The Capitol Buzz is a weekday summary of online news stories from across the state, highlighting policies, politics and other issues that affect Washingtonians.
BUSINESS, ECONOMY & LABOR
- Congress prepares to take up bill preventing rail strike (AP)
- Railroad unions decry Biden’s plan to block possible strike (AP)
- Cyber Monday sales on track to break record despite U.S. inflation (Bloomberg News/The Columbian)
- U.S. lawmakers skeptical Kroger-Albertsons merger will lower prices (AP/The Seattle Times)
- Cantwell pushes to clear Boeing’s final 737 MAX models, with conditions (The Seattle Times)
- China’s rival to Boeing and Airbus cleared for mass production (Wichita Business Journal/Puget Sound Business Journal)
- Failure to check a box cost many WA child-care workers a chance at retention money (The News Tribune)
CANNABIS
COMMUNITY & FAMILY ISSUES
CORONAVIRUS
COURTS (FEDERAL)
CRIME
- What’s next for Washington’s drug possession law? (The Seattle Times)
- DNA helps solve 1998 cold case murder of Marysville 19-year-old; suspect arrested (FOX 13)
- Man killed after carjacking semi-truck in Thurston County identified (KIRO TV)
EDUCATION
- Yakima schools pilot college credit program as WA leaders push to expand access (The Seattle Times)
- Enrollment remains slightly below budget in Longview, grad rates at 89% (The Daily News)
- COLUMN: Outliers Study shows us how we can better serve all K-12 students (Rufus Woods, publisher emeritus/The Wenatchee World)
ELECTIONS
- Clark County November election results certified (The Columbian)
- Thurston officials have certified the Nov. 8 election results. Here are the final tallies (The Olympian)
- Cowlitz County certifies ballots as Joe Kent considers long-shot recount push (The Daily News)
- COLUMN: Lawsuit challenges election officials for a better process (Dave Ross/MyNorthwest)
ENERGY & UTILITIES
- GOP releases ‘Power Washington’ energy plan for 2023 legislative session (The Center Square)
- WA Senate GOP proposes energy plan aimed at emissions and reliability. Here are the details (The Olympian)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & THE WHITE HOUSE
GUN RIGHTS
- U.S. gun death rates hit highest levels in decades (AP/OPB)
- EDITORIAL: WA voters have spoken: Keep up momentum on gun laws (The Seattle Times)
HEALTH CARE & HOSPITALS
- Rise of pediatric flu causes worst medication shortage in ’15 years’ (MyNorthwest)
- Health officer has advice for the many parents with sick kids at home (KONP Radio)
- As hospitals strain, a Yakima family shares its struggle with RSV (Yakima Herald)
HIGHER EDUCATION
HOUSING
- Seattle’s housing prices among nation’s fastest cooling (Axios – Seattle)
- Previewing Re-Wire: Heck and housing (Washington State Wire)
INVASIVE SPECIES
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Celebration of life services announced for fallen Bellevue officer Jordan Jackson (KIRO TV)
- Lakewood community honors fallen officers on 13th anniversary of their deaths (KOMO TV)
- Are opening statements in Sheriff Troyer’s criminal trial today? Here’s what to expect (The News Tribune)
- State says Sheriff Ed Troyer texted their potential witness during pre-trial (FOX 13)
- Interagency agreement to aid Vancouver Police Department OK’d (The Columbian)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Seattle City Council approves budget. Here are 3 things to know (The Seattle Times)
- Breaking down Seattle’s $7.4B final budget (Crosscut)
- Spokane councilor pushes back against proposed rental rules (The Center Square)
- Spokane council overrides mayor veto of property tax increase (The Center Square)
LONG-TERM CARE
MENTAL HEALTH
- In a first, King County moves against WA for mental health failures in jails (The Seattle Times)
- King County jails seeking to be reimbursed for housing inmates waiting for mental health treatment (MyNorthwest)
OTHER STATES
- Portland records its 93rd homicide in 2022, a new all-time high (Oregon Public Broadcasting)
- Portland settles lawsuit over police use of tear gas (AP)
- Moscow community mourns 4 slain Idaho students, loss of safety (The Idaho Statesman/The Seattle Times)
- More join Measure 114 court challenge (KWHT Radio)
POLITICS
LEGISLATURE
SCHOOL SAFETY
- Judge bans gun access for Ingraham student ‘mentally preparing’ for Eastside school shooting (KUOW Radio)
- Football coach resigns amid findings of Sehome hazing investigation (The Bellingham Herald)
TRANSPORTATION
TRIBAL ISSUES
WILDLIFE
