News

The language of the original bill prohibited privately-owned detainment facilities from being contracted by local, state, or federal government entities, but a last-second amendment was adopted to substantially narrow the focus of the legislation. File photo
2020 WA Legislature

Lawmakers flinch on banning for-profit detention facilities

Last minute amendment exempted ICE detainment facility.

  • Feb 19, 2020

 

A cloudy day at Renton Municipal Airport. Photo by Haley Ausbun
Renton Municipal Airport updates

Renton considers legal avenues for airport plan

The city is looking at how it can combat the FAA’s masterplan requirements

 

911 news

Renton man shot, killed at encampment

Renton Police are asking for information or witnesses

 

A proposal to make King County Metro fares free for low-income households could be approved in the coming months. File photo

King County considers free transit for low-income residents

The program would target those at or below 80 percent of the federal poverty level.

A proposal to make King County Metro fares free for low-income households could be approved in the coming months. File photo
Courtesy of City of Renton. Site area for the Park Avenue North extension, a project from the city and SECO development that creates a second access point for Southport.
Renton business development

SECO expands its reach

Two new land acquisitions will expand Southport

Courtesy of City of Renton. Site area for the Park Avenue North extension, a project from the city and SECO development that creates a second access point for Southport.
Courtesy of Renton School District.
Education news

Under-enrollment in Renton may lead to budget, staff cuts

RSD asking for feedback on how to cut its spending due to impending losses

Courtesy of Renton School District.
Courtesy of Renton Schools. Through a mentor program between local students and car dealerships, involving Renton School District Career Technical Education (CTE) worksite learning coordinators, nonprofit Mentor Washington and Communities in Schools Renton-Tukwila, students are getting both careers and a friendly hand on stepping into the adulthood. Pictured: First mentee in the program Nick Romo, who has gone on to continue his career after the program and is nearly a master technician, in a video about the program.
Education meets real-life work

Dealing kids a better future

Local car dealerships mentor Renton students for future careers

Courtesy of Renton Schools. Through a mentor program between local students and car dealerships, involving Renton School District Career Technical Education (CTE) worksite learning coordinators, nonprofit Mentor Washington and Communities in Schools Renton-Tukwila, students are getting both careers and a friendly hand on stepping into the adulthood. Pictured: First mentee in the program Nick Romo, who has gone on to continue his career after the program and is nearly a master technician, in a video about the program.
Courtesy of City of Renton. The Cedar River Trail experienced a significant undermining, and much of the bank was gone after flooding over the weekend, some of it just feet away from the paved trail.
Floods and rain

River flooding pushes Renton to the limits

Heavy rains and rising waters could cost Renton millions

Courtesy of City of Renton. The Cedar River Trail experienced a significant undermining, and much of the bank was gone after flooding over the weekend, some of it just feet away from the paved trail.
Federal Way resident Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, 17, died Jan. 27, 2017. Courtesy photo
Deadly force

Law enforcement challenges report on sting operation that killed Federal Way teen

King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight’s findings rattle Sheriff’s Office, police union.

Federal Way resident Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, 17, died Jan. 27, 2017. Courtesy photo
Government assistance programs

Unstable housing? Apply for Section 8

Applications open in February for housing vouchers

  • Feb 11, 2020
In 2018, the city of Seattle approved and then repealed a head tax within a month. It would have levied a $275 per employee tax on businesses grossing more than $20 million annually. Sound Publishing file photo
Homelessness

County head tax bill passes committee

Bill would let King County levy a tax on businesses to fund housing and address homelessness.

In 2018, the city of Seattle approved and then repealed a head tax within a month. It would have levied a $275 per employee tax on businesses grossing more than $20 million annually. Sound Publishing file photo
Gov. Jay Inslee signs the first bill of the 2020 legislative session into law. On the right stands the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who is wearing a red tie. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
2020 WA Legislature

Gov. Inslee signs tax bill to help fund higher education

Law shifts a portion of the tax burden to large tech companies.

  • Feb 11, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee signs the first bill of the 2020 legislative session into law. On the right stands the bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, who is wearing a red tie. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
A screenshot of the Facebook post from Feb. 5 containing the video that allegedly showed roaches in the downtown Renton IHOP kitchen. The restaurant was inspected the next day at request of the owner and found to be clean and free of pests.
Local businesses

Inspection debunks fake viral cockroach video

A local IHOP restaurant received an “excellent” rating after complaints made

A screenshot of the Facebook post from Feb. 5 containing the video that allegedly showed roaches in the downtown Renton IHOP kitchen. The restaurant was inspected the next day at request of the owner and found to be clean and free of pests.
Photo courtesy of AIFF Local 864. Just before 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 a five-vehicle collision on Interstate 405 (I-405) North between Renton and Tukwila halted evening traffic and caused an involved semi truck to catch fire.
911 news

Residents hurt in two crashes over the weekend

Two severe accidents over the weekend in Renton destroyed vehicles and left passengers injured or in critical condition. Just before 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb.… Continue reading

Photo courtesy of AIFF Local 864. Just before 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 a five-vehicle collision on Interstate 405 (I-405) North between Renton and Tukwila halted evening traffic and caused an involved semi truck to catch fire.
Sound Publishing file photo
Roads and bridges

King County Council could place roads levy lift on 2020 ballot

Levy could increase taxes for a median home by about $224 a year.

Sound Publishing file photo
911 news

Renton student victim of drive by shooting

The 16-year-old was shot in the back of a stolen car

The Opioid Crisis

Three die in Renton of Fentanyl overdose

Three fatal overdoses on the same day have prompted county officials to remind residents of the dangers of fentanyl and non-prescription pills. The three deaths… Continue reading

King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

King County Metro bus fleet will be electrified by 2035

Future base in South King County would house hundreds of the zero-emission vehicles.

King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov
Three-quarters of the suicide deaths among children ages 10 to 14 are caused by firearms, according to a new report from the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program at the University of Washington. File photo

King County studies youth gun violence amid rising suicides

It’s unclear what’s driving the trend.

Three-quarters of the suicide deaths among children ages 10 to 14 are caused by firearms, according to a new report from the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program at the University of Washington. File photo
A King County work crew clears a road near Preston on Feb. 7, 2020. Heavy rains appear to have caused multiple landslides along the road. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

The future could look a lot like this year’s flood season

Climate change is expected to lead to more winter flooding in King County.

A King County work crew clears a road near Preston on Feb. 7, 2020. Heavy rains appear to have caused multiple landslides along the road. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo