Northwest

Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of SB 5323, speaking on the bill. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Sabio-Howell)
2020 WA Legislature

Proposed law adds a fee to plastic bags at checkout

Senate passes bill to ban single-use plastic bags, place 8-cent fee on reusable plastic bags.

  • Jan 17, 2020
Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of SB 5323, speaking on the bill. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Sabio-Howell)
Photo by Haley Ausbun. Opponent of the Energize Eastside project, Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sustainable Energy (CENSE) president Don Marsh presents to the Renton Hearing Examiner during a public hearing, Jan. 8, for the project.

Contention over Energize Eastside

PSE, the public and opponents discuss issues for 5 hours

Photo by Haley Ausbun. Opponent of the Energize Eastside project, Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sustainable Energy (CENSE) president Don Marsh presents to the Renton Hearing Examiner during a public hearing, Jan. 8, for the project.
In November 2019, Washington voters approved Initiative 976, which calls for $30 car tabs. Sound Publishing file photo
2020 WA Legislature

Republicans try to guarantee $30 car tabs amid court hangup

Lawmakers sponsor companion bills in the House and Senate.

  • Jan 15, 2020
In November 2019, Washington voters approved Initiative 976, which calls for $30 car tabs. Sound Publishing file photo
King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

King County could bump up Metro electrification deadlines

Transportation generates nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

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

REA board voted out

Union members use their power to remove leaders from office

Students achieving excellence

January’s Rotary Youth of the Month

Rotary members recognize three Renton School District high school students each month as Youth of the Month. After being selected by counselors at each of… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his 2020 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Office of the Governor)
2020 WA Legislature

Gov. Inslee delivers State of the State Address

By Leona Vaughn, WNPA News Service OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee stood before the Washington Legislature to deliver his 2020 State of the State Address… Continue reading

  • Jan 14, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his 2020 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Office of the Governor)
Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, was sworn in Jan. 13, 2020, as Speaker of the House. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
2020 Legislature

Jinkins sworn in as WA’s first female Speaker of the House

Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, is applauded by her colleagues as she becomes the first woman in Washington State history to be sworn in as Speaker… Continue reading

  • Jan 14, 2020
Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, was sworn in Jan. 13, 2020, as Speaker of the House. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
A 50-minute film called “Spawning Grounds,” which documents the effort to save a freshwater variety of kokanee salmon from Lake Sammamish, is finally ready for its debut in North Bend on Jan. 18. (Screenshot from film)

Spawning Grounds: Lake Sammamish kokanee documentary premieres Jan. 18

The film tracks the ‘all hands on deck’ effort to save the little red fish from extinction.

A 50-minute film called “Spawning Grounds,” which documents the effort to save a freshwater variety of kokanee salmon from Lake Sammamish, is finally ready for its debut in North Bend on Jan. 18. (Screenshot from film)
The Future of Shipping?

Meet the group trying to electrify America’s railroads

The Backbone Campaign hopes it will reduce emissions and jump-start depressed communities.

Photo courtesy of city of Renton.
Community resources

Renton prepares to open emergency weather shelter

City of Renton announced Friday morning, Jan. 10, its emergency weather shelter will be open early the following week to those in need, as weather… Continue reading

  • Jan 13, 2020
Photo courtesy of city of Renton.
A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255 apartment complex for seniors 55+, on Jan. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Washington. (Andy Bronson/The Herald)
Housing market

Washington state has been under-producing housing units for decades

A new report said there should have been an additional 225,000 units created between 2010 and 2015.

A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255 apartment complex for seniors 55+, on Jan. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Washington. (Andy Bronson/The Herald)
Local leadership

Prince to represent Renton’s transit needs

Councilmember appointed the Sound Transit’s board of Directors

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
WA State Legislature

Homelessness, guns among 2020 legislative priorities

WA lawmakers examine issues heading into 60-day session.

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
Flickr image
City news

New RV code goes into effect

Residents limited on number of vehicles allowed on a property

Flickr image
Girmay Zahilay (District 2) is the newest member of the King County Council. Courtesy photo

New King County Council members sworn in

The King County Council was sworn in on Jan. 8, with three familiar faces and one new face. Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles (District 4), Claudia Balducci… Continue reading

Girmay Zahilay (District 2) is the newest member of the King County Council. Courtesy photo
Posters posted by a known hate group, Patriot Front, were found by local activists around Renton. Courtesy of the Renton LGTBQIA Community Facebook page.
Local activism

Known hate group posts in Renton

Patriot Front fliers, stickers posted throughout town

Posters posted by a known hate group, Patriot Front, were found by local activists around Renton. Courtesy of the Renton LGTBQIA Community Facebook page.
Special Report

King County faces $2 million lawsuit from 2016 K-9 bite

A man’s right arm was left “permanently disfigured and disabled” after a Sheriff’s Office K-9 was used.

  • Jan 6, 2020

Rentonites and other residents hold impeachment rallies

Photos courtesy of Chad Cashman-Crane. Several King County cities had “impeach and remove” rallies on the night that the U.S. House of Representatives voted on… Continue reading

Photo by Haley Ausbun. August 2018, when several district unions, including Renton Education Association, bargained for new salaries in response to the McCleary decision.
Local unions

REA leadership scrutinized by national union investigation

The National Education Association highlights financial, electoral vulnerabilities in REA’s policies

Photo by Haley Ausbun. August 2018, when several district unions, including Renton Education Association, bargained for new salaries in response to the McCleary decision.