INTRO
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KMRE brings you local news for [Tuesday], [May 16th]. Good afternoon, I’m
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STORY: SPECIAL SESSION BEGINS
Washington lawmakers are reconvening today for business left unfinished
from their regular session: tackling the public use of drugs in the state.
Drug possession and use essentially became decriminalized by the state
Supreme Court in 2021 with the Blake decision and a temporary law on drug
possession is set to expire July first.
The Seattle Times reports that lawmakers unveiled a plan yesterday to
make drug possession and public drug use a gross misdemeanor. Under the
plan, first and second time offenses would be given a maximum penalty of
180 days in jail and up to a one thousand dollar fine. On the third offense, it
would go up to 364 days in jail.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been negotiating for
weeks on the policy after a similar one failed in April, leading to the special
session which began this morning.
STORY: ALICIA RULE TO RUN FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Washington State Representative Alicia Rule has announced her run for
county executive. Alicia Rule has been elected twice to represent the 42nd
legislative district, which covers most of Whatcom County, serving since
2020.
Rule has worked as a mental health worker and owns a small therapy
practice. She served as a city councilmember in Blaine and as president of
the Blaine Downtown Development Association.
She says she wants to address homelessness and increase behavioral
health support in the county.
Rule joins incumbent Satpal Sidhu and county councilmember Barry
Buchanan in the race for county executive.
STORY: KRAKEN OUT AFTER GOOD RUN
The Seattle Kraken’s first postseason run ended last night. While tied in their
second series yesterday, the Kraken lost to the Dallas Stars. The game was
tied 1 – 1 when Dallas rookie Wyatt Johnston scored with 18 seconds left in
the game, allowing the Dallas Stars to move into the Western conference
finals.
Though they didn’t advance, the Kraken displayed a strong second year of
existence. In their first playoff series, the Kraken defeated the Colorado
Avalanche, who won the 2022 Stanley Cup.
STORY: NEW ORCA BILL SIGNED; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
In Olympia yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee signed new legislation creating a
mandatory one thousand yard vessel buffer around Southern Resident Killer
Whales. The goal of the legislation is to protect orca pods from vessel noise
and disturbance; the new requirement will go into effect on January first,
2025.
The new bill also needs your help. The law directs that the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife must form a voluntary advisory group to
help inform the development, outreach and education that will need to be
done to enforce the new legislation.
The Center for Whale Research recorded that the Southern Resident Killer
Whale population was at just 73 individuals last year. Killer Whales have
been listed as endangered since the start of the Endangered Species Act in
2005.
Even though the new law doesn’t go into effect until 2025, Fish and Wildlife
managers still strongly encourage any boaters to give Southern Resident
Orcas as much space as possible. Currently the law states vehicles must
stay a minimum of 300 yards away and at least 400 yards of the path in front
of or behind the orcas.
The thousand yard rule applies exclusively to the Southern Resident Killer
Whales. Fish and Wildlife encourages anyone interested in witnessing the
Killer Whales to consider shore-based viewings as it poses significantly less
risk to wildlife.
Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications to volunteer through June 9th.
Those interested are encouraged to review the Orca Regulations
Communications Advisory Group website where they can find more
information.
STORY: REPORT ON FOSTER YOUTHS
Teenagers in foster care in the state face unique challenges as they
transition to adulthood. Eric Tegethoff has the story.
WNS AUDIO
WX:
And now, today’s weather. Thankfully for most of us the heat is beginning to
back off today. We should see a high of 71 around 4pm today with mostly
sunny skies accompanying the cool off. Tonight we can expect a low of
around 62 degrees with even more clear skies.
Tomorrow, it’ll be a bit warmer with a high of 76 that should reach
Bellingham around 3pm. Be ready for it to drop down to around 60 in the
late evening as well.
