KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
Have any leads or feedback for the KUOW Blog? Contact Dyer Oxley at dyer@kuow.org.
Stories
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Climate-friendly building code kicks in on Friday
A Thurston County judge’s decision means that a climate-friendly building code takes effect in Washington state on Friday.
The state’s new code pushes builders to use electric heat pumps and discourages the burning of fossil fuels.
RELATED: New homes in Washington state will have to include energy efficient heating and cooling
It sets energy-efficiency standards so high that only heat pumps can satisfy them — discouraging gas-burning appliances without explicitly banning them.
Building-industry groups argued the new code would drive up the cost of housing and jeopardize construction jobs.
Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy said putting the new regulation on hold could cause harm and that the builders failed to present enough evidence that they would suffer irreparably if it were not put on hold. She rejected the builders’ to suspend the new building code.
She did not rule on the merits of the building industry’s case. A full hearing on the case against the climate-friendly building code is expected later this year.
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Washington's presidential primary results weren't surprising. So, what's motivating voters?
The results of Tuesday's presidential primary elections in Washington, and elsewhere, were to be expected.
Former President Donald Trump is the Republican Party's presumptive nominee thanks to the delegates he won in Washington. He will almost certainly face President Joe Biden, who won enough delegates for the Democratic nod afternoon after Georgia's polls closed.
The only real question was how much of the Democratic primary vote would go to "uncommitted delegates" instead of Biden. "Uncommitted" voters in Washington and other states have said they want to pressure Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza by withholding their support. And it's also been part of an effort to simply get voters to participate in the primaries.
RELATED: How did Washington's 'uncommitted' voters do on presidential primary night?
When the "uncommitted" campaign launched in Washington, members said they'd heard from Democrats who were throwing their ballots away rather than returning them. They felt their votes didn't matter, because a Biden-Trump rematch seemed a foregone conclusion, or they just weren't excited about their choices.
Political and public affairs consultant Sandeep Kaushik with Soundview Strategies told KUOW's Soundside he wasn't sure how meaningful the "uncommitted" vote ultimately was, especially since Washington state will almost certainly go for Biden in the general election.
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King County's top health officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin, is stepping down after 30 years
Dr. Jeff Duchin, the health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, will step down from the high-profile role later this year. Duchin announced Wednesday that he will retire on July 1, 2024.
RELATED: When psychosis spills onto Seattle streets
"Public Health – Seattle & King County is a world-class health department and it has been my great privilege to have had the opportunity to serve here with so many outstanding colleagues both in the department and from the King County healthcare system, the University of Washington, and with community partners who value collaboration, improving population health, and achieving health equity,” Duchin said in a statement.
King County's health department plans to conduct a national search to find Dr. Duchin's replacement. In the meantime, Dr. Mia Shim has been appointed as interim health officer. Shim is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine, and the University of Washington School of Public Health. She is currently the chief medical officer for the health department's Community Health Services Division.
Duchin spent 30 years at Public Health – Seattle & King County, influencing the region's approach to public health and hot-button issues. Arriving in 1994, he was a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention medical epidemiologist who was assigned to the local health department to handle TB and HIV programs. In 1998, he became the department's chief of communicable disease and immunization. He stepped into the role of health officer in 2015. During this time, he also served as a professor at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health.
RELATED: King County leaders say they have new plans to fight the opioid crisis. But when?
As health officer, Duchin's name quickly became associated with King County's effort to combat the opioid crisis, including the proposal for safe injection sites in Seattle. But the pandemic considerably raised his profile as the region tackled Covid-19.
“His expertise and leadership during the first Covid outbreak in the nation in King County drew praise from around the country," King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. "Under his guidance, King County’s sustained response to the pandemic has led the nation, holding illness and death rates to among the lowest in major counties, while focusing on equity as a guiding principle in our work. I’m grateful for his wise counsel and for his long record of accomplishment on our behalf.”
In a statement, public health Director Dr. Faisal Khan added that Duchin handled "countless" outbreaks during his time at the department.
"And served as a national expert on immunizations and infectious diseases, shaping national policy and practice," Khan said. "His leadership on climate and health has driven our resolve to fight for a livable planet for this and future generations. And he’s been a mentor for scores of colleagues inside and out of the department. Jeff leaves a long-lasting imprint on public health practice and everyone it touches.”
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Washington state doctors who use their own semen to impregnate patients could now face prison time
It will soon be a felony for Washington state doctors to use their own semen to impregnate fertility patients without their consent — a policy advocates say is long overdue.
The act, known as fertility fraud, will become a form of third-degree criminal assault and could require any violators to surrender their medical licenses, regardless of any conviction. Offenders could also face up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
“[The new law] cracks down on fertility fraud by empowering patients to take recourse against health care providers who exploit their trust by implanting their own gametes or reproductive material,” said State Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), a sponsor of the defining legislation, House Bill 1300.
Several iterations of the bill had failed to gain enough support to move forward in years prior, in part due to scrutiny over how to enact such a criminal penalty: Some lawmakers thought fertility fraud should be classified as rape, while others thought it should fall under assault.
Revelations of fertility fraud have emerged around the world in recent years, as at-home DNA testing kits have gained popularity — and exposed familial connections between people conceived via artificial insemination and fertility doctors. Last year, doctors in Seattle and Spokane made headlines as fertility fraud allegations against them surfaced.
Orwall said the new law is about “safety and justice.” “It means long overdue justice for people who have been so deeply harmed by their health care provider. It's really shattered many lives, including the lives of people that I serve,” she added.
Washington is the 10th U.S. state to pass legislation making fertility fraud a crime.
“It's very meaningful to become a state that really has acknowledged the harm this does and really is supporting survivors,” Orwall said.
The bipartisan bill will take effect 90 days after Governor Jay Inslee signs it.
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Election results: Biden and Trump lead Washington state's 2024 presidential primary election
Election results for Washington state's 2024 presidential primary election, March, 12, 2024.
Initial results for Washington's presidential primary Tuesday evening show a Democratic win for President Joe Biden, and a Republican win for former President Donald Trump. Hours before Washington's results were counted, Georgia's primary delivered enough delegates for Biden to become his party's presumptive presidential nominee. It will be made official at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Washington's primary win delivered Trump the delegates he needed to take the GOP nomination, which is a point Washington State GOP Chair Jim Walsh noted shortly after the results were in.
RELATED: How did the "uncommitted" vote do in Washington?
"As of tonight, approximately 550,000 people who chose the Republican column voted —compared to 610,000 people who chose the Democrat column. These are much closer totals than in previous, similar Presidential Primaries. ... Most promising for WAGOP: Young voters in the early returns are voting Republican in record numbers. We look forward to building on that success through this election cycle," Walsh said in a statement.
A couple of Democrat alternatives pulled in a small share of votes, but notable on that side of the ballot are the number of "uncommitted delegates" which initially garnered 7.4%. On the Republican side, all candidates aside from Trump ended their campaigns before Washington held its primary.
Election results updated Wednesday afternoon, March 13, 2024
Democrat
- Joe Biden: 85%
- Dean Phillips: 3%
- Marianne Williamson: 3%
- Uncommitted Delegates: 7.8%
Republican
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King County Sheriff questions constitutionality of Burien's camping ban
King County and its Sheriff's Office are raising questions about Burien's ban on public camping and are asking a federal court for answers. Until they get those answers, deputies won't be enforcing the ban.
“The promise I made as a sworn peace officer calls on me to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution," King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall said in a statement. "Doing our job for the communities we serve requires legal clarity on the constitutionality of the laws we’re asked to enforce."
RELATED: People experiencing homelessness in Burien sue city over camping ban
The County and the Sheriff's Office have filed a complaint with the United States District Court over the anti-camping ordinance the Burien City Council passed last week (which doubles down on, and clarifies, a ban the Council passed in September 2023). Under the ordinance, people may not rest, sleep, or lay down on public property between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. A violation could result in a fine or misdemeanor. Tents and campsites also are not allowed within 500 feet of daycares, parks, libraries, and schools.
The city of Burien doesn't technically have a police department of its own. It contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office to provide police services. Therefore, when Burien passes a law for its jurisdiction, a sheriff's deputy enforces it.
A Sheriff's Office spokesperson confirmed with KUOW that deputies will not be enforcing the camping ban until the county gets answers from the court. All criminal code violations, however, will still be enforced.
“When Burien hastily passed this new ordinance without consulting with us or legal experts, they put the rights of their residents in jeopardy," the sheriff said. "A ruling from the Court is a crucial step in ensuring that the rights of all people within our jurisdiction are protected and upheld, and our deputies have the guidance they need to do their work.”
RELATED: Burien’s Sunnydale Village was a ‘safe community’ for over 60 homeless people. Now it’s gone
Burien partially based its ban on a similar law in Bellevue. It also took into account case law that has previously made it difficult for cities to outlaw sleeping in public. That led to some nuance around the ban. If there are no shelter beds available to send campers to, then a person is "not guilty of unlawful public camping," the ordinance states. Also, the city manager has the power to set aside places for people to camp overnight.
King County argues that Burien's approach is "unique." It's exclusion zones could make it a crime for a person simply being present in an area.
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Former Seahawk, and Bronco, Russell Wilson is headed to a new team
Well, that didn't take long. Six days after former Seahawk Russell Wilson was let go from the Denver Broncos, the quarterback is already slated to play for a new NFL team.
On Sunday evening, Wilson tweeted a video hyping the Pittsburgh Steelers, indicating he is going to play for the team, stating "Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers." Wilson's Twitter profile now also states "I want to Love like Jesus! Steelers QB #3" followed by black and yellow hearts, the Steelers' team colors.
As of Monday morning, the Steelers have yet to make any official announcement. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported Wilson "plans to sign" with the team for a one-year deal.
Wilson was recently released from his five-year deal with the Denver Broncos, just two years into the contract. Schefter reported that "league sources" say the fine print of Wilson's contract will have the Broncos paying his $38 million salary while he plays for Pittsburgh.
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Why Washington's high school financial education bill didn't survive the '24 session
A bill to require financial education in Washington high schools died this session. Lawmakers in both chambers of the state Legislature failed to agree on whether to make it a high school graduation requirement.
Washington state Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla) sponsored House Bill 1915, which would have required high schools to provide a half-credit of financial education by the 2027-28 school year. While the bill would not have raised the 24 credits required for students to graduate, it would have required students to take financial education in order to graduate.
RELATED: The argument for financial education in Washington schools
While the idea received broad support, it got caught up in the legislative process before the session's clock ran out. It passed the House, but was amended in the Senate. When a bill is amended outside of its chamber of origin, it must be sent back to the original chamber for another round of approval. The House did not accept the changes, and the bill officially died Thursday as the Legislature wrapped up the 2024 session.
To require or not to require financial education
Despite the bill passing the House in February, some lawmakers raised concerns about its approach. Those concerns came to a head in the state Senate, where lawmakers amended the bill to require high schools to provide financial education, but not to require students to take it in order to graduate. The amended bill was approved in the Senate with just one vote against it.
State Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) sponsored the amendment, essentially arguing it would skip a step.
"This bill came to us as a graduation requirement without any prerequisites other than the fact that for many years we've suggested to our school districts that they incorporate financial instruction into ... other courses," Wellman said on the Senate floor on Feb. 29, ahead of a vote on the bill.
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Here comes the sun ... at 7 p.m. in Seattle!
What could be better than this week's sunny conditions around Seattle? Try sunlight that sticks around until 6:04 p.m.
That's when the sun will set on Thursday, March 7, signaling the beginning of the end of the Big Dark. But it gets better! Come next week, the sun will stick around until after 7 p.m.
RELATED: Permanent Daylight Saving Time is bad for your health, says UW expert
That's because daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m.
The lasting evening light comes with a tradeoff. When daylight saving time kicks in Sunday, we'll get more light in the evenings and darker mornings until we turn the clocks back again in November.
So, as you prepare to reset any clocks that cannot do it themselves — because isn't the real offense watching the clock on your smartphone to make sure it's in sync with your microwave — here are a few things to keep in mind.
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El Niño is 'on the wane.' What is in the forecast for Washington?
Washington's mountains have been watched closely this winter as snowpack has struggled to build in many parts of the state. But the season is already changing, and forecasters are looking ahead to the summer and even next winter.
“We're not going to have the same kind of weather that we had at the end of February into March, in which there was some really good growth for our snowpack … but it's going to be warmer," Washington state Climatologist Nick Bond told KUOW's Angela King. "I don't think there's much of a chance of a full recovery of the snowpack [for the rest of 2024].”
RELATED: U.S. hydropower drops to 20-year low as Northwest snowpack shrinks
The recent snow that hit Washington's mountains has been beneficial, but Bond says the region's snowpack is "not out of the woods yet."
Washington state's snowpack is roughly at 70% of normal, at this point. That depends on where you look around the state, however. The Olympic Mountains, for example, are at about half the normal level of snowpack. Part of the blame belongs to the El Niño climate pattern we're currently in — when conditions are generally warmer and drier than normal, especially in late winter.
“For what it's worth, this El Niño is on the wane and it looks like by the end of spring, we're going to be in neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific," Bond said, adding that looking further into the future, it's quite possible that we'll have La Niña conditions, yet again.
We just had three La Niñas in a row, which is quite rare.
"During La Niña winters, especially latter part, it tends to be on the cool side and sometimes wetter, leading to better snowpacks. If we can get through the summer without too many problems, maybe we'll get a reprieve.”
Snow in the mountains is essentially Washington's summer water supply — it melts and sends water downstream to communities throughout the state. At this point, it's expected that parts of the state will be in good shape over the summer, when it comes to water supply. The major cities should be OK. In other areas, irrigation and water rights could be an issue, Bond says, and many streams may be too low for comfort for trout and salmon.
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$32.7M slated for asylum-seekers flowing into Washington state
As legislators in Olympia move closer to finalizing the state’s next budget, they’ve designated $32.7 million for services to help an influx of asylum-seekers in Washington.
That state money will be used for housing, food programs, education and employment support, and services for children, among other things. Of that money, $7.5 million will be funneled through the Department of Commerce. The Department of Social and Health Services, which houses the state’s Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, will receive $25.2 million.
RELATED: Tukwila is swelling with asylum-seekers. Will you house a family?
Those funds won’t be available until July, when the state’s 2024 fiscal year begins.
Sarah Peterson, a coordinator with the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, said she’ll be holding meetings with community stakeholders and contracted organizations about how to best proceed with the funding once it becomes available.
RELATED: Facing another hotel eviction, Seattle area asylum-seekers lean on religious groups to foot the bill
“A critical piece of the work that we'll be doing is building services like pathways to immigration related legal services, or support for housing stabilization,” Peterson said. “But it's done in a way that all people can access, and that is done in collaboration with the community.”
Local governments like King County have also set aside some money to help these migrants. But local officials say they’re counting on more permanent solutions from the federal and state governments.
“One of the things that we often share with our counterparts in the federal government is that welcoming newcomers happens at the local level,” Peterson said.
RELATED: King County Council members push back on criticism over handling of asylum-seeker crisis
For months, religious, mutual aid, and groups run by asylum-seekers have built a patchwork of support to secure temporary shelter. They’ve called on local governments, including Seattle, King County, and Tukwila, for help.
Many of the asylum-seekers arriving in the Seattle area have gone through the U.S. immigration system and are waiting to receive work authorization. Those applicants can’t work until they get permits or they risk jeopardizing their immigration cases.
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Washington holds first carbon auction of 2024, with program's future in doubt
A ballot initiative aiming to stop Washington state from charging for carbon pollution is already reshaping the state’s carbon market.
The state held its first carbon auction of the year on Wednesday.
Uncertainty around the future of the state’s system for capping and making polluters pay for climate-harming pollution has already lowered what polluters and speculators are willing to pay for "carbon allowances."
Those allowances, required to emit large volumes of climate-harming pollution in Washington, are sold at confidential state auctions four times a year. In 2023, companies and organizations paid $2.2 billion for the right to keep polluting the climate.
RELATED: The future of Washington state's carbon auction may come down to gas prices
Since November, prices for those allowances, which can be traded by investors after being auctioned off by the state, have fallen from about $56 per metric ton of carbon dioxide to $35 a ton, according to Texas financial firm AEGIS Hedging.
“Washington State Ballot Initiative 2117 is having a significant impact on [Washington carbon allowance] pricing and will continue to impact the market through November,” according to an analysis by California-based energy-analytics firm cCarbon.
“Investors and smaller compliance entities are likely to avoid the [Mar. 6] auction due to the high risks,” cCarbon analyst Gabriel Stoltzfus wrote.
Lower auction prices on Wednesday would mean lower business expenses as well as less funding for various state programs aimed at reducing climate-harming emissions and helping communities adapt to extreme heat, flooding, and other climate-fueled disasters.
Initiative 2117 would repeal the 2021 law that created the state’s “cap-and-invest” program and prohibit any similar programs from being implemented in the future.
RELATED: Republicans, Democrats, carbon, and you: Debating Washington's cap and trade
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