Yesterday Republicans on the Senate Law and Justice Committee took Sound Transit to task over the agency’s improper release of about 173,000 email addresses leading up to ST3 ballot measure. Although the Legislature doesn’t have authority to criminally charge anyone, it could deliver its findings to the state attorney general or another prosecutor for further investigation. (The Seattle Times)

The Washington Supreme Court ruled yesterday that requiring those arrested for driving under the influence to submit to random urinalysis tests as a condition of release is unconstitutional. “Urinalysis is at least as invasive as a roadblock or a pat down search,” the court said. (The Olympian)

Seattle may spend up to $300,000 in litigation costs defending socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant if the city decides to defend her against the defamation lawsuit brought forth against Sawant for referring to a landlord as both a “slumlord” and a “notorious slumlord.” Sawant’s attorney has requested the city “defend and indemnify” her – a decision The Seattle Times is reporting could cost up to $300,000. (The Seattle Times) 

The Tacoma City Council voted to extend a law banning camping on public property until the end of the year. A city memo describing the decision said, “Although the conditions for many individuals formerly occupying homeless encampments have been mitigated … unsanitary and unsafe conditions remain in homeless encampments throughout the City.” (The News Tribune)

Former Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata may be chosen to return to office today when the rest of the council votes to replace Councilmember Tim Burgess now that he is serving as mayor. Whomever is chosen will serve until the November election results are finalized. (The Seattle Times)

The ACLU of Washington filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center after they allegedly refused to cover transgender medical services. The ACLU is arguing that the chest-reconstruction surgery discriminates on the basis of sex and gender identity. (The Seattle Times)

Hanford Nuclear Reservation employees have begun to stabilize the tunnels containing radioactive material by injecting grout. “There is no question about the difficulty of the work,” manager Doug Shoop said, “but we will work safely and methodically to fill up the tunnel.” (The Spokesman Review)

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