Proposed bill in Washington state would set up independent office to investigate deadly police shootings
Most of the attention on police reform this legislative session has been focused on efforts to loosen the rules for some police pursuits. But another bill may have a much bigger impact on law enforcement in our state, and it's moving fast toward final passage. House Bill 1579 would set up an independent office to investigate deadly police shootings. One case in particular brought up repeatedly at the final public hearing was the March 2020 death of Manny Ellis in Tacoma.
Most of the attention on police reform this legislative session has been focused on efforts to loosen the rules for some police pursuits. But another bill may have a much bigger impact on law enforcement in our state, and it's moving fast toward final passage. House Bill 1579 would set up an independent office to investigate deadly police shootings. One case in particular brought up repeatedly at the final public hearing was the March 2020 death of Manny Ellis in Tacoma.
The Spotlight: West Seattle man working to provide shelter to those who need it
Keith Hughes is used to opening his door to help people in need, but sometimes those people need more help than he can provide. As the president and only full-time staff member of the Westside Neighbors Network Shelter in West Seattle, Keith spends his nights overseeing one of the only shelters in King County that will accept anyone in need of a place to sleep at any time.
Keith Hughes is used to opening his door to help people in need, but sometimes those people need more help than he can provide. As the president and only full-time staff member of the Westside Neighbors Network Shelter in West Seattle, Keith spends his nights overseeing one of the only shelters in King County that will accept anyone in need of a place to sleep at any time.
Seattle man accused of murder collects thousands in taxpayer money while in jail
A Seattle man accused of several violent attacks, including murder, has earned tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer dollars while in jail. Alexander Jay is accused of attacking a woman at a light rail station and throwing her down the stairs.
A Seattle man accused of several violent attacks, including murder, has earned tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer dollars while in jail. Alexander Jay is accused of attacking a woman at a light rail station and throwing her down the stairs.
The Spotlight: Seattle initiative focuses on keeping most prolific offenders from committing more crimes
Seattle businesses have known since a "system failure" report came out three years ago that it was the same group of prolific offenders causing most of the crimes they faced each day. Now, Seattle's City Attorney Ann Davison says an initiative she started a year ago is showing promise at keeping those same suspects from committing more crimes.
Seattle businesses have known since a "system failure" report came out three years ago that it was the same group of prolific offenders causing most of the crimes they faced each day. Now, Seattle's City Attorney Ann Davison says an initiative she started a year ago is showing promise at keeping those same suspects from committing more crimes.
The Spotlight: Surge in fentanyl deaths as agents make record-breaking seizures
Even as border patrol agents make record-breaking seizures of fentanyl, there has been a sure in overdose deaths this year as the synthetic opioid pills known as "Blues" continue to have a strong grip on communities locally.
Even as border patrol agents make record-breaking seizures of fentanyl, there has been a sure in overdose deaths this year as the synthetic opioid pills known as "Blues" continue to have a strong grip on communities locally.
The Spotlight: Violent Week in Washington
A violent week in Washington, with two officers shot while on duty, plus three separate drive by-shootings on freeways, we take a look at what may be driving these dangerous firearm trends and what the community can do to help stop it. Plus, a jarring new look at how widespread the Fentanyl crisis is in our area. We talk to a Substance abuse expert and take a deeper dive into the meaning of ?harm reduction."
A violent week in Washington, with two officers shot while on duty, plus three separate drive by-shootings on freeways, we take a look at what may be driving these dangerous firearm trends and what the community can do to help stop it. Plus, a jarring new look at how widespread the Fentanyl crisis is in our area. We talk to a Substance abuse expert and take a deeper dive into the meaning of ?harm reduction."
The Spotlight goes inside McNeil Island: Home to Washington's most violent sexual predators
McNeil Island, the most infamous six miles in Washington and home to the state's most violent sexual predators. This week on The Spotlight, we take you behind the barbed wire and closed doors to get a look at what is really happening on this isolated island facility.
McNeil Island, the most infamous six miles in Washington and home to the state's most violent sexual predators. This week on The Spotlight, we take you behind the barbed wire and closed doors to get a look at what is really happening on this isolated island facility.
'I've been really scared:' Survivor of home invasion sexual assault fighting to keep suspects in jail
Four months after she survived a horrific home invasion robbery and sexual assault, a Kirkland woman is now fighting to keep one of the suspects in jail.
Four months after she survived a horrific home invasion robbery and sexual assault, a Kirkland woman is now fighting to keep one of the suspects in jail.
The Spotlight: Can sexually violent predators really be rehabilitated?
A victory for residents in Tenino as a less restrictive alternative facility set to house five sex offenders, is shut down before it even opens. This week, The Spotlight dives into the community efforts to stop these types of facilities and explores the legal history behind them. We sit down with a member of the Sex Offender Policy Board to get his take on the situation and to ask the question “can sexually violent predators really be rehabilitated?”
A victory for residents in Tenino as a less restrictive alternative facility set to house five sex offenders, is shut down before it even opens. This week, The Spotlight dives into the community efforts to stop these types of facilities and explores the legal history behind them. We sit down with a member of the Sex Offender Policy Board to get his take on the situation and to ask the question “can sexually violent predators really be rehabilitated?”
'Worst of the worst:' Washingtonians fighting to stop sex offender transfers off McNeil Island
People are rallying, hoping to put a stop to sex offender transfers off of McNeil Island. The Department of Health and Human Services said five of the "worst of the worst" sexually violent predators would be moving to Tenino, Washington. The home in Tenino is sitting empty for now, but as The Spotlight learned, these sorts of facilities are already found all over the state. And nearby residents are not always told who is going to be living inside.
People are rallying, hoping to put a stop to sex offender transfers off of McNeil Island. The Department of Health and Human Services said five of the "worst of the worst" sexually violent predators would be moving to Tenino, Washington. The home in Tenino is sitting empty for now, but as The Spotlight learned, these sorts of facilities are already found all over the state. And nearby residents are not always told who is going to be living inside.
Police seek Good Samaritan-turned-bad who stole elderly woman's credit card
When an 85-year-old woman got her car stuck last December, she was so grateful when a man offered to move her car out of her driveway. 10 days later, she realized her credit card was missing.
When an 85-year-old woman got her car stuck last December, she was so grateful when a man offered to move her car out of her driveway. 10 days later, she realized her credit card was missing.
Homelessness crisis: Couple builds tiny home along I-5 on-ramp in Seattle
Clustered along I-5 and I-90 corridors in Washington state, 2,221 homeless camps are now on WSDOT right-of-ways, according to the department's latest survey. And, long-term structures like the ones off of the Mercer St. exit in Seattle now appear in more than half of them. More permanent structures allow the risks for WSDOT to pile up: hypodermic needles are the most common danger, followed by human waste and biohazards. Workers who come to the camps have been threatened with violence and there is increased risk to motorists.
Clustered along I-5 and I-90 corridors in Washington state, 2,221 homeless camps are now on WSDOT right-of-ways, according to the department's latest survey. And, long-term structures like the ones off of the Mercer St. exit in Seattle now appear in more than half of them. More permanent structures allow the risks for WSDOT to pile up: hypodermic needles are the most common danger, followed by human waste and biohazards. Workers who come to the camps have been threatened with violence and there is increased risk to motorists.
The Spotlight: 2,221 homeless camps on WSDOT right-of-ways, including I-5 and I-90
Parents frightened for their kids, fed up with their government and demanding to know: What will it take to clear out the homeless camp under Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge for good? Parents' pleas were heard all the way in Olympia and Gov. Jay Inslee told FOX 13 that state and local agencies were about to launch a major cleanup effort, but it still may not be enough to satisfy neighbors. The Spotlight also spoke with people experiencing homelessness who have been building their own solutions while waiting for permanent housing. But the result is threatening public safety on highways from Seattle to Spokane. Plus, a fix for the state's police pursuit policy advances in Olympia, but not without some big changes at the last minute.
Parents frightened for their kids, fed up with their government and demanding to know: What will it take to clear out the homeless camp under Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge for good? Parents' pleas were heard all the way in Olympia and Gov. Jay Inslee told FOX 13 that state and local agencies were about to launch a major cleanup effort, but it still may not be enough to satisfy neighbors. The Spotlight also spoke with people experiencing homelessness who have been building their own solutions while waiting for permanent housing. But the result is threatening public safety on highways from Seattle to Spokane. Plus, a fix for the state's police pursuit policy advances in Olympia, but not without some big changes at the last minute.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on crime, public safety and homeless encampments
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell talks with The Spotlight?s David Rose about crime, cleaning up homeless encampments on state owned right of ways and in the city limits and why he wakes up every single day thinking about how to make the city safer.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell talks with The Spotlight?s David Rose about crime, cleaning up homeless encampments on state owned right of ways and in the city limits and why he wakes up every single day thinking about how to make the city safer.
'It’s pretty terrifying:' Founder of drug recovery program's warning about 'tranq' dope
The founder of a non-profit drug recovery program is warning that "Tranq" dope is spreading and causes tremendous harm to users while also putting strain on health care systems.
The founder of a non-profit drug recovery program is warning that "Tranq" dope is spreading and causes tremendous harm to users while also putting strain on health care systems.
'It?s pretty terrifying:' Founder of drug recovery program's warning about 'tranq' dope
The founder of a non-profit drug recovery program is warning that "Tranq" dope is spreading and causes tremendous harm to users while also putting strain on health care systems.
The founder of a non-profit drug recovery program is warning that "Tranq" dope is spreading and causes tremendous harm to users while also putting strain on health care systems.
Zombie drug: Police, addiction services warn horrific new fentanyl mix 'Tranq' has arrived in the Seattle area
Tranq users get turned into real-life zombies, right down to loss of basic mental function and the rotten flesh.
Tranq users get turned into real-life zombies, right down to loss of basic mental function and the rotten flesh.
Judge clears Aberdeen mom of child abuse, but only after her baby spent months in DCYF custody
A baby boy is rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones. Pediatricians say it's child abuse, but his mother insists they are wrong. State law says she was entitled to a second opinion, but state officials took custody of her baby without one: "I missed all the milestones."
A baby boy is rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones. Pediatricians say it's child abuse, but his mother insists they are wrong. State law says she was entitled to a second opinion, but state officials took custody of her baby without one: "I missed all the milestones."
Washington authorities say criminals know they can get away if they can 'just get into a car'
An effort continues to roll back changes to police pursuit laws that took effect in 2021. Washington officials say criminals knowingly commit crimes and steal vehicles because they currently have the ability to leave the scene if they can "just get into a car."
An effort continues to roll back changes to police pursuit laws that took effect in 2021. Washington officials say criminals knowingly commit crimes and steal vehicles because they currently have the ability to leave the scene if they can "just get into a car."
'I watched the video... I'm angry'; Washington policing vs. Tyre Nichols' death
"I watched the video, and the first thing for me is just... I'm angry. I'm angry, I'm ashamed, I got really emotional." The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Sgt. Darren Moss of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, discussing the horrific bodycam video of the killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis.
"I watched the video, and the first thing for me is just... I'm angry. I'm angry, I'm ashamed, I got really emotional." The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Sgt. Darren Moss of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, discussing the horrific bodycam video of the killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis.