Northwest

The Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. Puget Sound Energy owns 25 percent of the remaining two units. File photo

PSE files to sell part of Colstrip coal plant

The utility owns two units at the Montana power plant.

The Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. Puget Sound Energy owns 25 percent of the remaining two units. File photo
Charter review could overhaul King County Sheriff’s Office

Charter review could overhaul King County Sheriff’s Office

Several changes to the King County Sheriff’s Office were proposed.

Charter review could overhaul King County Sheriff’s Office
The language of the original bill prohibited privately-owned detainment facilities from being contracted by local, state, or federal government entities, but a last-second amendment was adopted to substantially narrow the focus of the legislation. File photo

Lawmakers flinch on banning for-profit detention facilities

Last minute amendment exempted ICE detainment facility.

  • Feb 19, 2020
The language of the original bill prohibited privately-owned detainment facilities from being contracted by local, state, or federal government entities, but a last-second amendment was adopted to substantially narrow the focus of the legislation. File photo
Inslee appoints Nelson Lee to the King County Superior Court

Inslee appoints Nelson Lee to the King County Superior Court

Replaces Judge Bill Bowman who left for Court of Appeals

  • Feb 19, 2020
Inslee appoints Nelson Lee to the King County Superior Court
State Senate passes three bills to curb prescription drug prices
State Senate passes three bills to curb prescription drug prices
A proposal to make King County Metro fares free for low-income households could be approved in the coming months. File photo

King County considers free transit for low-income residents

The program would target those at or below 80 percent of the federal poverty level.

A proposal to make King County Metro fares free for low-income households could be approved in the coming months. File photo
U.S. households to receive 2020 Census invitations in March

U.S. households to receive 2020 Census invitations in March

Efforts to count every person

  • Feb 14, 2020
U.S. households to receive 2020 Census invitations in March
State House passes bill banning solitary confinement for juveniles

State House passes bill banning solitary confinement for juveniles

AG Ferguson requested legislation

  • Feb 13, 2020
State House passes bill banning solitary confinement for juveniles
Reykdal: Washington voters demonstrate remarkable commitment to their local public schools

Reykdal: Washington voters demonstrate remarkable commitment to their local public schools

Nearly 90% of all local capital and operating levies are passing

  • Feb 12, 2020
Reykdal: Washington voters demonstrate remarkable commitment to their local public schools
State Patrol works to keep children safe from online predators

State Patrol works to keep children safe from online predators

Tips about what parents can do

  • Feb 11, 2020
State Patrol works to keep children safe from online predators
Federal Way resident Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, 17, died Jan. 27, 2017. Courtesy photo

Law enforcement challenges report on sting operation that killed Federal Way teen

King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight’s findings rattle Sheriff’s Office, police union.

Federal Way resident Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, 17, died Jan. 27, 2017. Courtesy photo
Unstable housing? Apply for Section 8

Unstable housing? Apply for Section 8

Applications open in February for housing vouchers

  • Feb 11, 2020
  • The Renton Reporter staff
Unstable housing? Apply for Section 8
In 2018, the city of Seattle approved and then repealed a head tax within a month. It would have levied a $275 per employee tax on businesses grossing more than $20 million annually. Sound Publishing file photo

County head tax bill passes committee

Bill would let King County levy a tax on businesses to fund housing and address homelessness.

In 2018, the city of Seattle approved and then repealed a head tax within a month. It would have levied a $275 per employee tax on businesses grossing more than $20 million annually. Sound Publishing file photo
Gov. Jay Inslee signs the first bill of the 2020 legislative session into law. On the right stands the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who is wearing a red tie. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service

Gov. Inslee signs tax bill to help fund higher education

Law shifts a portion of the tax burden to large tech companies.

  • Feb 11, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee signs the first bill of the 2020 legislative session into law. On the right stands the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who is wearing a red tie. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
Sound Publishing file photo

King County Council could place roads levy lift on 2020 ballot

Levy could increase taxes for a median home by about $224 a year.

Sound Publishing file photo
King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

King County Metro bus fleet will be electrified by 2035

Future base in South King County would house hundreds of the zero-emission vehicles.

King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov
Three-quarters of the suicide deaths among children ages 10 to 14 are caused by firearms, according to a new report from the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program at the University of Washington. File photo

King County studies youth gun violence amid rising suicides

It’s unclear what’s driving the trend.

Three-quarters of the suicide deaths among children ages 10 to 14 are caused by firearms, according to a new report from the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program at the University of Washington. File photo
A King County work crew clears a road near Preston on Feb. 7, 2020. Heavy rains appear to have caused multiple landslides along the road. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

The future could look a lot like this year’s flood season

Climate change is expected to lead to more winter flooding in King County.

A King County work crew clears a road near Preston on Feb. 7, 2020. Heavy rains appear to have caused multiple landslides along the road. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo
High tides, as seen in this file photo of Raymond’s Willapa Landing Park in Pacific County, could become the norm in the future due to sea level rise. Sound Publishing file photo

UW summarizes Washington climate impact on water

The report localizes information from the United Nations.

High tides, as seen in this file photo of Raymond’s Willapa Landing Park in Pacific County, could become the norm in the future due to sea level rise. Sound Publishing file photo
State Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington. File photo

Mental illness: Lawmakers propose plan to treat without consent

Concerns raised on the guardianship and loss of rights for incapacitated persons.

  • Feb 8, 2020
State Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington. File photo