Race & Identity Washington man dies at Tacoma ICE facility, days after human rights group visit Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports the detainee, 36-year-old Jose Manuel Sanchez-Castro, died Sunday the Northwest ICE Processing Center. He was the second death at the Tacoma facility this year and the fourth person to die at the processing center since 2006. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
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
Arts & Life KEXP's Kevin Cole retires and reflects on his friendship with Prince ahead of Purple Rain's 40th Anniversary Angela King Play AudioListen 8 mins
National U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels Powerful synthetic opioids and drugs like meth and cocaine still flood U.S. communities, fueling historically high overdose deaths. Brian Mann
National Report: China continues to subsidize deadly fentanyl exports Fentanyl made from Chinese chemicals is killing tens of thousands of Americans. A House committee report found new evidence the Chinese government supports tax breaks to subsidize the drug trade. Brian Mann Emily Feng
World Blinken warns deadly fentanyl crisis will spread globally Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says the U.S. is "a canary in the coal mine" as deadly synthetic street drugs spread. Brian Mann
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
Education Curriculum about fentanyl, other opioids could come to WA junior high classrooms Washington state's opioid death toll is climbing faster than anywhere else in the country, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's why schools may soon be required to teach students about the risks. Sami West
Which stories are going to be dominating your newsfeed in 2024? KUOW reporters sound off Soundside reached out to reporters and editors at KUOW to share their predictions for what will dominate our newsfeeds, along with any resolutions they're making for 2024. Libby Denkmann Noel Gasca Amy Radil Kim Malcolm Joshua McNichols Jeanie Lindsay Ashley Hiruko Christy George Play AudioListen 6 mins
