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Wednesday, September 20

As paid family leave claims rise in Washington, the wait for benefits gets longer
Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program wants to hire 49 more employees to deal with steadily rising demand that has some people waiting over a month to receive benefits. Without added staff, ESD officials project the time required to process a benefit application could reach four months by June 2025. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)

Is Inslee’s plan working? The EV age arrives — in wealthier areas
Our state’s sizzling gas prices, second highest in the nation, have been described this summer as annoying, painful, even scandalous, depending on who’s doing the talking. But here’s another aspect to expensive gas that leaders seem shy to acknowledge: It’s working. Something is happening in the car market, suddenly, but also as part of a long-building strategy. Going electric — saying goodbye to oil — is surging. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ted S. Warren)

How earthquake research can help save the PNW from “The Big One”
A new research center in the Pacific Northwest aims to help the region prepare for a possible magnitude 9 earthquake that is predicted to happen along the West Coast sometime in the future. “If we prepare now — if we stiffen our building codes, if we plan our evacuation zones correctly, if we build our hospitals and schools and firehouses and police stations out of tsunami inundation zones — the next big earthquake isn’t going to be pretty, but we can fare pretty well,” said Diego Melgar at the University of Oregon. Continue reading at Axios. (Jared Whalen)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Officials emphasize need for homeless shelter

Auburn Reporter
King County salmon habitat recovery projects receive state funding

Axios
How earthquake research can help save the PNW from “The Big One”

Bainbridge Island Review
Kitsap ferry service takes another reduction

Columbian
Vancouver OKs contract to design water treatment system for PFAS
Clark County salmon recovery groups get $1 million in grants
Editorial: Decriminalizing drugs harms community

Everett Herald
With 1 Seattle ferry down, Edmonds-Kingston route could be affected

International Examiner
Wing Luke Museum attacker charged with hate crime; police blame slow response on “staffing constraints”

News Tribune
Can Tacoma, Pierce County work together to combat homelessness? Rare meeting sets stage

Olympian
Port of Olympia and its executive director agree to part ways, commission announces
L&I plan calls for employees, businesses to pay more for workers compensation in 2024

Puget Sound Business Journal
Regional Homelessness Authority ends downtown Seattle outreach program
SBA proposes opening loan programs to those with criminal records

Seattle Medium
Seattle City Council Passes Historic Seattle Drug Reform Legislation That Prioritizes Treatment And Diversion

Seattle Times
How wildfire risk scoring puts WA homeowners in insurance jeopardy
Editorial: Amid SPD controversy, Mayor Harrell leads with empathy
Opinion: Is Inslee’s plan working? The EV age arrives — in wealthier areas
Opinion: Seattle’s Asian community asks: When will we be heard?

Spokesman Review
‘We’re in a big hole’: Spokane leaders point fingers as budget deficit looms
New COVID vaccines may be a ‘few weeks’ from becoming common in Washington, the state Department of Health says
Some Northwest colleges bounce back from pandemic enrollment slump, while others are still seeing fewer freshmen

Washington Post
Biden to create new office for gun violence prevention

WA State Standard
As paid family leave claims rise in Washington, the wait for benefits gets longer
‘Marred by litter’: Millions of pounds of trash soil Washington roads and state lands
States and cities eye stronger protections for gig economy workers

Wenatchee World
60th Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival kicks off Friday
From the ground up: Common Ground Community Housing Trust creates affordable housing in Wenatchee area

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Despite falling out of favor, Marysville considering mandatory minimum sentences for drugs
Fire chief: Seattle’s 2023 overdose responses already surpassed 2022
Washington schools grapple with fentanyl crisis as students head back to class

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle City Council makes public drug use a crime, pushes toward treatment
King County Prosecutor’s Office seeing more felony traffic cases than ever before

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Take a hike with free admission to Washington’s national, state parks Saturday
Seattle’s Health 99 unit showing promise in battle against citywide fentanyl crisis

KUOW Public Radio
Trans rights drew this family to Washington
Seattle City Council passes controversial drug ordinance
The best time to apply for an AC unit, before federal funding cools off in Washington
Seattle program addresses key gap in the opioid crisis — support post overdose
Washington’s pandemic dashboard upgraded to include flu and RSV

KXLY (ABC)
City of Spokane receives $12 million to improve tree canopy
Local wildfire victims question funding for fire recovery efforts

Q13 TV (FOX)
Pilot program underway to stem opioid overdoses in Seattle
Seattle moms form support group for parents of murdered children

Web

Crosscut
Facing burnout, Washington nurses are exploring new career paths
Seattle City Council passes law to prosecute drug use, possession

Tuesday, September 19

Bainbridge Island runner, entrepreneur selected as 23rd District representative
Greg Nance, a Bainbridge Island resident, entrepreneur and the guy who ran across the country last summer, will serve as the next 23rd District representative after an appointment by the Kitsap County Commissioners on Monday. The seat was previously held by Drew Hansen, who commissioners appointed to fill the 23rd District State Senate position formerly held by Christine Rolfes, who was appointed as the county’s District 1 commissioner to replace Rob Gelder after his departure in May. Nance will serve as a state representative until the 2024 general election, where he will be considered the incumbent candidate for the 23rd District position if he chooses to run for election. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Nathan Pilling)

Seattle Police Officer Probably Won’t Get Fired for Laughing about Jaahnavi Kandula’s Death
Though a Seattle City Council Member characterized the publication of Auderer’s comments as a triumph of transparency, his employment with SPD actually serves as an indictment of our police accountability systems.” During a 2010 arrest, he and 14 other officers nearly beat to death a schizophrenic man, leaving him with brain damage and resulting in a $1.75 million settlement from the City. Since then, the OPA has repeatedly investigated Auderer in 2015 and 2016. None of these incidents resulted in consequences for him.” Continue reading at The Stranger. (Chavi Hohm)

Police response time to Wing Luke Museum 911 calls raises questions about priorities
Museum staff are still assessing the damage and trying to make sense of racist vandalism that occurred last Thursday evening, when a man with a sledge hammer smashed windows and said hateful things about Chinese people. At least five people called 911. Eventually, he says, they were told to stop calling. Stan Shikuma was at the Wing Luke when the attack occurred. “The CID and Asian American community in general is feeling under attack,” Shikuma said. He points to recent robberies targeting elderly Asian American community members, as well as callous comments by SPD officers about the death of a South Asian community member, as signs of neglect from the city. “It just seems like our communities don’t count as much as other other communities do.” Continue reading at KUOW. (David Hyde)

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Associated Press
Man Charged With Hate Crime After Seattle Museum Windows Smashed In Chinatown-International District

Axios
Remote work in Seattle remains above U.S. average

Bellingham Herald
About 100 acres of forested coastal land is now preserved in Whatcom County. Take a look
Canadian seismologists monitoring swarm of earthquakes off British Columbia coast
Water flows into new Bellingham Bay estuary; trail and footbridge now open, city announces
Bellingham library will soon have a mental health professional available during open hours

Columbian
Repair of I-5 North Fork Lewis River Bridge continues into October causing traffic delays

The Daily News
Cowlitz County nixes sixth Superior Court judge request
Longview passes new limits on camping in medians, park rights-of-way

Everett Herald
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail
Editorial: A plea for watchful calm this time regarding covid

High Country News
Farmworkers fight for higher pay, better hours and fair treatment

Kitsap Sun
Bainbridge Island runner, entrepreneur selected as 23rd District representative (Hansen, Rolfes, Nance)

News Tribune
Trial of 3 Tacoma police officers accused of killing Manuel Ellis in 2020 gets underway
‘Extraordinary’ biologist drowns while doing fish survey in Washington river, cops say

Olympian
Do you need to turn back the clock for daylight saving in WA? Didn’t Congress vote it away?
Tri-Cities lawmaker proposes sending families a gas tax refund check. ‘It’s your money’
WA statewide COVID-19 data dashboard has been replaced. Here’s what to know
Didn’t get your rental deposit back? Here’s how to get your cash from a landlord in WA

Peninsula Daily News
DNR: Decision on land transfers could be soon

Puget Sound Business Journal
Green hype? Why corporate net zero promises may be exaggerated

Seattle Medium
Seattle Police Chief Caught In Dating Rumor Fires Officer

Seattle Times
Seattle grew more racially diverse in 2022, census data shows
Another WA ferry out for at least a month, forcing fleet shuffle
This King County high school is starting the semester with a focus on preventing violence
Fires grow in Olympic National Park; tens of thousands of acres burn across WA
Editorial: New Parents of Murdered Children chapter a vital resource in WA
Opinion: Make WA the Silicon Valley of carbon tech

The Skanner
Oregon Judge to Decide in New Trial Whether Voter-Approved Gun Control Law Is Constitutional

Spokesman Review
Spokane voices weigh in on state heat pump debate
Spokane loosens outdoor water restrictions as river flow increases

Tri-City Herald
One Tri-Cities school district saw a 200+ student enrollment bump this fall
State ranks above national average for trash on roadways. Here’s how bad it’s gotten

Washington Post
UAW threatens to expand strike if talks don’t yield progress soon
The Fed is still pushing to get inflation down. Do people feel it?
Opinion: It’s time for the world to stop building coal plants, once and for all

WA State Standard
Searching for fixes to the farm fuel carveout in Washington’s climate law (Mullet)
Animal tranquilizer xylazine rarely found in WA’s illegal fentanyl, study finds

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Ferry frustrations continue: Walla Walla out of service for weeks
Nisqually tribe plans to turn traditional homeland into resort, retail development in Lacey
Mysterious giant white sturgeon could shed light on toxins in Lake Washington
Proposal tightening restrictions on vacant buildings in Seattle’s monitoring program passes committee

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
After months of controversy, Burien City Council approves camping ban
Marysville considers 3-strike drug law with mandatory jail time

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Former doctor, prosecutor accuse state of recklessly releasing patients from Western State Hospital

KNKX Public Radio
Trial begins for Tacoma officers charged with killing Manuel Ellis

KUOW Public Radio
Police response time to Wing Luke Museum 911 calls raises questions about priorities
Making sense of SPD’s bodycam video

KXLY (ABC)
Flu and COVID vaccines coming to Washington
All northbound lanes of Maple Street Bridge closed for next three weeks

NW Public Radio
As residents rebuild, Orofino Hospital Fire reveals challenges of urban fires

Web

The Stranger
Seattle Police Officer Probably Won’t Get Fired for Laughing about Jaahnavi Kandula’s Death

Monday, September 18

After court ruling, new Central WA legislative maps could mean shakeup in Olympia
A legislative district in Central Washington was found to violate the rights of Latino voters, and a court is now expected to decide how to redraw its boundaries. The newly drawn map could potentially add a few more Democrats to the mix in Olympia. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson/The Associated Press)

Wing Luke Museum vandalized — Suspect: “The Chinese ruined my life”
Bail has been set at $30,000 for the man arrested for using a sledgehammer to smash windows at the Wing Luke Museum on Thursday. According to probable cause documents, 76-year-old Craig Milne told the Seattle police officer who arrested him that “the Chinese ruined my life.” Continue reading at Northwest Asian Weekly. (Susan Lee Woo)

Trial to begin for 3 Tacoma officers charged in death of Manny Ellis
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of three Tacoma police officers charged in the death of Manuel “Manny” Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man who was tackled, punched, shocked with a stun gun and held face down on a sidewalk in March 2020, two months before George Floyd met a similar fate. Officers Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins, who are white, have been charged with second-degree murder, and Timothy Rankine, who is Asian American, faces first-degree manslaughter charges. They pleaded not guilty. Continue reading at The Columbian. (Tony Overman/The News Tribune)

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Associated Press
Trial to begin for 3 Tacoma officers charged in death of Manny Ellis

Aberdeen Daily World
Researcher seeking $5.8M for wave energy demo off Westport shore

Auburn Reporter
Behind the Auburn Proud Boy sentencing | King County Crime Dive

Axios
Trial to begin of 3 officers charged in Manny Ellis killing

Capital Press
Inslee says he wants cap-and-trade to be ‘less costly’
Trade outlook with India, SE Asia bright spots, economist says

Columbian
State commission tour I-5 Bridge, gets up close view of span’s deficiencies
For people experiencing homelessness in Clark County, healthcare can be out of reach
Bringing healthcare to the streets of Clark County
Fish and Wildlife biologist drowns during steelhead survey north of Carson
Editorial: Food waste facility to mitigate climate change
Editorial: Trash at homeless camps complicated issue
Drug decriminalization stumbled in Oregon. Other states are taking note.

Everett Herald
Marysville weighs mandatory jail time for repeated ‘public disorder’
Editorial: How do we put housing within reach of everyone?
A $695K salary? Overtime pay at the Snohomish County PUD has soared

International Examiner
Wing Luke Museum windows in Canton Alley smashed in alleged hate crime

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Fall COVID-19 Booster Vaccines: What we know now

News Tribune
Lakewood police failed woman shot to death in ’22, suit says. ‘She didn’t have to die’
Emergency officials to monitor protests, possible threats when Tacoma police trial begins
Ex-Puyallup cop who evaded rape charge arrested on suspicion of out-of-state sexual assault

Northwest Asian Weekly
Wing Luke Museum vandalized — Suspect: “The Chinese ruined my life”

Olympian
Thurston County resource hub has helped 1,000 people since 2022. Here’s what it offers
40-acre fire in Capitol Forest now largely contained, fire officials say
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office fires deputy who lied about his background before hire
Olympia’s newest tiny home village has opened. Here’s how it’s going so far
Developmentally disabled man kept in ‘rat-infested shack’ for 30 years awarded $9.3M

Peninsula Daily News
Sequim City Council discusses its affordable housing options

Wildfires surge in Olympic National Park

Puget Sound Business Journal
Development has boomed around Tacoma’s long-awaited light rail extension

Seattle Times
After court ruling, new Central WA legislative maps could mean shakeup in Olympia
A family fled to WA to protect their trans child. Here’s how their life changed
WA to install 21 AI-assisted camera stations for early wildfire detection
As WA heats up, thousands have received free ACs. But challenges remain
Seattle police union responds to backlash over Jaahnavi Kandula’s death
As homicides spike, WA moms start group for parents of murdered children
Severe neglect of disabled Whatcom County man costs taxpayers nearly $23M
Editorial: Cheerleading mediocrity is not good enough for WA’s education department
Editorial: WA Legislature should give counties leeway to reduce ballot rejections
Opinion: King County public defender system is at the breaking point
Opinion: Scanners, not strip searches, are better for prisons
Historic trial begins for 3 officers charged in killing of Manny Ellis
In Seattle: The shocking laughter heard ’round the world

The Skanner
In Recording, a Seattle Police Officer Joked After Woman’s Death. He Says Remarks Were Misunderstood (AP)
Trial To Begin For 3 Tacoma Officers Charged In Death Of Manny Ellis (AP)

Spokesman Review
‘It’s only going to get worse’: Scientists speak to WA governor about warming climate
Comment: Regulators struggle to rein in Amazon on safety for warehouse workers

Washington Post
America passed the EV ‘tipping point’ — but many buyers still want gas
Paper checks are dead. Cash is dying. Who still uses them?
Lawmakers are spending way more to keep themselves safe. Is it enough?
Regulators struggle to rein in Amazon on safety for warehouse workers

WA State Standard
Washington’s reworked heat pump rules get a cool reception from critics
Price of illicit fentanyl in WA drops to as low as 50 cents a pill

Wenatchee World
Inslee promotes Climate Commitment Act while touring Wenatchee
‘Our students are so much more’: Wenatchee School Board hears about current demographics, successes

Yakima Herald-Republic
WA’s mosquito trackers are seeing a spike of West Nile virus
Editorial: Yakima’s former Native school shouldn’t be forgotten
Comment: Your housing horrors questions: What should WA rental agreements say about deposits, fees?

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
South Asian, Indian communities meet with Seattle leaders to discuss Jaahnavi Kandula’s death and officer’s comments
Service begins on new Hilltop Link light rail extension in Tacoma
Jury selection begins Monday in trial against 3 Tacoma officers over Manuel Ellis

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Trial for 3 Tacoma officers charged in killing of Manny Ellis starts Monday

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seismically sound pedestrian walkway debuts on Bainbridge-Seattle ferry route amid terminal upgrades
Community rallies for justice, accountability after controversial comments on grad student’s fatal encounter with SPD officer

KNKX Public Radio
Federal judge orders pro bono attorney for Pierce County inmates suing over sewage issues
Seattle police union responds to backlash over comments after pedestrian killed by cruiser
Controversial timber sale near Elwha River moving forward

KUOW Public Radio
What will virus season look like in Washington state this year?
Week in Review: police, drug laws, and AI regulation

KXLY (ABC)
Linwood Elementary becomes first solar-powered school in Spokane
Bussing issues continue for Carla Peperzak Middle School student
Red Flag Warnings issued for Sunday and Monday in Spokane
Our Place Community Center taking in donations for Spokane County wildfire victims

Q13 TV (FOX)
Trial of 3 Tacoma officers charged with murder, manslaughter in death of Manny Ellis starts Monday
Wing Luke Museum staff focus on healing and rebuilding after alleged hate crime
Recreational boaters to see new rules for Southern Resident killer whales soon

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Meridian High students learn to support legislation, be part of change (Shewmake)

Crosscut
Small Axe Farm grows Seattle-area Black agricultural community
Lawsuit against Washington cap-and-trade program set for hearing

The Stranger
SPD Employee Confesses to Inventing Rumors About Chief Diaz Having an Affair, Investigators Say

Friday, September 15

Is housing a form of health care? A Washington program says it is
Apple Health and Homes is a multi-agency state program launched last year that focuses on providing housing to people with health and behavioral health challenges. The program helps people gain housing through application and home search assistance, and also offers tenant supports, such as rental aid and treatment programs. The Legislature set aside over $100 million from the state’s Housing Trust Fund for the program. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Matt M. McKnight)

Formerly incarcerated WA lawmaker has record cleared, celebrates freedom from ‘invisible prison’
With a stroke of a pen, Judge Kevin Hull cleared Rep. Tarra Simmons’ (D-Bremerton) criminal record – allowing her to finally move past what she calls an “invisible prison.” The court was able to vacate her convictions after the Legislature approved a bill in 2019 that revised the rules around clearing a person’s criminal history. Still, Simmons said there are more barriers to tackle for people affected by the legal system, and she said she plans to continue pursuing policies focused on legal justice in the Legislature. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

Opinion: We must meet the challenge of saving child care
It is clear from brain science that the first five years — when 90% of brain growth occurs — are the most important in a child’s development. The overwhelming message that we heard in all four corners of the state is that child care is in crisis. Providers cannot attract and retain teachers and parents cannot afford to pay more. Families, employers and elected officials all realize that we must solve the child care crisis in order to have a vibrant economy, economically stable families and children who are well-prepared for school. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ahnya Waldeck)

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Aberdeen Daily World
One year on: looking at the Monte rehab center fire

Axios
More Seattle seniors are working past 65
Seattle officer’s remarks on dead pedestrian spark outrage

Capital Press
Farm groups need time to digest EPA’s ‘herbicide strategy’
Court approves EPA pilot pesticide program, part of ‘megasuit’

Everett Herald
Amazon cuts ribbon on colossal $355M fulfillment center in Arlington
Until further notice: 1-boat service on busy Edmonds-Kingston route

News Tribune
Did police kill Manuel Ellis? Or was it meth? Trial experts to offer divergent opinions

Olympian
WA state has set a record for returning unclaimed cash. Are you entitled to some?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon opens giant high-tech warehouse in Arlington
No Fred Meyer stores to be sold in Kroger-Albertsons divestiture deal, report says

Seattle Times
No guarantee of ‘soft landing’ for cooling WA economy
Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands of WA residents
To confront WA’s high rents, feds increase limits on housing vouchers
‘Justice for Jaahnavi’: Rally crowd expresses anger, disgust at Seattle police
Opinion: It’s time for WA to save child care

Spokesman Review
City Council ‘left in the dark’ about dozens of tenants moved to the streets
No plan B: VA remains committed to troubled computer system despite three years of problems in Spokane

Washington Post
Historic UAW strike underway
Federal watchdog warns about college tuition installment plans

WA State Standard
WA Supreme Court strikes down restrictions on sheriffs’ use of tear gas
WA lawmakers push for greater access to fertility services for service members and veterans
Workers sue WA Department of Corrections over Larch closure

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima River Canyon fires at 60% contained, crews expecting to stand down Friday
Fires in Yakima River Canyon have burned 900 acres, incident management team called in

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Homicides increasing in Seattle, half of 2023 cases still open
King County deputies refused to arrest man who later shot and killed mother, lawsuit says
‘It’s truly disturbing’: Community holds rally, demands justice for Jaahnavi Kandula amid Seattle police video controversy

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic to open new location focusing on mental, behavioral health

KUOW Public Radio
Only half of WA students are reading at grade level, new test scores show
Why trust between Seattle police and the LGBTQ+ Pride community has been crumbling
Formerly incarcerated WA lawmaker has record cleared, celebrates freedom from ‘invisible prison’ (Simmons)

Q13 TV (FOX)
Dozens call for consequences against Seattle Police officers after controversial body cam video
Olympia School District to discuss return of school resource officers after students brought guns to school

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Earthquake research center to prep PNW for impending disaster

Crosscut
Is housing a form of health care? A Washington program says it is

Thursday, September 14

Democrats push to extend federal child care grant program
Congressional Democrats introduced a bill Wednesday to extend funding for five years for a pandemic-era child care subsidy program set to expire at the end of the month. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat and the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined by congressional colleagues, child care providers and advocates, called on Congress to act before this “lifeline” is cut off Sept. 30, noting its economy-wide impact. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Samantha Dietel)

Opinion: I needed an abortion, and it was heartbreaking. I had to travel to WA to get it
We live in Idaho — one of the 14 U.S. states that has banned abortion care since the constitutional right to access abortion was overturned last year by the U.S. Supreme Court. We were made to feel as if we were sneaking around and doing something wrong for trying to access essential health care during the most challenging moment in our lives. We will always be grateful to the clinic and team in Seattle for offering us professional, compassionate care. Continue reading at News Tribune.

‘Green’ technology is helping create jobs across Whatcom County, WA governor says
Inslee, who has made efforts to fight climate change a priority, stopped in Ferndale, Kendall and Bellingham to see the results of state-funded programs and alternative-fuel projects. “We’re celebrating our investment” in green energy programs, Inslee said. “Jobs are going crazy,” he said, noting that Vicinity Motors used local contractors to build its plant and hired 300 workers. “It’s doing good for people. Electricity is cheaper than gas,” Inslee added. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (Robert Mittendorf)