Seattle vacates hundreds of marijuana charges going back 30 years
The City of Seattle on Friday filed a motion asking the court to vacate hundreds of marijuana possession convictions going back three decades and adversely impacting people of color.
Pacific Northwest
Washington becomes first state in the nation to pass net neutrality regulations in defiance of FCC
A bill that reinstates protections repealed by the Federal Communications Commission in December passed both houses of Washington state’s legislature Tuesday afternoon. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed.
Oregon lawmakers pass gun-control bill; first since Florida shooting
Fueled by anguished voices in the aftermath of the Florida high school shooting, Oregon's Legislature on Thursday banned people convicted of stalking and domestic violence or under restraining orders from buying or owning firearms and ammunition.
Canada’s British Columbia submits new rules to restrict oil shipments
The government of British Columbia has proposed new regulations restricting the transportation of oil through the western Canadian province in what is expected to be a major setback for a planned pipeline expansion project.
Families of those killed by police to get attorneys in King County inquests regardless of financial status
Legislation passed by the Metropolitan King County Council on Monday calls for the county’s Department of Public Defense to provide attorneys to families participating in inquests no matter their financial status.
Appeals court rules Portland ban on fossil fuel terminals is constitutional
The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the Portland City Council did not violate the U.S. Constitution with a 2015 resolution that banned new fossil fuel terminals.
Progressive champion Pramila Jayapal became the first ever Indian-American woman elected to U.S. Congress
On Tuesday night, Pramila Jayapal became the first ever Indian-American woman to be elected to Congress, winning a seat in Seattle’s 7th Congressional District.
Oregon’s new motor voter law is registering more young people
Since registered voters skew older, Oregon’s automatic voter registration law is correcting the age bias and giving people of all ages access to the ballot.
Washington State will now alert survivors when domestic abusers try to buy a gun
This alert system will be the first of its kind in the country.
Seattle’s ‘democracy vouchers’ aim to amplify low-income voices
The city’s new “Democracy Voucher” program, the first of its kind in the US, provides every eligible Seattle resident with $100 in taxpayer-funded vouchers to donate to the candidates of their choice.