A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit filed by opponents of a mandatory payroll premium to fund Washington state’s delayed long-term care program, saying the court did not have jurisdiction because it was a state tax.
The ruling, filed Monday by Judge Thomas Zilly of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, is in response to the November lawsuit filed on behalf of three businesses in the state and six individuals who claimed that the program — known as the WA Cares Fund — violates a federal law that forbids the state from passing any law that requires employees to participate in a plan that provides sickness or medical benefits. Read more
An off-duty Auburn police officer who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian in Seattle's Interbay neighborhood is facing charges for vehicular homicide, reckless driving and a misdemeanor hit and run.
The officer, identified as 33-year-old Michael Smith, was driving his 2016 Mercedes northbound on Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle on Saturday, April 23. Smith was driving in the outside lane when he struck the right rear corner of a taxi that was driving in the inside lane, according to court documents.
Ten minutes later, Smith tried to turn right onto Gilman Drive West, but before reaching the intersection, he could not remain in the right lane and drove onto the sidewalk, according to documents. Smith then allegedly sideswiped a telephone pole and struck a pedestrian, identified as 65-year-old Clifford Jones.
Jones suffered "catastrophic injuries" and was killed almost immediately, according to court documents. Read more
The Seattle City Council passed another ordinance Tuesday, changing the rules for landlords collecting late rent from tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ordinance, put forth by Councilmember Dan Strauss, adjusts previous measures put into place by the council in the early days of the pandemic.
The new rules require landlords to cap repayment installments at one-third of the tenant’s rent, offer a “reasonable schedule” for the tenant to pay back what rent they owe and expand the rent covered to include not only the time of the city’s civil emergency but also six months after it comes to an end. Read more
A mother is looking for answers after her son was shot and killed in Seattle following a night out in Pioneer Square. Leo Fotu, 22, was killed in early April while visiting Seattle from San Francisco.
"I want to know why,” said Fotu's mother, Denise Frost. “Like, you know, why did it happen to him?"
Frost said her son was visiting Seattle with his cousin when he was fatally shot in Pioneer Square. Seattle police confirmed a person was shot and found lying on the street of the 200 block of South Washington Street around 2:15 a.m. on April 2. Police and medics attempted life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene. Read more
An invasive species is consuming and competing with native species in western Washington, including salmon.
Scientists have spotted African clawed frogs in Issaquah, Lacey and Bothell, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking residents to be part of the solution.
The WDFW, nonprofit Trout Unlimited and other partners are all working together to combat the growth of the frog population. Read more
RELATED: Western Washington Forecast
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