KUOW Blog
News, factoids, and insights from KUOW's newsroom. And maybe some peeks behind the scenes. Check back daily for updates.
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Stories
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Puget Sound counties want modernized ferry fleets. Voters decide their fate this fall
Islanders and Peninsula residents who rely on ferries to get around Puget Sound will tell you: Aging boats and an unreliable system are squeezing their way of life.
Often, these boats are the only way of getting back to the mainland for doctors appointments, to see family, or to go to school. Increasingly, counties are stepping up to fill the gaps created by the beleaguered Washington State Ferries with their own ferry services.
The state plans to help fund that effort, including new electric boats for Skagit County’s Guemes Island ferry run, and Kitsap County’s Seattle-Bremerton run.
Many replacement ferries and infrastructure upgrades are currently budgeted for in Olympia, said reporter Tom Banse, who's been covering this story for the Salish Current. But that funding may disappear after Election Day if Initiative 2117 successfully repeals the state's Climate Commitment Act, commonly known as the cap-and-trade program.
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Washington rent stabilization bill hits dead end in Senate — again
One of the most high profile bills in Olympia has apparently stalled for the final time in the Legislature this year.
The measure, which aimed to slow rising rents in Washington, would have capped the amount most landlords could raise current tenants' rent each year. But the Senate Ways and Means Committee did not vote on the legislation before a cutoff deadline Monday.
RELATED: Can rent stabilization help Washington residents?
House Bill 2114 included a 7% cap on the amount most landlords could raise rent for existing tenants each year. It also capped fees and late fee charges for tenants, but the policy would not have applied to new buildings.
The policy has sparked fierce debate all session long – supporters say the policy is a crucial tool to help keep people in their homes, while opponents worry the legislation won't fix the problem of rising rental costs and could make the housing market even more challenging.
Lawmakers on the Senate Ways and Means Committee went to a closed-door meeting to discuss the legislation Monday morning, and once they returned, Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) said the bill would not be brought up for a vote. While there are legislative maneuvers that could possibly keep the bill in the mix, the committee's nonvote most likely means the policy will no longer be considered this session.
In a brief interview, Robinson said not enough Democrats and no Republicans on the committee would support the bill. She did not explain which aspects of the bill kept it from being voted on.
"I don't feel like I can comment on that," Robinson said.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Emily Alvarado (D-Seattle) told reporters Monday afternoon it was unclear what, if any, changes might convince more senators to support the proposal.
"We did not hear specific feedback from senators about what it would have taken to get them to support this bill," Alvarado said.
Two Democrats on the committee, Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland) and Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) were among those opposed to the legislation. A spokesperson for Van De Wege said he "isn't interested in commenting."
Meanwhile, Mullet did not pinpoint any one aspect of the policy as problematic, but worries that the bill could stifle efforts to build more housing by driving away home builders.
"If this bill were to pass, I think in three or four years we'd have substantially more people in a difficult spot," Mullet said, adding that the state should instead focus on ways to build housing more quickly.
But backers of the legislation say renters struggling with rising rent costs can't wait for the housing market to catch up with demand.
Chair of the Housing Committee in the House, Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), criticized senators for not working more proactively on the legislation. The proposal was a top priority for House Democrats this session.
"There was one single amendment drafted to the bill," Peterson said. "They did not do the work and that is deeply upsetting."
The House bill's demise comes after it passed the House mostly along party lines, and weeks after a similar version stalled in a different Senate committee. Alvarado says she plans to bring the bill back again during the 2025 legislative session, and in an emailed statement, Robinson also promised to work on the issue of housing affordability more next year.
This post has been updated with new information throughout.
[Copyright 2024 Northwest News Network]
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One guide to rule them all: Where to eat, hang, and party around Emerald City Comic Con 2024
While Emerald City Comic Con takes over the Seattle Convention Center each year, there are even more festivities to be found in the surrounding area, outside the con.
Convention organizers are anticipating 85,000 attendees will flood into downtown Seattle for the 2024 event. That's a lot of fans. From food to transportation, afterparties, and more, here are a few ideas for navigating Seattle during Emerald City Comic Con 2024.
Emerald City Comic Con afterparties
Emerald City Comic Con has two of its own afterparties, including a big band concert and an "Under the Stars Prom." Outside of the con ...
Sonic Boom Box at Spin (1511 6th Avenue): Saturday, March 2, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sonic Boom Box specializes in comicon afterparties. $25 at the door, but cheaper tickets online. Expect cosplay, a live DJ, dancing, and ping pong since this is at Spin after all. 21+
Tokyo Tonight at Q Nightclub (1426 Broadway): Sunday, March 3, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $20. Japanese DJ's playing J-pop and anime. 21+
The Rolling Bones party at The Whisky Bar (2122 2nd Avenue): Saturday, March 2, 6 p.m. until late. $10. Rolling Bones is a local club for gamers and geeks. They're hosting this party with DJs, comic-themed cocktails, and more. Club membership not required. 21+ (Warning: Organizers say they've already reached capacity based on RSVPs. Expect a line outdoors if you want to try this spot)
Anime Rave at WAMU: Black Tiger Sex Machine's anime rave. March 1-2, 7 p.m. Tickets start at around $50. All ages, with 21+ areas. Here's what to expect.
Where to hang around Emerald City Comic Con
Just because Emerald City Comicon closes for the night, doesn't mean the festivities end. There are a few spots con goers can easily get to from the convention center, and a few events happening outside the con.
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Washington vs China: Why the NW could have the next generation of battery tech
China makes most of the world's car batteries. Washington could play a big role in helping the U.S. surpass China.
As the auto industry advances toward an electric vehicle future, China is currently the world leader when it comes to manufacturing car batteries. That means U.S. carmakers have to ask China for EV batteries, and they're not always at the front of the line.
RELATED: Big factory for electric car battery materials coming to Moses Lake, Washington
Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington says U.S. companies and scientists are gaining ground in this industry, however. And her state is poised to lead.
“We are kind of … becoming the epicenter on next generation battery technology, even for the international players,” she said at a Friday event in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood, the city's tech hub.
Whereas current lithium ion batteries use graphite anodes (in very simple terms, this is the part of the battery where the energy comes out), silicon anodes are viewed as the next big advancement in battery tech. Federal investments in Washington state have focused on these silicon batteries.
Silicon anodes have advantages and disadvantages. On the pro side, they charge much faster and hold far more energy. On the con side, they swell-up when charging, making the manufacture of a physically stable batteries difficult.
But local companies like Group14 in Woodinville say they've overcome that problem using brand new technologies that suspend the silicon in a sponge-like flexible matrix contained within a rigid shell. Like when rum is absorbed into a rum cake, the rum doesn't increase the cake's size.
RELATED: Surge of new EV charging stations coming to Washington state
Plus, Washington has cheap, green hydropower, a highly skilled workforce that's good at making things, and A.I. companies that nudge research along faster.
For example, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — a government funded, non-profit research organization — has partnered with Microsoft to conduct virtual scientific experiments using A.I. in order to more quickly find breakthroughs in battery design. One problem with this approach concerns the state's cheap energy — it's not unlimited. And A.I. consumes massive amounts of power.
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Gay veterans discharged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' could have benefits restored
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon) has introduced a federal bill to reverse dishonorable discharges for veterans who were dismissed under the military's former "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy.
The policy was enacted in 1994 to allow LGBTQ+ people to serve in the military but only if they concealed their sexual orientation. The policy was repealed in 2011.
Still, the policy's legacy continues to affect veterans today, Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. Service members who were discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," or DADT, have faced discrimination from employers and landlords, she said.
"The Recover Pride in Service Act will ensure these veterans can get their discharge status upgraded without lifting a finger," Chavez-DeRemer said of the bill. "I'm grateful to have strong support from my colleagues, including veterans, and I look forward to working with them to get this overdue fix signed into law."
The act would require the U.S. Department of Defense to inform veterans of their right to request a discharge status review. Additionally, the defense department would have to proactively upgrade all discharges based on sexual orientation from dishonorable to honorable within five years of enactment if the act is approved.
(In September 2023, the defense department said it would proactively review military records of veterans whose "administrative separation was the result of their sexual orientation and who received a less than honorable conditions discharge.")
According to defense department data, 13,472 people were discharged military service under the "Homosexual Conduct" policy between 1994 and 2011, when Don't Ask Don't Tell was in effect; that includes honorable and "other than honorable" categories. Nearly 33,000 people were discharged under that policy going back to 1980.
Chavez-DeRemer told KGW in Portland the Recover Pride in Service Act would apply to people who were dishonorably discharged under Don't Ask Don't Tell as well as veterans who served before that policy was enacted.
A dishonorable discharge is considered the most severe military discharge. Someone who is dishonorably discharged may not receive VA benefits, may not possess a firearm, and may lose other veteran benefits. Conduct that may result in a dishonorable discharge includes espionage and felony crimes, like murder.
Chavez-DeRemer's bill, co-sposored by 12 of her fellow Republican representatives, has won support from the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ conservatives.
"Log Cabin Republicans is proud to stand in strong support of this bill, and we urge all Members of Congress to do the same," said Charles T. Moran, the organization's president.
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Grocery worker protections move forward in Washington in preparation for merger disruptions
A bill protecting Washington state grocery workers is heading to Gov. Inslee's desk amid the Kroger-Albertsons merger.
By a vote of 60-33 on Thursday, House lawmakers approved legislation requiring most grocery workers in the state to be retained for at least six months after stores begin operating under the merger. Kroger and Albertsons want to sell off 413 stores as part of the merger, including 104 in Washington.
Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett) said this bill provides stability for workers who were on the frontlines during the pandemic.
“They were the ones making sure we had food on our table for our children, for our families — the ones making sure that we had the necessities we needed during that time,” Fosse said.
The bill also would require compensation for workers who are let go.
Lawmakers who voted against the bill said they support grocery workers too, but see the bill as an "overreach of government." Among them was Rep. Suzanne Schmidt (R-Spokane Valley), who argued the bill would have repercussions beyond the Kroger-Albertsons merger.
“I don’t think it’s the government’s responsibility or duty to dictate or to interfere in a buy-sell agreement,” Schmidt said.
The legislation only kicks in if the merger goes through. So far, the $25 billion deal faces legal hurdles, including lawsuits from the states of Washington and Colorado.
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Doctor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord allegedly sexually abused dozens of patients
An Army doctor is set to be arraigned Friday for allegedly sexually abusing dozens of patients at Madigan Army Medical Center, which is located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Army has charged Maj. Michael Stockin with 48 counts of abusive sexual contact and five counts of indecent viewing under the military code of justice, according to CBS News, which interviewed two of Stockin's 42 alleged victims. All 42 alleged victims were men; an attorney representing one of the alleged victims told CBS he believes there could be hundreds of victims.
One of the soldiers who spoke to CBS — both men spoke to the outlet anonymously out of fear of retaliation — said he went to Stockin for shoulder pain.
"He first checked my shoulders and then he asked me to stand up and to pull down my pants and lift up my gown," the soldier told CBS. "Dr. Stockin, he was face level with my groin, and he started touching my genitals."
Another man told CBS he was sexually abused by Stockin on three occasions and described a similar "alternate assessment" that left him confused.
The matter is now being prosecuted by the Army's Office of Special Trial Counsel.
Stockin was expected to plead not guilty at Friday's hearing, according to Stars and Stripes.
"Through close collaboration with the criminal investigators, OSTC thoroughly evaluated the evidence and carefully considered all the facts before referring charges in this case," Michelle McCaskill, communications director for Army OSTC, told CBS.
"We are confident that the facts and evidence support a conviction and that will be demonstrated when the case goes to court this fall."
If convicted of all charges, Stars and Stripes reported Stockin could spend the rest of his life behind bars.
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Cleared of felony, Seattle cop who killed Indian student Kandula could end up in municipal court
The Seattle City Attorney said Thursday that it is reviewing the case of the police officer whose vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian last year.
Officer Kevin Dave could face a penalty for negligent driving in the crash that killed 23-year-old graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula in January 2023.
The infraction would not create a criminal record; it would be recorded on his driving record.
The announcement comes after the King County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file any felony charges in the case this week.
Prosecutors said Officer Dave was responding appropriately to a 9-1-1 call, but that the crash was caused by Dave’s high rate of speed, which reached up to 74 miles per hour as he drove his Ford Explorer SUV through a 25-mile-per-hour zone in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood.
In announcing their findings, prosecutors said some may argue that Dave showed negligence by driving so fast, but negligent driving does not meet the legal threshold for felony criminal charges in Washington, which must meet a different standard of driving with disregard for the safety of others.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim said, “If somebody is negligent and causes the most catastrophic of consequences, it is not a felony in our state, and the courts have been clear about that.”
But they said Seattle police still could forward the negligence case to the city attorney.
Seattle Police did just that, referring the case to municipal court for the lesser charge of negligent driving in the second degree “with a vulnerable user victim," because the collision involved a pedestrian. It’s a traffic infraction that carries a civil penalty, with a fine up to $5,000.
“The City Attorney’s Office Criminal Division will thoroughly review the referral prior to making a decision,” the statement said.
Critics say Dave's speed that night should lead to more severe consequences. They call Seattle Police policies on emergency response overly vague and say the department needs to better address which speeds are appropriate.
Seattle’s Community Police Commission asked, “At what speed would Officer Dave have had to drive for his emergency response to be considered reckless or disregarding the safety of pedestrians in the area?”
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Can rent stabilization help Washington residents?
Rent control, rent stabilization, and anti-price gouging — oh my! Those are three commonly referenced ideas when it comes to tackling skyrocketing rents.
It's a problem the Seattle area knows well. But these solutions are often conflated and may not fully address the issue causing the affordability crisis, according to Mike Wilkerson, an urban economist with ECOnorthwest, a local consulting firm focused on issues of housing, environment, economy, and more.
“Colloquially, everyone says ‘rent control.’ But I think often times ‘rent control’ is used in a negative connotation, versus the intentionality around using terms like ‘rent stabilization’ are painted in a more positive light,” Wilkerson told KUOW's Seattle Now.
Listen to the full conversation around Washington's rent stabilization bill on Seattle Now
Rent control
Rent control is what former Councilmember Kshama Sawant pushed for in Seattle before leaving office. None of her proposals passed. Basically, rent prices are capped at a certain level. If a tenant leaves a unit, the next tenant gets that exact same capped rate.
Rent stabilization
Rent stabilization offers more wiggle room. A rent stabilization bill is currently working its way through the state Capitol in Olympia. It already passed the House and is up for consideration in the Senate. This bill would cap any rent increases at 7% annually. But in between tenants, landlords can hike rent however they please. The bill also doesn't apply to new units on the market for 10 years.
Anti-price gouging
Anti-price gouging regulations also place a cap on rent increases with the goal of preventing massive hikes on a tenant.
Folks debate the ups and downs of these tactics, but Wilkerson argues that to really get ahold of affordability in the Seattle area, the root problem needs to be addressed — a lack of housing supply, and specifically a lack of affordable housing.
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Micro-apartments are poised to become legal in Washington state
A bill that would allow “micro-apartments” anywhere normal apartments are built has passed both chambers of the Washington Legislature.
Angela Rozmyn works for a developer that builds micro-apartments in Redmond and Kirkland, where they’re already legal. She says they’re basically an efficiency studio with a shared kitchen.
“It is someone’s private space, with their own bathroom, microwave, fridge, basic living quarters but without a full kitchen, and they rent generally for 55-70% the cost of a studio in the same area,” Rozmyn said.
RELATED: Why some Seattle-area seniors are choosing dorm-sized apartments
Rozmyn's area of expertise is sustainable development. She says giving people relatively affordable places to live in popular neighborhoods is more sustainable than making people drive long distances from urban centers to find something affordable.
One concern raised by cities and counties was about the low number of parking stalls included in this kind of apartment building.
The bill passed both legislative chambers by wide margins — 96 to 0 in the House, 44 to 4 in the Senate.
The bill took on a few changes in the Senate, and now the House and Senate versions must be reconciled before it goes to the governor's desk.
But according to Dan Bertolet of the Sightline Institute, reconciliation "will be a formality in this case because the only amendment the Senate made was very minor."
RELATED: Ballard beehive apartments offer refuge for a diverse workforce
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Can you find a good bagel in Seattle? A New Yorker does a taste test
People have strong feelings about bagels. Just ask Carrine Fisher, native New Yorker, what makes a good bagel and the first thing she looks for is texture.
“A good bagel is definitely crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, but not gummy.”
Fisher is particular about her bagels because they’re very much a part of her upbringing, having grown up in Brooklyn and New Jersey.
“I’ve spent a lot of time around bagel culture and my family is Jewish,” Fisher said. “Most family gatherings, at least at some point during the day, there would be bagels out and white fish and cream cheese.”
Fisher is not alone in her bagel reverence. Over the weekend, more than 200 die-hard bagel fans like her took part in Bagel Quest, a blind taste test to judge Seattle’s offerings.
Sarah Leviton started Bagel Quest in 2020 as a way to support local businesses and connect with friends during Covid lockdown. Word spread. Back then, 55 people signed up.
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The Kia Boy and me
In July 2023, Aimee Muul’s 2017 Hyundai Elantra was stolen. While her car was missing, it was featured on a Kia Boyz Instagram story a couple of times and shown being used by young men to do stunts.
On the morning of July 6, 2023, I came out of my apartment to leave for work, only to find that my car was not parked where I had left it. All that remained was shattered glass in the empty parking spot. I was in disbelief. My gut felt knotted. I looked around, tried to activate the alarm with my car remote, wondering if I’d had a memory lapse and parked in a different location.
I called the police, made a report, and then called my insurance company. I also called out from work, given that it was a 30-mile trip. I was irate. I felt targeted, violated, and defeated. It felt unfair. I had been struggling greatly—financially and otherwise. I had moved back to Seattle from Spokane in early 2021 after an unexpected breakup; my father passed away in September 2022; and I was caring for my elderly mother – in addition to a sick, old dog. My car was essential.
I share this background to explain my frustration. I was so upset that I remarked to my nephew, “If I could find those m----- f------, I’d love to put a gun to their heads.” A knee-jerk reaction. I was seeing the world with blinders on.
My car was recovered by the Seattle Police Department six days later, less than one mile from my apartment complex. The officer called and asked if I could come immediately to pick it up—to avoid it being stolen again. He said the USB device used to start the car was still plugged in, that he did not see drugs, and that the car seemed drivable.
It was parked next to overgrown grass on the parking strip, which made it difficult to get in. When I opened the door, the stench of marijuana mixed with cigar nicotine was overpowering. There was broken glass all over the back seat and floor. Papers of mine were strewn across the back seat. There was a paper plate with old food covered in aluminum foil. A hair pick. An unsmoked cigar. Cigar ashes in the cup holder. It was filthy. As for the body of the vehicle, a window was broken, there were new scratches, scuffs, and dings. The only thing taken was my vehicle registration.
I felt strange sitting in my car, knowing that someone else had been doing stunts, eating, smoking, and laughing in it.
The next ordeal was with my insurance company. I notified them that the vehicle was recovered. At some point during the process of getting photos over to them and getting repair estimates, my claim was referred to the Special Investigations Unit for suspected fraud. Now I was really livid. Not only had my life been turned upside down with respect to my transportation, but I was being accused of fraud.
Once again, my thoughts turned to doing harm to those who stole my car. But after my landlord provided security camera footage of the theft to my insurance company, the suspected fraud portion of the claim was dropped. My car was repaired, I was out my $1,000 deductible, and life went back to what I suppose you could call normal. I got rid of my Hyundai because many Kia and Hyundai owners reported having their vehicles stolen multiple times despite the free upgrades provided by the car manufacturers.
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