Judge rules WA lawmakers can withhold documents via ‘legislative privilege’

By  Claire Withycombe  Seattle Times staff reporter OLYMPIA — A Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that the law allows Washington state lawmakers to withhold records that are “privileged.” Although the scope of that privilege has yet to be precisely defined, transparency advocates were despondent after Friday’s ruling, worrying that it delivers a sharp

... continue reading.

How the person who coined the term ‘missing-middle housing’ sees it evolving

By Ashley Fahey – Editor, The National Observer: Real Estate Edition, The Business Journals What’s now popularly called missing-middle housing has existed in some form or another for more than a century. But the term “missing middle,” to describe housing that falls between a traditional single-family home and a midrise apartment building in density and

... continue reading.

RCW 42.30.110 Executive sessions

(1) Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed to prevent a governing body from holding an executive session during a regular or special meeting: (a)(i) To consider matters affecting national security; (ii) To consider, if in compliance with any required data security breach disclosure under RCW 19.255.010 and 42.56.590, and with legal counsel available, information regarding the

... continue reading.

In the City of SeaTac – Who really controls the city?

In the City of SeaTac, many rightly question who really runs the city. Mayor Jake Simpson, John Wyble – WinPower Strategies, or Representative Mia Gregerson? “There are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money. Separately each

... continue reading.

Highline Academics: Prepare to be Disappointed

By Stuart Jenner. Are you curious about how your neighborhood school is performing in English and Math? Be prepared for disappointment: 14 of the 17 elementary schools in Highline are below or far below state averages. In this election season, common buzzwords include  “alignment with the Strategic Plan”, “SEL is going to fix everything”  or

... continue reading.

Officials to SMN: Gangs, social media to blame for rising PNW teen crime

BY BILL KACZARABA MyNorthwest Content Editor A pair of elite law enforcement officials say gangs, staff shortages, and social media are to blame for increasing teen crime rates in the area. King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion and Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla were on Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Newsradio Tuesday. When addressing the increase in teen crime,

... continue reading.

Des Moines eyes eco-friendly hydro-foiled boats to ease Seattle traffic congestion

by Denise Whitaker, KOMO News Reporter Thu, October 5th 2023, 3:51 PM PDT This Navier boat is a pre-production model that holds 6 passengers, but the company says it’s totally scalable to 60′. (KOMO News) DES MOINES, Wash. — It’s no secret that the greater Seattle area deals with a lot of traffic congestion. And

... continue reading.

Police departments facing ‘historic crisis’ in finding, keeping officers should make changes: DOJ report

Story by Bart Jansen, USA TODAY •6h WASHINGTON – Police departments are grappling with “an historic crisis in recruiting and retaining” officers because of a tight labor market during the pandemic and community frustrations, the Justice Department said, recommending a series of policy changes Tuesday to find and keep officers. The recommendations came in response to a survey of 182 police

... continue reading.

One court case changed how West Coast cities deal with homeless encampments

By  Greg Kim Seattle Times staff reporter Five years ago, federal judges ruled it was “cruel and unusual” for cities to fine or arrest homeless people for sleeping outside when they had nowhere else to go. Fast-forwarding to recent months, elected officials in Seattle and along the West Coast are railing against the decision, asking

... continue reading.