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5 things to know this Wednesday

Talking to kids about the Texas shooting; The fight to return an orca home; Police incentive legislation; SPU Student walkout; Asian giant hornet update.
Credit: AP
A state trooper walks past the Robb Elementary School sign in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, following a deadly shooting at the school. (William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

Texas elementary school shooting: How to talk to our children 

In the wake of tragedy, it is often our youngest that ask the most difficult questions. And Despite parents' best efforts, protecting children from horrible headlines may be an impossible task.

On Tuesday, a gunman killed at least 19 children and two adults as he went from classroom to classroom at a Texas elementary school. It was the deadliest shooting at a U.S. school since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012.

Psychologists recommend open conversations about the shooting and, above all else, reassuring children that they are safe.

“Parents should control the conversation with kids,” explained Dr. Amy Mezulis, a professor of clinical psychology at Seattle Pacific University. “They should initiate the conversation. Ask kids what they know. What they’ve heard. Tell them about it so that the parents have some opportunity to shape the conversation because they know their kids best.” Read more

Inside the Lummi Nation's fight to bring a Southern Resident orca home from captivity

In the 1960s and '70s, Washington state was selling one of its greatest treasures for just a few hundred dollars.

Orcas were hunted, captured and sent to aquariums and amusement parks around the world. Many of the orcas who were captured have died, except one.

Now members of the Lummi Nation are fighting for her return. Read more

Seattle City Council passes legislation that paves the way for police hiring incentives

The Seattle City Council voted 6-3 to advance two measures related to police hiring incentives.

The council passed a resolution put forward by Councilmember Sara Nelson signaling support for funding a police staffing incentive program by lifting a budget proviso restricting the Seattle Police Department from using salary savings.

The council also passed an ordinance by Councilmember Lisa Herbold authorizing the city to offer relocation assistance for recruits in several hard-to-fill positions with the city, including police officers. Read more

Seattle Pacific University students stage walkout, rally over Board of Trustees decision

Students protested Tuesday after the Seattle Pacific University (SPU) Board of Trustees voted to uphold rules that ban LGBTQ+ staff from working at the school.

The demonstration was one of the largest walk-outs SPU has seen in years. Hundreds of students left their classrooms Tuesday morning and walked to Demaray Hall to demonstrate in front of the university president's office.

Protestors said the board's decision discriminates against sexual orientation and doesn't reflect the students on campus. Read more

In quest to wipe out murder hornets, scientists to set 1,000 traps in Washington this year

Scientists will set about 1,000 traps this year in an attempt to wipe out the Asian giant hornet in Washington, the state Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.

Scientists believe the hornets, first detected in the Pacific Northwest state in 2019, are confined in Whatcom County, which is located on the Canadian border north of Seattle.

"We are doing pretty good right now," said Sven-Erik Spichiger, who is leading the fight to eradicate the hornets for the state Department of Agriculture. "We know about where the nests are located in Whatcom County." Read more

RELATED: Western Washington Forecast

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