Two long running civil rights lawsuits have reached a tentative settlement. The suits were brought by Latino-owned day-care centers in Mattawa, in Eastern Washington, against the state Department of Social and Health Services over unauthorized searches and seizures of property. A federal judge must approve the settlements, but if approved,…
A man who was just released from a Massachusetts prison killed Beverly and Brian Mauck. Daniel Tavares had been let out after serving time for killing his mother. Now Beverly’s mother says she owes it to her murdered daughter and son-in-law to change the state law. Beverly’s mother, Karen Slater,…
$85,000 has been paid by Snohomish County to a former court worker after she agreed not to file a civil lawsuit alleging that her demotion was retaliation for cooperation with a 2005 state investigation of a judge. Sherree Marler, who had worked for that court for 26 years, filed a…
Drunk drivers in Washington State may soon have their own fluorescent yellow license plate. Republican state senator Mike Carrell is sponsoring a bill that would require a person convicted of DUI to drive a vehicle with front and rear fluorescent yellow license plates. The same thing was required in Ohio…
For the third time, the Oregon Supreme Court has allowed a $79.5 million punitive-damages judgment against Philip Morris. This award was twice struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, which suggested it was excessive. Jesse Williams was a longtime Malboro smoker. The money was for his family. Jesse, who started…
All first-time drunken-driving offenders must install an alcohol-detecting interlock device in their cars in order to can get their licenses back, under Washington State Auto law. But, State Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, wants to change that laws, because offenders often drive illegally for months or even a year or more…
Blocked vision and dark outfits are not the only dangers to be concerned about when choosing a Halloween costume for you or your child. Just as there are toys which have recently been recalled for toxic dangers, Halloween costumes are proving to be a potential hazard as well. According to…
The Washington State Supreme Court made a controversial decision last month when they upheld a Clark County Superior Court ruling that granted the defendants motion to dismiss in Atchison v. Great Western Malting Company. The court decided that Kaela Atchison, 21, could not file suit for a wrongful death that…
Between August 10th and 29th, drivers in western Washington will face one of the worst traffic headaches in the state’s history. Beginning Friday night, I-5 northbound between Spokane Street and the I-90 exit will be reduced to two or three lanes for construction. The lanes on I-5 will narrow to…
The Interstate 35W Bridge unexpectedly collapsed during the evening commute August 1st. The eight lane bridge, a major artery of Minneapolis, was undergoing repairs when it buckled sending dozens of vehicles into the Mississippi River below. The bridge, built in 1967, was about 1,900 feet long and rose about 64…