AGRICULTURE
- WA Dept. of Ecology highlight agricultural concerns amid statewide drought declaration (KEPR TV)
- USDA Rural Development announce Farm Labor Housing funding for WA & OR communities (KEPR TV)
- Bird flu in cattle stressing Northwest dairy operators (NW News Network)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY & FAMILY ISSUES
CONGRESS
COURTS (STATE)
- City public defenders office files over 200 motions to disqualify Judge Gloria Ochoa-Bruck from cases (The Spokesman-Review)
- Grant County Community Court reaches first year (Columbia Basin Herald)
- Unjust use of force or self-defense? Attorneys present opening arguments in trial of Vancouver police Officer Andrea Mendoza (The Columbian)
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
- Authorities hoping new WA law will deter converter theft (KONA Radio)
- Mulitple King County Motel 6’s being sued for allegedly allowing sex trafficking (MyNorthwest)
- Tacoma crime-plan update shows drop in violence. Some see ‘discrepancies’ between the numbers and reality (The News Tribune)
- Raids in Eastern Washington target Norteño prison gang and drug trafficking (Yakima Herald-Republic)
- Violent prison gang accused of running cockfighting ring in eastern Washington (KING TV)
DRUG CRISIS
EDUCATION
- Arlington school breaks barriers one vending machine meal at a time (MyNorthwest)
- Parents hope intent to sue notice brings change to Sunnyside School District (KNDO/KNDU)
ENERGY & UTILITIES
- Despite petitions, federal regulators approve construction on expanded Northwest gas pipeline (Oregon Capital Chronicle/Washington State Standard)
- EFSEC sends Horse Heaven power project to Inslee (Capital Press)
- Energy efficiency programs in Walla Walla draw visit from Gov. Jay Inslee (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & THE WHITE HOUSE
- Department of Justice launching carjacking task force in Seattle (KING TV)
- Biden’s new Title IX rules protect LGBTQ+ students, but transgender sports rule still on hold (AP)
- Biden administration restricts oil and gas leasing in 13 million acres of Alaska’s petroleum reserve (AP)
GUN RIGHTS
HEALTH CARE & HOSPITALS
- PeaceHealth nurses picket Vancouver hospital, demanding safe staffing and fair wages (The Columbian)
HIGHER EDUCATION
- How UW investigates sexual assault allegations (The Seattle Times)
- UW attempts to restructure Husky Stadium debt as Big Ten move looms (The Seattle Times)
- Central professor mistaken as homeless woman by coworker (Daily Record)
- EDITORIAL: UW must take action after protesters vandalize property, intimidate students (The Seattle Times)
HOMELESSNESS
- Two King County cities get $3 million to expand homeless shelters (The Seattle Times)
- Would regional approach work better to address homelessness? Local effort is underway (The News Tribune)
- Traction builds for regional approach to homelessness in Pierce County (KOMO TV)
HOUSING
- Average mortgage rate climbs to highest level since late November (AP/The Oregonian)
- COLUMN: Most Seattle-area renters report big rent hikes in the past 12 months (Gene Balk/The Seattle Times)
- EDITORIAL: It’s hard to predict an unpredictable future (The Columbian)
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Washington to fund more non-armed vehicle pursuit technology for law enforcement (The Center Square)
- State Auditor: transparency needed in Washington police asset forfeiture (The Center Square)
- Public memorial for Deputy Jason Gregory in Montesano on April 21; expect large law enforcement presence (KXRO Radio)
- Renton Police offer ‘one of the highest’ signing bonuses at $40,000 to compete for experienced officers (FOX 13)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Seattle mayor to push for quicker demolition of ‘public nuisance’ buildings (The Seattle Times)
- Spokane joins lawsuit against ‘forever’ chemical manufacturers (The Center Square)
- Whatcom County paid $225K to settle sexual harassment complaints (Cascade PBS)
- Palestinian supporters demand Ellensburg call for ceasefire in Gaza at council meeting (Daily Record)
MILITARY & VETERANS
OTHER STATES
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has a new leadership team after several of her top aides left (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
- Nearly 200 people killed in Portland traffic crashes since 2021, reports says (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
REDISTRICTING
SCHOOL SAFETY
- Lawsuit alleges Central Valley School District failed to protect teen from teacher’s ‘sexually predatory behavior’ (The Spokesman-Review)
- Elementary school teacher in Pierce County arrested for child molestation (FOX 13)
TECHNOLOGY
TRANSPORTATION
- Seattle traffic injuries are increasing despite efforts to improve traffic safety (The Center Square)
- North Cascades Highway will open for year April 19 (Washington State Standard)
WILDFIRE PREVENTION & RESPONSE
- ‘It’s concerning’: Firefighters gear up after early drought declared in Washington (KOMO TV)
- In focus: Washington DNR prepares for wildfire season with mock fire exercises in Capitol Forest (The Chronicle)
WILDLIFE
- Common ground on grizzly recovery? (The Lewiston Tribune)
- Federal agencies release final environmental impact statement on grizzly restoration (Skagit Valley Herald)
- Methow researchers marvel at WA wolverines’ existence — and elusiveness (The Seattle Times)
- OPINION: As climate changes and development spreads, WA wildlife needs more help (Heidi Wills, CEO of PAWS, and Rep. Strom Peterson/The Seattle Times)