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Homeless sex-crime offenders eligible for Thurston County court alternative program
(The Center Square) – Thurston County will soon launch a court alternative pilot program for homeless people who commit offenses, including domestic violence and sex crimes.
Thurston County’s court alternative pilot program is a hybrid version of San Diego's homeless court program, which allows homeless people to resolve misdemeanor offenses while working to address the underlying cause of their h
Spokane Valley hears first reading of $150M budget for 2025, 40% more than 2024
(The Center Square) – Spokane Valley officials heard a first reading of the city’s 2025 budget on Tuesday. Expenditures total nearly $150 million, roughly 40% more than budgeted for 2024.
Tuesday’s city council meeting marked the sixth time the officials heard presentations on the proposed budget before voting over its approval in the coming weeks. While the 2025 b...
Spokane City Council cites revenue in opposing carbon auction repeal
(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council took action on Monday, voicing opposition to a ballot initiative that would effectively repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act but lower gas prices at the pump.
The Legislature passed the CCA in 2021, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions businesses can emit into the atmosphere. The legisl...
Initiative opponents claim blocking natural gas ban will drive up gas bills
(The Center Square) – Opponents of Initiative 2066, which aims to ensure natural gas remains an energy choice in Washington state, have issued a new report suggesting that if voters pass the measure, gas bills will increase.
Backers of I-2066 argue the opposite, contending that if voters reject the measure, energy bills will go up.
I...
Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz placed on administrative leave
(The Center Square) – Former Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and Seattle Police Department Director of Communications Jamie Tompkins have been placed on paid administrative leave, the department confirmed.
This move comes amid Diaz facing lawsuits alleging grooming and harassment. A $5...
Fire set in Vancouver, WA drop box burns hundreds of ballots; FBI investigating
(The Center Square) – Hundreds of voters who returned their election ballots at a Vancouver, Wash., drop box over the weekend are urged to follow up with the Clark County Elections Office, following a Monday morning fire that likely damaged or destroyed hundreds of ballots in a suspected case of arson.
A...
Spokane International Airport remains self-sufficient with $215M budget for 2025
(The Center Square) – Spokane International Airport laid out a $215.7 million budget for 2025 on Monday, roughly 16% more than budgeted for 2024, while maintaining a balanced outlook.
The request comes as Spokane County grapples with balancing its own budget for next year due to flatlining revenue. The ...
WA Supreme Court denies GOP effort to reject fiscal impact messaging on initiatives
(The Center Square) – The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a bid brought by Washington State Republican Party Chair Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, to stop the state from issuing financial impact statements on three initiatives on the Nov. 5 ba...
Spokane eyes harsher penalties for littering after clearing 2.79M pounds since 2023
(The Center Square) – As Spokane grapples with more trash and junk vehicles on its streets, Mayor Lisa Brown proposed an ordinance on Friday aligning city code with state law around illegal dumping.
The Brown administration announced the proposal alongside a new dashboard detailing cleanup efforts. The ...
Alternatives to Incarceration Task Force sweats possible funding loss if I-2117 passes
(The Center Square) – The Board for Judicial Administration’s Alternatives to Incarceration Task Force met this week to discuss upcoming budget requests to the Washington State Legislature regarding funding to achieve the organization’s goals.
The task forc...