Your trusted source for local Tacoma, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will conduct maintenance work requiring daytime ramp closures on northbound I-705 and under the SR-509 interchange in Tacoma from March 24 to 28, 2025. During this period, the City of Tacoma will manage detour routes while performing various maintenance tasks. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes to minimize travel disruptions.
Idaho has become the first state in the U.S. to designate death by firing squad as the preferred method of execution, as signed into law by Governor Brad Little on March 16, 2025. This decision follows a recent execution by firing squad in South Carolina and comes amid ongoing discussions about the efficacy and ethics of lethal injection methods. The law is expected to affect current death row inmates and potential future cases, including that of the suspect in the University of Idaho college murders.
A wrong-way crash on I-5 in Thurston County, Washington, tragically resulted in the deaths of three individuals early Sunday morning. The accident involved two vehicles colliding head-on, leading to a third vehicle's involvement, though its driver escaped unharmed. Authorities have closed and diverted traffic on the northbound lanes while an investigation is underway.
A delivery driver was awarded $50 million in a negligence lawsuit against Starbucks after suffering severe burns from a spilled tea at a California drive-through. The jury found that the employee's failure to secure the hot drink properly led to the incident, resulting in significant medical procedures for the victim. Starbucks plans to appeal the decision, asserting that they maintain high safety standards.
A significant fire at a wrecking yard in Kent, WA, has led to multiple rows of cars burning, prompting a response from local firefighters. Heavy equipment is being utilized to dismantle the car piles for better access and extinguishing efforts, with no reported injuries. Hazmat crews are on-site to monitor potential environmental impacts from the fire.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have seized the passport of Joshua Riibe, the last known person seen with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki. Riibe’s conflicting accounts of the night of her disappearance have raised concerns, prompting a personal interrogation by the Dominican Attorney General as the search for Konanki intensifies.
A Tacoma man, Marquise Tolbert, pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges, following a lengthy criminal history that includes a previous acquittal in a 2020 mass shooting in downtown Seattle. Tolbert's arrest in 2023 stemmed from a federal investigation into drug trafficking, where he was found discussing illegal firearm purchases. He faces sentencing later this year, with potential penalties reaching up to 35 years in prison.
Pete Reyes has been appointed to fill the final vacant seat on Tacoma's Park Board, completing its regular structure of five commissioners. Reyes, a licensed practical nurse and community leader, emphasized the importance of collaboration in his role. He will serve on the Park Board through 2025, succeeding Rosie Ayala, who moved to the Pierce County Council.
Puyallup's new tourism campaign, spearheaded by Rotator Creative, has reached Phase Three, focusing on the launch of a comprehensive website, PurePuyallup.com, aimed at showcasing local attractions, shopping, and dining. The initiative addresses the need for a centralized online resource for visitors, enhancing the city's appeal as a destination.
Tacoma's city council meeting scrutinized the proposed installation of ShotSpotter technology in the Hosmer corridor, a system designed to detect gunshots within 60 seconds. Council member Olgy Diaz raised concerns about the necessity and community acceptance of the technology, prompting a call for transparency and public engagement regarding its implementation.