News

Matt Marshall, leader of the Washington Three Percenters gun rights group, addresses a crowd rallying for Second Amendment rights Jan. 17 at the state Capitol in Olympia. Marshall condemned Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, which expelled Rep. Matt Shea from the Republican Caucus. Marshall announced his candidacy for the 2nd District seat held by House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service

Gun rights advocates rally at Capitol

Criticism levied at Matt Shea investigation, Republican leadership.

  • Jan 20, 2020

 

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (center) announced a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in a press conference Jan. 2. Debbie Warfield of Everett (left) lost her son to a heroin overdose in 2012. Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki (right) lost her son to an overdose of OxyContin in 2017. They are joined by Rep. Lauren Davis of Shoreline (second from right), founder of the Washington Recovery Alliance. (TVW screenshot)
54 cases against Trump administration

AG Bob Ferguson talks lawsuits, gun control

Washington state Attorney General stopped by Sound Publishing’s Kirkland office.

 

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

 

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
The Covington City Council from left to right; Fran McGregor Hollums, Jared Koukal, Sean Smith, Jeff Wagner, Kristina Soltys, Jennifer Harjehausen and Joseph Cimaomo Jr. Photo by Karla Slate.

Councilmembers new and senior sworn in

Incumbent and newly elected Covington City Council members were sworn-in during the first regular meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Jeff Wagner was… Continue reading

  • Jan 15, 2020
The Covington City Council from left to right; Fran McGregor Hollums, Jared Koukal, Sean Smith, Jeff Wagner, Kristina Soltys, Jennifer Harjehausen and Joseph Cimaomo Jr. Photo by Karla Slate.
Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner cuts the ribbon on the completed 164th Avenue Southeast Pedestrian Improvement Project on Thursday, Jan. 9, surrounded by city officials. Photo courtesy of the City of Covington.
Roads and construction

Covington completed one road project, can it do more?

After the completion of sidewalks on 164th, the city considers future funding mechanisms

Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner cuts the ribbon on the completed 164th Avenue Southeast Pedestrian Improvement Project on Thursday, Jan. 9, surrounded by city officials. Photo courtesy of the City of Covington.
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)
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.

Crime news

27-year-old shot, injured near Tiger Mountain

A 27-year-old was shot and injured after allegedly trespassing onto a property between Maple Valley and Issaquah on Monday evening, Jan. 13. King County Sheriff… Continue reading

  • Jan 14, 2020
Local nonprofits

One mission — serve veterans through volunteer work

QMissions searches for new funding models after fireworks ban in Covington

Suspect leaves shoe behind at scene of crime

Covington police arrest one man for a stolen car and tools

  • Jan 10, 2020
The finer things

New art decorates Covington streets

Bellevue artist helps create wraps for utility boxes on 272nd Street

  • Jan 10, 2020
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)
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
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
Elections 2020

Maple Valley council supports Tahoma’s levies

The city council puts its weight behind two proposed ballot measures

Elections 2020

Realtors group throws support behind levies

Tahoma School District gains new ally in levy campaign

  • Jan 8, 2020
Maple Valley Mayor Sean P. Kelly takes the Oath of Office with his son in attendance during the first council meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 6, 2019. Photo by Danielle Chastaine.
Your local leaders

Maple Valley leaders take oath of office

Maple Valley City Council swore-in recently elected officials and voted for Mayor Sean P. Kelly to serve another term during the Monday, Jan. 6 regular… Continue reading

Maple Valley Mayor Sean P. Kelly takes the Oath of Office with his son in attendance during the first council meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 6, 2019. Photo by Danielle Chastaine.