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Articles written by Raechel Dawson


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  • New DUI law stiffens penalties, opens records

    Raechel Dawson, WNPA Olympia News Bureau|Mar 21, 2012

    After a Friday night of happy-hour and late-night drinking, many fail to consider the repercussions of driving while impaired, but legislators have. Various changes to the driving-under-the-influence law have unanimously passed the Legislature and after the governor signs it, takes effect Aug. 1. The reform puts more stringent penalties on those convicted of drunk driving, including increased fees and facial recognition systems on ignition-interlock devices. Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, sponsored House Bill 2443, which, he said, will...

  • Tribal retrocession law awaits governor’s approval

    Raechel Dawson, WNPA Olympia News Bureau|Mar 14, 2012

    Washington’s tribal communities earned autonomous recognition from the state Legislature on the final day of the session March 8 that, upon the governor’s approval, could become effective as early as June. The bill that passed last week could cede back to tribes jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters involving tribal members in all areas, but control over sexually violent predators, so long as the governor and federal government officials agree on the requested “retrocession,” remain with the state. The three-step procedure tribal...