Washington News

Viewpoint: Washington’s Aggressive Approach to Preventing Intoxicating Hemp Cannabinoids May Be Good for Other States

Like other states across the country, Washington has been grappling with how to regulate intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products that are being innovated faster than state lawmakers can respond. The state has decided on an extreme solution that prohibits products containing …

Coastal Washington Tribe Builds Tsunami Refuge Tower

There’s a new option to escape a tsunami for people on the southwest coast of Washington. The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe dedicated a 50-foot tall evacuation tower in Tokeland, Washington, the Northwest News Network reported. When the next magnitude 9.0 …

Washington Town of Conconully Hit by Flash Flooding

A flash flood flowed through the streets of the town of Conconully in Washington’s remote Okanogan County, sending a foot of water and mud into 30 to 40 homes and businesses. County emergency managers said 1.7 inches of rain fell …

Forecasters Issue Flood Watch for Columbia River in Washington

Unusually heavy rain and a melting snowpack have pushed the Columbia River to near flood stage from Vancouver to Longview, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters issued a flood watch for areas along the Columbia in the greater Vancouver …

Washington Police Say Drivers Aren’t Stopping for Them

The Washington State Patrol says drivers are increasingly refusing to stop for troopers – and other law enforcement agencies also say this is becoming a common occurrence. The Northwest News Network reports that from January 1 to May 17 of …

Insurtech Joyn Adds Business Coverages in Five Western States

Insurance technology company Joyn Insurance Services Inc. announced that it will offer coverage in an additional five states for effective dates beginning June 1. The company is adding property, general liability, and excess lines of coverage in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, …

Opioid Distributors Reach $518M Settlement with Washington

Washington has reached a $518 million settlement with drug distributors McKesson Corp MCK.N, AmerisourceBergen Corp ABC.N and Cardinal Health CAH.N, ending a months-long trial over the companies’ alleged role in fueling the opioid epidemic in the state, McKesson announced on …

Fire That Destroyed Washington Businesses Ruled Arson

The Town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington said that a fire that burned through a block of businesses last week was intentionally set. City officials said the fire that started early on April 7 originated from …

Washington School Bus Carrier Could be Fined $364K for Safety Violations

Washington state regulators found more than 600 safety and procedural violations by school bus carrier First Student in the past two years, dozens of which persisted for years after company officials were warned of the infractions. The Seattle Times reported …

$4M Settlement in Washington Foster Abuse Case

The state of Washington has agreed to a $4 million settlement for two former foster children who were abused and sexually assaulted. The record-breaking settlement comes out of a sex abuse lawsuit for the two sisters, who were four and …