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  Federal judge ‘extremely skeptical’ that SPD could soon exit consent decree

  A federal judge is still considering how much longer the Seattle Police Department should remain under his oversight. At a hearing Tuesday, Judge James Robart asked wide-ranging questions but did not rule on a joint motion by the U.S. Justice Department and the city of Seattle to find SPD largely in compliance with a consent decree in place since 2012.

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  New Washington state laws give debt relief to people exiting prison

  Starting this summer, people convicted of crimes in Washington will face fewer court-ordered fees. That’s thanks to the state’s third law in recent years aimed at easing the debt burden of “legal financial obligations,” or LFO’s, on people with criminal convictions.
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  Will WA’s new drug law help or hurt people struggling with addiction?

  Washington has a new law on drug possession. Governor Inslee signed it Tuesday, just hours after lawmakers returned for a special session. It contains increased penalties for drug use and possession, and more funding for addiction treatment. Mayors say the language grants them the autonomy they needed, while proponents of harm reduction worry that cities will stymie their efforts amidst a crisis of drug overdose deaths.
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  In absence of state law, Washington cities seek bans on public drug use

  Dozens of cities in Washington state are considering new bans on possession or public use of illegal drugs. That’s after state legislators failed to reach an agreement on a new drug law in the final hours of the session.
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  Seattle leaders propose ban on public drug use, but others oppose the idea

  Washington state currently has a misdemeanor law against possessing drugs like fentanyl or heroin, but it's a temporary law that expires July 1. The state Legislature failed to act to replace it during the session that ended last week.
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  NRA joins legal fight challenging Washington's assault weapons ban

  Less than 24 hours after Gov. Jay Inslee signed Washington's ban on assault weapons into law, three lawsuits have emerged that aim to challenge the new law in court.

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  Gun rights groups sue to stop WA ban on semi-automatic rifle sales

  Gun rights organizations are suing to stop a brand-new ban on the sale of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles from going into effect. The ban became official Tuesday after Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed it into law. Part of the goal is to prevent mass shootings.
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  Negligent drivers who kill pedestrians in WA may face new penalties

  Amidst what experts call a “crisis” of car-pedestrian crashes nationwide, lawmakers in Washington have increased the criminal penalties drivers can face for fatal crashes.
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  Sea-Tac Airport sued over pollution by firm that took on Big Tobacco

  Plaintiffs say airplane emissions have caused harm to 300,000 residents who live in the flight paths.
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  Everett to pay $500K to settle bikini barista dress code lawsuit

  The city of Everett is poised to sign a settlement agreement with bikini baristas, bringing an end to years of legal back-and-forth over the city's coffee stand dress code.

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