KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
Have any leads or feedback for the KUOW Blog? Contact Dyer Oxley at dyer@kuow.org.
Stories
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Washington state's new solution for foster parents and child care
Every year, Washington state struggles to find placements for hundreds of foster care kids. One problem is that a lot of licensed foster parents in Washington can’t take in kids under 5.
Washington has about 8,000 children in foster care. The rule barring some parents from taking in kids younger than 5 is because, if both foster parents work, they need to find child care during the day. In Washington, and nationwide, there’s a child care shortage and long waitlists at licensed centers, so foster parents can’t find a spot on short notice.
A new rule aims to address this issue and just took effect at the start of the year.
The state has reversed a previous rule to address the shortage of both foster parents and child care in the state. The previous rule did not allow foster parents to provide in-home child care and also did not allow in-home child care providers to become foster parents.
The change this year streamlines the process for foster parents to become licensed to run in-home daycares, and it also makes it easy for people who run in-home day cares to become licensed foster parents.
The idea is to make it possible for foster parents to quit their day jobs and take care of their foster kids during the day. Foster parents who start in-home day cares can also help out other foster parents, if they want.
Since 2020, the state has run a pilot program of the new licensing rules. During that time, 15 people got dual licenses. More than half of them are Latino or Native American.
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Some fish in King County aren't safe to eat. How do you warn the right people?
Yellow perch, cutthroat trout, a couple of species of bass — in lakes Washington, Sammamish, and Meridian, these fish are not safe to eat.
The Washington State Department of Health has found that these and several other species of fish in three King County lakes are contaminated with a perfluorinated chemical that can harm immune and reproductive systems, and increase the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
RELATED: 3 fish from 3 King County lakes that you should not eat
Now the challenge is to get the word out to affected communities. The problem is: To do that, the state would first need to know who is eating these fish. And they’re not sure. The last study of who eats which fish species from King County lakes was done in 2007 — 15 years ago.
The agency is trying to cover its bases by posting a health advisory on its website in five languages. Popular fishing spots will also have health advisories posted in English, Spanish, and Chinese as well as other languages, depending on the location.
The agency has also reached out to the Wild Fish Conservancy and the Muckleshoot Tribe to let them know about the new research.
King County’s public health agency is contacting communities that fish the Duwamish — because those communities have been surveyed more recently and might also eat fish from local lakes — as well as to people who speak a variety of languages and might be able to help spread the word.
But a state fish biologist worries there are lots of public fishing piers, especially around Lake Washington, that might not have any posted warnings at all, so some anglers might not hear the news.
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Seattle Councilmember Alex Pedersen will not run for reelection in 2023
Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen says he won't be running for reelection in 2023. Without the pressure of another campaign, he says he will focus on safety, fiscal responsibility, and "preventing economic, physical, and cultural displacement" in his final year in office.
“While I appreciate the encouragement from several neighborhood leaders from Wallingford to Wedgwood, I have decided not to seek re-election in 2023 to another four-year term as the fulltime City Councilmember for District 4," Pedersen said in a statement. "After 2023, my family will need me more than City Hall, and they are looking forward to having me back."
Pedersen represents Seattle's District 4. He was elected to the position in 2019 with 52% of the vote, and officially took office in 2020. He will therefore be a single-term council member, but says that he is "not a career politician." Reflecting on his time on the dais, Pedersen's announcement this week leaned into terms like "voice of reason," "rational," and "sensible public policy."
Following the announcement, Seattle Mayor Harrell expressed praise for Pedersen's work on the Council.
In a statement, Pedersen said that recent polling indicates there is more support in the city for his efforts, but "just because an elected official could win again doesn’t mean they should," and that he wants to "hand the reins to another qualified and pragmatic public servant."
Pedersen also noted his track record over the past couple years, including his votes to create the Regional Homelessness Authority and support for Rosie's Tiny Home Village in the U District; support infrastructure investments for the city's bridges; help to increase the number of school zone speed enforcements; and work to keep utility rate increases to a minimum.
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Washington state starts 2023 with ambitious new climate efforts
One of Washington's biggest climate programs yet launched on Jan. 1: the Clean Fuel Standard.
Under this program, fuel suppliers must gradually provide cleaner and cleaner fuels for gas pumps across the state, starting now, through 2034.
RELATED: Despite rise in emissions, Gov. Inslee says Washington can still meet carbon pollution goals
Also kicking in this month is a law that caps greenhouse gas emissions from the state's largest polluters. That program allows companies to buy carbon credits in an auction, which can be traded like other investments — also known as cap and invest.
In Seattle, the city will start funding its Green New Deal for the first time this year. That's the city's climate change master plan. As part of that, middle and low income residents will be eligible for assistance to buy heat pumps.
And this year, major federal incentives for green energy kick in. People can get tax credits for buying electric vehicles, installing rooftop solar, and heat pumps.
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Video game workers form Microsoft’s first US labor union
A group of video game testers has formed Microsoft’s first labor union in the U.S., which will also be the largest in the video game industry.
The Communications Workers of America said Tuesday that a majority of about 300 quality-assurance workers at Microsoft video game subsidiary ZeniMax Studios has voted to join the union.
Microsoft already told the CWA it would accept the formation of the union at its Maryland-based video game subsidiary, fulfilling a promise it made to try to build public support for its $68.7 billion acquisition of another big game company, Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft bought ZeniMax for $7.5 billion in 2021, giving the Xbox-maker control of ZeniMax’s well-known game publishing division Bethesda Softworks and popular game franchises such as The Elder Scrolls, Doom and Fallout.
Senior game tester Wayne Dayberry said in an interview with The Associated Press that the unionization campaign began before Microsoft took over and reflected workplace concerns that are common at video game companies.
“Throughout the industry, the quality assurance departments are treated poorly, paid very little, and treated as replaceable cogs,” said Dayberry, who has worked for five years at ZeniMax’s Rockville, Maryland headquarters on games such as Fallout, Prey and The Evil Within.
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Video game testers approve the first union at Microsoft
A group of video game testers at Microsoft have formed the tech giant's first union, and Microsoft has signed off on it, according to Communications Workers of America, which represents the employees.
A "supermajority" of quality assurance workers at Microsoft's ZeniMax Studios, which produces video games such as Elder Scrolls, DOOM, Quake Champions, and Fallout, voted to join the union, CWA said Tuesday.
"We're thrilled to kick off 2023 in a workplace that's stronger and more equitable than it was last year," said Senior Quality Assurance Tester Skylar Hinnant. "This is an empowering victory that allows us to protect ourselves and each other in a way we never could without a union. Our hope and belief is that this is the year in which game workers across the country exercise their power and reshape the industry as a whole."
ZeniMax employees at Microsoft first signed their unionization cards in November and began voting in December.
When the employees announced they were unionizing, Microsoft vowed to remain neutral and let the employees make their own decision about joining, CWA said.
"Microsoft has lived up to its commitment to its workers and let them decide for themselves whether they want a union," CWA President Chris Shelton said. "Other video game and tech giants have made a conscious choice to attack, undermine, and demoralize their own employees when they join together to form a union. Microsoft is charting a different course, which will strengthen its corporate culture and ability to serve its customers, and should serve as a model for the industry and as a blueprint for regulators." [Copyright 2023 NPR]
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Go on a healthy news diet in 2023: Today So Far
A challenge to TSF readers as we start 2023: Go on a healthy informational diet, avoid click bait and sensational "news," and even take a break from news consumption every now and then. Yep. I just said that.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for January 3, 2023.
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2023. As such, I'd like our TSF community to move into the new year with a sort of mission. While a lot of folks are happy to leave 2022 behind, there is a Seattle Now segment that has stuck with me over the past few months. I keep returning to it and considering how to best consume news, and how to best provide it to you. It's something I am taking with me into the new year as I think about staying healthy and informed.
KUOW's Jeannie Yandel interviewed journalist and columnist Amanda Ripley in July. Despite being a journalist herself, Ripley found herself, to some degree, purposefully avoiding news.
"There were a lot of headlines of what might happen, sort of anticipatory dread, which I think is the definition of an anxiety disorder," Ripely said. "I’m not a psychologist, but I found myself (asking), ‘Why am I reading these stories? I’m just getting more and more worried…’”
So she started trying different approaches to news consumption, such as not reading news in the morning, but “nothing really seemed to be the right balance of feeling informed, but also not feeling paralyzed by despair.” In Ripley's opinion, humans "really do need, just like they need water, hope, agency, and dignity. Those are things that, interestingly, are present in every single story that I’ve reported, but I didn’t always include them in the story. It’s not that they don’t exist in real life and real neighborhoods, but it’s not how we think about storytelling … but it’s those three things … that humans need to get up in the morning.”
I can relate. I also avoid the news, sometimes. Yes, me, someone who works in journalism, and writes a newsletter, and more than that, someone who works in online media. Sorry to all my news media colleagues who just collectively gasped. Obviously, as KUOW's newsletter writer, I have to at least be up-to-date each morning. But if I take a weekend with Nina and Cosmo, I'm turning off my notifications. I also take time to engage in non-news activities and let my brain breathe. This is OK, for me and for you. The news will be there when you get back. Go ahead, take a walk, call a friend just to chat, pick up that hobby you always say you're going to do.
If I wanted to, right now, I could get you to click. There is an easy recipe for clicks. Start with a sensational headline that tells you a lot and nothing at the same time, add a dollop of fear, a pinch of culture war, stir in a little frustration, and top it off with a few facts (not too much) to help it go down as news and information. There are variations of this recipe, but that's the basic idea.
Just as Ripley cited "water" as essential for our bodies, I'd like to add that healthy, nutritious news is essential for our minds and spirits. The information we consume is a lot like food we choose to consume. A good chef knows that a combination of salt, fat, and sugar will entice your taste buds and keep you biting. But there are plenty of others out there willing to package these ingredients in an unhealthy mix, often for quick, cheap consumption. News and information can be prepared in a similar, cheap way. With my friends, I call this "fast news," the informational equivalent of a fast food diet. Sure, you're consuming, but the end result might not be healthy.
I know the fast news recipe well, because I have been asked to cook it up myself in my career as an online content producer (a lot of websites have content quotas and a focus on numbers). I should note that I'm not talking about breaking news that needs to be reported ASAP. I'm talking cheap, sensational information with the primary focus of capturing your attention. In other words, let's choose to eat our "vegetables" in 2023. A healthy informational diet can do wonders for your mind and spirit. It's also good for fending off misinformation and disinformation. And it may help to separate news and opinion.
What does this all mean? There comes a time when we have to say, "No, I should not eat that," or when folks say, "No drinking for dry January." Choose information that is prepared well. If it tastes sensational, then it might be lacking some informational nutrients — just say, "No, I won't click on that" or perhaps, "I'm going to double check that information." Do you really, super agree with what your reading? Try challenging yourself by engaging information from a different angle. Ask yourself if information is news or opinion or other. And no matter how aggravating it is, no matter how much it makes you want to scream, "I can't believe that! What in the world!?" don't click the bait.
As we look forward into 2023, many of us making resolutions or aiming to adopt new, healthy habits, my challenge to TSF readers is to go on a healthy information diet. That means directing your attention at healthy sources, and avoiding misinformation and cheap information (click bait). Diversify your diet and avoid eating in an echo chamber. Develop an awareness every time you encounter information or news — whether it comes from a friend, foe (hopefully you don't have any foes), website, social media post, or those videos they're now playing at gas stations while you pump gas.
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Conservative Seattle broadcaster Dori Monson passes away at 61
Funeral arrangements are being made for longtime Seattle conservative radio host Dori Monson.
The 61-year-old talk-radio host died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, after suffering a heart attack two days prior, according to Bonneville International, which owns KIRO-FM. He leaves behind a wife of 35 years and three daughters.
Monson was a familiar voice to many across Western Washington. He hosted his highly rated show on KIRO Radio for 27 years, often offering a conservative take, countering the region's more liberal stances and politicians.
No word yet about how Monson's three-hour midday slot will be filled.
Colleague and fellow radio host John Curley told KIRO 7 News that Monson had been dealing with heart health issues, so his heart attack was not a complete surprise.
While Monson was considered a conservative firebrand, those who worked with and knew him are recalling his softer side. He often reached out to colleagues during tough times, or would offer unsolicited words of encouragement. He also coached high school basketball teams.
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Changes to Washington employment laws and wages in 2023
From changes to minimum wages, ride-share drivers, and employment transparency, new rules for Washington's employers went into effect at the start of 2023.
Washington state is joining California, Colorado, and New York City by becoming more transparent about pay in job postings.
"With the start of the new year, businesses with 15 or more employees now must include in their job postings the following information: salary range or pay scale; a general description of all benefits offered; and to identify if there is any other compensation that might come with this job," explained Pluribus News reporter Austin Jenkins on Seattle Now.
"The law is pretty prescriptive about these pay scales. They are not allowed to do open-ended phrases such as 'up to' a certain amount, or 'no top range.' They actually have to put a scale — a minimum and a maximum. And this is also information that needs to be provided to a current employee who is being promoted or transferred to a different position."
The reason behind the change is to help reduce gender-pay discrimination, and level the playing field.
The law also prohibits wage non-disclosure agreements. That means employers can’t stop employees from comparing or discussing their wages with colleagues.
"When this law was being debated in the Legislature, a big focus was on pay equity and traditionally marginalized workers, namely women and people of color," Jenkins said. "Backers of this law said this would make Washington more competitive for job seekers at a time when employers are struggling to recruit and retain workers, but they also said that this would create a more level playing field and address equity issues, noting the history of, particularly women and people of color, paying a price for trying to negotiate salary and benefits."
"Opponents countered that this would be a burden, especially on smaller employers, but the prevailing thought when this passed was — if this information is made available up front when you are applying for a job, not after you get it, it puts workers, especially certain marginalized workers, in a better, stronger position."
Minimum wage goes up in Washington state
Also, as of Jan. 1, Washington state now has the highest minimum wage in the country. It jumped from $14.49 an hour to $15.74 for workers 16 and older.
Workers younger than 16 will be paid $13.38 an hour.
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2 Puyallup men arrested for Christmas attacks on Pierce County substations
Two men from Puyallup have been arrested and charged for damaging four electric substations in Pierce County over Christmas weekend.
The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Matthew Greenwood, 32, and Jeremy Crahan, 40, were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. They have been charged with conspiracy to damage energy facilities and possession of an unregistered firearm. They are expected to appear in court Tuesday. Prosecutors will request that the two men be detained at the federal detention center in SeaTac.
RELATED: String of electrical grid attacks in Pacific Northwest
“I am so thankful for how quickly and diligently our investigators and partners worked to bring this to a resolution,” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle field office, in a statement. “This case took many of them away from their families during the holidays, but through their efforts, we have two men in custody we believe to be responsible for all four power station attacks. This demonstrates the commitment by all levels of law enforcement to protect our infrastructure and hold those accountable who put our community in danger.”
The DOJ states that the investigation looked at cell phone records and video from one of the substations. That video allegedly shows a pickup truck and a man with "distinctive clothing" at one scene. Investigators seized clothing as evidence when arresting the men, along with two short-barrel firearms that were not registered, one with a homemade silencer.
The Department of Justice alleges that the two men attacked four substations over Christmas weekend, including Tacoma Power's Graham and Elk Plain substations and Puget Sound Energy's Kapowsin and Hemlock substations. The DOJ states that damage to Tacoma Power's facilities are estimated to be around $3 million. Thousands throughout the region lose electricity as a result of the attacks.
“I commend the work by the FBI to quickly identify these suspects and disrupt any future attacks on the east Pierce County power grid,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown in a statement. “We have seen attacks such as these increase in Western Washington and throughout the country and must treat each incident seriously. The outages on Christmas left thousands in the dark and cold and put some who need power for medical devices at extreme risk.”
Conspiracy to attack substations is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Possession of an unregistered firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The case was led by the FBI and included the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tacoma Police Department, the Washington State Departmenf of Corrections, and the Federal Protective Service.
There has a been a trend of attacks on electrical substations across the Northwest and the United States. In early December, before the Christmas attacks, KUOW and Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that the electrical grid across Washington and Oregon had been attacked at least six times by unknown individuals, sometimes using firearms to knock out power. The attacks started in mid-November.
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Suspect in Idaho slayings not expected to fight extradition
STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A man facing first-degree murder charges in the slayings of four University of Idaho students in November is not expected to fight extradition at a hearing Tuesday in Pennsylvania, where he was captured at his parents’ home.
Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student and teaching assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University, was taken into custody early Friday by state police in eastern Pennsylvania, authorities said.
Monroe County’s chief public defender, Jason LaBar, said his client is eager to be exonerated and plans to tell a judge in Pennsylvania that he will waive his extradition hearing so he can be quickly taken to Idaho.
LaBar said his client should be presumed innocent and “not tried in the court of public opinion.”
Capt. Anthony Dahlinger, of the Moscow Police Department in Idaho, told The Associated Press on Saturday that authorities believe Kohberger was responsible for all four slayings.
“We believe we’ve got our man,” he said, adding that investigators obtained samples of Kohberger’s DNA directly from him after he was arrested.
Kohberger’s relatives in Pennsylvania have expressed sympathy for the families of the victims but vowed to support him and promote “his presumption of innocence.”
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Washington needs 6k new nurses. This new program could help — a little
There are lots of vacant jobs out there for registered nurses — in Washington state, about 6,000 of them. That nursing shortage can mean hospitals have to hire travel nurses at expensive rates, or sometimes they’re not able to staff all of their beds, which can lead to long wait times for patients.
Now, universities across the country, including one in the Puget Sound area, are starting new programs that aim to address that nursing shortage by getting people who want nursing jobs ready for them faster.
Normally, it takes four years to become a nurse. That means even if programs add more students, it’s a long time before there are more nurses ready to care for patients. Accelerated nursing programs, on the other hand, can train new nurses in 12 to 18 months.
In the Northwest, the University of Washington already has an accelerated nursing program. This fall, Pacific Lutheran University launched a new program to train new registered nurses in only about 16 months at its satellite campus in Lynnwood.
The students in Pacific Lutheran University's program “are getting equivalent training and education” to students in four-year programs, said Bridget Scott-Fletcher, a PLU nursing professor. “They are doing clinicals, and they’re getting a full gamut of experience so that when they graduate, they are confident, competent, and ready.”
Accelerated programs make it possible for non-traditional students — people who might already have a job, or a spouse and kids, for example — take the leap and switch to a career in nursing; taking 16 months to study can be more doable than taking four years off from working.
“Our students have very diverse backgrounds,” Scott-Fletcher said. “I have students who [are] coming out of careers such as marine science, a student who’s coming from a teaching career in elementary education, IT as well.”
Most accelerated nursing degrees, including the one at the University of Washington, require students to already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject. The Pacific Lutheran University program requires only about two years of college, along with certain prerequisites like anatomy and organic chemistry.
Pacific Lutheran University's program currently has 24 students who started in September. They’ll graduate in about a year. By 2025, the program will graduate about 170 students annually.
Correction 3/6/23: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Central Washington University has an accelerated nursing program. It does not.
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