Politics Crime and drugs are Seattle voters' top concerns, new survey finds Voters in Seattle say that crime, drugs, and public safety are the issues they are most frustrated and concerned about. KUOW Staff
Crime Lummi chair commends federal drug bust connected to tribal deaths Officials at the Lummi nation say this week’s arrests in a drug ring linked to recent overdose deaths could offer a measure of justice. The Lummi Nation near Bellingham put a national spotlight on the fentanyl epidemic last September, when four members died of drug overdoses in a matter of days and the tribe declared a state of emergency. Amy Radil
Crime FBI busts up Seattle drug ring. Arrests include prominent activist Federal law enforcement officials in Seattle have announced the arrests of more than a dozen local people charged with conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs and commit money laundering across multiple states. Those charged include a prominent voice in Seattle’s violence prevention efforts. Amy Radil
The grim reason fentanyl deaths are falling in King County Fatal fentanyl overdoses may have reached a peak in Washington state. But that's not all good news. Ann Dornfeld
Crime New 'loitering' penalties targeting Seattle drug and prostitution zones approved by City Council After weeks of debate and controversy, the Seattle City Council voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to pass new criminal penalties intended to disrupt drug and prostitution-related crimes in city hotspots. Amy Radil
Law & Courts What's an 'entheogen'? Magic mushrooms are now a low priority in Olympia The Olympia City Council has knocked psilocybin, and similar drugs, down to a "low enforcement priority" for Olympia police, essentially decriminalizing the drugs in the city. Dyer Oxley
Fatal drug overdoses declining slightly in King County after 2023 surge Officials in King County say after a bleak year of increased drug overdoses in 2023, they are starting to see signs of hope. At the county’s fourth annual conference on substance use Thursday, officials said fatal drug overdoses are trending down slightly in 2024. Amy Radil
Government Oregon just re-criminalized drug possession and use. Why didn't legalization work? Three years after Oregon residents voted to decriminalize drugs, the state is walking back that policy. Diana Opong Hans Anderson Alec Cowan Play AudioListen 25 mins
National Tribal courts can't prosecute non-Native drug suspects. Tribes say it's a problem As the fentanyl crisis ravages Native American communities, some of their leaders want tribal police and courts to go after non-tribal dealers. But they can't without getting permission from Congress. Martin Kaste Play AudioListen 8 mins
Crime 'Astonishing' increase in car theft charges as juvenile criminal cases surge in King County Car theft charges brought against youth were up by more than 500% in King County last year. That’s just one of the charges driving a 61% increase in juvenile criminal bookings in 2023, including violent crime, gun possession and burglary. Ann Dornfeld
