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Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (center) announced a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in a press conference Jan. 2. Debbie Warfield of Everett (left) lost her son to a heroin overdose in 2012. Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki (right) lost her son to an overdose of OxyContin in 2017. They are joined by Rep. Lauren Davis of Shoreline (second from right), founder of the Washington Recovery Alliance. (TVW screenshot)
54 cases against Trump administration

AG Bob Ferguson talks lawsuits, gun control

Washington state Attorney General stopped by Sound Publishing’s Kirkland office.

 

Courtesy photos New Carnation city councilmembers Tim Harris and Adair Hawkins.

Carnation council swears in for new biennium

New members, leadership appointments.

 

Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of SB 5323, speaking on the bill. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Sabio-Howell)
2020 WA Legislature

Proposed law adds a fee to plastic bags at checkout

Senate passes bill to ban single-use plastic bags, place 8-cent fee on reusable plastic bags.

  • Jan 17, 2020

 

Development has encroached on the East Lake Sammamish Trail (at right). Joe Livarchik/file photo

King County files lawsuit to finish East Lake Sammamish Trail

Homeowners have until September to remove buildings and other property from the right of way.

Development has encroached on the East Lake Sammamish Trail (at right). Joe Livarchik/file photo
North Bend swore in its new mayor and new council members at its Jan. 7, 2020 meeting. From left: King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, North Bend council members Mary Miller, Chris Garcia, Ross Loudenback, Mayor Pro Tem Brenden Elwood, North Bend Mayor Rob McFarland, council members Alan Gothelf and Heather Koellen.

North Bend swears in new mayor, council

McFarland, Koellen, Miller join the table.

North Bend swore in its new mayor and new council members at its Jan. 7, 2020 meeting. From left: King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, North Bend council members Mary Miller, Chris Garcia, Ross Loudenback, Mayor Pro Tem Brenden Elwood, North Bend Mayor Rob McFarland, council members Alan Gothelf and Heather Koellen.
Bellevue residents Marko and Karla Ilicic play a hockey game in the Topgolf Swing Suite inside Forum Social House. Natalie DeFord/staff photo
Eastside Scene

Forum Social House opens in Bellevue

Eastside gets new nightclub, mini golf, swing suites.

Bellevue residents Marko and Karla Ilicic play a hockey game in the Topgolf Swing Suite inside Forum Social House. Natalie DeFord/staff photo
In November 2019, Washington voters approved Initiative 976, which calls for $30 car tabs. Sound Publishing file photo
2020 WA Legislature

Republicans try to guarantee $30 car tabs amid court hangup

Lawmakers sponsor companion bills in the House and Senate.

  • Jan 15, 2020
In November 2019, Washington voters approved Initiative 976, which calls for $30 car tabs. Sound Publishing file photo
King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

King County could bump up Metro electrification deadlines

Transportation generates nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

King County Metro’s battery-electric bus. Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov
Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his 2020 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Office of the Governor)
2020 WA Legislature

Gov. Inslee delivers State of the State Address

By Leona Vaughn, WNPA News Service OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee stood before the Washington Legislature to deliver his 2020 State of the State Address… Continue reading

  • Jan 14, 2020
Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his 2020 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Office of the Governor)
A 50-minute film called “Spawning Grounds,” which documents the effort to save a freshwater variety of kokanee salmon from Lake Sammamish, is finally ready for its debut in North Bend on Jan. 18. (Screenshot from film)

Spawning Grounds: Lake Sammamish kokanee documentary premieres Jan. 18

The film tracks the ‘all hands on deck’ effort to save the little red fish from extinction.

A 50-minute film called “Spawning Grounds,” which documents the effort to save a freshwater variety of kokanee salmon from Lake Sammamish, is finally ready for its debut in North Bend on Jan. 18. (Screenshot from film)
Rick Rudometkin. Courtesy photo

Snoqualmie mayor appoints new interim city administrator

Rudometkin steps into the position.

Rick Rudometkin. Courtesy photo
The Future of Shipping?

Meet the group trying to electrify America’s railroads

The Backbone Campaign hopes it will reduce emissions and jump-start depressed communities.

BLOTTER: Getting directions while stopped in traffic

Jan. 6-12 police calls.

  • Jan 14, 2020
The Snoqualmie Depot at 38625 SE King St. is an inviting winterscape following a blanket of snow that fell on the region Jan. 12-13. William Shaw/staff photo

Snow day for schools; busy day for snowplows

Snoqualmie Valley gets blanket of snow.

  • Jan 13, 2020
The Snoqualmie Depot at 38625 SE King St. is an inviting winterscape following a blanket of snow that fell on the region Jan. 12-13. William Shaw/staff photo
A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255 apartment complex for seniors 55+, on Jan. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Washington. (Andy Bronson/The Herald)
Housing market

Washington state has been under-producing housing units for decades

A new report said there should have been an additional 225,000 units created between 2010 and 2015.

A man works on a balcony at the Cedar Pointe Apartments, a 255 apartment complex for seniors 55+, on Jan. 6, 2020, in Arlington, Washington. (Andy Bronson/The Herald)
Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
WA State Legislature

Homelessness, guns among 2020 legislative priorities

WA lawmakers examine issues heading into 60-day session.

Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia. File photo
New informational displays adorn the kiosk near the Snoqualmie Depot, depicting a walking tour of the Historic Downtown and its events. The design was created by local artist Kat Marshello. Photo courtesy of the City of Snoqualmie’s website.

New kiosk displays guide Historic Downtown Snoqualmie walk

Artowork, map helps visitors learn tales of the town.

New informational displays adorn the kiosk near the Snoqualmie Depot, depicting a walking tour of the Historic Downtown and its events. The design was created by local artist Kat Marshello. Photo courtesy of the City of Snoqualmie’s website.
Courtesy photo Eric Ankrim and Allison Standley star as George and Amalia in Village Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me.”

“She Loves Me” set to debut at Village Theatre

The story that inspired “You’ve Got Mail” debuts Jan. 16.

Courtesy photo Eric Ankrim and Allison Standley star as George and Amalia in Village Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me.”
Girmay Zahilay (District 2) is the newest member of the King County Council. Courtesy photo

New King County Council members sworn in

The King County Council was sworn in on Jan. 8, with three familiar faces and one new face. Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles (District 4), Claudia Balducci… Continue reading

Girmay Zahilay (District 2) is the newest member of the King County Council. Courtesy photo
Beyond a clearly marked barricade, King County Road Services workers conduct a brief initial assessment of a landslide that occurred on Dec. 20, severely damaging Middle Fork Road, which will remain closed for an unknown extended period of time. It is extremely dangerous for pedestrians and bike traffic to go around the barricade. Photo courtesy of King County Road Services.

Landslide at Middle Fork Road presents ongoing danger

County urges hikers, bikers not to go around their barricade.

Beyond a clearly marked barricade, King County Road Services workers conduct a brief initial assessment of a landslide that occurred on Dec. 20, severely damaging Middle Fork Road, which will remain closed for an unknown extended period of time. It is extremely dangerous for pedestrians and bike traffic to go around the barricade. Photo courtesy of King County Road Services.