A quick start and renters’ pleas: Week 1 recap of Washington’s 2024 legislative session
Washington’s 2024 legislative session started Monday, Jan. 8, after weeks of lead-up and conversation from key lawmakers about what to expect this go-around. The House gaveled in and immediately started passing leftover legislation from last year, including a lot-splitting housing bill, a measure to end child marriage, and another bill to ramp up state support for local communities responding to extreme weather events. Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) says the bills already passed are those that the House worked on last year and are likely welcome in the Senate, as lawmakers “get the cobwebs out” in their race against the 60-day clock. Session is scheduled to end March 7. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

Proposed law would ban the controversial practice of isolation as punishment in Washington schools
In Washington schools, Black children and disabled children are disproportionately physically restrained and secluded more than children of other races or without disabilities, an advocate testified in a state hearing last week. State law prohibits schools from restraining or isolating students unless there is an “imminent likelihood of serious harm.” Yet some students and parents have reported educators used those tactics without a situation escalating to a dangerous threshold, inflicting pain on children. A group of lawmakers and activists is pushing for a bill that would ultimately outlaw student isolation as a form of punishment in schools. The bill would still allow for restraint if the situation is immediately dangerous and a school staffer has no alternatives. Continue reading at The Spokesman Review.

As enrollment drops, school closures loom for more Washington communities
Washington’s K-12 enrollment numbers dropped by 47,885 students since the 2019-2020 school year, putting the state’s total number of students at 1,098,997 during this school year. During COVID-19, parents pulled their kids out of public schools — and the public school system simply lost track of many students. However, drops in enrollment predate the pandemic due to declining birth rates and other factors. Nobody wants to see a school close and education is Washington’s biggest priority, said Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, who sits on the House Education Committee. Still, asking for more funds to keep open schools with fewer kids is a “difficult ask.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)

Aberdeen Daily World
Waves batter Ocean Shores sand berm; officials look to ‘harder’ option

Bellingham Herald
As temperatures drop in Whatcom County, another warming shelter now in operation
Two heavily-used bridges being replaced beginning this spring near downtown Bellingham
Home prices in Whatcom County decrease as Bellingham’s prices jump to average of $700k

Capital Press
Inslee orders up wolf-removal rule for second time

Columbian
WA unions wary of proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger
Washington Legislature aims to regulate AI — but treads cautiously (Shavers)
Rents have skyrocketed at Woodland East Mobile Home Park; now residents want to buy their park but are running out of time

Everett Herald
‘Scared to sleep’: Everett’s crime crackdown comes at a cost
Police: Edmonds man ‘overreacted,’ shot apologetic rideshare driver
Zero emissions by 2044 part of Community Transit’s long-range plan
After grim record in overdose deaths, county seeks change in Olympia
Editorial: Getting around, on wheels or water, not any easier (Fey, Liias, Nance, Robinson)

Kitsap Sun
Cold weather shelters in Kitsap to remain open over the weekend due to below freezing temps

News Tribune
Tacoma hit its highest tally of homicides two years ago. 2023 saw a turnaround
Rules of the Road: Law still requires license and registration for those tiny trucks

Olympian
WA state lawmakers consider legislation to stabilize rent for tenants (Alvarado, Trudeau)

Seattle Times
WA needs more housing. Should it limit rent hikes, too? (Alvarado, Trudeau)
Seattle’s minimum-pay law for delivery-app drivers takes effect
Family of worker killed in Marysville gets $9.8 million settlement
U.S. attorney opens federal review of Manuel Ellis’ death in Tacoma
City of Seattle appeals arbitrator’s order to reinstate fired SPD officer
Model of Billy Frank Jr. statue unveiled in Olympia before 2025 debut
The Supreme Court will decide whether local anti-homeless laws are ‘cruel and unusual’
BP bought a sacred place. Now Lummi Nation is preparing again to fend off development.
Editorial: Honor the legacy of MLK with activism and engagement
Editorial: Do the math: More money for education has not solved inequities
Opinion: A lot of ‘what ifs’ still loom in death of Manuel Ellis
Opinion: Gone missing: The struggling public schools as a top issue in WA

Skagit Valley Herald
Wildlife managers struggle with what to do about two owl species

Spokesman Review
Inslee orders new wolf removal rules in Washington
Bill would allow death investigators in Washington to receive workers comp for PTSD (Ormsby)
Avista advises customers they can resume normal energy usage amid Spokane cold snap
‘Unaware’ and ‘willfully ignorant’: Transgender patients struggle for respect in health care
Getting There: Key northern Spokane County roadways set to receive much-needed attention
Proposed law would ban the controversial practice of isolation as punishment in Washington schools (Callan)

Tri-City Herald
WSU Tri-Cities student workers feeling ‘exploited’ threaten to strike this week
Tri-Cities Airport parking overflowed with cars at Christmas. Now it will cost more

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
WWU President John McVay to retire
Volunteers sought for Walla Walla’s Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Washington Post
Fast-food giants overwork teenagers, driving America’s child labor crisis

WA State Standard
As enrollment drops, school closures loom for more Washington communities (Ortiz-Self)
New legislation would pave way to merge Washington carbon market with California’s (Nyguen)

Wenatchee World
1,200 without power in Chelan County, PUD asks customers to turn off appliances
Chelan County PUD continues Tumwater Dam rehabilitation
Wenatchee Valley law enforcement leaders talk modern policing at Pybus forum

KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: Rebates, rent limits could be part of 2024 legislature (Jinkins)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WWU students go without heat amid single digit temps, 20 mph winds
‘This is helping me to get my feet back on the ground’: Shelters open during Seattle’s cold snap

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Proposed bill would increase penalties for protests on Washington’s freeways (Hackney) 

KNKX Public Radio
WA lawmakers weigh proposal to slow rising rental costs amid ongoing housing crisis (Peterson)

KUOW Public Radio
Week in Review: Boeing, police, and primary ballots
Longtime Seattle Police leader sues Police Chief Adrian Diaz for sexism
Homeless people in Seattle endure brutal winter cold, one night at a time
FAA expands oversight of Boeing amid investigation into in-flight blowout
DOJ now reviewing case against Tacoma PD officers acquitted in Manuel Ellis’ death
A quick start and renters’ pleas: Week 1 recap of Washington’s 2024 legislative session (Jinkins, Ramos)

Q13 TV (FOX)
High school referees equipped with body cams, Washington legislation aims to protect them

Cascadia Daily News
Inslee orders state to rework wolf-killing policy in livestock conflicts

West Seattle Blog
WEEK AHEAD: Got questions for Washington State Ferries?
One week into State Legislature session, see what your representatives are doing (Nguyen, Alvarado, Fitzgibbon)