Mountain View
Things that Matter
Washington's Catholic Prep School Settles $2.4 Million with Former Student Over Sex Abuse Claims
A private Catholic high school in Seattle has agreed to pay over $2.4 million to a former student who alleges she was groomed, harassed, and sexually abused by a teacher for an extended period.
Facing Crisis: Spokane County Considers Declaring Emergency Amid Soaring Fentanyl Overdoses
Opioid overdoses, particularly those involving fentanyl, are on the rise in Washington State and across the country. Local elected leaders in Spokane County are considering declaring a public health emergency to address this growing crisis.
Unfair Practices Uncovered: Subway Owners in Washington Caught Pocketing Employees' Tips!
Multiple owners and managers of Subway restaurants in Washington have been caught stealing tips from their employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A recent investigation found that 10 Subway restaurants under common ownership were allowing owners and managers to take part in employees' tip pools, which is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Department of Labor recovered $196,000 in tips that were unlawfully taken, and the franchisees were fined $22,017 for their actions.
Washington Man Caught With a Staggering 19,000 Fentanyl Pills - Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
David Lee Fullmer, a resident of Washington, has recently received a five-year federal prison sentence for his involvement in conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Fullmer was apprehended in August 2023 by a Washington State Patrol trooper while driving a rented truck that contained a stolen handgun and 18,000 fentanyl pills. Subsequent investigations at Fullmer's residence led to the discovery of an additional 1,000 pills and two firearms.
Former WSDOT Economist Exposes Attempts to Alter Gas Price Projections, Files Lawsuit
Former economist Scott Smith from the Washington State Department of Transportation recently revealed the challenges he faced after disclosing his calculations showing that Washington's cap-and-trade program would increase gas prices significantly.
Washington Legislators Greenlight A Massive $306 Million School Construction Fund Increase!
Washington lawmakers recently approved plans to boost school construction funding by $306 million. The increase in funding comes after a ruling by the Washington Supreme Court stating that the state is not solely responsible for covering all school construction costs.
WA Woman Involved in a Massive $6.8 Million Pandemic Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
The leader of a fraudulent ring that aimed to steal over $6.8 million in pandemic benefits from various assistance programs has been sentenced to five years in prison. Paradise Williams, 29, who orchestrated the scheme, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. This sentencing was carried out by the U.S. District Court in Seattle, with Judge John H. Chun emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed.
Landmark Decision: Washington State Legislature Passes K-12 Parental 'Bill of Rights!
The Washington State Legislature recently approved Initiative 2081, establishing a K-12 "parents' bill of rights." This initiative guarantees parents of public school students certain rights regarding their children's education and safety. Let's delve into the details and reactions surrounding this significant development.
Bold Decision: U.S. DOE Awards a Massive $45 Billion Contract for Hanford Nuclear Waste Management!
The U.S. Department of Energy has recently awarded a $45 billion contract to a consortium for the cleanup and treatment of toxic wastes at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. This contract will involve environmental cleanup and the treatment of millions of gallons of waste stored in tanks at the Hanford site.
King County Unveils New Plan to Combat Fentanyl Overdose Crisis
King County has recently announced new strategies to combat the growing crisis of fentanyl-related overdoses. The county officials are implementing five priority actions to address the issue and expand treatment options in the county. The new measures aim to prevent overdoses and provide support to individuals with substance use disorders.
Longtime Washington Senator Karen Keiser Announces Retirement After 29 Years of Legislative Service
Sen. Karen Keiser has announced her retirement from the Washington State Legislature after 29 years of service. Keiser is a prominent Democrat from Des Moines and holds the title of the Senate's most senior member and current president pro tempore. She expressed her gratitude for the progress made during her tenure in a heartfelt speech delivered from the Senate floor in Olympia.
Spokane's $3.1 Million Police Vehicle Funds Won't Expand its Electric Vehic Fleet
Last week, the Spokane City Council approved $3.128 million in federal grant funds for 46 new police department vehicles aimed at modernizing their aging fleet. However, councilmember Michael Cathcart expressed concerns that this funding will not be used to expand the department's electric vehicle fleet. Cathcart believes that electric vehicles are not future-proofed and that technology is likely to change.
Joe Biden Set to Advocate for Restoration of Expanded Child Tax Credit in State of the Union Address
President Joe Biden is set to address Congress and the nation in his upcoming State of the Union speech, focusing on various economic issues such as taxes, housing, and eliminating "junk fees."
Protecting Youth: State Lawmakers Approve Ban on Child Marriages in Washington
Washington state legislators have passed a bill that would prohibit child marriages in the state. The bill, known as House Bill 1455, aims to eliminate any marriage involving individuals under the age of 18. Under current laws, 17-year-olds in Washington can get married with parental consent, and those younger than 17 can marry if authorized by a superior court judge.
Washington Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig Announces Retirement, Sparks Leadership Race
Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig has declared that he will not be seeking reelection this year after holding the leadership post since 2018. Rep. Marcus Riccelli has expressed his intention to run to replace Billig, who has had a long legislative career spanning 14 years.
Breaking: Congress Takes Steps to Approve a Massive $468 Billion in Government Spending!
After a five-month delay, Congress is making strides toward approving a significant $468 billion in government spending. This allocation was originally meant to be completed by October 1st, and includes various adjustments to different federal programs to cater to the needs of the American people.
Let's Go Washington Scores Big: Gets Three Initiatives Approved by Washington State Legislature!
The voter advocacy group Let's Go Washington saw success in passing three out of six initiatives in the Washington State Legislature. On Monday, the House of Representatives and the Senate approved three initiatives each. These initiatives include allowing parents to review educational materials, prohibiting income taxes by state and local governments, and removing restrictions on police pursuits.
Things that Matter
616+
Posts
17M+
Views
Thought-provoking local content that cuts through the noise, delivering concise and impactful stories that focus on the issues shaping our world today.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.