Week in Review: trees, jail, ferries

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times Amanda Zhou, Seattle Met’s Allison Williams, and South Seattle Emerald/Seattle Times Marcus Harrison Green.

The City of Seattle has a goal of increasing its tree canopy to 30 percent. But the city’s Urban Forestry Commission reported that the canopy actually decreased by 1.7 percent, according to data from 2016-2021. New rules intended to protect the canopy go into effect next month. Trees have several environmental and health benefits in cities. What caused the canopy decrease?

In July 2020, King County Executive Dow Constantine made a promise to close the Seattle King County Jail. But there has not been a lot of discussions or details about closing the jail since then. On Monday, activists gathered across the street and called for the closure of the jail. They are protesting the deaths of those who died in that jail or died while being transferred to a hospital from the jail. What makes this jail especially dangerous and inequitable?

After years of many ferry routes getting by with just one boat due to staffing shortages, Washington State Ferries announced that the Edmonds-Kingston route is considered fully restored. This makes the fifth route that has now returned to full service. On the flip side, it was announced that the Sydney, B.C. route will not return until at least 2030. Why is it still so behind?

A viral video of a compilation of car crashes on the I-5 southbound Union Street exit has been a talking point recently. The exit is known to quickly change from a 60 MPH freeway lane to a 20 MPH tight corner, and quickly into a city street. While signage has improved, it is still proving dangerous. When do we blame drivers versus design?

The state Senate recently passed a bill that would prohibit Washington employers from refusing to hire someone solely based on a drug test saying they recently used cannabis. Washington would join several other states that have passed similar rules in place if it is signed into law. Proponents say that someone can test positive for cannabis weeks after they used it. Why reject applicants who use a legal drug?