A deep dive into Seattle’s busy, beloved Ballard Locks

By  Sandi Doughton  Pacific NW magazine writer THREE YEARS AGO, a Washington state senator from Ferndale introduced a bill to study the costs and benefits of breaching the Ballard Locks. Republican Doug Ericksen, who died in 2021, didn’t really expect it to happen. His legislation was a jab at Seattle liberals calling for removal of dams on the

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Rob Back – Waterland Blog Candidate Statement

Rob Back, a seasoned maintenance contractor and former council member, is a candidate for the Des Moines City Council, Position 2. With over 35 years of experience, Back brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record of accomplishments. Notably, he served as a council member from 2016 to 2020, during which time he

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Can a city banish its poor? WA’s highest court is asked to weigh in

Being in the Top 10 isn’t always a good thing. Especially when it comes to homelessness. Washington state ranks number nine in the number of unsheltered homeless individuals, or those living on the street, and in the top five of the total number of people experiencing homelessness. The crisis escalated between 2020 and 2022, when that number jumped

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Grant will help expand services at Auburn mental health clinic

The $940,298 grant will fund planning, development and expansion of facility By Benjamin Leung Friday, September 29, 2023 2:25pm NORTHWEST     Auburn’s Sound Mental Health clinic at 4238 Auburn Way N. (Courtesy photo) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Sound Mental Health, a mental health clinic in Auburn, an approximately $940,000 grant

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Burien prohibits camping amid high-profile homeless encampment debate

By Anna Patrick Seattle Times staff reporter The Seattle Times’ Project Homeless is funded by BECU, Campion Foundation, Raikes Foundation and Seattle Foundation. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over Project Homeless content. After months of infighting over what to do about a small but growing unsheltered homeless population, Burien’s City Council approved a new

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Washington’s homeschooling boom is here to stay

Among Washington families who took up homeschooling during the pandemic nearly half are sticking with it, according to state data. Why it matters: While some families say homeschooling is a lifeline for kids who struggled in public schools, it’s contributed to enrollment drops, budget shortfalls and potential cuts in many districts, David S. Knight, an assistant professor of education

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Newly Released 2022-23 Highline Schools Performance Data Is Disappointing

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By Stuart Jenner It is commonly believed K12 students had significant learning losses as a result of Covid. How is the recovery going in Highline, other nearby districts, and in the state as a whole? The newest test data has discouraging news. Just released on the Washington State Report Card in the past week by the Office of

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Sound Transit to pay city of Kent $1.75M due to light rail delay

Sound Transit will pay the city of Kent an additional $1.75 million over two years to extend a staffing agreement because of the delay to open a light rail line in 2026 rather than 2024. The City Council approved the amendment to the contract on Sept. 5. The city and Sound Transit approved a development

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Kent City Council candidates all favor hiring more police officers

By Steve Hunter Monday, September 11, 2023 3:58pm If the words of six Kent City Council candidates are an accurate indication, voters might be voting on higher taxes next year to pay for more police officers. The six candidates for three council positions agreed during a Sept. 7 Kent Chamber of Commerce forum that more Kent

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