Wednesday, July 17

Attorneys for convicted Auburn police officer seek new trial and judge
The attorneys for Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson, convicted last month of murder and assault for the shooting death of Jesse Sarey in 2019, are seeking a new trial and a new judge to hear it, alleging “unprecedented” judicial interference during deliberations and “egregious” misconduct by special prosecutors during his six-week trial. Nelson, a 12-year Auburn veteran officer, was the first police officer to be charged under new police-accountability and training provisions contained in I-940, a citizens initiative that passed in 2018. That measure removed language from the police deadly-force statute that previously made charging an officer with murder almost impossible. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

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Biden’s push to cap rent hikes could energize the pursuit in Washington
Democratic state lawmakers in Washington came up empty this year when they sought to cap rent increases to help tenants cope with surging costs of housing. They view President Joe Biden’s call Tuesday for limiting rent hikes as validation that housing affordability is a problem nationwide, and say it could re-energize the conversation on assisting renters in Washington. Under Biden’s proposal, landlords could raise rents no more than 5% a year if they want to claim a federal tax break enabling faster write-off of depreciation costs. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Mario Tama)

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Washington tribes receive $52 million through landmark climate law
Tens of millions of dollars raised by a landmark climate law in Washington state will go to Native American tribes that are at risk from climate change and rising sea levels to help them move to higher ground, install solar panels, buy electric vehicles and restore wetlands, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday. Nearly every Native American tribe in Washington is receiving money. Among them is the 3,000-member Quinault Indian Nation on the Pacific coast of the Olympic Peninsula, which is getting $13 million to help relocate its two main villages to higher ground, away from the tsunami zone and persistent flooding. Continue reading at KOMO. (Lindsey Wasson)

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Associated Press
Rising sea levels push the Quinault Nation to look toward higher ground
Judge rejects WA attorney general Bob Ferguson’s effort to get Catholic church records

Axios
Heat wave fans spread of avian flu

Capital Press
Yakima River basin water supply drops a little
The heat is on: Wildfire activity elevates in West
Hot potatoes: Above-normal heat stretch puts plants into lull
Farmers, red states ask Supreme Court to review electric vehicle mandate

Columbian
Kalama omits gender-inclusivity rules from student handbook
Vancouver City Council considers zoning district to protect city’s mobile home parks
Share’s Summer Meal Program moves into apartment complexes to feed more Clark County children

Everett Herald
At new Marysville water treatment facility, plants filter out pollutants
Editorial: Weekend’s violence should steel resolve in democracy

News Tribune
National Weather Service issues red flag warning for W. Washington over fire danger
Crowd-control restrictions implemented at popular Pierce County park. Will they continue?

Peninsula Daily News
Legislators learn effects of climate change in park

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle Aquarium sets opening date for $170M Ocean Pavilion

Seattle Times
Seattle’s cost of living crisis hits the arts hard. Why that matters
Restaurant industry scrambles as new minimum wage approaches
Attorneys for convicted Auburn police officer seek new trial and judge
Aging bridges in 16 states will be improved or replaced with the help of $5B in federal funding

Spokesman Review
Fair game: More teachers are ‘gaming’ during lessons, but is it safe?
New kiosk at Northeast Community Center offers free health supplies

Washington Post
Biden set to announce support for major Supreme Court changes

WA State Standard
Biden’s push to cap rent hikes could energize the pursuit in Washington (Trudeau, Peterson, Kuderer)
Jayapal, Smith call for closure of for-profit immigration detention facilities

Yakima Herald-Republic
Windmill Farms workers conduct work stoppage at Sunnyside mushroom plant

KING 5 TV (NBC)
A woman’s toddler died of a fentanyl overdose in her bed. She is now charged with manslaughter
Skagit County mom wants death certificate changes for those killed by ‘controlled substance homicide’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Activists call on Amazon to speed up climate goals amid Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is a major cause of injuries for warehouse workers, Senate review says
Money from Washington’s landmark climate law will help tribes face rising seas, climate change

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington tribes receive $52 million through landmark climate law
Seattle City Council passes ordinance to adopt harsher penalties for illegal street racing

KUOW Public Radio
The Trump assassination attempt and why counterterrorism is hard to combat in the U.S.
Following Trump shooting, Washington state politicians condemn violence and spread conspiracy theories

KXLY (ABC)
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations ordered for 520-acre wildfire burning in Asotin County
Catholic clergy abuse survivors call for alleged Washington abuse documents to be released

Cascadia Daily News
Just how filthy is Bellingham Bay — and who is cleaning it up?
With new health center now open, Lummi Nation sets sights on detox facility

MyNorthwest
Seattle City Light rate hikes to be higher than forecast
Suspect dies in Pierce County deputy-involved shooting
Activists call on Amazon to speed up climate goals amid Prime Day
Whatcom County deaths of unhoused people on pace for record amount
Seattle council votes to crack down on street racing; adds fines, classifies as reckless driving

The Urbanist
King County Plans to Close Transit Center Restrooms Despite Promising Pilot