OLYMPIA
Biology test no longer required for diploma
High school seniors will no longer need to pass a biology test in order to graduate under legislation signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
The Daily News reports that seniors in the class of 2017 who had failed a biology exam but met other diploma requirements would graduate automatically. The class of 2017 had been the first class required to pass a biology exam. About 3,300 high school seniors failed it.
The new legislation signed by Inslee Friday is intended to give students more flexibility in meeting graduation requirements.
The Legislature unanimously approved House Bill 2224 on June 30.
The new law delays until 2021 the requirement that students pass a statewide biology test in order to graduate.
The legislation moves the state’s standardized English and math assessments from the 11th grade to the 10th grade. It allows school districts to come up with alternative ways for students to demonstrate proficiency.
TACOMA
SWAT kills naked man shooting at homes
A shootout with a nude gunman in a Bainbridge Island harbor ended with authorities killing the gunman early Sunday morning.
The man was in a sailboat and randomly shooting a rifle at homes along the Eagle Harbor shoreline, according to a statement released by the Washington State Patrol. When Bainbridge Island police officers responded, the gunman started shooting at them, Police Chief Matthew Hamner said.
He said officers could hear bullets whizzing over their heads. The police called in the Kitsap regional SWAT team and received assistance from multiple other agencies including the Coast Guard, Hamner said. Officers did not return fire at first because of concern for the safety of civilians in the area.
At one point, the shooter removed his clothes, according to some media reports and images of the incident posted on social media.
Officers shined a spotlight on the 34-year-old man making it more difficult for him to see, Hamner said. After hours of trying to end the incident peacefully, officers approached the man using two boats, Hamner said. The man reportedly pointed a weapon at an officer and authorities opened fire and killed him.
Officers are not yet sure what events led to the incident, Hamner said. The man has not yet been identified.
During the shootout, people in the area were told to seek shelter in their homes or boats and to avoid their windows. At first, many thought the shots were fireworks, Hamner said, but when they learned what was happening they “were highly motivated to get out of the area.”
Ferry service to and from the island was temporarily suspended. Authorities recovered the rifle and the boat as evidence.
Hamner said authorities believe one of the gunman’s shots hit a boat and they are investigating if there is other damage. No officers or civilians were injured.
EVERETT
Five vessels burned when boat catches fire
Flames quickly spread when a boat caught fire as it was pulling into a slip at the Port of Everett, burning five vessels.
The Daily Herald reports that five people dove into the water as the blaze spread Saturday evening. One person had minor injuries.
Acting Everett Fire Chief Tim Key says five boats were heavily damaged, including three that sank.
Smoke filled the sky over Everett and could be seen from miles away.
