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Abortions, gender-affirming care protected with new legislation

The Seattle City Council unanimously passed two pieces of legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Tammy J. Morales, Councilmember Lisa Herbold, and Councilmember Dan Strauss to protect abortions and gender-affirming care in Seattle.

The first, Council Bill (CB) 120374, is an ordinance that would add people who have received or are seeking abortions as a protected class, ensuring their civil rights protections. The second, CB 120376, would create a misdemeanor charge for people who encroach on individuals seeking abortions or gender-affirming care.

An additional piece of legislation, CB 120399, will be introduced in Councilmember Morales’ neighborhoods, education, civil rights, and culture committee on Friday, Aug. 12. This bill would regulate crisis pregnancy centers, which are organizations that work to mislead pregnant people and persuade them against having abortions. This legislation would ensure that these facilities cannot make public statements that are false or misleading.

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio Headlines: Gray whale spotted off Whidbey Island making rainbows

Des Moines Ferry starts tomorrow

The city of Des Moines’ passenger ferry service begins Wednesday.

Four trips a day will sail to and from Seattle every Wednesday through Sunday for the next two months.

Des Moines city manager Michael Matthias says they will use rider numbers to determine if the boats keep running after the test ends in early October.

One way Des Moines marina to the Seattle waterfront will be $10 a ticket. Seniors and military members ride for $5. Children younger than 14 ride free.

Highway 9 closing for five days

Highway 9 in Snohomish is going to close down for five days as the state puts in a new roundabout.

The road will close on either side of Snohomish on Aug. 16 for construction at Bickford Avenue and Avenue D. Washington state Department of Transportation Communications Consultant Tony Black said this will make the area safer.

Mac Wayne sentenced to six years

A blind rapper, who goes by the name “Mac Wayne,” was sentenced today in federal court in Seattle to six years behind bars.

Wayne was one of 11 people indicted for operating a large drug trafficking ring that investigators say distributed heroin, meth, and fentanyl pills in the Puget Sound region.

Wayne — whose legal first name is “Frisbey” — pleaded guilty, in May, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Fauci honored by Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, throws 1st pitch tonight

Dr. Anthony Fauci will throw out the first pitch at the M’s home game tonight.

It is part of the honors as he accepts an award from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

The Hutch award typically goes to a baseball great who goes above and beyond outside the diamond with charitable contributions to the community.

President Jimmy Carter is the only other person who is not a player to have been given the honor, dating back to 1965.

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