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
-
Walmart poised to pay Washington millions for opioid programs
Attorney General Bob Ferguson says Walmart is poised to pay Washington more than $62 million for opioid recovery programs in the state.
“This is another important step in our fight for accountability for the opioid industry,” Ferguson said. “These resources will increase prevention efforts and help Washingtonians in need.”
RELATED: More people have died from overdoses so far in 2022 than in all of 2021
This is part of a $3.1 billion multi-state resolution that still needs to be approved by other attorneys general. At least 43 states have to approve the resolution for it to to kick in. Ferguson says he plans sign off on it. According to the AG's Office, at least 85% of litigating and non-litigating local governments in the settlements have to approve as well.
RELATED: Seattle is suing marketing firm over opioid crisis
Funds will be split among state, county, city governments.
In addition to the payout, Walmart has agreed to tightly monitor opioid prescriptions and prevent patients from getting multiple prescriptions.
To date, Washington has recovered more than $800 million from companies that fueled the opioid epidemic.
RELATED: King County declares fentanyl a public health crisis
Continue reading » -
Jobs and unemployment up in Washington and Oregon
Unemployment numbers in Washington and Oregon rose last month, even though both states also added jobs.
Washington’s jobless rate rose to 4% in November, and the state added about 13,000 jobs.
Oregon’s unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, though it added 8,500.
RELATED: Tech industry is shedding employees in the NW
State economists on both sides of the Columbia River say, even if jobless rates are edging up, they’re still low by historical standards.
There are several reasons why unemployment rates can rise even when more payroll jobs are being filled. Gail Krumenauer with the Oregon Employment Department says self-employment had been rising in the state, until recently.
“So we’re seeing a bit of a reversal in that now, where self-employment has been declining for the past few months," Krumenauer said.
RELATED: The brave Seattle foodies who opened restaurants during Covid — and flourished
If more self-employed people report being out of work, that could push Oregon’s unemployment rate up.
Read more by Kate Davidson at Oregon Public Radio.
Continue reading » -
3 fish from 3 King County lakes that you should not eat
Think twice before eating fish from three King County lakes. Poisonous fish have been discovered in these popular fishing spots.
- If you’re fishing in Lake Washington and you catch a cutthroat trout — don’t eat it.
- The largemouth bass in Lake Sammamish and the smallmouth bass in Lake Meridian are also not healthy choices.
RELATED: Washington state is nixing fish farms in public waters
A recent assessment from the Washington State Department of Health found that these fish and others contain a perfluorinated chemical, which could have harmful health effects. Such chemicals can disrupt your immune system, raise your cholesterol, and increase your risk of certain kinds of cancer.
According to DOH: "Your risk of developing health problems depends on how much, how often, and how long you were exposed. Age, lifestyle, and overall health can impact how your body responds to PFOS exposure. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to lower your exposure."
Some of the fish in these three lakes are still healthy to eat. The brown bullhead catfish in Lakes Sammamish and Meridian received a clear bill of health.
More details about which fish are OK to eat, or not, are on the state's health department website.
In general, the department says, fish are good for you! Eat fish ... just not contaminated fish.
RELATED: $1B up for grabs to help salmon get to where they're going
Continue reading » -
Inslee proposes billions for housing, would need voter OK
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee proposed Wednesday that state spending during the next two years prioritize housing, including an effort to quickly build thousands of units that would require the OK from Washington voters.
The governor’s proposed budget would spend $70 billion over two years starting in July 2023, The Seattle Times reported.
That figure represents a roughly 12% proposed increase in spending from the current budget. The budget proposal also reflects other focus areas including behavioral health, the environment and public safety, as lawmakers head into the 2023 legislative session.
Lawmakers will meet in Olympia starting Jan. 9 and will write and pass the budget, which requires the governor’s signature.
Washington continues to grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Inslee’s proposal describes the economic context as creating a “mixed bag of good and bad fiscal news” in which job losses have been recovered, but inflation is stressing consumers and driving up state government costs.
The governor hasn’t proposed any new tax increases but the budget reflects new sources of funding recently passed by lawmakers: a capital-gains tax and revenues raised by a cap-and-invest program to curb greenhouse-gas emissions.
The capital gains tax faces a legal challenge and the Washington Supreme Court in January will hear oral arguments on that case.
To address the growing lack of affordable housing and number of people experiencing homelessness, Inslee is proposing the state raise $4 billion by issuing bonds outside the state’s debt limit.
If lawmakers OK the referendum and voters approve it next November, the money would be spent on emergency supportive housing for unhoused people, affordable housing units and helping low-income first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs.
“Unfortunately, we no longer have the influx of federal funding we are using today to quickly build thousands of new supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness,” Inslee said in a statement. “I don’t want to lose momentum, and I don’t want the problem to get worse because we aren’t moving fast enough.”
The additional money would pay for about 5,300 housing units between 2023 and 2025 and 19,000 in the following six years, according to the proposal. Nearly 13,000 people are living unsheltered throughout Washington state — up from more than 10,500 in 2020, according to the state’s 2022 Point in Time Count.
Continue reading » -
Jury finds Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer not guilty
The state Attorney General's Office had charged Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer with false reporting and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. On Wednesday, a jury acquitted him on both counts.
“Part of upholding the rule of law is respecting the decision of a jury,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement. “I appreciate the jury’s service, and thank my team for their hard work.”
Troyer testified during the trial that he never lied about his late-night encounter with a Black newspaper carrier, Sedrick Altheimer.
The encounter took place Jan. 27, 2021. After following Altheimer on his paper route, Troyer called an emergency line and claimed Altheimer "threatened to kill me.” Dozens of officers headed to the scene in response to the call.
Prosecutors said Troyer weaponized the police against Altheimer because Troyer felt disrespected.
Troyer’s defense lawyer called it a wrongful prosecution and said Altheimer was motivated by his own civil lawsuit.
The trial lasted more than two weeks. The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for about seven hours Wednesday.
Continue reading » -
Washington hospitals say financial situation remains dire as viruses surge
Hospitals across Washington state continued to see financial losses in the third quarter of this year. That’s according to survey results from the Washington State Hospital Association released Tuesday.
While the third quarter losses were smaller than those seen early in the year, they were still large, officials said.
Over the first nine months of 2022, hospitals around the state collectively lost about $1.6 billion.
“Simply put, revenues are not keeping up with rapidly escalating costs,” said hospital association CEO Cassie Sauer during a media briefing Tuesday. “This is really concerning.”
Total operating revenues for hospitals across the state topped $23 billion in the first nine months of the year. While expenses were over $24.6 billion.
Sauer and other hospital leaders have warned that continued financial losses will result in reductions or cuts to services at some hospitals, and possibly even hospital closures in the future.
On Tuesday, Sauer said some cuts and reductions are starting to happen.
“Losing hospital services is something every Washingtonian should be concerned about,” she said.
Hospital officials attribute the massive losses to a range of things. Those causes include increased costs of supplies and drugs, high costs of contracts for temporary staff, low Medicaid reimbursement rates, and the continued issues of discharging patients who no longer need hospital care to places like nursing homes.
The hospital association will be asking the Legislature to help address some of these issues during the upcoming legislative session.
Brian Gibbons, CEO of Astria Health in the Yakima Valley, said Tuesday that travel staffing contracts have been reduced at Astria hospitals in order to try to cut costs, and that means that there are fewer intensive care unit (ICU) beds now operating at the group’s Sunnyside hospital.
Continue reading » -
Where are you when it comes to masking?
The conversation around masking is once again bubbling to the surface as Washington state deals with the triple threat of Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
This comes at a time when the health-care system is already under immense strain.
Hospitals are often running at, or over, capacity and hospital leaders said Tuesday that they continue to see large financial losses that are starting to lead to reductions and cuts to services in some areas.
State secretary of health, Dr. Umair Shah, said there are no plans to bring back a mask mandate in Washington.
But he, and other public health officials, are urging the public to wear high-quality, well-fitting masks in public indoor spaces like grocery stores, theaters, and airports.
Throughout the various surges and seasons during the pandemic, masking habits have changed.
KUOW reached out to community members in the Puget Sound region last week to ask about their masking habits and how, if at all, the current virus season is impacting them.
For some, masking has been a constant for the past couple of years and remains so now.
“I mask indoors as much as possible. I don't feel the need to mask outdoors away from crowds. Masking to protect others is a social responsibility! We should know this much after 3 years of the pandemic! It should be common sense by now.” – George, Queen Anne
“I have never stopped masking up when leaving my house. I wear an N95 mask any time I am around other people whose status I don't know. My whole household does the same and none of us has had covid, nor the flu since the pandemic began. We don't anticipate abandoning the strict masking protocol for many years.” – Shelley, Seattle
“I am at risk of severe infection if I catch COVID (which I have so far avoided), so I have continued to mask in public throughout this pandemic. In summer months with lower transmission rates, I have removed my mask to eat in outdoor spaces; otherwise, I have been masking since the beginning of the pandemic. However, I am more alert to the masking habits of OTHERS when assessing my own risks regarding the various respiratory illnesses circulating.” – Samuel, Tacoma
“My masking habits have not changed drastically. I still see value in wearing a mask in crowded, indoor public spaces. It's comforting to see others also wearing masks, but I respect the choice the others are making for their own lives. With a 3-year-old at home, we certainly get bombarded with our fair share of germs and viruses, so adapting to mask wearing culture has been a welcome adjustment to our everyday lives.” – Kelsey, Tacoma
On the other end of the spectrum, some people said they almost never mask anymore.
Continue reading » -
Truth over party: Today So Far
- On Washington Republican exiting DC has some advice for her colleagues in Congress.
- Solutions to affordable housing are going to be heavily discussed around Washington state in the legislative session ahead.
This post originally appeared in KUOW's Today So Far newsletter for December 14, 2022.
Before she leaves office, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler is offering some advice to her colleagues at the nation's Capitol. In short: Put the truth over your party.
"...the truth is somewhat the last thing people want to hear, especially if it doesn't fit their narrative. But that doesn't make it any less true and we don't do Americans any favors if we deceive them, or if we stand by quietly as they deceive themselves. Hardcore partisans on both sides will tell you that their party is blameless and the other party is the only one that engages in deception. But the truth is, there are people in both parties who have made an industry of it."
Herrera Beutler represents Southwest Washington's 3rd Congressional District.
The advice is notable as she was among a handful of Republicans who voted in favor of impeaching former President Trump. It was a move that led to her defeat in August's primary election. She was knocked out of consideration by MAGA Republican Joe Kent (who ultimately lost the election in November, though he has asked for a recount).
Check out Herrera Beutler's full statement here.
Politicians in Olympia are looking forward to 2023, and many aim to fix Washington's housing woes. There are a few points that lawmakers seem to be on board with, and therefore we can expect them to be pushed in the upcoming session. They include: Spending $1 billion more on affordable housing annually; removing bans on denser forms of housing; eliminating design review boards statewide for residential projects. Read more about what to expect here.
That second point — nixing design review boards — has also been a move gaining momentum in Seattle. As of this week, Seattle is temporarily halting the design review requirement for affordable housing projects. The requirement will be put on hold for a year while the City Council develops a new policy for these builds.
Many folks might not be familiar with the design review process. It looks over plans and makes sure they are up to par with land use codes and local regulations. Part of this process is also a city's defense against "ugly." For example, when someone goes into a quaint, small town and plants a neon offense in the middle of Main Street. Same thing happens in cities like Seattle. Usually, a design review board considers aesthetics, landscaping, etc. The public gets to weigh in, too. But all this adds a layer of permits, processes, and extra time. It's a heavy layer for affordable housing projects on tight budgets. That has run afoul of folks who want to find ways to speed up affordable housing and make such projects less expensive to build.
If you're like me, you're scratching your head, worried about developers coming around and beating Seattle with the ugly stick. Now, I'm no expert architect, but I have walked around Seattle quite a bit and have admired Smith Tower, the Arctic Building, the brick glory spread throughout neighborhoods like Pioneer Square or Ballard. Even odd buildings that make it work, like Rainier Tower or the Seattle Public Library.
If you're worried about new, unappealing construction (like me), well, you're too late. There's already a range of oddly painted big boxes with mixed-panel siding scattered throughout the city. We've already been using a design review process, and we've still ended up with whatever that is across from the Fred Meyer, or what's popping up around the U-District. It all prompts passersby to ask, "Is that an apartment or public storage?"
Continue reading » -
Woodinville man in court one day after standoff with police
A Woodinville man carried multiple firearms into a Snohomish County courthouse on Monday, prompting a temporary lockdown. He had his first court appearance the very next day, Tuesday. A judge has set bail at $1 million.
According to probable cause documents, the suspect, 32-year-old David Hsu, went into the courthouse armed, demanding to see two judges and the sheriff. Hsu was demanding that changes be made to his child custody arrangements. He surrendered to authorities after a standoff lasting several hours.
At an initial district court hearing Tuesday, a judge found probable cause for several charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, and unlawful display of a weapon.
Judge Jennifer Rancourt set Hsu's $1 million bail because of the substantial risk the Snohomish County prosecutor believes he poses to himself and the public.
Prosecutors argue that Hsu came into the courthouse with at least five firearms, brass knuckles, body armor, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Hsu has no previous criminal history.
The prosecutor's office has two days to file charges in district court.
Continue reading » -
Seattle streeteries are going to stick around town
The Seattle City Council unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that will allow restaurants and other owners to set up tables on sidewalks and in parking spaces, as long as they get a long-term permit.
Councilmember Dan Strauss says the move adds to the fabric of the city.
"Small businesses and their entrepreneurial skills make our neighborhoods more vibrant," Strauss said. "The other option for some of these spaces is a place for cars to park. What we found in Ballard is that we're able to have places for cars to park and these outdoor dining opportunities."
Business owners will pay up to $1,200 a year to use those outdoor spaces under the new permitting process.
More than 300 businesses set up street cafes and other street vending operations during the pandemic. During that time, the city waived any fees for street vending. Moving forward, city officials have been reworking regulations.
RELATED: The brave Seattle foodies who opened restaurants during Covid — and flourished
The city anticipates it could lose tens of thousands of dollars in parking meter fees, but does not yet know how much the street cafe permits will bring in.
The type of seating, dimensions, and ADA compliance are all regulated in the permit.
Continue reading » -
Rep. Herrera Beutler's advice as she exits Congress
U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler took her last opportunity to address Congress this week to thank her family and her team for for their support over her past 12 years in office.
"To Southwest Washington, thank you for entrusting me six times with this awesome responsibility," Herrera Beutler said.
But it wasn't just gratitude that the Congress member from Washington's 3rd District had to convey. She offered some unsolicited advice to her colleagues at the Capitol. Herrera Beutler began by reminding members that they will leave office one day and will reflect on what they are proud of from their time in D.C., from bills they passed to standing for what is right.
"But let me tell you what you won't think of: That time you tweeted something that got 10,000 likes; or that time you thought of a really mean, clever thing to say about the other party, or the other team; or those times you told part of the truth, or not all of the truth, and hoped no one would ask you what you really meant. The people who elect us put their faith in us to represent them and we owe them the truth. And times, especially in the heat of the moment, the truth is somewhat the last thing people want to hear, especially if it doesn't fit their narrative. But that doesn't make it any less true and we don't do Americans any favors if we deceive them, or if we stand by quietly as they deceive themselves. Hardcore partisans on both sides will tell you that their party is blameless and the other party is the only one that engages in deception. But the truth is, there are people in both parties who have made an industry of it. I have faith in the American people to eventually put a stop to this, but we here in this body also have a responsibility to the truth. After all, it is the only thing that truly sets us free."
Herrera Beutler was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump. As a result, she faced challenges from her right in the past election. She lost the primary to MAGA Republican Joe Kent who took over the GOP spot on the November ballot. Kent ultimately lost the election to Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, but he has asked for a recount.
Herrera Beutler lives in Battle Ground, Washington. She was elected as a state representative for the 18th Legislative District in 2006. She was then elected to Congress in 2010 and became Washington state's first Hispanic representative in Congress.
Continue reading » -
No design review for Seattle's affordable housing projects
The Seattle City Council has voted to extend a program aimed to make it easier to build affordable housing projects.
The City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday to temporarily exempt affordable housing projects from the Design Review process.
RELATED: What Washington's housing legislation could look like in 2023
Architect Kate Smith, with SMR Architects, testified during Tuesday's Council meeting and argued that Seattle's permitting process makes it difficult to build affordable housing.
"By the time affordable housing projects go to the permitting process, there is little room for delays and cost increases," Smith said. "The last challenge these housing projects should face is a costly, inequitable and uncoordinated city permitting and review process. Housing is a human right."
The ordinance exempts low-income housing projects from certain requirements, such as landscaping, aesthetic, and other requirements for one year. During that year, the Council plans to rework the design review process for affordable housing.
Seattle's Design Review process includes a board of locals who largely weigh in on the aesthetics of new construction projects in the city.
RELATED: Amazon spending $150 million on affordable housing in Seattle
Continue reading »