Liz Jones

Seattle's Fragmented Duwamish Tribe Struggles For Identity

Liz Jones — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:21:18 +0000

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, a strong brew of native tea warms up the crowd at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle. The tribe has hosted this casual tea party every spring since the longhouse opened three years ago, along the Duwamish River bank.

“Are you all happy to be here?” asks Cecile Hansen, chairwoman of the Duwamish Tribe.

Hansen thanks the 50 or so people for coming, then she enlists their help in the tribe’s fight for recognition. “I would send a really tough letter to our President just saying, ‘Okay, sign the status back to the Duwamish people’,” Hansen says.

Duwamish Fight For Federal Status Inches Forward

Liz Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:51:30 +0000

Seattle’s native people, the Duwamish, will learn today about their next step in a decades-old legal battle. The tribe has petitioned the US government for federal recognition, which would make the Duwamish eligible for certain benefits like health care, fishing rights and the chance to run a casino.

Wash. Supreme Court Considers SPD Dash-Cam Video Policy

Liz Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:45:23 +0000

Washington Supreme Court Justices heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that spotlights the Seattle Police Department’s policy regarding public access to dash-camera video footage. The lawsuit, brought by KOMO News against SPD, comes at a time when the police force faces heightened scrutiny about transparency and public accountability.

Wash. Dreamers Pin Hopes On Special Session

Liz Jones — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:24:47 +0000

As lawmakers reconvene in Olympia Monday, the headliner is the state budget, but momentum is building to get the Washington State Dream Act added to the lineup too. Under the measure, young immigrants who are living in the US illegally would become eligible for college financial aid.

Farm Worker Harassment Draws Increased Scrutiny

Liz Jones — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:12:35 +0000

In her green minivan, Angelica Villa navigates the farm roads north of Bellingham like a seasoned tour guide. She points out a cannery, a potato plant and miles of berry fields. Villa previously worked at many of these places and she rattles off story after story about harassment on the job.

Gun Control Fight Heads Toward Wash. Ballot

Liz Jones — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:18:43 +0000

Advocates for stricter gun laws in Washington state launched a campaign Monday to take the issue to voters. This comes after state lawmakers voted down a similar bill, SB 1588, that would have expanded background checks on gun sales.

State Yanks License Of Hempfest Pot Doc

Liz Jones — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:10:27 +0000

How long does it take to get a prescription for medical marijuana? More than a few minutes, according to the Washington State Department of Health. State regulators have suspended the license of a Seattle-area naturopath who did a brisk business at Hempfest event 2011.

Boeing Engineering Layoffs To Start Friday

Liz Jones — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:29:18 +0000

Boeing officials say pink slips will go out Friday to about a hundred engineers in the Puget Sound area. It’s the first round of more expected cuts for the engineering staff, which Boeing said it plans to reduce by 1,500 to 1,700 positions through layoffs and job openings that will not be filled.

Immigration Reform Bill Draws Mixed Reaction

Liz Jones — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:58:09 +0000

The mood was upbeat Wednesday afternoon as supporters of immigration reform gathered in Seattle for a press conference. Students, union workers and immigrant advocates cheered the long-awaited arrival of a proposed bill in Congress. But many at the event also voiced mixed feelings about a few things the bill includes and a few things it leaves out.

Feds Agree To Changes for Asylum Seekers

Liz Jones — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:58:55 +0000

Attorneys with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle say they’ve reached agreement with federal officials on a nationwide class action lawsuit. The case was filed on behalf of immigrants requesting asylum in the US who say they face persecution or harm in their home countries. The settlement aims to speed up the process for asylum seekers to get a work permit.