Liz Jones

Proposal Seeks To Shrink King County Role In Immigration Enforcement

Liz Jones — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:41:06 +0000

King County council members on Thursday introduced a measure that would limit when unauthorized immigrants can be held in jail.

Every year, hundreds of people booked into King County jail automatically get handed over to immigration authorities. That's even if the person has not yet been convicted of a crime and has no criminal record. Council member Larry Gosset introduced legislation that would change that.

NW Churches Grapple With Boy Scouts’ OK To Gay Members

Liz Jones — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:12:08 +0000

Since the Boy Scouts of America lifted its ban against gay youth members in May, a handful of churches around the Puget Sound area have decided to cut ties with the organization. Meanwhile, some churches have indicated they are awaiting guidance from national leadership before they make any changes to their existing charters with Scouting units.

School Speed Zone Cameras Net Big Returns For Seattle

Liz Jones — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:32:43 +0000

Seattle drivers: Get ready to tap the brakes around more school zones. The city plans to install speed cameras at five more schools after early results indicate that the enforcement devices – and resulting $189 traffic tickets – are motivating drivers to slow down.

In December, the city rolled out the enforcement cameras at four schools. In those school zones, the cameras snap a photo of any vehicles that exceed the 20-mile-per-hour limit. Then the driver later gets a citation in the mail.

Facing Deportation, Wash. Immigrants Face Long Holds

Liz Jones — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:07:38 +0000

Forty-eight days: That’s the average time people who are suspected of immigration violations are held in detention in Washington state before they are released or deported. A new report from researchers at Syracuse University also concludes that among states with the largest populations of detainees, Washington ranks among the worst for long detention times: number 20 out of 30.

"Mom, The Bridge Collapsed"

Liz Jones, Derek Wang and Ruby de Luna — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:54:12 +0000

A parade of people who live and work near the collapsed bridge in Mt. Vernon continued to visit the scene today to get a first-hand look at the damage, snap photos and swap news about the accident.

“I’m scared to drive over other bridges,” said Jerry Olmstead, who works in Mt. Vernon and crosses this bridge several times a week. “What if another bridge in Washington goes?”

Wash. Harassment Lawsuit Gets Congress Members' Attention

Liz Jones — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:14:42 +0000

A sexual harassment lawsuit against an Eastern Washington farm came under scrutiny this week during a congressional hearing. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently lost this expensive, high-profile case and some Congress members are now asking, “Was it worth it?”

Nooksack Tribe Seeks To Cut 15 Percent Of Members

Liz Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:28:45 +0000

What’s considered the largest proposed disenrollment of tribal members in Washington state is still moving forward, following a tribal court’s ruling this week. Leaders of the Nooksack Tribe near Bellingham aim to cut ties with 306 of its 2,000 members – that’s 15 percent of the tribe.

Seattle's Fragmented Duwamish Tribe Struggles For Identity

Liz Jones — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:21:18 +0000

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, a strong brew of native tea warms up the crowd at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle. The tribe has hosted this casual tea party every spring since the longhouse opened three years ago, along the Duwamish River bank.

“Are you all happy to be here?” asks Cecile Hansen, chairwoman of the Duwamish Tribe.

Hansen thanks the 50 or so people for coming, then she enlists their help in the tribe’s fight for recognition. “I would send a really tough letter to our President just saying, ‘Okay, sign the status back to the Duwamish people’,” Hansen says.

Duwamish Fight For Federal Status Inches Forward

Liz Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:51:30 +0000

Seattle’s native people, the Duwamish, will learn today about their next step in a decades-old legal battle. The tribe has petitioned the US government for federal recognition, which would make the Duwamish eligible for certain benefits like health care, fishing rights and the chance to run a casino.

Wash. Supreme Court Considers SPD Dash-Cam Video Policy

Liz Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:45:23 +0000

Washington Supreme Court Justices heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case that spotlights the Seattle Police Department’s policy regarding public access to dash-camera video footage. The lawsuit, brought by KOMO News against SPD, comes at a time when the police force faces heightened scrutiny about transparency and public accountability.