Office of Rep. Derek Kilmer announcement. U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Russ Fulcher (ID-01) introduced the Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act to redouble America’s efforts to end a half-century-old U.S. immigration policy which requires Native Americans to carry proof of their blood quantum, documents showing that they are at least 50 percent Native American, […]
Pierce County
WorkForce Central, Pierce County Invest to Strengthen Behavioral Health Workforce
Pierce County, WA: With the support of Pierce County and a $1.9 million grant, WorkForce Central is doubling down on efforts to strengthen and support the behavioral health workforce in Pierce County. As a result of ongoing efforts to identify and address challenges in this field of work, WorkForce Central has formally established the Pierce County […]
Strickland Leads Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Promote Diversity in STEM
Office of Rep. Marilyn Strickland announcement. Today (March 21, 2024), U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Shontel Brown (OH-11), and U.S. SenatorMazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 20 of their colleagues in reintroducing the bicameral Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2024, legislation to create new federal grants for programs focused on professional development, training, mentoring, […]
Chief Lundborg graduates from FBI National Academy
We are proud to announce that Chief of Patrol Micah Lundborg has graduated as a member of the 289th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on Mar. 15, 2024. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program. The […]
Leavitt bill to help the vulnerable during extreme weather signed into law
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt, D-University Place, to protect vulnerable individuals during extreme weather, has been signed into law by the governor. House Bill 1012, the Extreme Weather Protection Act, tasks the Washington Military Department with helping communities better protect their residents during extreme weather events. “Flooding, increased severity of fire seasons, extreme heat, cold weather […]
Payroll employment increased in February; unemployment rose to 4.7%
Washington’s economy added an estimated 2,600 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate rose from 4.6% in January to 4.7% in February. Last month’s unemployment rate is the highest recorded rate since 2021. It also marked the fifth consecutive month of increasing unemployment rates in Washington. Job growth remains positive, but the overall trend […]
Hold on, tomorrow needs you
Submitted by Bruce Dammeier, Executive. Last week, I went to Open Pierce County to find an answer I needed to know – but was concerned by what I would find. Last year when I had checked the Medical Examiner’s data on fatal accidental drug overdoses in Pierce County, it showed nearly one resident dying per […]
Governor signs Leavitt bill – the Lucas Petty Act – to protect students from opioids and fentanyl
The governor has signed the Lucas Petty Act (House Bill 1956) to educate students about the dangers of fentanyl and opioids. Opioids represent the largest percentage of overdose deaths in Washington, a staggering 68 percent. Nationally, Washington has the second-highest percentage increase — 65 percent — in fentanyl poisoning deaths over a one-year period. This is especially prevalent among […]
Pierce Transit to Implement Service Change Mar. 31
On March 31, Pierce Transit will make schedule improvements to most of its bus routes. Some changes will be minor; others will be more significant. The schedule changes will allow buses that stop at the same place to come together at a similar time, and arrive on time more often, significantly improving the transit experience […]