Latest news with #Lynnwood
Russia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
US women's-only spa barred from excluding transwomen with penises
A federal appeals court has obliged a Korean spa in Lynnwood, Washington to provide services to transgender females. The beauty parlor had attempted to bar transwomen who have not undergone gender-affirming surgery from entering its ladies-only facilities. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Thursday, in a 2–1 vote, that Olympus Spa must change its admissions policy to comply with the anti-discrimination law. The court found that the spa's owners were not being deprived of their First Amendment rights, such as the right to free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and right of association, by the State of Washington's requirement. Olympus Spa, which operates two locations in the state, is a traditional Korean bathhouse offering massages, body scrubs, and hot tubs that require full nudity. In 2020, the Washington State Human Rights Commission filed a complaint after a transgender woman—who had not undergone genital surgery—was denied entry. The Commission argued that the spa's ladies-only policy violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), which prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on gender identity and gender expression. In response, Olympus Spa filed a lawsuit claiming the state was violating the owners' constitutional rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association. The spa, run by a Christian Korean-American family, cited religious and cultural beliefs in opposing the inclusion of individuals with male genitalia in female-only spaces where nudity is required. 'The family-run business is owned by Korean Christians who hold sincere faith-based convictions against allowing persons whose genitals are external (males) to be present with persons whose genitals are internal (females) while in a state of partial or full undress if such persons are not married to one another,' the complaint stated. However, the Ninth Circuit ruled that enforcement of the state law does not violate the First Amendment. Writing for the majority, Judge Margaret McKeown said that providing a Korean body scrub or massage does not constitute protected expressive conduct. She added that accepting the spa's argument would essentially make every gym or massage parlor exempt from nondiscrimination laws. The ruling comes amid broader national debates on transgender rights. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump reversed several protections for trans individuals, ending federal support for child sexual mutilation procedures for minors and issuing executive orders banning transwomen from women's sports and removing 'radical gender ideology' from the military.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Where's Tracey Brazzel? 30 years on, her mom remains hopeful they'll find her body
LYNNWOOD, Wash. - A Washington family is continuing to look for answers as they mourn the loss of their daughter, who disappeared on this day 30 years ago. Peggy Brady told FOX 13, her daughter Tracey Brazzel was bubbly, loved to read, and had a contagious, loving laugh. Brady misses her daughter every day, but on days like today and her birthday, it hits her especially hard. "It's hard," she said. "I live on memories." The backstory Investigators believe the 22-year-old disappeared somewhere between where she lived in Lynnwood and a bar that once stood in Everett, just about 10 miles away. She's believed to be dead, but her body has never been found. "There's always an empty hole in your heart," Brady said. Every day she wonders where her daughter might be, and what life would be like if she were still here. "If she'd be married, if I'd have grandkids, you know…what they would be like," Brady said. For years, the investigation into her disappearance went cold. However, in 2012, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office arrested Danny Ross Giles in connection with the 1995 murders of Tracey and Patti Berry. Giles DNA was reportedly found in both women's cars. They convicted Giles in Berry's case, but severed Tracy's because they couldn't find her body and didn't want to jeopardize the other case, according to Brady. She believes he's behind Tracey's disappearance. "Even though he's in prison, he just won't give up you know, where she is, or say anything about her," she said. In 2010, Brady's oldest daughter also passed away. Despite so much loss, she remains hopeful, 30 years later. "I'm hopeful that he'll finally give it up," Brady said. "I'm just hoping he'll do it before I'm gone. I'd like to put my daughter to rest, I'd like to put her with her sister." What you can do She told FOX 13, she's still in contact with detectives, who go to the prison every once in a while, but nothing new turns up. She said the only thing she can do is hope and pray and if anyone knows where Tracey might be, she asks them to please come forward and give them peace of mind and closure. The Source Information in this story came from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and original FOX 13 Seattle interviews. Sweltering weather in store for Seattle this week Motorcyclist killed, driver arrested after Puyallup crash Mom of slain Idaho victim Xana Kernodle asks for help attending Bryan Kohberger trial Seattle Memorial Day weekend 2025: Your guide to events, traffic, more Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash Seattle police make arrests at counterprotest to 'Mayday USA' event in Capitol Hill Tree-sitter enters third week in WA's Olympic Foothills to halt logging Free housing for a felon? Kirkland, WA neighbors concerned over homeless hotel plans To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lynnwood looks to make up multi-million dollar shortfall in expected revenue
Originally posted at City Council members are trying to figure out how to cover a $3 million shortfall in the Lynnwood budget. Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell wrote in an email to council members that the city started 2025 with $3 million less than anticipated, The Lynnwood Times reported Tuesday. However, the media outlet noted that during an April finance meeting, it was reported the city's Ending General Fund Balance was $4.27 million below forecast. The Lynnwood Times contacted the city about the $1.27 million discrepancy in the reported shortfalls and is waiting to hear back. Frizzell cited 'the national environment of economic uncertainty' in her email as a reason for the shortfall, along with recent tariffs. To combat the multi-million dollar gap, Frizzell stated in her email that the city has asked that purchases or professional service contracts be delayed. 'We have asked that some purchases or professional service contracts be delayed, and we are reviewing each vacancy and not automatically filling these vacancies in our effort to gain some salary savings,' the mayor wrote, as reported by The Lynnwood Times. 'We are also closely monitoring all travel and training.' According to The Lynnwood Times, the city had projected a 14.8% increase in sales tax in April but instead saw a 25% drop. The media outlet noted a significant drop in Lynnwood car sales, citing Trump's 25% tariffs on imported vehicles such as SUVs, sedans, crossovers, cargo vans, and light trucks. The Lynnwood Times also suggested Tesla vandalism may have driven away business. In March, six vehicles at a Tesla dealership in Lynnwood were defaced with spray-painted swastikas and profanity. Follow Julia Dallas on X. Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Crews fight heavy flames in Lynnwood house fire
South County Fire responded to a house fire in Lynnwood early Sunday morning, the department posted on X. No residents were home at the time of the fire around 2 a.m. but crews found heavy flames in the garage and going through the roof, the post said. Firefighters extinguished the majority of the flames in about 15 minutes and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
