Northwest

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Gasoline pipeline leaks in Skagit County, spilling into creek

The Olympic Pipeline leaked on the north side of Highway 534 just north of the Snohomish County line, closing part of the highway.

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The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Unexpected’ deaths are up in Washington’s prisons

At least 29 people died unexpectedly in Washington’s state prisons from July 2022 to June 2023.

  • Dec 6, 2023
The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Joseph David Emerson, left, 44, was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, in Portland, Ore. Emerson, a pilot, is accused of attempting to disable the engines of a plane on which he was riding while off-duty last Sunday. Emerson pleaded not guilty Tuesday. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

Pilot indicted over Everett in-flight sabotage incident, but not for attempted murder

Joseph David Emerson on Tuesday was indicted on a charge of endangering an aircraft and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Joseph David Emerson, left, 44, was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, in Portland, Ore. Emerson, a pilot, is accused of attempting to disable the engines of a plane on which he was riding while off-duty last Sunday. Emerson pleaded not guilty Tuesday. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)
Gov. Jay Inslee chats with attendees during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Evergreen Manor Family Services Center on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Gov. Inslee to seek $50M more toward opioid education, treatment

Inslee announced the plan Monday before meeting with treatment providers, advocates and others in Everett.

Gov. Jay Inslee chats with attendees during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Evergreen Manor Family Services Center on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Washington lawmakers begin to drop bills ahead of upcoming session

Legislation so far covers areas like insulin pricing, unemployment benefits for striking workers, and impounding vehicles for people who drive without insurance.

  • Dec 5, 2023
  • By Wire Service
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A suspected gas explosion on Wednesday destroyed a house in the 19700 block of 25TH DR SE in Bothell, Washington. (Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue)

After a newly bought Bothell house exploded, experts urge caution

The owners had closed on their purchase of the house just two days earlier. No one was hurt in the explosion.

A suspected gas explosion on Wednesday destroyed a house in the 19700 block of 25TH DR SE in Bothell, Washington. (Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue)
The Lynnwood City Council work session on Monday evening, parents and community members expressed concerns about the proximity of a new opioid treatment facility to two youth clubs on January 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)

In Lynnwood, opioid treatment center sparked outcry amid need for treatment

After a second clinic tried to open, the City Council decided to stop accepting applications for new clinics for six months.

The Lynnwood City Council work session on Monday evening, parents and community members expressed concerns about the proximity of a new opioid treatment facility to two youth clubs on January 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)
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Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session

Upcoming hearings offer a preview of issues legislators will encounter when they convene in January.

  • Nov 28, 2023
  • By Wire Service
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Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz (right), state Sen. T’wina Nobles and Smokey Bear pose in front of a proposed speciality license plate in a Pierce County fire station on Nov. 20, 2023. If approved, Franz said proceeds from sales of the plates will go to public education programs focused on wildfire prevention. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Only you (almost) can put Smokey Bear on Washington license plates

A proposal calls for putting the iconic bear on a specialty plate, but it will require public support and approval from lawmakers.

  • Nov 21, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz (right), state Sen. T’wina Nobles and Smokey Bear pose in front of a proposed speciality license plate in a Pierce County fire station on Nov. 20, 2023. If approved, Franz said proceeds from sales of the plates will go to public education programs focused on wildfire prevention. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)
Starbucks workers and allies participate in a strike and picket organized by Starbucks Workers United during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at a location near Pike Place Market in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Starbucks workers in Everett, Marysville join national strike

Hundreds of Starbucks union workers at 15 locations across Washington joined the one-day strike.

Starbucks workers and allies participate in a strike and picket organized by Starbucks Workers United during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at a location near Pike Place Market in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

State hauls in nearly $900M from first year of capital gains tax

Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, anticipates many conversations on how to spend it.

  • Nov 16, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Climbers purchase 20 acres of famed climbing walls in Index

Climbing groups bought the parcel Monday, including Lower Lump and Inner Walls, calling it “the final big piece of the puzzle.”

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Most WA transportation services back online following cyberattack

The department was still investigating the cyberattack and could not say Friday what caused it.

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz watches as a team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz drops out of governor’s race

In an announcement Friday, Franz said she decided instead to run to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer who serves the 6th Congressional District.

  • Nov 10, 2023
  • By Wire Service
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz watches as a team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Senator Marko Liias speaks at the ground breaking of the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Traffic deaths are down in Finland. Edmonds senator is going to find out how

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, will be part of the contingent making the trip in December.

Senator Marko Liias speaks at the ground breaking of the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cyberattack crashes WA transportation websites

Traffic cams and ferry tracking are among the services that the incident took down.

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Fentanyl-laced pills — made to look like prescription oxycodone — were seized by law enforcement during a 2021 investigation into drug trafficking in Snohomish County. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)

‘We’re burying them every week’: Tribes call on Inslee to declare opioid emergency

American Indian and Alaska Native residents have the highest death rates from opioid overdoses of any racial or ethnic group in Washington.

Fentanyl-laced pills — made to look like prescription oxycodone — were seized by law enforcement during a 2021 investigation into drug trafficking in Snohomish County. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
One worker looks up from the cargo area as another works in what will be the passenger compartment on one of the first Boeing 787 jets as it stands near completion at the front of the assembly line, Monday, May 19, 2008, in Everett, Wash. The plane, the first new Boeing jet in 14 years, is targeted for power on in June followed by an anticipated first flight sometime late in 2008.  (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

As Boeing Machinists contract talks near, union savors new labor power

If Boeing balks at union demands, it could face a damaging strike that would seriously set back its attempts to recover.

One worker looks up from the cargo area as another works in what will be the passenger compartment on one of the first Boeing 787 jets as it stands near completion at the front of the assembly line, Monday, May 19, 2008, in Everett, Wash. The plane, the first new Boeing jet in 14 years, is targeted for power on in June followed by an anticipated first flight sometime late in 2008.  (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
FILE - A worker cleans a jet bridge at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., before passengers board an Alaska Airlines flight, March 4, 2019. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines owns Horizon Air. Three passengers sued Alaska Airlines on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, saying they suffered emotional distress from an incident last month in which an off-duty pilot, was accused of trying to shut down the engines of a flight from Washington state to San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

3 passengers sue Alaska Airlines after off-duty pilot accused of trying to cut engines mid-flight

In the complaint filed Thursday, passengers alleged that the pilot should never have been allowed in the cockpit.

FILE - A worker cleans a jet bridge at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., before passengers board an Alaska Airlines flight, March 4, 2019. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines owns Horizon Air. Three passengers sued Alaska Airlines on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, saying they suffered emotional distress from an incident last month in which an off-duty pilot, was accused of trying to shut down the engines of a flight from Washington state to San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
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Washington clears backlog of over 10,000 sexual assault testing kits

Clearing the backlog has already helped solve at least 21 sexual assault cases, according to Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

  • Oct 27, 2023
  • By Wire Service
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