JC Harris For Des Moines, Washington
City Council, Position #2
FILE – A flare burns at a well pad Aug. 26, 2021, near Watford City, N.D. The levels of the crucial heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere reached historic highs in 2023, growing at near-record fast paces, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown) SETH BORENSTEIN The Associated Press The levels … Continue reading “Heat-trapping carbon dioxide and methane levels in the air last year spiked to record highs again”
By JERRY CORNFIELD Washington State Standard Drivers in Washington state may soon face better odds of getting caught on camera if they run a red light, speed through a work zone on a city street or fail to stop at a crosswalk. A new law signed Tuesday makes it possible for cities and counties to deploy traffic … Continue reading “New WA law will allow traffic cameras on more city streets”
By Anna Patrick The Seattle Times’ Project Homeless is supported by BECU, Campion Foundation, Raikes Foundation and Seattle Foundation. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over Project Homeless content. Burien is taking King County to court over claims that the Sheriff’s Office is violating a contract with the city by not enforcing a key part of the city’s … Continue reading “Burien sues King County, Sheriff claiming breach of contract”
By Danny Westneat Seattle Times columnist When the final spending plans to keep the federal government running were released this past week, a few members of Congress pronounced themselves appalled to find they were loaded up with “pork.” “Earmarks are evil,” wrote a South Carolina Republican, before enumerating lists of pet projects that the conservative … Continue reading “Channeling old political spirits, Sen. Murray rains money on WA”
By The Seattle Times editorial board If a lawsuit against the city of Burien wasn’t enough to give its leaders pause in its quest to move the unsheltered out of the city, maybe a directive by the King County sheriff to her deputies not to enforce the city’s latest ordinance on “camping’’ is enough to … Continue reading “Burien’s anti-camping ordinance is not an answer to homelessness”
By Gene Balk / FYI Guy Seattle Times columnist Americans have grown less religious over the past couple of decades, and attendance at religious services is down across the country. Of course, some parts of the country are a lot less religious than others. New survey data shows Seattle is one of those places. A clear … Continue reading “Seattle is the least-religious large metro area in the U.S.”
By Claire Withycombe and Jim Brunner Seattle Times staff reporters OLYMPIA — Five years ago, the Washington Legislature was dragged, kicking and screaming, into compliance with the state’s Public Records Act, which says their emails, text messages and other documents should be available for public scrutiny. Court rulings and Gov. Jay Inslee’s veto of a … Continue reading “WA legislators’ claims of ‘privilege’ complicate state Public Records Act”
By Gene Balk / FYI Guy Seattle Times columnist If you’re a King County homeowner, it’s likely your home’s assessed value fell in 2024. Nearly everywhere in the county, assessed values dropped from last year. But you may be surprised to find your property tax didn’t go down nearly as much as you may have … Continue reading “Why some King County home values dropped while taxes on them rose”
By Dahlia Bazzaz Seattle Times staff reporter Education Lab is a Seattle Times project that spotlights promising approaches to persistent challenges in public education. The Seattle Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for Education Lab, which is supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn more about Ed Lab. DES MOINES — From … Continue reading “Dozens of students, staff leave Russell Wilson-backed charter school”
By Gene Balk / FYI Guy Seattle Times columnist Everyone knows buying a home in Seattle is incredibly expensive. But keeping it isn’t cheap either. I’m talking about property taxes. The tax burden for Seattle homeowners is among the highest for any large U.S. city. And along with home values, property taxes in Seattle have … Continue reading “Seattle property taxes among top 5 most expensive in big U.S. cities”
