Amy Radil, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Washington State Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Three Strikes Sentencing Law

By Amy Radil August 16, 2019

Washington State Supreme Court building in Olympia. CREDIT: TONY OVERMAN

The Washington Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the state’s “three strikes” sentencing law, even for people who commit their first strike as young adults. But Justice Mary Yu also described “growing discomfort” with the “routine practice” of issuing mandatory life sentences.Read More

Washington Supreme Court Could Take Over For ‘Struggling’ State Bar Association

By Amy Radil March 18, 2019

Two candidates for the Washington Supreme Court have been disqualified from appearing on the November ballot. CREDIT: CACOPHONY / WIKIMEDIA

The Washington State Bar Association could soon be dissolved or remade amid internal turmoil and possible legal challenges. A proposal to repeal the State Bar Act and turn the bar's essential duties over to the Washington State Supreme Court has passed the Washington State House and will be heard by a Senate committee on Tuesday, March 19.Read More

School Shootings Are Rare, But Threats And Lockdowns Are Not. Families Say That Takes A Toll

By Amy Radil February 12, 2019

As the anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida approaches, Washington officials are looking at numerous new school safety measures. Here Seattle students observed a moment of silence during the March 14, 2018 school walkout. CREDIT: MEGAN FARMER/KUOWAs the anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida approaches, Washington officials are looking at numerous new school safety measures. Here Seattle students observed a moment of silence during the March 14, 2018 school walkout. CREDIT: MEGAN FARMER/KUOW

Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, marks the one-year anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. And school safety is high on the legislative agenda in Washington state this year. There are bills for more police officers and mental health staff in schools, and to help schools better prepare for emergencies.Read More

New Year Brings New 21 Age Minimum For Buying Some Guns In Washington

By Amy Radil December 27, 2018

In this photo taken Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, gun shop owner Tiffany Teasdale holds a semi-automatic rifle at a shop in Lynnwood, Washington. CREDIT: ELAINE THOMPSON/AP PHOTO

Lawmakers may not have raised the minimum age to buy semiautomatic rifles in 2018, but voters did — 59 percent of them, in fact, approving Initiative 1639 in November.Read More

Report Finds Seattle Has Most Missing And Murdered Native Women

By Amy Radil November 16, 2018

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women of Washington group members start the Women's March on Saturday, January 20, 2018, on Pine St., in Seattle. CREDIT: MEGAN FARMER/KUOW

More than 500 Native American women have disappeared or been murdered in U.S. cities, many since the year 2000, according to a new report from Seattle’s Urban Indian Health Institute.Read More