Amy Radil
Reporter
About
Amy Radil is a reporter at KUOW covering politics, government, and law enforcement, along with the occasional arts story. She got her start at Minnesota Public Radio in Duluth, and freelanced for Marketplace and other programs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Amy grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from Williams College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Stories
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Law & Courts
In wake of 'Blake,' Washington courts clear drug convictions and refund fines
People convicted under Washington’s felony drug possession law are starting to get their records cleared, and their court-imposed fines refunded.
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Environment
This Skagit County park was almost a nuclear power plant. A tribe helped save it: Travel For Good
At different points in its history, the Kukutali Preserve was slated to become a summer resort and even a nuclear power plant. But those plans didn’t come to pass. Instead, a unique partnership between the Swinomish Tribe and state government now safeguards the area for conservation and public use. It opened to visitors as one of the state’s newest parks in 2014.
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Law & Courts
Seattle's Duwamish Tribe files new lawsuit seeking federal recognition
Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe renewed its quest for tribal sovereignty by filing a lawsuit against the U.S Department of the Interior on Wednesday. The tribe said the lack of federal recognition continues to cost its 600 enrolled members access to healthcare, scholarships and other benefits.
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Government
Patti Cole-Tindall named King County Sheriff
King County has named Patti Cole-Tindall as the new full-time sheriff.
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Crime
SPD renews call for hiring incentives, as neighboring cities snap up recruits
Seattle’s police chief says the city is critically short on officers, and he thinks offering hiring incentives would help. Critics say that money can do more good by going directly to people in need. Meanwhile, recruits in nearby cities say they’re benefiting from more targeted incentives, that reward them for specific skills.
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Law & Courts
Family of Auburn man killed by police sues city, officer who shot him
The parents of Enosa (E.J.) Strickland Junior filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against Auburn Police Officer Kenneth Lyman and the City of Auburn. They allege that Lyman’s negligence and unconstitutional excessive force resulted in their son’s death on May 20, 2019. The lawsuit says that Lyman has been the subject of at least a dozen use of force reviews since joining the department in 2016.
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Business
Seattle's payroll tax is thriving, but faces next legal challenge
Seattle’s new payroll tax survived its first court challenge last June, and the city collected $231m from affected businesses in 2021. The city is forecasting continued growth: $277m in tax proceeds for 2022 and almost $300m next year. Now the lawsuit heads the Washington State Court of Appeals, which is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case Friday.
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Government
King County sheriff finalists cite challenges in crime, recruitment, and community trust
King County's next sheriff will likely come from Texas or Georgia. Or it will be the person currently running the office. The three finalists to become King County’s next sheriff spoke at a virtual press conference Tuesday. They all cited recruitment, rising crime, and building community trust as some of their top priorities.
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Crime
SPD’s roving unit shifts focus from 'hotspots' to retail theft
In recent weeks Seattle police officers have increased their presence in public “hotspots” for local crime. This week those officers turned their attention to organized retail theft as well. SPD said on Thursday they made 49 shoplifting arrests, and 13 individuals were booked for various felony charges and outstanding warrants.
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Law & Courts
In King County’s new inquests, victims’ families see steps forward, police see 'overreach'
Attorneys for victims’ families welcome the changes in King County's new inquest process, while police call the structure unworkable and unfair.