Pierce County

A November ballot initiative to increase renter protections in Tacoma is drawing big outside spending — and attention from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson.

This election, KNKX is exploring some of the major issues in Western Washington, including the “millionaires tax,” Tacoma tenants' rights, and Seattle public safety.

Pierce County is giving a $300,000 grant to Clover Park Technical College as part of a broader effort to connect people with learning and career opportunities in the trades.

Local leaders, first responders and community members gathered in Gig Harbor for educational workshops and a 5K to help bring awareness to the issue.

Several Washington jurisdictions, including Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, Seattle and King County, have passed similar detention center moratoriums this year.

A new ultra-modern, white building sits at the mouth of the Port of Tacoma, just south of the Murray Morgan Bridge. It's a new skills center, called Maritime|253, for Pierce County high schoolers who are interested in a career in the maritime industry.

Health officials identified a number of ongoing challenges such as housing stability, access to behavioral health services and transportation barriers.

The Pierce County Council is voting Tuesday on new union contracts for community service officers in the Sheriff’s Office. They are also voting on contracts for detention center and juvenile court workers.

A coordinated effort to address the opioid crisis in the South Sound is shutting down. Public health officials say overdose deaths are down, but addiction specialists worry.

Pierce County is working to turn the old Purdy landfill into a green energy producer that will eventually benefit the Key Peninsula community.