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Washington state lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise

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Washington state lawmakers consider lower threshold for DUI charges as road deaths continue to rise


The Capitol building is seen on the first day of the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 in Olympia, Wash.

Lindsey Wasson / AP

Intoxicated drivers are involved in about half of the fatal crashes on Washington state roads, and as road deaths continue to rise, lawmakers are considering a change that some say could deter more people from impaired driving.

“In 2023, we lost at least 800 lives on our roadway, and that is the highest we’ve seen in 33 years,” said Debbie Driver, transportation policy advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee.

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To reverse that trend, lawmakers are considering lowering the blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, limit to charge someone for driving under the influence.

Right now, the state’s legal limit is a concentration of 0.08% of alcohol in a person’s blood. Under House Bill 2196, it would drop to 0.05%. A similar proposal was considered in 2023.

Impaired Driving Arrests Declined During Pandemic, Though You’re Not Drinking Less

Experts say the number of alcoholic drinks it would take to exceed that lower limit depends on a person’s size, sex and whether or not they’re eating food. According to one study, it would take the average 170-pound male at least four drinks on an empty stomach to exceed the 0.05% limit in two hours.

Only one state, Utah, already has the 0.05% BAC limit, but some others are considering it, including Hawaii and New York. The National Transportation Safety Board recommended states move to the lower 0.05% limit more than a decade ago.

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Health officials, law enforcement and people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving an impaired driver say it’s an important deterrent that will make drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel.

“These .05 laws save lives, and it’s the education around the enforcement,” said Dr. Beth Ebel, a pediatrics professor in Seattle.

Washington Man Suspected Of Driving Over Interpreter Has History Of Assaults, Drinking

Still, there are some concerns about the proposal from the hospitality industry, even as many agree drunk driving is a problem.

During the bill’s hearing Thursday, lobbyists representing places that serve alcohol said they worry lowering the BAC limit could deter people from rural businesses or make servers more legally liable for overserving people — and some question if lowering the limit will actually work.

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“We just don’t think that lowering the BAC level to .05 is the right approach — we believe it’ll put our staff and breweries at risk,” said Daniel Olson from the Washington Brewers Guild.

The bill is scheduled for a possible committee vote next week.



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Washington

The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas

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The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas


Steve Deitz walks with the energy of a coach; however, he does not hide that he and his team are digital nerds and storytellers who specialize in large-scale visual content and software development. More specifically, the 48-year-old makes a living creating the wow factor at his agency, “900lbs.”

“We started the company working for the Dallas Mavericks, telling large-scale visual content on the Jumbotron, and next thing you know, Activision, Blizzard calls,” he said. “We get to work in the Perot Museum on the biggest  exhibit in the museum, and then fast-forward another 12 years, and here we are now.”

His current project is wrapping up in the nation’s capital — sorta. Since Dec.31, projections of America’s story have been given to his agency.

“We’re telling the story of the 250-year birthday of America in the biggest way possible on the facade of the Washington Monument on all four sides,” Deitz said.

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He said they started testing out the results a couple of nights before New Year’s Eve. Scenes from Thomas Edison’s light bulb, the Empire State Building, the Model T Ford, and the Industrial Revolution, to name a few, are projected onto the Washington Monument.

Deitz gives his team a ton of credit from the moment he received the call about the project. He also thinks back to the times when he was an athlete who loved to draw in Merkel, Texas. The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box. The CEO is giving advice to that child who may need a little inspiration.

“Hard work, perseverance, dedication, surround yourself with a team of brilliant people that are way smarter than you, and do the best you possibly can,” he said.

Deitz said there is a likelihood his team’s creations will return to the nation’s capital this year.

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Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide

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Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide


It is not the way any homicide squad wants to start an already busy new year.

Prince George’s County police Sunday were trying to figure out who was found dead in a car behind a strip center overnight and why. Police, who responded after a call about gun shots, told News4 they’re still searching for the most basic details.

It comes just a day after three people were shot and killed at a Temple Hills banquet hall early Saturday morning. Police told News4 that investigation is active and showing signs of promise.

But the busy start somewhat hides the bigger picture about crime in the area.

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Despite the tough start to 2026, homicide in Prince George’s County was down 40% in 2025 percent compared to 2024, and violent crime on a whole was down 19%, both through mid-December according to Prince George’s County police.

In D.C. is a similar story.

“Now we have no crime in Washington, DC. We have no killing,” said President Donald Trump Saturday during a news conference about action in Venezuela.

While the crime rate is not nearly as good as Trump has repeatedly said, the District recorded five homicides in December and 126 in all of 2025. That’s down 32% over 2024. Violent crime is down 29%, according to D.C .police crime statistics.

In Fairfax, homicide is down 14% — but the county only had 12 total — and violent crime dropped 4%, according to the county’s online reporting.

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Commanders vs. Eagles | How to watch, listen and live stream

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Commanders vs. Eagles | How to watch, listen and live stream


Mariota, who is dealing with a cut on his throwing hand and a quad injury, was considered doubtful to play in Week 18, Quinn said earlier in the week, and has not practiced since sustaining his injuries. Josh Johnson is set to make his second start to close out the Commanders’ season.



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