King County

Government

'It's tough.' King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall goes back to the academy

“Humbling.” That’s how King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall describes going through the police academy in her late fifties. She’s five weeks into the 19-week process. Not that she’s counting.

Crime

Judge bans gun access for Ingraham student 'mentally preparing' for Eastside school shooting

King County Superior Court Judge Samuel Chung prohibited a student at Ingraham High School Tuesday from purchasing or possessing firearms, after the student told a psychologist he was mentally preparing to commit a school shooting on the Eastside. However, the student’s father declined to hand over his own firearms to police for safekeeping.

Government

Family visits resume at King County jails, but staffing shortages remain a major hurdle

In-person visits are scheduled to begin again Monday for people held at King County’s jail in downtown Seattle. It’s the first time family members have been able to visit face-to-face at that facility since the Covid pandemic began. In October, the county resumed family visits at the second adult jail in Kent. But critics and jail officials say short staffing is still constraining their operations.

Politics

Election 2022: what do Washington state voters care about most?

Stuart Elway is the director of the Crosscut/Elway Poll of Washington state voters. He spoke with KUOW's Angela King about what voters are most concerned about and how that may influence Election Day outcomes.

Government

The race is on for King County's next prosecuting attorney

KUOW reporter Amy Radil joins Soundside to discuss the upcoming election for King County Prosecutor.

Crime

Black Seattle detective feared Proud Boys were chasing her. They were undercover sheriff’s officers

An investigation by the King County Sheriff's Office determined that two officers violated numerous policies when they pursued an undercover Seattle detective’s vehicle during a protest. Seattle Police said the incident was an unprecedented lapse in communication that endangered everyone involved. The sheriff agreed that the mens’ actions created substantial risk of harm, according to findings obtained by KUOW.

Crime

WA softened drug penalties last year. Now some South King County cities are cracking down

For months, a coalition of mayors in South King County has criticized state and county approaches to public safety. In a letter they blamed methamphetamine and “a flood of fentanyl” for an increase in violence, and property crimes. Now those cities are passing their own drug laws. Critics say that’s a step in the wrong direction.

Why is a convicted sex offender with false credentials running a King County-funded youth program?

As Saleem Robinson tells it, he used to run the streets of Chicago. Now he runs a nonprofit in Seattle for vulnerable young people.