Thursday, May 17, 2012
Program Helps Women In Prison Become Entrepreneurs
Life in prison is regimented, controlled, so for some inmates, the thought of returning to life on the outside can be daunting. There are many volunteer programs in Washington state prisons that can help ease that transition. They provide opportunities for offenders to improve their education and well–being before release.
At Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, one program goes further. It offers graduates the opportunity to apply for business microloans. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sunken Derelict Vessel Leads to Costly Cleanup In Penn Cove
It's been three days since an abandoned crab boat caught fire and then sank in Penn Cove off Whidbey Island. That's put a stop to shellfish harvesting, a big business in Penn Cove. The Coast Guard and clean–up crews have pumped more than 2,000 gallons of oil out of the sunken vessel. KUOW's Deborah Wang has the story. More »
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Report Inconclusive On What Killed Orca L112
A new report out Tuesday stops short of determining what killed a young female orca that washed up near Long Beach, Wash. The scientists who produced it for a federal agency came up with new details about the whale's trauma, bruising and hemorrhaging, and lack of broken bones. More »
Monday, May 14, 2012
BoltBus' West Coast Launch Expands Affordable Regional Transportation Options
This week, a new private bus service begins in Seattle, and the price is right. Soon, you'll be able to hop a bus to Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, B.C. for as little as $1. KUOW's Lesley McClurg reports. More »
Monday, May 14, 2012
Seattle Mayor Says Justice Department Reforms Would Cost $41 Million
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says it will cost the city $41 million to carry out all the reforms proposed by the US Department of Justice.
The city is now negotiating with the DOJ over its findings that the Seattle Police Department is guilty of a "pattern and practice" of excessive use of force.
The DOJ would require the city to hire many more staff members and conduct new training. He said the DOJ is requiring the city to make those changes within 180 days, which he said is not possible under the city's civil service rules.
McGinn told KUOW's "Weekday" this morning that the cost of all of those changes is "frankly shocking."
McGinn: "The point at which we have to make cuts in other programs to fund this — and we know it's going to cost money, that's why we put aside $5 million, and we started our planning around that. We know it's going to cost money and we are prepared to spend money. But it's got to be not in a way that actually endangers or compromises our ability to provide public safety in other functions of government."
McGinn also said the proposed consent decree would hamstring the city's police force in the event of a large scale emergency, like last week's May Day protests.
McGinn says the city will formally respond to the Department of Justice this week.
City Attorney Pete Holmes briefed City councilmembers about the proposed changes this morning behind closed doors.
I'm Deborah Wang for KUOW News.
© Copyright 2012, KUOW
More »Thursday, May 10, 2012
Obama Reaffirms Gay Rights Stance At Seattle Fundraiser
President Obama made a quick fundraising trip through Seattle Thursday. The trip included his first appearances since announcing his support for gay marriage. Democrats at the fundraiser were quick to show their appreciation, but they also predicted that his stance will energize his opponents as well as his supporters. KUOW's Amy Radil reports. More »
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supreme Court Orders New Trial For Death Row Inmate
The Washington state Supreme Court threw out the conviction and death sentence of a man accused of killing his wife and business partner. In an 8–1 decision, the high court ruled Thursday that Darold Stenson should be granted a new trial. Stenson has been on death row for the last 18 years. KUOW's Patricia Murphy reports. More »
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Parents Oppose New School Start Times
Many parents are protesting a new Seattle Public Schools transportation proposal that would change school start times and make schools start earlier. They've flooded the district with emails and collected 2,000 signatures on an online petition. KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports. More »
Friday, May 04, 2012
State Steps Up Fight Against Whooping Cough
The number of whooping cough cases in Washington state is rising so rapidly that the governor has gotten involved. Thursday Governor Chris Gregoire announced she's releasing $90,000 in emergency funds to step up the state's public awareness campaign. More »
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Violence On The Rise At Western State Hospital
Three employees at Western State Hospital were attacked by a patient Wednesday morning. Officials say the three were taken to the emergency room but could not provide more details.
Western State Hospital is the state's most violent workplace: 335 assaults were reported there in the past 12 months. That's a slight increase from the year before, but lower than prior years.
One nurse at Western told KUOW's John Ryan what it's like to become a statistic.
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