Washington's Min. Wage Up Again in '24
Washington's minimum wage is going up again come New Year's, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries reported on Friday. By Jan. 1, 2024, the state's minimum wage will hit $16.28 or the highest hourly wage in the nation, according to the department. The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Read full storyInsurers Fined $262K by W.A. Commissioner
Notable offenders include Kaiser Permanente, State Farm, and Cigna Health. Incorrectly processed insurance claims and selling unauthorized insurance cost these insurers more than a quarter-million dollars, Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler reported on Friday.
Read full storyNurse Thrown Hot Coffee: 7 Aggravated Assaults
13 auto thefts and three robberies were also reported in the area by police. A patient who threw a hot cup of coffee at a nurse was reported as an aggravated assault by the Olympia Police Department on Friday.
Read full storyInsurance Commissioner Urges Fire Debris Removal
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is demanding insurance companies and adjusters working with communities hit hard by the Gray and Oregon Road fires, his office reported on Thursday.
Read full storyCommerce approves $35.4M for Solar Power Backup Systems
The grants will support 39 installation projects that will provide backup power for community buildings and emergency services statewide. Local, state, and tribal governments will receive $35.4 million in state grants to install solar power in community buildings Washington Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday.
Read full storyCoastal Razor Clam Digs Approved
Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis will be open to razor clam digging by the end of the month, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported on Tuesday. Starting Sep. 29, per the department, open beaches at all three locations above will allow daily limits of 15 clams per person. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) advises that each digger place each clam in a separate container and that diggers avoid throwing away their clams.
Read full storyWorst Drivers in WA: Walla Walla Tops List
The Eastern Washington city topped Burien and Lake Stevens among the ten cities studied. Walla Walla is the worst Washington city for bad drivers in a state with exceptionally poor road conditions, according to a new study.
Read full story$4.76M Grants for Rural Wa Renewables
Department of Commerce awards millions in grants for dairy bioenergy, other projects in rural Washington. Five rural Washington counties will receive $4.76 million in renewable energy investments to improve air quality and soil health, the Washington Department of Commerce reported on Tuesday.
Read full storyWest Nile Virus Strikes WA: 4 Counties Affected
Two cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in two residents from Grant and Benton Counties, the Washington Department of Health reported on Monday. Both people were likely exposed within their home counties, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Transmission of the virus likely emanated from horses, DOH officials say.
Read full storyWashington Uber Drivers Gain Appeal Rights
This could mean a fairer, timelier process for the rideshare company's drivers, Department of Labor & Industries officials claim. Uber drivers have more ways to fight for their right to get back behind the wheel if suspended, the Department of Labor and Industries reported on Monday.
Read full storyEx-Lawyer Impersonates Client for $150K
The ex-lawyer was charged with three counts of identity theft in August. A Bothell man is wanted by the Washington Insurance Commissioner's Office for failing to appear in court for impersonating one of his clients during his former life as a lawyer.
Read full storyKill Black Bears Permit: WA WDFW Mulls Rule
On Thursday, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that it's extending the public comment period for proposed depredation permits for black bears. According to the department, the proposal would establish a process by which individuals could request permits to kill black bears in locations that are threatening commercial timber. According to department officials, the rulemaking process would set criteria for the permits, applications, and review process by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Read full storyAffordable Coffee in WA: 21.6 Minutes to Latte
The Evergreen State also ranked second in the nation for fulfilling the fastest coffee orders. If you're in the mood for a Starbucks frappucino, a latte, or a juice, Washington State is the second-best place in the nation to buy an affordable one, according to a new study.
Read full storyWashington Workers' Comp Hike: 4.9% in 2024
The proposed hike could cost employees about $11 more on average in 2024. Employers and workers in Washington could see up to $65 cut from their paychecks if the Washington Department of Labor & Industries green-lights a rate hike this year.
Read full storyParamedic Loses License for Voyeurism
Healthcare providers also lost licenses for credit card theft and senior abuse. The Washington Department of Health reported on Monday that a paramedic from the Washington coast has lost his license after being convicted on two charges of voyeurism.
Read full storyRobbery ends in arrest: Car hits thief
Plus five more burglaries and five more assaults reported this month. The Olympia Police Department reported on Friday that a juvenile was arrested for an alleged robbery that ended with him being hit by a car while fleeing the scene.
Read full storyWashington DOH Decertifies Home Care Aide for Robbery
The Washington Department of Health also decertified healthcare providers for DUIs, assault, and misdiagnosis. The Washington Department of Health reported on Thursday that it decertified a Clallam County home care aide for swiping the department keys and vehicle title of a vulnerable senior citizen.
Read full storyLawsuit Filed vs King Co Sheriff for Domestic Violence Response
The lawsuit alleges the sheriff's office failed to protect a mother from a deadly family crisis. A Seattle-based law firm announced on Thursday it filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the King County Sheriff for its purported response to a domestic violence call.
Read full storyWashington Ins. Market Sees 8.9% Spike for '24
Fourteen health insurers have gotten the green light to , the Washington Insurance Commissioner reported on Wednesday. "I'm relieved to see that our competitive health insurance market is continuing and that people in every county will have choices," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "But I'm deeply concerned at what these increases mean for individuals and their families. We know that several factors drive health care cost increases, including getting the timely care we need and the prices hospitals and health care providers are paid to deliver that care."
Read full storyOsprey Group Fined $170K for Storm Drain Safety Neglect
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries reported on Tuesday that it has fined a Kirkland construction company $170,000 for shirking storm drain safety precautions. According to the department, the Osprey Group LLC was cited for several safety violations including not using a trench box to prevent cave-ins and not giving workers a means of escape in the event of a trench collapse.
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