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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)

Print

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)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Quinault drug court gets $2 million federal boost

Auburn Reporter
New COVID-19 vaccine: Public Health — Seattle & King County Q&A

Axios
Seattle-area incomes dipped during the pandemic
Lawmakers make fresh push to cover fertility treatments for veterans

Bellingham Herald
‘Green’ technology is helping create jobs across Whatcom County, WA governor says

Capital Press
Editorial: Federal government overspending extends to rural internet
Editorial: Nothing is certain but death, taxes and WOTUS litigation

Columbian
Port of Vancouver settles suit over pollution
Clark Asks: What’s being done about trash in Clark County homeless camps?
Shine the Light: Suicide Prevention & Awareness summit strives to save lives
Editorial: Adjust school construction funding model

Everett Herald
New Snohomish County data show COVID-19 is on the rise

The Inlander
The speedy push to regionalize homeless service was already “unrealistic” for the city department addressing homelessness — and things just got worse
After last month’s fires threatened their homes, some Latah Valley residents are calling for another pause on development

Journal of the San Juan Islands
You can’t create affordable housing by making it cost more

News Tribune
Tacoma Link doubles in length Saturday. Sound Transit isn’t delivering what they promised
Opinion: I needed an abortion, and it was heartbreaking. I had to travel to WA to get it

Northwest Asian Weekly
Outcry over callous remark — SPD Officer mocks tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula

Seattle Medium
Harrell’s Bold Moves To Revitalize Downtown Seattle Are Working
Seattle/King County NAACP To Pursue Economic Empowerment As One Of Its Top Priorities

Seattle Times
Seattle median household income hits all-time high
New report: WA student test scores inching up in math and reading
King County deputies refused, in protest, to arrest man who later killed mother, lawsuit says
Editorial: WA fails mental health patients and communities

Washington Post
AI is ‘one of the hardest things’ facing Congress, Schumer says
With UAW poised to strike, White House prepares emergency aid for suppliers

WA State Standard
Democrats push to extend federal child care grant program
Democratic leaders will leave court to redraw disputed map for WA legislative district (Jinkins, Billig)
Eight women had serious pregnancy complications. Now they’re suing over state abortion bans

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Doctors, public health agencies warn of uptick in COVID-19 and flu cases
Here’s why Washington public schools have lost thousands of students
Seattle leaders, Consulate of India respond to officer’s comments about death of Jaahnavi Kandula

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Frustrations continue with hours-long delays as Edmonds-Kingston ferry undergoes repairs

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Pierce County program aims to expand youth mental health resources

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle safe lot provider: No, pickleball is not unexpectedly displacing unhoused people
Seattle officer recorded joking about woman’s death, saying ‘she had limited value’

KXLY (ABC)
Medical Lake School District’s Wellness Center turns into resource hub for students
WA Parks and Rec asks for public input on Riverside State Park expansion

NW Public Radio
Financial relief still on hold for homeowners in Whatcom impacted by 2021 floods

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington counties to receive millions in opioid lawsuit payouts
COVID 19 vaccines approved, could be available in Puget Sound by this weekend
Leaders demand Seattle Police ‘fix the culture’ following controversial body cam video

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Food insecurity, early learning in East Whatcom highlighted during Inslee visit

Crosscut
Federal court likely to redraw Central WA Latino-majority district (Jinkins, Billig)

The Stranger
Rep. Farivar: Death Threats, Cancelations, and Disinformation Campaigns Do Not Honor Iran’s Women, Life, Freedom Movement

Wednesday, September 13

Data shows drop in multifamily home construction in Washington
Building permits for apartments and other multifamily housing in Washington were down in the second quarter of the year while permits for single-family homes continued to rise. Washington leaders continue to push for more multifamily buildings and rental units to help with the state’s affordable housing shortage, but most of those laws only went into effect in July and could take years to be fully implemented. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Dan Reynolds)

Editorial: Tackling WA school construction inequities can’t wait
Washington’s Supreme Court has clarified a lingering question about the state’s obligation to fund all parts of a child’s education. But last week’s decision still leaves thousands of kids in poor districts at a disadvantage — unfinished business for lawmakers to tackle in the upcoming Legislative session. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

WA courts have paid back $10M in legal fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling
The state is issuing the refunds as a result of the state Supreme Court’s landmark 2021 Blake decision, when the court ruled that the state’s drug possession law was unconstitutional. The state legislature approved $47 million for the efforts of vacating hundreds of thousands of possession charges, and adjusting sentences for thousands of incarcerated or supervised individuals. An additional $50 million dollars was set aside to reimburse individuals who paid fines and fees as a result of the convictions. Continue reading at Bellingham Herald. (Tony Overman)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County creates homeless housing task force

Axios
Washington’s homeschooling boom is here to stay

Bellingham Herald
WA courts have paid back $10M in legal fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling

Capital Press
EIA sees forces pushing up diesel prices

Columbian
Facility planned for Longview will convert surplus food into carbon-negative renewable energy

Everett Herald
Whidbey Island is ‘kicking gas’ in push for all-electric homes
How will Snohomish County divide $51M in opioid settlement funds?

The Inlander
Inlander 30 Throwback: Olympia or Bust! (Ormsby, Billig)

Olympian
This Lacey homeless shelter has more than 100 residents. Here’s how many rooms are left
Appeals court dismisses lawsuit over Gov. Inslee’s WA pandemic emergency mandates
WA gun store sued by AG for allegedly selling illegal high-capacity magazines
How is Olympia going to tackle and pay for sea level rise response in 2024 and beyond?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle Children’s names site for future Odessa Brown Clinic
Drug possession measure passes Seattle City Council committee

Renton Reporter
King County Council OKs $1.7 million for Renton parks

Seattle Times
At Mount Rainier, ‘the glaciers are falling apart’
Racial and gender-based pay gaps widening in WA thanks to tech boom
Amazon pledges $40M for affordable homeownership, some in Seattle
Editorial: Tackling WA school construction inequities can’t wait
Opinion: ‘Feel safer yet?’ Seattle police union’s contempt keeps showing through

Skagit Valley Herald
State Commissioner of Public Lands gets look at derelict pier in Anacortes

South Whidbey Record
Council allocates opioid settlement funds

Spokesman Review
‘Back to where I started’: Dozens of tenants forced out of downtown apartment with little notice after city intervenes over code violations

Tri-City Herald
Dangerous toxic algae warning in Tri-Cities expanded to 3 more spots on Columbia River
New WA test scores show which Tri-Cities schools are recovering faster after COVID

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Fixing Vashon’s ferry woes: New group asks islanders to get involved (Nguyen, Fitzgibbon, Alvarado)

Washington Post
Inflation rate rises slightly, but economists think last year’s big price jumps are over
Covid is here to stay. How will we know when it stops being special?

WA State Standard
Data shows drop in multifamily home construction in Washington
Washington Board of Education approves new high school graduation rules
Investigation finds BNSF railway at fault for Tunnel 5 Fire

Yakima Herald-Republic
WDFW reports more promising signs for new elk season
‘Crop’s decent, the market’s not:’ Stockpile reduces size of Yakima Valley hop harvest
Editorial: Cultural apprenticeship program fills an important need

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Boeing secures 2 multi-billion-dollar orders in as many days
FBI says school threats have ‘skyrocketed’ because of social media

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle-Bainbridge ferry route reopens to vehicles
Seattle leaders comment on ‘disgusting’ behavior of SPD officer who mocked woman’s death

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle City Council nears decision on drug possession law amid public outcry, opioid crisis
Capital High School in Olympia heightens security after 2 weapons incidents within first week
Seattle community demands accountability after police officer laughs about fatal crash on body cam footage

KNKX Public Radio
Formerly incarcerated WA lawmaker has her record cleared (Simmons)
In recording, a Seattle police officer joked after woman’s death. He says remarks were misunderstood

KUOW Public Radio
Does Washington state’s ballot signature rule disenfranchise voters?
Microsoft president asks Congress for AI regulation
Where to get the updated Covid shot in King County

KXLY (ABC)
Washington program offering new COVID-19 vaccine at no cost
WA DNR receives additional funding to assist wildfire victims

Web

The Stranger
Slog AM: Police Union VP Cackles at Woman’s Death, Seattle’s Proposed Drug Law Advances

Tuesday, September 12

The outlook for new statewide renter protections in Washington
Steep rent hikes across Washington have spurred local governments into taking action to help keep tenants in their homes, despite landlord pushback against these types of policies. People on both sides of the fight say statewide tenant protections could provide important clarity and uniformity for Washington residents and landlords – though they disagree on what those safeguards should look like. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty)

Declining public-school enrollment: Here’s how WA compares
Declining enrollment is not a Seattle-only issue. It’s national. In nearly every state, public schools are projected to have fewer students by the end of the decade — even in states with fast-growing populations. In Washington, enrollment in public schools from prekindergarten through grade 12 is projected to be 1,033,500 by fall 2030 — that’s down by 59,300, or 5.4%, from fall 2023. The data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)

Gov. Inslee stops by 25-acre homeless encampment to discuss safety initiative
On Monday, Gov. Inslee came to tour an encampment to discuss the work being made with his ‘Right of Way Safety Initiative’, as well as the work still needed. The safety initiative is something Inslee, along with the WSDOT introduced a little over a year ago. The initiative focuses on four things: offering shelter, providing secure storage of cars and RVs, ensuring the safety of homeless people, cleanup crews, and drivers during cleanup efforts, and cleaning up roadways. Continue reading at KIRO 7.

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Coroner’s office releases new details on fatal standoff

Axios
How to get accused domestic abusers to turn over their guns

Bellevue Reporter
Minimum wage raise proposed for unincorporated King County

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham rent prices increase again, but these parts of Whatcom County have lower prices
Mount Baker Highway east of Bellingham readied for opening soon, WSDOT says

Capital Press
Court asked to stop EPA from canceling chlorpyrifos products

Columbian
Evergreen teachers approve contract, ending protracted strike
Lacamas Square development underway
State judicial conduct commission dismisses case against former Clark County District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman
Washington AG sues Ophelia Noble, whose Noble Foundation is meant to aid Clark, Cowlitz counties’ people of color
Editorial: Teachers’ strikes shine spotlight on state law

Courier-Herald
Buckley council nixes proposed B&O tax in 2024 budget

The Daily News
DNR buys 40-acre plot in Woodland

Everett Herald
Editorial: Cash should remain option for most purchases

Northwest Asian Weekly
Last call for the Chinatown-International District/Little Saigon

Olympian
Police to return to Olympia schools after students bring guns to campus during first week

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington State University granted restraining order in Pac-12 lawsuit

Seattle Medium
Zahilay Proposal Would Raise King County’s Minimum Wage To Nearly $19 Per Hour

Seattle Times
Seattle homeless RV site now eyed for pickleball complex, not housing
Public schools are losing students nationwide; here’s how WA compares
How WA firefighters mobilized for large wildfires throughout the state
Investigation launched into tape of Seattle police guild leaders downplaying death of woman

Skagit Valley Herald
Some areas of North Cascades National Park reopened

Spokesman Review
Spokane’s top homelessness official departs amid work to form regional authority
Deer Park has joined national litigation against manufacturers of ‘forever chemicals’
Getting there: Washington traffic deaths have continued to increase so far this year

Washington Post
U.S. poverty spiked in 2022, reversing gains, Census Bureau data shows
Extreme heat is forcing America’s farmers to go nocturnal

WA State Standard
The outlook for new statewide renter protections in Washington (Ramel, Macri)
Inslee won’t call special session to deal with controversy over legislative district map (Saldaña)
Teachers end strike at Vancouver’s Evergreen Public Schools
Food and Drug Administration approves COVID boosters for upcoming season

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
2 lockdowns in 4 days: Olympia School District to bring back school resource officers
Seattle officer captured on bodycam saying woman struck by another cop ‘had limited value’
Arlington family’s struggle with homelessness reveals crisis of sheltering families
Unusual number of newts dying on Olympic Peninsula, researchers say

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Gov. Inslee stops by 25-acre homeless encampment to discuss safety initiative

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Diablo Lake among trails, camps reopened as Sourdough Fire shows minimal fire behavior

KNKX Public Radio
Lawsuit alleges Tacoma police, dispatchers failed man killed in parking lot fight

KUOW Public Radio
Why Amazon could be served another FTC lawsuit

KXLY (ABC)
Pride community crosswalk in South Perry District vandalized

NW Public Radio
No spring bear hunts in Washington – again

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington teens create app to help those seeking abortions find a place to stay

Web

Crosscut
Who will redraw Central WA’s Latino-majority voting district? (Fitzgibbon)

The Stranger
White People Don’t Need Safe Seattle; Black People Need Black Legacy Homeowners Network

Monday, September 11

Opinion: Streamlined permitting will help get more people into housing
Permit review timelines may not be visible when you are walking down a street in your neighborhood, but they are a critical part of the work that allowed for those homes to first be built. If this isn’t working, it can have a significant impact on housing availability and affordability. Even though cities and counties do not share much information on their timelines, we know that the wait is unacceptably long in many places. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Climate risks worry home buyers, especially on the West Coast
Potential climate disasters are a major worry for people buying homes in Washington, as well as elsewhere along the West Coast, according to new research from Zillow. High home prices in West Coast markets may be forcing many people who are worried about climate risks to compromise and accept those risks anyway. While Pacific state homebuyers were more likely to consider climate change-related issues when choosing a home, they also were more likely than people elsewhere to say they plan to buy in an area with one or more disaster risks. Continue reading at Axios. (Maura Losch)

Washington’s new equity director on where her office goes from here
Washington’s new Office of Equity director, Megan Matthews, wants you to know she’s ready to get to work. The Standard spoke with Matthews to learn more about her approach to leading the Office of Equity in the wake of her predecessor’s dismissal, what exactly the office does and how she plans to hold its work accountable to Washingtonians. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Gov. Inslee’s Office)