Northwest

Northwest News

Details: Written by AP News; Published: 18 March 2024

(Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP)

Family members of people killed by record-breaking heat in the Portland area three years ago gathered over the weekend to plant trees across Multnomah County in honor of its 72 victims. Authorities say more people died from the heat in the greater Portland area that June than in the entire state over the past 20 years.

Details: Written by AP; Published: 14 March 2024

The Washington State Bar Association has approved far lower case limits for public defenders in an effort to stop them from quitting, to help with recruiting and to fairly represent defendants. Skeptics agree the system is breaking down but are concerned about finding more attorneys to hire. Many counties, especially rural ones, already struggle to employ enough public defenders and get almost no state funding, which some say should change.

Details: Written by Saundra Sorenson; Published: 13 March 2024

(photo by Kymberly Jeka)

City Council unanimously votes to create policy for questioning public monuments, now classified as separate from public art.

Details: Written by Associated Press; Published: 11 March 2024

According to the complaint, in 2022, the officer shot Immanueal Clark in the back as he ran away.

Details: Written by HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press; Published: 10 March 2024

Washington state's legislative session is ending with bipartisan support to address the opioid crisis and ban the police practice of hog-tying, but fell short in getting some of the most progressive bills across the finish line. Over 300 bills are heading to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.most with bipartisan support. At the samr time some initiatives would overturn Democrats’ biggest recent wins, including the year-old Climate Commitment Act, which works to cap and reduce pollution

Details: Written by Saundra Sorenson; Published: 06 March 2024

Katrina Holland of the Urban League of Portland

More than $350 million will be dedicated to new housing, interest-free loans to cities, eviction prevention and stable housing programs.

Details: Written by HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press; Published: 05 March 2024

Legislative Building at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

These initiatives approved Monday are just three of six certified after the group Let’s Go Washington, which is primarily bankrolled by hedge fund executive Brian Heywood, submitted hundreds of thousands of signatures in support of them. Initiatives to overturn the state’s landmark carbon pricing program and tax on the sale of stocks and bonds as well as one that could threaten a long-term care insurance program will likely head straight to voters.

Details: Written by CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press; Published: 05 March 2024

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Kotek's office says the bill has yet to reach her desk. Once it does, state law says she will have 30 days to issue a veto, as the Legislature is set to adjourn Sunday. If she signs the bill — or does nothing — it will take effect.

Details: Written by HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press; Published: 02 March 2024

With Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington dying of opioid overdoses at five times the state average Washington lawmakers have agreed to allocate $8 milliona year to 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington from a half-billion-dollar settlement between the state and major opioid distributors. The funds will help tribes address the opioid crisis