Latest news with #MurrowNewsFellowship
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor Ferguson signs bill into law requiring clergy members to report abuse
The Brief The signing comes after a years-long debate between people who say the law is needed to better protect children, and those fearful the move could infringe on people's religious freedoms. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Priests, rabbis and other religious leaders will soon become mandatory reporters of child abuse under legislation signed into law by the governor on Friday morning. Going into effect on July 26, Senate Bill 5375 will require members of the clergy to tell police if they suspect any harm has been done to a child – much like doctors, teachers and other professions. Religious leaders would also have to make a report even if they learned that information during a confession or other sacred confidence, a departure from existing law. Though their privilege to not be compelled to testify in court remains in statute. According to a report from the federal government, Washington is one of five states that does not explicitly or implicitly require clergy to report suspected child abuse or neglect. While most states exempt information learned in confession from mandatory reporting, Washington would join a handful of states, including New Hampshire and West Virginia, that do not have an exemption. "There are some things that it doesn't matter what religion you are in, you never put somebody's conscience over the protection of a child," said Prime sponsor Noel Frame, D-Seattle. The bill was driven by sexually abused members of the Catholic and Jehovah's Witness faiths coming forward who said Washington needed to close a loophole in state law that allows abuse to go unreported. Mary Dispenza, a victim of clergy abuse as a child, said kids will be safer as a result of the new law. "It really said the church is not above the law, no one is above the law, especially when it comes to protecting children," she said. This is the third time the legislation has been attempted, with a large sticking point being around whether or not to have an exemption for information learned from confession. Opponents previously expressed concern that the bill would be an unconstitutional limit on one's ability to freely practice religion. They also argued it would put clergy at risk of violating their divine duties. "It is forcing somebody who's given their entire life – raised their hand, made an oath with God almighty – to choose between God's law and man's law," Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, said during a Senate debate on the bill in February. Talking to reporters after signing the bill, Gov. Ferguson said even as a Catholic himself, the legislation was "pretty straightforward." "My uncle was a Jesuit priest for many years, (I've) been to confession myself – and so I'm very familiar with that," the Democratic governor said. "I felt this was important legislation and protecting kids is first priority." Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information in this story came from the Olympia News Bureau. Social media says Seattle ports are empty — but data shows growth Irish woman returning from visiting sick father detained at Tacoma ICE facility 'Violated, degraded, dehumanized': Ex-Seattle police official Jamie Tompkins demands $3M Idaho judge slams Bryan Kohberger's 'hollow' attempt to dodge death penalty First confirmed Pacific Northwest sighting of invasive Chinese mitten crab WA pilot program offers free walk-on ferry rides to San Juan Islands 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
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington legislature passes restrictions on out-of-state military forces
The Brief The state Senate voted Thursday to pass a bill to require outside National Guard troops to get permission from the governor before entering Washington, unless called into service by the president. Governor Ferguson previously highlighted the restriction as a priority. OLYMPIA, Wash. - The state legislature approved limitations on out-of-state national guard troops Thursday, accomplishing a priority laid out by the governor at the beginning of his term. Under House Bill 1321, no "armed military force from another state, territory, or district" can enter Washington and perform military duties without the governor's permission. Though the restriction does not apply if the force has been ordered into active service by the president. Prime sponsor Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, said the bill does not impact any agreements with other states around military preparedness and emergency response. Driven by other governors floating the idea of using National Guard troops to enforce federal immigration laws outside their states, Mena said, the bill maintains Washington's ability to set and enforce its own laws. "This could be about anything, now or in the future, that another state may want to impose on the state of Washington," she said. "I think we deserve to be in control of the policies here within our borders." Supporters point to several other states with similar restrictions on the books, including Idaho, Rhode Island and Texas. Governor Ferguson also brought that up as he endorsed the idea after being sworn in. "I support your legislation prohibiting the National Guard from other states from coming into Washington state to advance any president's agenda without our permission," he said at his inauguration on January 15. "Texas and Montana have adopted similar policies, Washington must join them." The bill passed the Senate Thursday on a party-line vote, with all 19 Republicans in opposition. Senator Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, questioned the necessity of the bill, saying federal law would prevent another governor from ordering guard members into Washington. He also expressed concerns about political divisions. "I think with today's tensions in the United States and each state, I think the bill should be put down," he said during the Senate debate. "If nothing else, just to ease the tensions of something that is speculation that I would offer up on." The bill now heads to Governor Ferguson for his consideration, who said in a statement he looks forward to signing the legislation into law. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information for this article comes from the Olympia News Bureau. Convicted child molester linked to missing WA grandmother case FBI investigating Tesla charging station damaged overnight in Lacey Remains of Laurie Krage identified in Pierce County, WA cold case Police: Man sets building on fire during Auburn standoff, likely dead Juvenile shot near King County middle school, deputies say Tariffs live updates: Trump's sweeping plan takes effect, including 104% on China 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 coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington lawmaker proposes regulations for self-checkout machines
The state Capitol building in Olympia, Washington. (Photo by Albert James) Proposed legislation could change the way customers shop at grocery stores, as one Democratic lawmaker is pushing for regulations on self-checkout machines. House Bill 1739 would establish rules for when and how self-checkout stands could be used in grocery stores. If passed, self-checkouts could only be used when a regular checkout lane is open. An employee who monitors self-service lanes would have to do so exclusively, and be limited to supervising a maximum of two stands. For their part, customers would be limited to bringing just 15 items to check out. The regulations would apply to grocery stores over 15,000 thousand square feet in size, but not to any bulk goods stores with memberships. The Department of Labor and Industries would be responsible for investigating and enforcing violations with a fine. 'There has been a lot of challenges across Washington for grocery workers with unchecked automation and chronic understaffing,' said prime sponsor State Representative Mary Fosse, D-Everett. At a House Committee on Labor and Workforce Standards hearing Wednesday morning, Fosse said she wants a conversation about making sure the self-checkout technology supports clerks. 'We know it can be a convenience, but when it's used to–as a way to eliminate workers and cut labor costs, that's when it really puts workers and customers at risk,' she said. Grocery workers testified in support of the regulations, saying self-checkout makes them unsafe and overwhelmed. Clerks spoke about how they feel stretched too thin supervising multiple machines while keeping an eye out for theft, addressing malfunctioning stations, and generally helping customers 'On a particularly hard day, a woman threw a steak at me because her item did not qualify for a bogo deal we were running,' said Bellevue grocery clerk James Reed. 'I would have overridden the machine given the chance. She just didn't give it to me.' However, critics of the proposal argued stores themselves know best how to regulate self-checkout. Organizations representing grocery stores said other policies can better address theft and worker safety, and the bill is ultimately just too restrictive. 'Removing the flexibility that they have to meet staffing demands, customer demands and the other variables that come with operating stores,' said Brandon Houskeeper with the Northwest Grocery Retail Association. 'Including things like when stores are busier during holiday seasons, when stores are slower different times of the day.' The proposed regulations have yet to be scheduled for a vote out of committee. This article was produced as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program, a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
The Brief WA legislators are hearing House Bill 1276, which would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a large amount of goods. The bill currently has some bipartisan support, but it still faces some resistance from lawmakers and legal experts. A 2021 Forbes study found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Some people convicted of organized retail theft could get a longer prison sentence under a proposal making its way through the legislature. Heard in the House Committee on Community Safety Monday afternoon, House Bill 1276 would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a high value of goods. Twelve months would be added to the sentence of a person guilty of organized retail theft where the property is worth $20,000 or more. If the property has a value of $50,000 or more, 24 months would be added to the sentence. Currently, a person could get up to ten years in prison for organized theft, based on the seriousness of the crime. Dig deeper A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have signed onto the bill. People who testified in support at Monday's hearing said money made from organized theft funds other criminal activity, often involves a great deal of violence and pointed to a 2021 Forbes study which found Washington was the state most impacted by retail crime. "It impacts our businesses who can't absorb the loss and may have to lay off workers," said prime sponsor State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). "It impacts our state by having lost tax dollars that could go back into the strength of our economy. And it impacts consumers who may not feel safe as a result, to do their shopping." A representative from the state Sentencing Guidelines Commission testified in opposition, saying existing aggravating factors already allow for stiffer punishments for crimes with a large economic impact or with sophisticated planning. Other opponents say organized theft isn't as large of a problem as retailers say it is, and question the impact of longer sentences. What they're saying "It isn't helpful because we've known for years that sentence length is not a deterrent to crime, neither for the general public or for the person caught," said David Trieweiler with the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. "Yet here we are again, falsely claiming that increasing sentence lengths will deter these crimes and increase public employee safety. It will not." One King County prosecutor testified more resources are needed as they face an increase in all types of cases. Leavitt acknowledged the proposal is just one tool needed to address organized theft. It is currently unclear when the community safety committee could vote on the bill. Albert James is a television reporter covering state government as part of the Murrow News Fellowship program – a collaborative effort between news outlets statewide and Washington State University. The Source Information comes from original reporting by Murrow News fellow Albert James. Politics: WA Senate passes changes to parental rights in education Local: Japan Airlines plane clips tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Travel: Here's when you'll need REAL ID to get through US airport security Food: New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025 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 coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
