Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 28
Teacher strikes, unrest hit West Coast as unions flex muscle
Fights over teacher salaries and working conditions are escalating along the West Coast, emboldened in part by the momentum from strikes in more conservative states.
Suspect in custody after hostage situation near Tacoma
Police say an armed man was shot and taken into custody in what may have been a robbery gone wrong near Tacoma.
Man kills dog that Washington family got after Vegas shooting
A Washington state family is mourning after a neighbor shot and killed their dog – a Labradoodle they got to help deal with stress and anxiety following last year’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Orca J50 declared dead after search; southern residents down to 74 whales
A massive search is underway for ailing orca J50, but the lead researcher who tracks the southern-resident population says she’s probably dead.
Last week they were rescued from trash. Now, they are the most in-demand dogs in the Tri-Cities
It was just a week ago that 45 dogs – most of them puppies – were found living among trash and dead rats in a Hermiston-area duplex after the tenant was evicted. Now, the 39 Yorkshire Terrier mixes and six larger dogs are moving closer to getting new homes. The Benton Franklin Humane Society expects to start adoptions in the coming weeks.
An errant squirrel likely started 4,500-acre fire in Benton City
A squirrel that caused a short circuit in a electric transformer is suspected of starting a 4,500-acre wildfire that threatened 50 homes in the Benton City area over the holiday weekend.
Group of Whole Foods workers aims to unionize
A group of workers at Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market planned to email colleagues at the organic grocer’s stores announcing a push to organize.
Firing a dart into a wild, sick orca ‘a little bit different,’ sharp-shooting veterinarian says
Ailing orca J50 isn’t fairing well, but an international group of scientists is working to save her, including sharp-shooting veterinarians. They’ve administered medicine to the whale over the past month.
Owner of famed Seattle music venue site sues city
The owner of a building that houses an iconic Seattle music venue has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming it failed to follow proper protocols when officials approved a measure aimed at preserving the site.
No school in Tacoma on Thursday as teachers announce strike
Tacoma teachers say they will strike starting Thursday.
Family keepsakes tell the story of Japanese-American life in Yakima Valley
Like others in the Lower Yakima Valley’s Japanese community, the Hides enjoyed a close relationship with the Yakama Nation citizens from whom they leased land. When Japanese immigrants began coming to the Valley in the early 1890s, they cleared land, dug canals and worked on the railroad. But due to legislation collectively referred to as alien land laws, they could not own or lease land in most areas. The sovereign Yakama Nation, though, was not subject to those laws.
Coalition seeks to preserve, increase access to public lands
Less than a year ago Mitzi Schindele brought together a group of different outdoor recreation users and formed the Olympic Public Access Coalition who hope to keep the areas they explore open and accessible to the public.
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos donates $10 million to veteran-focused super PAC in first major political venture
Amazon founder and chief executive Jeffrey Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie Bezos, are making their first major political contribution with a $10 million gift to a super PAC focused on electing veterans to public office.
Facebook, Twitter pledge to defend against foreign intrusion
Facebook and Twitter executives assured Congress on Wednesday that they are aggressively working to root out foreign attempts to sow discord in America, and they pledged to better protect their social networks against manipulation during the 2018 midterm elections and beyond.
He’s accused of sexually assaulting an animal in Columbia Park. It’s one of 2 meth-related holiday busts.
Three people were arrested by Kennewick police on Labor Day for having methamphetamine, including a man allegedly caught in a compromising position with an injured beaver.
Vancouver woman finds creative outlet to cope with mental illness
Harbaugh felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up. A young man asked her if she was OK, and if she needed help. She explained how she was feeling, and he told her he understood and gave her some money for food. His kindness gave her newfound strength. She says the interaction highlights the importance of reaching out to people who appear to be struggling.
Washington task force on public records set to convene
A public records task force created after Washington lawmakers attempted to exempt themselves from the state’s Public Records Act is set to convene its first of four meetings.
Concerns grow for young orca’s life as it struggles to swim with family in Salish Sea
The three-year-old orca, J50, fell behind her family and went missing for more than three days. She was spotted Monday morning with her mom.
Two injured in officer-involved shooting in Hazel Dell
A sheriff’s deputy and a man wanted in a hit-and-run case were injured late Monday in an officer-involved shooting in Hazel Dell, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Two dead, three critically injured in I-90 crash near Ellensburg
Two people died and three were critically injured after a crash on Interstate 90 near Ellensburg Monday afternoon.