Overtime flexibility or worker rights? SB 5476 looks at flexible overtime rules for ag workers

OLYMPIA- Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, introduced Senate Bill 5476 which will grant agricultural employers the flexibility to select up to 12 weeks in a calendar year, during which they can employ workers for up to 50 hours per week without triggering overtime pay requirements.

Warnick sponsors bill addressing farm water needs

OLYMPIA - Senate Bill 5517, sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, aims to address the balance between meeting farmers' groundwater needs and ensuring environmental conservation in Washington state.

Washington students show increased attendance and high school course completion

OLYMPIA — Three important indicators of student success are attending school regularly, passing all of their ninth grade classes, and completing advanced courses where they earn both high school and college credit at the same time. In the 2022–23 school year, Washington’s students made significant strides in all three, according to data published recently by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Each year, Washington’s students continue to work hard to set themselves up for success,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “Attending school regularly, passing all their classes in ninth grade, and completing advanced-level coursework all prepare students for their unique future pathways. I am so proud of our students for their efforts and of educators and district staff for supporting them.”

Grant Co. extends marijuana production moratorium

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners have extended the moratorium on establishing new marijuana production or processing operations in unincorporated areas of the county for another six months.

Washington eyes changes to jaywalking regulations

OLYMPIA – There's a push to lighten up on jaywalking fines — a move that hits the headlines for its impact on both the homeless community and Black pedestrians.

Legals for January, 31 2024

Funding research, educating public among jobs of potato commissions

KENNEWICK — Look at the pictures, and farming seems timeless: tractors and dramatic sunsets and all that. But like all other industries, farming is subject to change – and in the last half-century those changes have been big ones. Potato farmers, like farmers and growers in every other agriculture sector, have had to adapt and change with the times. There are visible signs of changing times. Rob Wagstaff’s family has operated a farm near Nyssa, Oregon for generations. Wagstaff, a member of the Oregon Potato Commission, keeps track of his acreage, and the map is dotted with the names of the people who used to farm that land. “We go to our acreage map, and we have about 53 that we have got from different people,” he said. “You’ve got 50 families that used to be there that aren’t there anymore.”

Diaper changing stations for dads proposed

OLYMPIA - Diaper changing stations traditionally were placed only in women's bathrooms, and Alexandra Johnson, a mother of two from Snoqualmie, thinks that should change.

Mandatory voting proposed by WA Dems

OLYMPIA – A proposal to make voting mandatory drew criticisms from two thousand people in a Legislative hearing Jan. 25. “We are already in a moment of extreme distrust in elections, so you should not be doing anything to further that perception,” said Sharon Damoff.

Ted Vance Christensen

Aug. 28, 1934 — Jan. 23, 2024

Ted Vance Christensen, 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at his home in Royal City, surrounded by his family. Ted was a humble, generous, industrious man of faith who dedicated his life to making the world a better place through the many acts of service he provided to his family, neighbors, friends and community. Ted was born in Ellensburg, Washington on Aug. 28, 1934, to LeRoy and Lucy Fay Christensen. He was the fourth of what would eventually be five children in the family. He had an adventurous childhood on their family farm in Kittitas where he learned the value of hard work and good rambunctious fun. When he was just 14 years old his father died, leaving the young Christensen brothers in charge of their family farm. Ted attended Kittitas High School where he excelled at many sports, but especially loved basketball. He graduated in 1952 and soon after married his childhood friend, turned sweetheart, Norma Jean Jensen on Sept. 16, 1953. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Legals for January, 24 2024

Washington bill could open up licenses for noncitizens

OLYMPIA - Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, introduced House Bill 1889, aiming to grant professional licenses to workers regardless of citizenship status. The bill proposes that immigrants lacking permanent legal status may be eligible for professional licenses if they meet specific occupational requirements.

Overcoming barriers

Regulation is slowing home construction, raising costs, expert says

MOSES LAKE — Overregulation is standing in the way of building more housing nationwide, a speaker told local housing professionals last week, but it’s not necessarily coming from state governments.

Adams Co. Health Officer discusses 2024 legislation

RITZVILLE – Adams County Health Officer Alex Brzezny attended the Jan. 10 Adams County Commissioners and Board of Health meeting to update the commissioners on certain initiatives in the ongoing Washington legislative session that may impact the county. “There's probably 40 bills that have to do something with public health, but public health is everywhere,” Brzezny said. “These are the key ones that would affect our work the most.” One of the subjects Brzezny discussed at length was an initiative to require that all sizes of Washington high schools stock the opioid overdose reversal medicine naloxone, after increasing numbers of opioid overdoses.

Legals for January, 17 2024

NEWS BITES for January 16, 2024

NEWS BITES for January 16, 2024

Trump ballot challenge goes to WA court

OLYMPIA — A Washington court will hear arguments today regarding whether former President Donald Trump will be on the primary ballot, according to an announcement from the Washington Secretary of State.

Spud-focused: Research results among subjects at 2024 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

KENNEWICK — Research into potato pests and disease, new labor rules in Washington and innovations in the potato industry will be among the topics covered at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Jan. 23 through 25 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Legals for January, 11 2024

Legals for January, 10 2024