Governor signs ban on unauthorized sale of nitrous oxide, AKA ‘whippets’
Mar 26, 2026Nitrous oxide products, often sold in steel cartridges known as whippets, are cheap and widely available at convenience stores and smoke shops.
Families reeling after Franciscan announces closure of pediatric rehab clinic
Mar 24, 2026The financially-driven decision to close the clinic will force many families to go as far as Seattle or Tacoma to receive care for their special-needs children.
Family of woman killed in Wauna stabbing fault failures of mental health care system
Mar 19, 2026Aleksandr Shablykin struggled with bipolar disorder and stopped taking his medication before he killed his mother and three other women in Wauna last month.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health making cutbacks at Silverdale campus
Mar 13, 2026The changes comes as hospital leaders in Washington continue to express pessimism about the financial state of the industry.
Food bank in Kitsap County launching online ordering
Mar 11, 2026A grant from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health will help a food bank in Silverdale introduce grocery store-style online ordering.
Legislature approves bill promoting behavioral health training in construction trades
Mar 05, 2026House Bill 2492, passed with bipartisan support on Feb. 28, requires that all state-registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades offer at least two hours of behavioral health and wellness training.
Gary Parker to seek seat in state Senate
Mar 03, 2026Gary Parker, a restaurant owner and philanthropist from Gig Harbor, is seeking the seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Deb Krishnadasan.
2025 saw more evictions than ever in Washington state
Feb 26, 2026In Pierce County, 3,655 eviction actions were filed last year, 87 more than in 2024. But the rate of growth has slowed.
Valdez not running for another term in the state House
Feb 24, 2026Michelle (Caldier) Valdez announced that she will not seek a seventh term representing the 26th Legislative District in Olympia.
Kitsap County, jail medical provider to pay family of deceased inmate $2.75 million
Feb 20, 2026Kitsap County and contractor NaphCare agreed to pay the family $2.75 million to settle the lawsuit that accused them of negligence contributing to the death of a 34-year-old man at the jail.