Former judge appointed to lead first-in-the-nation Office of Independent Investigations

At a news conference earlier this week, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Roger Rogoff to lead the newly created state Office of Independent Investigations. The OII was established through legislation sponsored by Rep. Debra Entenman to provide unbiased investigations of police use of deadly force. Washington is the first state to launch such an office.

Rogoff’s legal justice experience includes service as a King County Superior Court judge, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County, assistant U.S. attorney, and a criminal defense attorney.

The OII Advisory Board assisted in the search and recruitment for the new director. The advisory board includes representatives from law enforcement, impacted families, Tribes and others.  

“I appreciate the governor’s faith in my ability to lead the new Office of Independent Investigations, and humbled by this incredibly hard-working, thoughtful Advisory Board’s recommendation,” Rogoff said. “In my years working within our state’s criminal justice system, I have met many of those involved in the discussions that led to the creation of the OII. I intend to lead an agency that conducts excellent investigative work, free from influence, with the goal of ensuring justice by learning the truth behind these incidents.”

Read more in the Seattle Times.

New funding being used to rapidly build new supportive shelter options

This week, Inslee spoke to reporters about the newest state efforts to rapidly scale up shelter and housing options across the state.

As part of the historic investments the Legislature made this past session to address homelessness, they approved an all-new rapid capital acquisition approach. The program helps local entities quickly purchase properties – such as hotels or apartment buildings – and turn them into shelter or housing where residents can also receive support services. Funding also supports options such as tiny home villages.

“Traditional housing and shelter projects often have taken years, if not decades, to get done,” Inslee said. “We need shelter and housing options that can be available within weeks or months. This is where we have good news.”

The state Department of Commerce, which is administering these funds, has already allocated initial grants for projects in 12 counties and cities. In the first year since the launch of the program, about 13 facilities have been built and are in operation with capacity to serve more than 650 residents. Commerce will launch another round of funding this summer. The funding will ultimately support creation of an estimated 4460 units.

With new shelter and housing units becoming available, Inslee said it’s important to address the rising number of dangerous encampments along state highways.

“I believe we have a moral obligation to get people out of unsafe conditions and into the kind of rapid supportive housing I have described,” Inslee continued. “This past session the Legislature approved $50 million so we can help transition the folks living in those unsafe encampments. That work is beginning imminently.”

A team of state agencies has started coordinating with local governments and non-profits to identify where safer shelter options and services are available. Inslee said the teams will begin doing outreach and may be able to begin transitioning residents and offering services as early as mid-June.

Inslee also emphasized the importance of helping people who are on the verge of losing their housing. Eviction rent assistance is still available, as well as free legal help for low-income tenants who have received an eviction notice. Information is on Commerce’s web page in dozens of languages at commerce.wa.gov/housing-assistance/. People can also call 2-1-1 about possible resources in their community.

Where to find help with the nationwide infant formula shortage

The nationwide infant formula shortage has caused a lot of stress on many families. The Washington State Department of Health has published a list of resources to help families during this difficult time.

DOH recommends parents first try contacting their pediatrician, and they also list how to contact formula manufacturers directly, or locate a food bank or accredited milk bank. The resource page also offers information for parents who receive benefits through the WIC or SNAP programs.

Read more from DOH and bookmark their resource page.

Need help paying for internet service? Apply for Affordable Connectivity Program

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allowed the Biden-Harris Administration to secure commitments from 20 internet providers to cut their prices and increase their speeds.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will allow millions of households to receive $30 off their monthly internet bill. The White House estimates nearly 40% of households in the country qualify for ACP. 

To see if your family qualifies and for information about how to apply visit affordableconnectivity.gov.

As a reminder, Washington state’s Broadband Office has partnered with communities across the state to build out hundreds of free Wi-Fi hotspots. Use this location finder to locate one near you. You can also take the office’s easy 1-minute speed survey. This is an important tool that is helping Washington state compete for federal funding to expand broadband to underserved areas. Washington has a goal of universal broadband access by 2028. 

New website helps people track and be part of orca recovery efforts

On Tuesday, the governor's Salmon Recovery Office launched a new website to help track efforts for protecting the endangered Southern Resident orcas.

“The website is beautiful and chock full of information,” said Tara Galuska, the governor’s orca recovery coordinator. “The website is an easy way for people to see what’s being done to save the orcas and learn about our unique orca population here in Washington.”

“It’s important that we save Southern Resident orcas. They are an iconic and treasured species in Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. They hold significant cultural value to native tribes and all Washingtonians,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “If they go extinct, we would suffer an unacceptable loss to our environment, economy and culture. These animals have been sacred to countless generations of people residing here. I don’t want to imagine a state without our beloved orcas.”

June is Orca Action Month, and one way to participant is to visit Orca Action Month's website to learn more about events and activities across the state.

Read more from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office and visit orca.wa.gov.

Communities celebrate kick-off of exciting new transportation and transit projects

Transportation projects are picking up across the state and providing opportunities for communities to celebrate job-creating infrastructure that is improving safety and making it easier for people get to work and school. On Monday, state and local leaders joined teams of construction workers to break ground for the I-405 – NE 132nd St Interchange Improvement Project in Kirkland. This project is supported with $83 million from the Connecting Washington transportation package passed in 2015.

The project will improve sidewalks and bike lanes, remove traffic from local streets, improve connections for those walking/biking/wheeling, new water treatment facilities, and improve connections for people among Totem Lake’s neighborhoods and Kirkland’s business district.

The project will also include a new stream channel will allow the nearby stream to flow naturally so fish are able to migrate through the area. The culvert will create open channel habitat and over a half mile of new upstream fish habitat.

Watch highlights from the event from KIRO 7.

On Thursday, state, federal, and local leaders broke ground on the new Kitsap Transit Silverdale Transit Center. This transit center will be the first in the state to have in-ground wireless electric bus charging. This means buses stopping at the Transit Center can charge while stopped rather than needing to be plugged in overnight. Kitsap Transit is electrifying its fleet with plans to have 30 electric buses by the end of 2024.

The project is supported by $6.5 million from the climate-focused Move Ahead Washington package passed in the recent legislative session and $7.0 million from the state’s Regional Mobility Grant Program.

Learn more from Q13.

Children ages 5-11 now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose

Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are now available for children ages 5-11.

The expansion of booster eligibility comes as COVID-19 cases are continuing to steadily rise across the county. The myth that COVID-19 is always a mild disease in children is untrue. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 4.8 million children ages 5-11 have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with 15,000 hospitalized and 180 deceased.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends children ages 5-11 should receive a booster dose five months after completing their primary vaccine series of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Immunocompromised children should receive their booster at least three months after their primary series.

Read more about booster recommendations from DOH. To make a vaccine or booster appointment, visit Vaccine Locator, Vaccines.gov, or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline at 833-VAX-HELP.