Possession of controlled substances will be legal in Washington state starting July 1
OLYMPIA, Wash., April 24, 2023—The 2023 legislative session ended last night without the passage of a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, leaving it now up to counties and cities to put local drug-possession laws in place once the state law adopted in 2021 expires on July 1. SB-5536, also known as […]
FDA authorizes use of bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, monovalent rescinded
SILVER SPRING, MD, April 18, 2023—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines to simplify the vaccination schedule for most individuals. This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered […]
Legislature passes bill holding firearm industry liable for gun violence
OLYMPIA, Wash., April 14, 2023—The Washington State Legislature passed a today bill that requires gun manufacturers and dealers take “reasonable controls” to prevent their products from getting into the hands of dangerous individuals or be liable for gun violence. The bill now heads to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk to be signed into law. “Reasonable controls” […]
Assault Weapons Ban resolution fails Lynnwood City Council vote
LYNNWOOD, Wash., April 12, 2023—Passions flare at Monday’s city council meeting surrounding a resolution proposed to support SHB-1240, a bill prohibiting the statewide manufacture, sale, and import of firearms classified by the Washington Legislature as “assault weapons.” “I move Lynnwood City Council Resolution 2023-02, a Resolution in support of SHB-1240 an act relating to establishing […]
Kamiak students join nationwide walkout to protest gun violence
MUKILTEO, Wash., April 11, 2023—Hundreds of Kamiak High School students joined thousands throughout Washington State who walked out of school on April 5, to protest against gun violence. The walk-out, organized by student-run group Kamiak Demands Action, took place at noon local time and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. The statewide protest was part of […]
Commentary: Attacking the Second Amendment doesn’t address core causes of society’s violence and lawlessness
SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash., April 10, 2023—On the Saturday before Easter, the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed what they call an “assault weapons ban.” In reality, the bill targets several of the most popular sporting and self-defense firearms in the country, including most modern sporting rifles and even some shotguns used for hunting and competition shooting. My […]
Assault weapons ban passes Senate, heads back to House for vote
OLYMPIA, Wash., April 9, 2023—The Senate passed sweeping legislation on Saturday afternoon, April 8, classifying 61 firearms as “assault weapons” to be banned within Washington state. The bill now heads back to the House for a vote on three Senate-proposed amendments, before it is sent to Governor Jay Inslee to be signed into law. House […]
Inslee joins other governors in meeting with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy on war effort
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 4, 2023—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via video conference, shared with governors from across the United States that with military and financial support, his war-torn county can “defeat Russia” and prevent “the expansion of the war.” Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Governors welcomed Ukrainian refugees, partnering with charitable organizations to send humanitarian […]
These five bills threaten a free press in Washington state
OLYMPIA, Wash., February 27, 2023—A set of five bills being considered this legislative session potentially impact a free and responsible press by restricting a journalist’s access to public information—hindering government oversite— according to the Allied Newspapers of Washington, the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Washington State Association of Broadcasters. The bills include HB-1533, SB-5644, […]
Lynnwood Times travels to Olympia to discuss key issues
OLYMPIA, Wash., February 26, 2023—Lynnwood Times journalists traveled to the state capitol, Olympia, on February 16, to meet with lawmakers, elected officials, and Governor Jay Inslee himself during a visit to the Governor’s Mansion. The day was brought, in part, by the Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA), and the Washington […]
