Northwest

King County Council has nine members who each represent a district. Courtesy of kingcounty.gov

Charter amendments could allow King County Council to remove elected officials

The change was recommended by the charter review commission.

King County Council has nine members who each represent a district. Courtesy of kingcounty.gov
Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht gave a response to an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight report on Feb. 25 before the King County Law and Justice Committee. The report recommended ways her department could reform use of force policy and internal investigations. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

Council unsatisfied with Sheriff’s response to use of deadly force report

The King County Sheriff’s Office could be required to explain why it didn’t implement recommendations.

Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht gave a response to an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight report on Feb. 25 before the King County Law and Justice Committee. The report recommended ways her department could reform use of force policy and internal investigations. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo

Democratic lawmakers roll out spending plans for climate change, homelessness

Republican opposition calls for tax relief, rather than spending the increased revenue.

  • Feb 25, 2020
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal

State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal

Focus on housing, child care, health care

  • Feb 24, 2020
State House Democrats release supplemental budget proposal
Fentanyl (Courtesy photo)

Fentanyl overdoses keep increasing in King County

Meth overdoses are on the rise as well, continuing a trend reported on last year.

Fentanyl (Courtesy photo)
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