The House and Senate both, in unanimous votes, sent a bill to reduce the processing time for rape kits to Inslee’s desk. “We’re trying to make sure that we are having a strong survivor driven system,” said Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) of the rape kit tracking system. Inslee is expected to sign the bill into law. (Auburn Reporter)

Democrats don’t look kindly on those in their caucus who dare carry different beliefs on policy. State Senator Guy Palumbo (D-Maltby) dared to suggest a school levy bill should also fund charter schools. So the state Democratic Party censured him. “We had this levy bill. I put on an amendment to basically make parity between local levies, between public charter schools and regular public schools,” Palumbo said. “And unfortunately I get censured by the party as a result of it.” (MyNorthwest)

A Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputy died after he was shot while responding to call involving a disabled vehicle. Sheriff Brad Thurman said the shooting is believed to be the first in-line-of-duty death in Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office history. “It is devastating for all of us,” Thurman said. (Seattle Times)

“The national and local increase in homelessness is generated by untreated mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, generated by job displacement, and the removal of low-cost housing.” That was Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor’s assessment of the current homeless crisis. The sheriff’s department posted the five-minute video called “Fixing Homelessness” on its Facebook page. (KING 5)

The Yakima School District is updating science curriculum throughout its middle schools. Currently teachers have had to look into online sources to find scientific discoveries that students could relate to due to the outdated textbooks. “As director, I feel like it’s my job to make sure (teachers) are not up at midnight trying to find those materials,” said Shelby Lockhart-Robins, head of science and math curriculum for the district. “So I would rather have them spending any extra time they have making their instructional routines more robust versus just trying to find basic resources.” (Yakima Herald)

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