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Articles written by Renee Diaz


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  • Bill mandates recess for K-5 students

    Renee Diaz, Washington State Journal|Updated Feb 28, 2023

    OLYMPIA — Public school elementary school students would be guaranteed 30 minutes of recess daily under a bill moving through the Legislature. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5257, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, requires 30 minutes of recess and prevents school employees from denying recess as a disciplinary measure. The bill passed the Senate, 28-21. “Play is critical to positive youth development,” Nobles said. “What we know about recess is it can lower cortisol levels. It can increase problem-s...

  • Legalizing fentanyl test strips proposed

    Renee Diaz, Washington State Journal|Updated Feb 13, 2023

    Allisone McClanahan suffered from severe chronic pain and fibromyalgia. To ease her pain, the 26-year-old took a pain pill from a friend she thought contained oxycodone. Instead, she died of a drug overdose in 2021. After her death, the toxicology report revealed the pill did not contain any oxycodone and was poisoned with fentanyl, seven times the amount her body could withstand. Genevieve Schofield, Allisone’s mother, said she did not want anyone to experience pain like hers. She reached out to legislators, and testified a...

  • Bills attempt to improve road safety

    Renee Diaz, Washington State Journal|Updated Feb 6, 2023

    OLYMPIA - Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and Gov. Jay Inslee say they are backing a package of new laws aimed at protecting workers, pedestrians and commuters. New bills include reducing the blood-alcohol concentration limit for operating a vehicle when driving, imposing more restrictions on high-risk drivers and requiring a skills course for young and older drivers. Amber Weilert, a mother from Parkland, described how a drunken driver took the life of her son. "I am...

  • Students push for dam breaching

    Renee Diaz, State Journal|Updated Jan 24, 2023

    OLYMPIA - A handful of Western Washington activists called for removing Snake River dams in an effort to "save our salmon." Washington Youth Ocean and River Conservation Alliance and other activists advocated for protection of salmon and the orca pods that depend on them during a rally in Olympia on Jan. 13. "We need (Gov. Jay) Inslee and the political leaders of the Pacific Northwest - specifically in the state Legislature - to understand the urgency of this issue,"...