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Black, Native people face higher rates of charges in Washington courts
The number of Black people with charges filed against them in Washington’s courts last year was about 2.5 times greater than their share of the state’s population – largely due to misdemeanor charges, which are considered less serious crimes. That’s according to a new online data dashboard released this month by the Washington State Center […]
Washington’s delegates react to Harris’ speech and the Democratic National Convention
Over a hundred Washington delegates attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, which culminated with a speech from Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday night accepting the party’s presidential nomination. Harris’ candidacy has galvanized the party following President Joe Biden stepping aside in the race a little over a month ago, leaving her […]
Assaults on staff rise sharply at state-run behavioral health hospital for children
Washington’s only behavioral health hospital for children is seeing a dramatic rise in assaults on staff this year. That’s according to early 2024 data from the Department of Social and Health Services. The figures show the rate of assaults has more than doubled compared to all of 2023. Last year at the Child Study Treatment […]
The story behind WA Democrats’ light-up hats and ‘Cowboy Kamala’ sashes
Washington’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention caught some national attention on Monday for wearing light-up cowboy hats and sashes that say “Cowboy Kamala,” a reference to the Beyoncé album “Cowboy Carter.” Shasti Conrad, the Washington Democratic Party’s chair, worked with design and consulting firm Accountability Architects, led by Sarah Szalavitz and Sonaar Luthra, to […]
Fewer Washington kids are going to foster care despite steady stream of child neglect reports
The number of kids in Washington’s foster care system has dropped by nearly half since the Department of Children, Youth and Families was created in 2017, reflecting the agency’s push to keep families together. There are now 4,971 children and youth in foster care in Washington, compared with 9,171 in 2018, the first full year […]
Prisoners still routinely isolated in WA, despite efforts to cut solitary confinement
Washington’s Department of Corrections pledged to end solitary confinement as a punishment in 2021 — but isolation is still widely used across state prisons for what the agency calls “administrative” purposes. That’s according to a 400-page June report from the Office of the Corrections Ombuds, the independent investigations office for the Department of Corrections. The […]
Rising costs for Washington school districts outpace state funding, report finds
In recent years, districts are spending a lot more money to keep Washington’s schools running — but state funding isn’t keeping up. That’s according to a new report from the League of Education Voters, which found school districts have increased spending on staff by 19.7% between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 school years. “We’re using an […]
Washington’s fentanyl-sniffing dogs: The newest tool in the fight against opioids
In a prison north of Olympia, a deaf, all-white pit bull mix named Ghost searches visitors for drugs. “It’s incredible to watch him work,” marvels a Washington State Department of Corrections staff member. Ghost, a rescue who’s “totally unadoptable” due to his intensity — his handler, Erik Prange, calls him “insane” — moves from each […]
Here’s who’s leading in Washington’s U.S. House races
Battles for Washington’s seats in the U.S. House came into sharper focus Tuesday night, with an endangered Republican incumbent on track to slip through the primary and a highly anticipated rematch solidifying in southwest Washington. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse has drawn the ire of fellow Republicans since voting in 2021 to impeach former President Donald […]
Reykdal, Olson ahead in race to lead WA’s public schools
Incumbent Chris Reykdal and Peninsula School Board member David Olson were leading Tuesday night as Washington’s top two picks to helm the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the state agency that oversees K-12 education. Reykdal led with about 39.6% of the vote, according to results posted by the secretary of state’s office around 8:40 […]
Dollar Tree required to reform testing process after WA finds toxic children’s products
Dollar Tree must test its children’s products more thoroughly after a state investigation found bracelets and pencil pouches in the company’s Washington stores with illegal levels of lead and cadmium, the attorney general’s office announced Thursday. In order to avoid a lawsuit, Greenbrier International, which does business as Dollar Tree, entered a nationwide, legally binding […]
Counties sue Washington over decision to keep sentenced juveniles in local jails
The Washington State Association of Counties is suing the state over its decision to suspend intakes at two juvenile detention centers and house newly convicted youth in county jails due to overcrowding. The association, which represents all 39 of Washington’s counties, is asking King County Superior Court to reverse the intake suspension. The lawsuit was […]