A report from the Washington State Board of Education shows a few hits and misses in the state’s goal of closing performance gaps among students. “While it is appropriate to acknowledge the incremental successes we have experienced, it is also important not to lose a sense of urgency about the size and scope of our achievement and opportunity gaps, which present as early as age five, and persist in the data to age 25 and beyond,” the report said. (Washington State Wire)

The Washington State Department of Transportation is sending lawmakers ideas for noise-reduction on the state’s floating bridges. Medina Councilmember Sheree Wen said she hopes WSDOT can make project requests before the Dec. 12 deadline to qualify for the 2019 state budget cycle. Medina residents have complained about the noise of the 520 floating bridge. “Otherwise, we have to wait and suffer another two years,” Wen said. (Seattle Times)

United States District Court Judge James Robart ordered Seattle to explain why it should be found in compliance with a DOJ consent decree on police reforms. “(Robart) points to an arbitration board overturning the decision of the former SPD chief to fire an officer who punched a woman in handcuffs just one week after the new SPD contract was signed,” explained KIRO Radio’s Hanna Scott. The consent decree was originally passed after a DOJ investigation questioned excessive force by Seattle police. (My Northwest)

Walla Walla County will consider the use of designated zones to help better coordinate work between government and health organizations in the communities. The Blue Zones Project will visit the Walla Walla Valley in late January for an “assessment of community readiness” in which it will study different aspects of the community’s health. “If we were to become Blue Zones Project community, as a community we would adopt a shared vision,” said Meghan DeBolt, director of Walla Walla County’s Department of Community Health. “Then we would all be working toward it together.” (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)

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