA’s carbon pricing system may fund $200M for new electric ferries (Liias)

Friday, March 1

Help for WA asylum-seekers is focus of bill passed by Legislature
A bill designed to free up state help for a growing number of asylum-seekers coming to Washington is headed to the governor’s desk to become law. Sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, the bill passed the House with a vote of 61-35 on Feb. 13 and the Senate with a vote of 29-20 Wednesday. It now needs Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

WA lawmakers approve out-of-state option for long-term care benefit

Workers may soon be able to bring their state long-term care benefit with them if they move out of Washington. A bill to allow eligible retirees to access the $36,500 lifetime benefit, even if they move away from Washington, passed the state Senate 27-21 on Wednesday. Under the bill, others who move out of state would also be able to participate in the program if they continue paying into it. The bill now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty Images)

Most WA youth exiting mental health treatment face homelessness
A 2023 report from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services found that within 12 months after exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment, 78% of young adults aged 18-24 become homeless. House Bill 1929 would allocate tax dollars to the Health Care Authority (HCA) to support existing nonprofit or tribal community organizations in establishing at least two residential programs on both sides of the state, offering 90 days of housing for young people aged 18-24 who have recently completed an inpatient behavioral health program and do not have long-term housing. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Cosi discusses solutions as budget woes cause layoff of half of police department

Axios
Washington residents lost $250 million to scammers last year

Columbian
Help for WA asylum-seekers is focus of bill passed by Legislature (Gregerson)
Peggy Maxie, first Black woman elected to WA state House, dies (Santos, Street)
Northwest to get federal prosecutor dedicated to missing and slain Indigenous people
GOP-backed citizen initiatives still in flux; state lawmakers have held hearings on 3 of 6 measures
40-year-old corrections officer at Medical Lake juvenile detention facility charged with raping 15-year-old female inmate

Everett Herald
Washington’s 5th police academy could be in Snohomish County
Everett transgender mechanic alleges Boeing treated her ‘like a zoo animal’

High Country News
The dangers of PFAS — and of downplaying their ubiquity

News Tribune
Tacoma gets $1.3 million to plant more trees in effort to protect kids, cool the city

Olympian
Only some WA state lawmakers say they will commit to transparency. Is your lawmaker one of them?

Seattle Times
Help for WA asylum-seekers is focus of bill passed by Legislature (Gregerson)
FAA raises new anti-ice system concerns on Boeing 737 MAX, 787 jets
Where your WA legislator stands on push for ‘privilege’ exemption on public records (Jinkins, Billig, Pollet, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Hackney, Entenman, Mullet)
Editorial: Don’t let another legislative session pass without a catalytic converter bill
Editorial: Pass initiative to modify police-pursuit law
Opinion: Climate Commitment Act fund request is turning point for Quinault

Skagit Valley Herald
County collecting information about impacts of January weather

Spokesman Review
Washington universities extend decision deadlines due to problematic new FAFSA rollout
Bill to require Washington courts to try minors based on their age at the time of the crime awaits Inslee’s signature (Cortes)

Washington Post
U.S. prescription drug market in disarray as ransomware gang attacks
Winter is warming almost everywhere. See how it has changed in your town.

WA State Standard
WA lawmakers approve out-of-state option for long-term care benefit (Macri, Conway, Keiser)
Washington Senate balks at moving some local elections to even-numbered years

Wenatchee World
Chelan County Commissioners and department heads to host community meetings next week

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Toll rate increases for I-405, SR 167 go into effect March 1
‘Lucas Petty Act’ would add opioid, fentanyl awareness to health education courses

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Boeing faces new lawsuit from former employee alleging it failed to provide a safe work environment

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Lawmakers propose bill to allow cannabis shops to go cashless, use bank accounts
Efforts to help homeless people on Washington state properties see steady success

KUOW Public Radio
Parental rights ballot gets support, little pushback in Washington state legislative hearing (Wellman)
Bill to create independent prosecutor for police deadly force cases fails in Washington state (Stonier)

NW Public Radio
WA lawmakers prepare to act on voter initiatives targeting police pursuits, parental rights (Wellman)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Birch Bay group eyes incorporation
Jury scam callers target Whatcom County residents, pose as law enforcement
Port: ABC Recycling has 30 days to meet environmental requirements — or leave

Crosscut
Most WA youth exiting mental health treatment face homelessness (Cortes)

The Stranger
Washington Wants More Deadly Police Chases, and Lawmakers Say OK! (Salomon, Goodman)

Thursday, February 29

Sen. Jamie Pedersen and Speaker Laurie Jinkins: Why we are voting to pass WA’s parental-rights initiative
Our state has a strong populist history; our constitution gives Washingtonians the ability to send initiatives to the Legislature or to the ballot. This year, a conservative hedge-fund multimillionaire used that process, spending over $6 million to qualify six initiatives to the Legislature. Once the initiatives were introduced, we asked questions about implementation, constitutionality, impact on the state budget and impact on the state. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Getty Images)

Sen. Marko Liias: Work under way to rebuild reliable ferry system
Like so many others who grew up here, I have vivid childhood memories of our iconic ferries. My family couldn’t afford expensive vacations, so we found joy in exploring destinations close to home. The familiar white and green ferry fleet symbolizes the connections that tie our state together across the Salish Sea. But we also have to be honest with ourselves: Washington’s ferries are in trouble. Continue reading at Everett Herald.

‘Stripper bill of rights’ passes Legislature: Measure addresses dancers’ safety, clears way for alcohol sales
The state Legislature on Tuesday passed a bill dubbed the “stripper bill of rights.” If signed by the governor, not only will the legislation strengthen protections for strippers, it also clears the way for Washington strip clubs to serve alcohol. Washington has been the only state to ban alcohol in strip clubs. To make up for the lack of revenue from alcohol sales, strip clubs have exploited dancers, said Madison Zack-Wu, the campaign manager for Strippers Are Workers, a Washington organization of strippers who advocate for workers’ rights. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Lindsey Wasson)