Local

Washington State Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Hiedi Popochock, Dr. MarcusAntonio Gunn and Nicole “Nikki” Chen to the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs, adding three new members with backgrounds in government, education, health care and community service to the state commission focused on issues affecting Black Washingtonians.

As smartphones, tablets and other digital media become a larger part of children's lives, health experts say parents should look beyond how many hours children spend in front of screens and consider what they are watching, how they are using devices and what screen time may be replacing in their daily lives.

Nearly 30 years after her mother convinced her that she could drive a bus, Tamieko Cook has been named King County Metro's Operator of the Year, an honor determined by the people who know the job best: her fellow transit operators.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has launched a national search for the city’s next police chief, beginning a months-long process that will include community surveys, neighborhood forums and an advisory committee charged with evaluating candidates to lead the Seattle Police Department.

When a landowner dies without a will, state law typically divides ownership among all legal heirs, children, then grandchildren, then cousins, each holding a fractional, undivided interest in the whole property. This is called heirs’ property, and it is estimated to account for more than a third of Southern Black-owned land: roughly 3.5 million acres worth more than $28 billion. Researchers caution these are estimates; data on heirs’ property remain limited. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified heirs’ property as the leading cause of involuntary land loss among Black Americans.

As students return to classrooms across the country, education advocates say Black and Brown students continue to face stark differences in their school experiences, including heightened surveillance, threats of school closures and budget cuts that can reduce access to counselors, nurses, libraries and other resources.

As wildfire smoke continues to affect Washington, public health experts are warning that exposure to smoke, particularly during periods of poor air quality, can affect more than the lungs, with research linking it to respiratory and cardiovascular problems and emerging concerns about mental health. Children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions and outdoor workers are among those who can face heightened risks.

Placing Nelson's contemporary cultural pieces in that setting creates a connection between the history preserved within the library and the people and achievements represented in his collection. Nelson sees art and cultural artifacts as a way to tell stories that traditional accounts of history may overlook while encouraging curiosity, pride and a greater understanding of Black cultural contributions.

New research suggests the expansion of single-family rental housing could provide families who cannot afford to purchase homes in certain neighborhoods greater access to higher-performing public schools, with economically disadvantaged students showing some of the strongest academic gains.

Starting Aug. 29, King County Metro will roll out its largest service expansion in years, adding nine new bus routes and over 3,000 weekly trips. Improvements include more frequent service, expanded hours, better Link light rail connections, and a new Metro Flex on-demand pilot in Auburn and Federal Way launching Aug. 31.