Northwest

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Edmonds senator leads transportation committee. What’s on the agenda?

Rising expenses reshape 2024 legislative session agenda as lawmakers seek solutions for long-term infrastructure challenges.

  • Dec 27, 2023
  • David Kroman, The Seattle Times
A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Matthew Collins, from left, Timothy Rankine and Christopher "Shane" Burbank. (Brian Hayes/The News Tribune via AP, Pool; File)

Jury acquits 3 Tacoma officers in death of a Black man

A jury has cleared them of all criminal charges in the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, who was shocked and beaten.

  • Dec 21, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Matthew Collins, from left, Timothy Rankine and Christopher "Shane" Burbank. (Brian Hayes/The News Tribune via AP, Pool; File)
The Bothell City Council voted to extend the closure of a block of downtown Main Street, seen Thursday, March 31, 2022, for another two years in a desire to create a community gather space. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times/TNS)

Bothell just built a downtown. A new crop of leaders will tackle what’s next

Few Puget Sound communities have undergone so much change so quickly, and change is never easy.

The Bothell City Council voted to extend the closure of a block of downtown Main Street, seen Thursday, March 31, 2022, for another two years in a desire to create a community gather space. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times/TNS)
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announces that 2,000 acres of structurally complex state forestland are proposed to be set aside for conservation as funded by the Climate Commitment Act, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Issaquah. The land will join the more than 900,000 acres of forestland that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) already manages for conservation in western Washington. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times/TNS)

WA sets aside 2,000 acres of forest for conservation, including in Sultan

An additional 70 acres, spanning a sensitive wetland along Marsh Creek north of Sultan, will be preserved.

  • Dec 19, 2023
  • By Wire Service
  • Sultan
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announces that 2,000 acres of structurally complex state forestland are proposed to be set aside for conservation as funded by the Climate Commitment Act, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 in Issaquah. The land will join the more than 900,000 acres of forestland that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) already manages for conservation in western Washington. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times/TNS)
FILE - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks before signing multiple bills meant to prevent gun violence, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. On Monday, May 1, 2023, Inslee announced he does not plan to seek a fourth term. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Governor pitches budget plan with $2.5B in new spending

Lawmakers will consider his proposals when they convene in January.

  • Dec 14, 2023
  • By Wire Service
FILE - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks before signing multiple bills meant to prevent gun violence, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. On Monday, May 1, 2023, Inslee announced he does not plan to seek a fourth term. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
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Gasoline pipeline leaks in Skagit County, spilling into creek

The Olympic Pipeline leaked on the north side of Highway 534 just north of the Snohomish County line, closing part of the highway.

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The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Unexpected’ deaths are up in Washington’s prisons

At least 29 people died unexpectedly in Washington’s state prisons from July 2022 to June 2023.

  • Dec 6, 2023
The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Joseph David Emerson, left, 44, was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, in Portland, Ore. Emerson, a pilot, is accused of attempting to disable the engines of a plane on which he was riding while off-duty last Sunday. Emerson pleaded not guilty Tuesday. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

Pilot indicted over Everett in-flight sabotage incident, but not for attempted murder

Joseph David Emerson on Tuesday was indicted on a charge of endangering an aircraft and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Joseph David Emerson, left, 44, was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, in Portland, Ore. Emerson, a pilot, is accused of attempting to disable the engines of a plane on which he was riding while off-duty last Sunday. Emerson pleaded not guilty Tuesday. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)
Gov. Jay Inslee chats with attendees during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Evergreen Manor Family Services Center on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment

Inslee announced the plan Monday before meeting with treatment providers, advocates and others in Everett.

Gov. Jay Inslee chats with attendees during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Evergreen Manor Family Services Center on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session

Legislation so far covers areas like insulin pricing, unemployment benefits for striking workers, and impounding vehicles for people who drive without insurance.

  • Dec 5, 2023
  • By Wire Service
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A suspected gas explosion on Wednesday destroyed a house in the 19700 block of 25TH DR SE in Bothell, Washington. (Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue)

After a newly bought Bothell house exploded, experts urge caution

The owners had closed on their purchase of the house just two days earlier. No one was hurt in the explosion.

A suspected gas explosion on Wednesday destroyed a house in the 19700 block of 25TH DR SE in Bothell, Washington. (Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue)
The Lynnwood City Council work session on Monday evening, parents and community members expressed concerns about the proximity of a new opioid treatment facility to two youth clubs on January 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)

In Lynnwood, opioid treatment center sparked outcry amid need for treatment

After a second clinic tried to open, the City Council decided to stop accepting applications for new clinics for six months.

The Lynnwood City Council work session on Monday evening, parents and community members expressed concerns about the proximity of a new opioid treatment facility to two youth clubs on January 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)
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Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session

Upcoming hearings offer a preview of issues legislators will encounter when they convene in January.

  • Nov 28, 2023
  • By Wire Service
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Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz (right), state Sen. T’wina Nobles and Smokey Bear pose in front of a proposed speciality license plate in a Pierce County fire station on Nov. 20, 2023. If approved, Franz said proceeds from sales of the plates will go to public education programs focused on wildfire prevention. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Only you (almost) can put Smokey Bear on Washington license plates

A proposal calls for putting the iconic bear on a specialty plate, but it will require public support and approval from lawmakers.

  • Nov 21, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz (right), state Sen. T’wina Nobles and Smokey Bear pose in front of a proposed speciality license plate in a Pierce County fire station on Nov. 20, 2023. If approved, Franz said proceeds from sales of the plates will go to public education programs focused on wildfire prevention. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
Starbucks workers and allies participate in a strike and picket organized by Starbucks Workers United during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at a location near Pike Place Market in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Starbucks workers in Everett, Marysville join national strike

Hundreds of Starbucks union workers at 15 locations across Washington joined the one-day strike.

Starbucks workers and allies participate in a strike and picket organized by Starbucks Workers United during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at a location near Pike Place Market in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

State hauls in nearly $900M from first year of capital gains tax

Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, anticipates many conversations on how to spend it.

  • Nov 16, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Climbers purchase 20 acres of famed climbing walls in Index

Climbing groups bought the parcel Monday, including Lower Lump and Inner Walls, calling it “the final big piece of the puzzle.”

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Most WA transportation services back online following cyberattack

The department was still investigating the cyberattack and could not say Friday what caused it.

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz watches as a team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz drops out of governor’s race

In an announcement Friday, Franz said she decided instead to run to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer who serves the 6th Congressional District.

  • Nov 10, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz watches as a team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Senator Marko Liias speaks at the ground breaking of the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Traffic deaths are down in Finland. Edmonds senator is going to find out how

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, will be part of the contingent making the trip in December.

Senator Marko Liias speaks at the ground breaking of the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)