Monday, July 22

Washington wolves stay state endangered species
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-4 Friday to keep wolves as a state endangered species, rejecting the recommendation of state scientists who said Washington wolves are not in danger of extinction. The majority sided with wolf advocates and Gov. Jay Inslee, who argued reclassifying wolves to “sensitive” was premature because wolf packs have not moved into the South Cascade Range or southwest Washington. Continue reading at Capital Press. (Capital Press)

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Prison powwow: Native families connect with their loved ones behind bars
In line to enter a state prison north of Olympia, 10-year-old Ahyoka Wixon cannot stay still. Ahyoka and 7-year-old Lily Wixon are there to participate in Washington Corrections Center’s annual powwow on July 11 alongside their father, who will be singing and drumming. The powwow is organized by Tribal Sons, the prison’s Native affinity group. Wixon and other Native leaders in prison said they’re working on rehabilitating themselves and their fellow Native prisoners, and the powwow makes “all the difference.” Indigenous people are incarcerated at higher rates than any other group in Washington state, and the disparity between Indigenous and white incarceration has roughly doubled in the past decade. Advocates attribute the disparity to over policing of Indigenous communities and high rates of poverty. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Grace Deng)

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More mentors, better facilities, gear that fits. WA police departments are upping their game to recruit more women
It’s estimated that just 12% of police officers nationwide are women. At 11%, Washington state lags below that already low number. Several law enforcement agencies across the state have signed on to a goal to increase women in the ranks. They’re recruiting women by offering strong mentorship programs and better-suited gear and facilities, among other strategies. But so far, success is mixed, and larger agencies especially continue to struggle. Eight agencies in Washington state have signed on to the hiring goal —Kent, Lacey, WSU Pullman, Richland, Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, and the Washington State Patrol. But amidst a national shortage of police candidates, progress is slow, especially for bigger agencies. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Fire District 2 seeks to renew EMS levy

Auburn Reporter
Convicted Auburn officer’s attorneys seek new trial, new judge

Axios
Why homesteading is growing among Seattleites
Wildfires erupt in West, Canada amid major heat wave
Delta struggles to recover after industry-wide airline meltdown

Capital Press
Washington wolves stay state endangered species
WSU grass farm studies yarrow for low-impact lawns

Columbian
Kids Online Safety Act could see vote this month
Olympia’s Capital Mall to become mixed-use urban space
Night skies in the Gorge are getting brighter. This group is pushing back
Clark County officials address election security concerns as 2024 primary approaches

Everett Herald
Global tech outage leaves a mark on Snohomish County
United Way delivers 100k free books to Snohomish County kids
Food safety team defends its work: it’s a ‘high pressure, thankless’ job
‘We don’t have openings’: SnoCo recovery houses struggle with demand
When you get lost in WA, what’s the cost to get rescued? Surprisingly little
Miners Complex tops 500 acres in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Washington’s 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline marks 2nd anniversary as advocates call it pillar for mental health support (Orwall)

Federal Way Mirror
Rent increases rattle Belmor Mobile Home Park residents

Kent Reporter
High-profile juvenile crimes continue to rock Kent this summer

Mercer Island Reporter
District to roll out MI Phone-Free Schools policy

News Tribune
Airline travel increasing across the country. Is Washington back to pre-pandemic levels?
FDA elevates recall in 7 states of California farm’s rice, which may contain foreign ‘rodent’ object 

Peninsula Daily News
District adding community paramedic

Puget Sound Business Journal
Businesses, agencies ramp up backup systems after global tech outage
Alaska posts record revenue, awaits DOJ decision on Hawaiian merger

Seattle Times
‘Endangered’ status to remain in effect for WA wolves
Pacific Northwest faces critical fire risk as wildfires burn
Two years into 988 crisis line, WA works to spread the word

Skagit Valley Herald
Local tribes receive grants for climate resilience
Group tests for microplastics on Skagit River beach
Mount Vernon School District starts live translation, talks strategic plan

Spokesman Review
Airlines start digging themselves out of epic flight disruptions
Many with PFAS in their West Plains wells question airport leadership and Commissioner Al French; he blames criticism on election year politics

Washington Post
Women recognize prevention’s value, but still delay health screenings
Heat pumps, EV chargers and more: U.S. unveils $4.3 billion in local climate funds

WA State Standard
‘Endangered’ status to remain in effect for WA wolves
State AGs ramp up scrutiny of alleged price-fixing in rental housing
Prison powwow: Native families connect with their loved ones behind bars

Yakima Herald-Republic
Defensible space provides room to prevent wildfires from destroying homes

KING 5 TV (NBC)
First weeks of new sailings, King County Water Taxi sees jump in ridership
Washington poll: How voters want the next governor to address state’s key issues

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
City of Seattle oversight leads to tens of thousands getting $10 checks
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle parking rates rise with SDOT’s seasonal price adjustment this summer

KUOW Public Radio
No juveniles in adult prisons, Washington court orders
Battery farms to store green energy are needed, but where should they go? King County considers
More mentors, better facilities, gear that fits. WA police departments are upping their game to recruit more women

KXLY (ABC)
Gray wolves to remain on endangered species list in Washington
Former Spokane Mayor Woodward says city violated her free speech, interfered with election

Cascadia Daily News
What’s the Deal With: Smokey Bear license plate?
Cloud Mountain Farm testing recycled paper alternative against plastic mulch 
North Cascades Highway closed near Easy Pass Trailhead due to wildfire danger
Washington gray wolves will maintain endangered status; restrictions on killing them remain

Crosscut
Global tech outage affects WA unemployment system, payments
WA housing discrimination complaints dip, bucking national trend

The Urbanist
Sound Transit Doubling Sounder North Service This Fall with Four Runs/Day
Kirkland Advances Catalyst Project for ’10-Minute Neighborhood’ Near Houghton