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Wednesday, April 26

Opinion: Anger over WA assault weapon ban isn’t just about gun rights — it’s about selfishness
After years of failed attempts and squandered opportunities, the state did something it should have done long ago: banning the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of more than 50 assault-style weapons, the kind of guns capable of quickly turning a violent crime into a mass murder. Governor Jay Inslee, flanked by a team of beaming liberal lawmakers and supporters, signed the historic bill into law, making Washington the 10th state to implement such a ban, effectively immediately. Continue reading at News Tribune. (Lindsey Wasson)

How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services
The Washington Legislature adjourned Sunday without passing House Bill 5536. The bill would have replaced the state’s sunsetting drug possession law, making possession a gross misdemeanor. Now the legal status of drug possession is in limbo – along with $270 million worth of services that the bill would have put into place for people with addictions.Continue reading at KUOW. (U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah via AP)

Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not
A lightsaber, beads, a gong, at least two wigs, custom T-shirts and a cowbell were among the unusual objects Washington Legislators brought to the floor to ring in the last day of the session on Sunday. Just after 10 p.m., House of Representatives Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and President of the Senate Denny Heck struck their gavels in the same moment to signify Sine Die, the conclusion of the 68th Legislative session marked by policy on healthcare, public safety and housing. This session was the Legislature’s first return in person since COVID-19 restrictions required remote participation for the previous two sessions. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Elena Perry)

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Associated Press
Gov. Inslee signs three gun bills into law
Microsoft Activision merger blocked over competition fears
Washington State Officially Abolishes Death Penalty
New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenges (Peterson, Berry)
Washington becomes 10th state to enact semi-automatic rifle ban, law effective immediately (Peterson, Berry)

Aberdeen Daily World
Initial vote returns lean against creation of new RFA

Axios
Murray and Schrier seek to protect abortion doctors in blue states

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham officials disclose results of citywide rental inspections
Teacher reductions, larger classes likely at Bellingham Schools due to $16M budget cut
WA becomes 10th state in the U.S. to ban assault weapons after Inslee signs bill into law (Peterson, Berry, Pederson)

Capital Press
Washington lawmakers budget cap-and-trade funds
Washington lawmakers adjourn, in some cases without action (Chapman, Keiser)

Columbian
Clark County sheriff, prosecutor named in suit over Washington gun law
Vancouver adopts relaxed environmental standards to speed housing construction
Opinion: Legislators must compromise to pass drug law

The Daily News
With funding on the horizon, Longview schools look to improve special education services

Everett Herald
Edmonds mayor delivers stern warning after spate of violence
Snohomish County receives an F on air quality report card
Comment: Increasing flood of guns isn’t making anyone feel safe

Indian Country Today
Deb Haaland visits Tulalip to hear from boarding school survivors

News Tribune
Tacoma’s new safe parking site has served only 2 people — but one is already housed
Editorial: Anger over WA assault weapon ban isn’t just about gun rights — it’s about selfishness

Olympian
Got COVID-19? Starting May 11, you can’t rely on WA state to notify people of exposure
Olympia, Tumwater voters defeat RFA plan by a wide margin. Here’s what happens now

Peninsula Daily News
Special legislative session in works (Tharinger, Van De Wege, Chapman)
New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenge
Closures, other DOT projects upcoming

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington state to pull plug on Covid notification app

Seattle Medium
Two Seattle Public School Principals Awarded $25,000 For Advancing Educational Justice
Seattle Office of Inspector General Releases Recommendations For Improving SPD’s Response To Protests

Seattle Times
WA Democrats, you had one job (Jinkins, Mullet)
WA ferry reservation system hit with delays
Transparency advocates sue WA over ‘legislative privilege’ exemption (Jinkins)
School closures, cuts to clubs and music possible as WA schools face ‘cliff’
WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles, effective immediately (Peterson, Pedersen, Hackney, Berry)

The Skanner
Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban Passes Washington State Legislature

Spokesman Review
Inslee signs Washington’s ban on new assault weapons
Murray’s 10,000th vote marks a new era for women in the Senate
Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not (Jinkins, Heck, Nobles, Trudeau, Taylor)
Opinion: Accountability requires answers, not slogans

Tri-City Herald
‘Very little faith.’ Pasco wants a plan in case WA lawmakers can’t fix drug laws

Wenatchee World
New bill set to make changes in permit processing, Chelan County not worried

Yakima Herald-Republic
Ceremony welcomes Jared Boswell as new Yakima County Superior Court Judge
$5 million in state funding will help propel PNWU’s new dental school in Yakima
Report finds more WA kids enter preschool developmentally behind due to pandemic

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County cities Auburn, Maple Valley scramble to ban drug use
First lawsuit filed against Washington’s assault weapons ban, AG Ferguson confident ban will survive

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
What’s next for drug laws in Washington state? (Jinkins)
Why isn’t Washington State Ferries building new vessels?
Inslee signs 3 bills into law aimed at preventing gun violence in Washington state (Peterson, Berry)

KNKX Public Radio
Washington state Legislature adjourns without a new drug possession law on the books (Jinkins)

KUOW Public Radio
Gun rights groups sue to stop WA ban on semi-automatic rifle sales
Washington governor signs new gun bills into law, including “assault weapons” ban (Peterson)
How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services

KXLY (ABC)
WA lawmakers reject drug possession bill, cities to make own ordinances

Radio Pacific
Drug Possession And Use Will Be Legal In Washington Without Quick Action

Web

Cascadia Daily News
State funds $9M crisis center for Whatcom (Rule, Shewmake)
Bellingham Public Schools to reduce 80 certificated staff

MyNorthwest
5-1-1 traveler alert number will soon be a thing of the past

West Seattle Blog
LEGISLATURE: West Seattle’s State House reps split on drug-law vote (Fitzgibbon, Alvarado, Nguyen)

Tuesday, April 25

WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles, effective immediately
Washington has become the 10th state to prohibit sales of AR-15s and dozens of other semiautomatic rifles, as Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed the ban into law, effective immediately. Inslee also was set to sign two other major gun bills Tuesday. One will require proof of safety training and a 10-day waiting period for all gun purchases.The other will allow the state attorney general or private citizens to sue gun manufacturers and dealers under public nuisance laws if they negligently allow their guns to be sold to minors or straw purchasers. All three of the gun bills passed the Legislature on largely party line votes, with Republicans opposing them and most Democrats voting in support. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)

2023 session was ‘the year of housing’ for Washington Legislature
Lawmakers and advocates coined the Washington Legislature’s 2023 session “the year of housing.” Sunday marked the deadline to pass the last of an extensive batch of affordable housing, homelessness and rent protection bills. And while rental hike protections died in the final hours of the session, lawmakers approved millions to fund affordable developments while providing additional assistance for youth experiencing homelessness and more middle housing options. Continue reading at Columbian. (Amanda Cowan)

7 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t
State lawmakers figured to close out their 2023 session Sunday night by voting to reset Washington’s approach on illegal drug possession. But that didn’t happen. Instead, a compromise Blake bill sunk under the weight of bipartisan opposition, delivering a chaotic ending to a 105-day session in which protecting individuals’ lives, liberties and pursuits got invoked in many of the year’s legislative debates. This was the first in-person session in three years. Legislators wasted few moments, passing hundreds of bills for Gov. Jay Inslee to consider signing. Here are seven things they did — and the one big one they didn’t that could bring them back to Olympia for an emergency special session. Continue reading at Everett Herald.

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Associated Press
Washington lawmakers pass two-year budget, end session

Aberdeen Daily World
State’s final capital budget includes $421M for local districts (Tharinger)

Axios
New Washington law makes medically assisted death easier to access

Capital Press
Pollution lawsuit could curb use of aerial fire retardant

Columbian
2023 session was ‘the year of housing’ for Washington Legislature (Bateman, Gregerson, Taylor)
Clark County legislators see bills, resolutions pass (Stonier, Wylie, Cleveland)
Washington Legislature increases support for free school meals (Riccelli)
Opinion: In Our View: Assault rifle ban step in right direction

The Daily News
What does recent court action mean for abortion pill access in Washington?

Everett Herald
Cities, county look to step in after state balks on Blake bill
7 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t (Berg)
Cabinet secretary visits Tulalip to listen to boarding school survivors
Oh what a final night as Blake fix fails and a GOP leader exits (Berg)
Comment: Carbon offset market is growing, but is it helping?
Editorial: Drug bill’s failure leaves law to cities, counties (Robinson, Dhingra)

Olympian
State to keep Legislative Building closed Tuesday until after Inslee signs weapons bills
Port of Olympia commission votes 2-1 to formally support state’s plan for Capitol Lake

Peninsula Daily News
Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects Blake bill (Chapman, Tharinger, Robinson, Dhingra, Taylor)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Survey: 90% of WA health care leaders expect staffing concerns to stay
New Washington state program aims to curb carbon emissions

Seattle Times
WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles, effective immediately
King County special election: Vote on crisis care levy today
Tribe to fish for salmon on Elwha River a decade after dams fell
Inside the stunning fall of WA’s drug-possession legislation — and what comes next (Jinkins, Simmons, Berry, Pedersen)
Editorial: Call special session of WA Legislature to fix drug possession mess (Jinkins)

Skagit Valley Herald
Funding for Skagit County mental health, addiction treatment facility included in state budget

Sol De Yakima
Nueva unidad de casos sin resolver de WA se centrará en indígenas desaparecidos, asesinados (Lekanoff, Dhingra)

Spokesman Review
Washington legislators didn’t pass new drug possession laws in time. What happens now?
Getting There: Spokane’s City Line will be free for more than eight weeks after July 15 launch
Wilcox leaves post of top House Republican in Washington
With no solution to Washington’s drug possession law reached, local governments look to ward off ‘chaos’ with their own rules (Billig, Jinkins)

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Blue Mountain Action Council food pantry shifts away from federal COVID funds

Wenatchee World
State legislators finalize $85 million budget schedule for Confluence Parkway project

Yakima Herald-Republic
May 5 events planned around the region for missing and murdered Indigenous people
Vantage Bridge repairs will detour some I-90 traffic through Yakima starting in 2024

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Edmonds district says it’s facing $15 million budget deficit, proposing budget cuts
Road built to replace Alaskan Way Viaduct opening within 2 weeks

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington lawmakers pass two-year budget, end session (Pedersen, Pollet)

KUOW Public Radio
Expanded WA free-meal program headed to a school near you
Here’s what Washington lawmakers say is behind drug possession bill’s last-minute failure (Jinkins)

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington state’s COVID-19 exposure notification app will end May 11
Legislative session ends as WA lawmakers pass two-year, $69 billion budget (Pollet, Pedersen)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Secretary of State sits down with local college students
Whatcom tribes receive major grants for environmental restoration

Crosscut
WA legislature fails to pass new drug law; special session likely (Jinkins, Robinson)

MyNorthwest
Safety still a concern for Ingraham High School students, parents
New leader for WA State House Republicans selected Monday
Washington State Ferry summer reservations go on sale Tuesday
$60 million in environmental awards headed to WA state
11 Washington counties receive ‘F’ grades for air quality
Kent Mayor wants to keep tougher drug use laws, with legislation stalling

La Raza del Noroeste
El escritorio del gobernador es la próxima parada de legislación de Fey para ayudar a estudiantes sin hogar (Fey)

Monday, April 24

WA session ends: Lawmakers acted on guns, housing, abortion … but not drugs
Rattled by national events and responding to crises closer to home, Washington’s majority Democrats muscled through major legislation during the session that came to a close Sunday. After years of attempts, they passed a ban on sales of AR-15s and dozens of other models of weapons, responding to the unending series of mass shootings throughout the country. They stiffened protections for abortion rights and stockpiled thousands of doses of abortion medication after the Supreme Court knocked down Roe v. Wade. They passed sweeping legislation allowing for duplexes and fourplexes throughout most of the state, and poured hundreds of millions of dollars into programs to combat the crisis in housing affordability and homelessness. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

WA Legislature sends $13.4 billion transportation budget to governor for signature
Washington state lawmakers on Saturday passed a $13.4 billion transportation budget for the 2023-25 biennium, with major investments in the ferry system, transportation workforce, traffic safety and keeping projects on track that are already in the works. This is the first year the state can use funding from the federal Climate Commitment Act that passed in 2021. Nearly $1 billion of that will be used for projects such as electrifying a broad range of transportation equipment as well as investments in public transit and pedestrian infrastructure. On Saturday, the Senate passed the bill with a 46-3 vote while the House voted unanimously on final passage of the budget. Continue reading at Olympian. (Peter Haley)

In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world
For more than 50 years, earthlings have marked their calendars for April 22 as Earth Day, set aside for raising awareness for the health of the planet. Groups in more than 190 countries participate in environmentalist efforts in observance of the holiday. In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at how the Legislature is looking to protect marine wildlife, evaluate composting and enhance the wellbeing of the blue-and-green orb we call home. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Marina Lohrbach)

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Associated Press
‘Too much to learn’: Schools race to catch up kids’ reading
GOP states targeting diversity, equity efforts in higher education

Aberdeen Daily World
Turbines and brine: Washington offshore wind proposals present complex threats, challenges

Axios
5 big things Washington’s Legislature did this year

Everett Herald
Snohomish Health District retirees to regain access to health benefits
After Bolt Creek, Western WA gears up for another fire season — in April
Chair jokes, death penalty divide and the arrival of budgets (Rolfes, Peterson)
House OKs capital budget with funds for dozens of county projects (Cortes)
Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects deal on Blake bill (Robinson, Dhingra, Taylor)
Comment: Parents must call for reforms to K-12 education
Comment: Why state is working to save its kelp, seagrass forests
Editorial: Make the most of Earth Day with meaningful action
Letter: Expanded Child Tax Credit cut poverty in half; restore it

News Tribune
Tacoma Public Schools to slash 22 jobs during next school year. Are more cuts coming?

Olympian
WA Legislature sends $13.4 billion transportation budget to governor for signature (Fey)
Hundreds gather at the Capitol in support of, and in opposition to, transgender rights bill (Liias)
Special session could be called after lawmakers fail to replace expiring drug possession law (Robinson, Billig)

Peninsula Daily News
Assault weapons sale ban approved
Van De Wege lone Democratic senator to oppose gun ban (Van De Wege, Shavers, Rule, Tharinger, Chapman)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle flips the switch on power grid modernization
Covid-19’s debt trap: Relief programs could lead to big headaches

Seattle Times
Interior secretary visits Tulalip in wake of boarding school revelations
Legislature strengthens oversight of private special ed schools (Santos)
The Cold War between WA and neighbor Idaho gets hotter
WA’s new ban on single-family zoning exempts some of Seattle’s wealthiest neighborhoods (Bateman)
WA House rejects drug possession compromise as session ends (Alvarado, Street, Stonier, Jinkins)
WA session ends: Lawmakers acted on guns, housing, abortion … but not drugs (Pederson, Pollet, Jinkins, Street)

Spokesman Review
Washington Senate confirms all Fish and Wildlife commissioners (Van De Wege)
Despite reforms, 2022 was one of the deadliest years for police shootings in Spokane County
The 9 people in Spokane County shot at by police in 2022
Insee says he’ll call back legislators to pass drug possession law (Billig, Stonier, Springer)
Lawmakers still searching for compromise on Washington’s drug possession law as session nears end (Billig)
In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world (Mena, Billig)
Washington Legislature passes $70 billion operations budget before adjourning Sunday (Rolfes, Riccelli)
Rep Doglio & Rep. Dye: Bipartisan environmental accomplishments worth celebrating this Earth Day

Yakima Herald-Republic
Funding for MLK Jr. Pool in east Yakima, PNWU dental school in state capital budget
Editorial: Newspaper tax cut will benefit local communities

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: Washington state legislative session ends Sunday
Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now
Bill in Olympia that would raise real estate tax dead, sponsor says (Berg)
28 mayors sign letter detailing concerns about Washington drug laws to state legislators
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland hears from local survivors of Indian boarding school system
Drug possession bill voted down last-minute, possibly shifting enforcement (Simmons, Street, Stonier)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bill to protect youth seeking gender-affirming, reproductive care heads to Inslee’s desk (Liias)
Legislative Roundup: Lawmakers pass operating budget on final day of session (Stonier)
Shellfish harvest restricted in select areas in Washington due to high bacteria levels

KNKX Public Radio
Poll: Two-thirds oppose banning medication abortion
Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous people (Lekanoff)

KUOW Public Radio
‘Social equity’ cannabis licenses aim to repair drug law harms to BIPOC communities
Week in Review: downtown, ferries, and gun control
Seattle’s plan to reward people for not using drugs
Bringing ancestors home — the long process of recovering tribal remains
Will Washington’s new assault weapons ban hold up in court? Gov. Inslee thinks ‘it should survive’

KXLY (ABC)
WA legislature passes capital budget: how it would affect the Spokane area

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Tenants Revolt hopes to propose local housing legislation
Buses every 5 minutes in Bellingham?

The Stranger
Olympia Shatters Plan to Reboot Its War on Drugs (Goodman, Jinkins, Alvarado, Bateman, Berry, Chopp, Doglio, Farivar, Gregerson, Macri, Mena, Morgan, Reed, Reeves, Santos, Simmons, Street)

Friday, April 21

Washington state bans sale of most semi-automatic rifles
The Washington Legislature has passed a law to ban the sale, importation and distribution of assault-style rifles, sending one of the highest-profile firearms-regulation bills to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Inslee, a three-term Democrat and former congressman who supported the federal assault weapons ban, requested House Bill 1240, along with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and is expected to sign it. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, bars the distribution, manufacture, importation or sale of AR-style semi-automatic rifles, as well as some other kinds of semi-automatic weapons. “We do not have to continue to tolerate these weapons of war in our community,” Peterson said in a statement last month when the bill first passed the House. “This is not a ban on possession, nor is it a ban on personal protection. This policy acknowledges the data and reduces the risk of harm our communities face with a policy we know will be effective in saving lives.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)

New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels
Nurses secured a greater role in deciding minimum staffing levels in hospitals across the state under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee. The legislation requires hospital administrators and nurses to agree on the number of staff assigned in each patient care unit, and how workers will be assured of receiving proper rest and meal breaks. Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, represents a compromise between nurses and hospital leaders. The two sides battled to a draw in the 2022 session. “I’m just thrilled that we got it to the finish line,” Robinson said. “It will make conditions better for nurses and patients.” Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Kevin Clark)

Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases
On April 20, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1177 that establishes a cold case unit specifically for missing and murdered Indigenous women and people (MMIWP) in the state. “This legislation will ensure that Indigenous victims of crime receive robust, thorough investigations and potential prosecution,” Inslee said. Rep. Debra Lekanoff, (D-40th District) was the primary sponsor of the bill, which passed unanimously in the house and senate during the legislative session. Lekanoff is a co-chair on the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force, which recommended the legislation in 2022. “We have witnessed women who look like me, aunties, girls who look like me, grandmothers, go missing one after another with unresolved cases, unresolved attention from governing bodies,” Lekanoff said. Now, Lekanoff said, Washington state is leading the nation and making missing and murdered Indigenous people a priority for the state. Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (Johanna Bejarano)

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Associated Press
US setting record pace for mass killings in 2023

Axios
Sen. Murray becomes first woman to cast 10,000 votes in the Senate

Bellingham Herald
Roundabout aims to help make streets safe in this part of Bellingham
WA state down payments on houses among most expensive in U.S. How much do area homes cost?

Capital Press
Senator casts ‘no’ votes to protest cap-and-trade fees on farmers

Columbian
Cowlitz Tribe opens cannabis dispensary
Opinion: Legislature’s to do list: Poverty, theft, gas tax (Cleveland)

The Daily News
What you need to know about Washington state’s red-flag gun law
WSDOT returns to Lewis and Clark Bridge to check on repairs

Everett Herald
New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels (Robinson)
Everett weighs expanding ‘no sit’ ban, giving mayor more discretion
Snohomish County pays out another $325K over ex-prosecutor’s workplace
Letter: Expanded Child Tax Credit made difference for millions

News Tribune
Pacific NW was one of the only places in the world to endure a ‘cold’ March. Here’s why

New York Times
Supreme Court Is Expected to Decide on Access to Abortion Pill as Appeal Moves Forward

Puget Sound Business Journal
Report: Seattle has 5th-highest average pay for cybersecurity jobs

Seattle Medium
One Seattle Day Of Service Is May 20

Seattle Times
WA looks to tap youth athletic funds for minor league stadium upgrades (Billig, Mullet)
School closures, cuts to clubs and music possible as WA schools face ‘cliff’
Seattle-area millennials are buying homes — just not in King County
Murray makes history as first female senator to cast 10,000 votes
Editorial: WA’s momentous new gun laws draw a line
Opinion: Republicans are digging themselves into a hole on abortion

Sol De Yakima
Servicios de interpretación en español son parte vital de la atención médica en el valle de Yakima

Spokesman Review
EWU gets broader authority for doctorate degrees (Leavitt)
Inslee signs bill officially repealing death penalty in Washington (Hansen)
‘Not just a crisis of Indian country’: Washington to form special unit to investigate scourge of slain Indigenous people (Lekanoff)
Pacific Northwest’s Congressional delegation remain far apart on debt ceiling talks after release of House GOP proposal

Tri-City Herald
Reduce, reuse, recycle. PNNL’s spin on Earth Day science and technology innovations

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
College Place, Walla Walla review options for joint wastewater program

Yakima Herald-Republic
Electric aircraft could make Yakima viable option for expansion, airport director says
Editorial: Earth Day’s message helps keep us on track

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Inslee signs bill banning death penalty in Washington state
Seattle city workers frustrated over proposed 1% pay increase
How Washington could be impacted by SCOTUS ruling on mifepristone

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State legislature passes bill that would ban pre-employment cannabis tests (Keiser)
Gov. Inslee signs bill targeting illegal robocalls in Washington (Leavitt)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
28 Washington mayors sign letter to state legislature regarding drug possession laws
Nonprofit concerned after Washington bill to set age limit for marriage at 18 stalls (Stonier)

KNKX Public Radio
Short-haul truckers call for equitable distribution of Washington’s climate dollars
US inventory: old forests cover area larger than California

KUOW Public Radio
Negligent drivers who kill pedestrians in WA may face new penalties
WA set to become 10th state to ban assault-style weapons

KXLY (ABC)
The Power of Water: Spokane’s river and aquifer threatened by climate change, population growth

NW Public Radio
Tri-State Hospital to hold active shooter drill Friday
Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases (Lekanoff)

Q13 TV (FOX)
Gov. Inslee signs bill to remove death penalty from state law in Washington
Gov. Inslee expected to sign legislation banning semi-automatic weapons (Peterson)
Fentanyl, meth account for half of about 1,000 drug-related deaths in King County in 2022

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Blaine Municipal Court makes resources more accessible for defendants

Crosscut
Washington strip clubs won’t be selling alcohol anytime soon (Saldaña)
Washington state bans sale of semi-automatic rifles (Peterson, Jinkins)

MyNorthwest
SeaTac names new police chief with 22 years of law enforcement experience

Thursday, April 20

Legislature votes to support local news, new capital outlet launching

By a resounding margin, Washington’s Legislature agreed to help sustain the state’s local newspapers. The state House voted 89 to 7 on Monday to create a decade long tax break for publishers and now awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s expected signature. The tax break is one of many steps needed to stabilize and restore the news industry, including antitrust enforcement to address unfair competition with tech giants and federal support. It took two years of effort by press champions in the Legislature to get it done. An earlier push by Mullet and state Rep. Gerry Pollet fell short last year, after it failed to advance from a Democrat-led Senate committee. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

Washington Senate passes bill to protect transgender youth in shelters who report parental abuse or neglect

Parents of a runaway youth seeking gender-affirming treatment or reproductive health care would not have to be notified of the whereabouts of their minor child who is in a homeless shelter under a bill heading to Gov. Jay Inslee for final approval. Sen. Marko Liias, the bill’s prime sponsor, said it is strictly about providing housing and emergency shelter to at-risk youth. It does not give the department or any other state agency new authority to help runaway or homeless minors obtain the medical treatment they may be seeking without parental approval, he said. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Jesse Tinsley)

Bill to ban child marriage in Washington stalls again in the Senate

Washington’s legislative session ends in a handful of days, but even bills with strong, unanimous support are failing to pass out of committee. House Bill 1455 to ban child marriage in Washington is one of them; and according to advocates, the legislation is not being given the priority it deserves. There were 95 yeas and 0 nays in the House but it stalled in the Senate and failed to meet a deadline to get voted out. Attempts at passing legislation in Olympia were unsuccessful the past several years, as the legislation never advanced. “How is it that a bill that got so much unanimous support on both sides of the aisle, still isn’t making it out of committee?” we asked. “That’s an answer I don’t have,” said Stonier, the bill’s sponsor. Continue reading at KING5.