Source Link: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/chief-investigator-hired-lead-ag-ferguson-s-missing-and-murdered-indigenous
Veteran investigator and tribal member Brian George to lead new unit
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that Brian George, a 27-year law enforcement veteran and enrolled member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, will lead the investigations work for the office’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Unit. It is the first unit of its kind in the nation.
The cold case unit’s primary purpose is to assist local and tribal law enforcement agencies to solve cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and people. The unit will be housed within the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division.
George comes to the office following more than 25 years of service with the Washington State Patrol, most recently as the director of the Washington State Fusion Center. The Fusion Center supports federal, state, and tribal agencies, regional and local law enforcement, public safety and homeland security by providing intelligence and information statewide. He started his career as an officer with the Suquamish Tribal Police Department.
“Hiring a leader for my office’s new cold case unit is an important step as we pursue justice and accountability in these cases,” Ferguson said. “Our first-of-its kind unit represents the commitment of our state to do all we can to support law enforcement and Indigenous families affected by this crisis.”
“It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point, and there’s more to do,” George said. “This is meaningful, important work supporting law enforcement in bringing closure to families who have been waiting too long. I’m eager to get started.”
In addition to George, the unit will include investigators and a case navigator whose primary function is to work with and maintain regular, consistent communication with families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and people, and to convey information between the investigators and families using culturally appropriate and trauma informed practices. The office is reviewing applications for the investigator positions, and expects to post the navigator position this month.
American Indian and Alaskan Native women and people experience violence at much higher rates than other populations. The National Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports that homicide is the sixth-leading cause of death for Indigenous women and girls and the third-leading cause of death for Indigenous men. A recent federal study reported that Native American women are murdered at rates 10 times the national average in some jurisdictions.
According to data from the Homicide Investigation Tracking System in the Attorney General’s Office, Indigenous victims are 5% of the unresolved cases throughout the state, while making up less than 2% of the population. Due to reporting practices, racial misclassification, data collection and jurisdictional issues, the actual disparity is likely even more significant.
Background on the Cold Case Unit
In 2021, the Attorney General’s Office convened the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. In 2022, the Task Force unanimously recommended the creation of a cold case unit in the Attorney General’s Office focused on cases involving Indigenous people.
In 2023, Attorney General Bob Ferguson partnered with Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, and Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, to propose legislation creating a Cold Case Investigations Unit focused on solving cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and people.
The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Inslee.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS
Washington State Public Works Board opens application cycle for $15.8 million in broadband funding.
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board today opened applications for broadband funding, offering $15.8 million in grants and low-interest loans for broadband construction projects. Projects in distressed counties are eligible for 30% grant and 70% loan funding, until funds are exhausted./ WA COMMERCE DEPT.
Ecology, Olympia Brewery owner reach settlement over 2019 spill.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology has reached a settlement agreement with Tumwater Development, LLC over penalties and costs from a 2019 spill at the site of the former Olympia Brewery./DOE
WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs starting Nov. 12.
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed today coastal razor clam digging opportunities will begin Nov. 12./WDFW
Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Nov. 17 to decide on species listing recommendation.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually on Nov. 17 to issue a decision on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)’s recommendation to uplist the western gray squirrel to a Washington endangered species./WDFW
This specialized crisis line continues to grow and support Native people in Washington state
OLYMPIA – Washington state’s Native and Strong Lifeline celebrates its first anniversary this Friday, November 10. It’s the nation’s first suicide prevention, crisis, and help line fully staffed and run by Native crisis counselors that serves American Indian and Alaska Native people. Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) operates the line./DOH
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
Cantwell Calls on Defense Department to Identify Funding Needs to Address PFAS Testing Backlog
In letter, Senators urge DoD to address “growing backlog of contaminated sites across the country”; Dangerous “forever chemicals” found in drinking water near military bases, including in Spokane, Yakima, Tacoma, Whidbey Island, and other areas of Washington state./ From a press release 11/9/23
Federal Action Needed to Help Tribes Confront the Fentanyl Crisis, Say Cantwell, Lummi Chair Hillaire at Senate Hearing
“We've talked to Tribal leaders in Spokane, Colville, Yakama, Cowlitz, Jamestown, Puyallup, Tulalip…we must increase treatment and recovery capacity,” says Cantwell Cantwell’s fentanyl crisis response has included listening sessions in nine WA communities and legislative action, plus direct intervention revealed by Chairman Hillaire in testimony at today’s hearing/ In a Press release dated 11/8/23
REPRESENTATIVE DEREK KILMER ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION.
“Over most of the past decade, each time I boarded the plane to DC, I would email my kids, Sophie and Aven, to explain to them why I was leaving – and what I’d be working on while we were apart.
When they were little, those letters were elementary. “This week, I’ll be working for more jobs in our region” or “I’ll be fighting this week against things that might make it harder for you to have clean air or good health care.” My letters always ended with “Be good. I love you.”/ Press release issued 11/9/23
Murray, Durbin, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Designate Palestinian Territories for Temporary Protected Status or Authorize Deferred Enforced Departure for Palestinians in U.S./ From a press release issued 11/8/23
Senator Murray Chairs Hearing on President’s Funding Requests, Underscores Need to Act on Request to Tackle Growing Child Care Crisis
Senator Murray: “If we don’t act soon, the child care crisis is going to keep getting worse—and it will continue hurting our economy in the process.”/ Press release issued 11/8/23
3) WORLD, NATION, & BUSINESS HEADLINES
WORLD
Second Committee Approves Three Resolutions, Including Text Demanding Israel Cease Exploitation of Natural Resources in Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syrian Golan
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved three resolutions, voting on two of them, including one demanding that Israel cease the exploitation, damage, cause of loss or depletion and endangerment of the natural resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in the occupied Syrian Golan./ UN PRESS RELEASE
Security Council Elects Five Judges to International Court of Justice after Five Rounds of Voting
Out of Nine Candidates, One Re-elected to Further Term of Office
The Security Council, meeting independently from but concurrently with the General Assembly today, elected five judges to the International Court of Justice beginning on 6 February 2024./ UN PRESS RELEASE
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the International Court of Justice Election/USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to the Press
REMARKS TO THE PRESS
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon. So we just had a very productive 2+2 session with Secretary of Defense Austin and our Indian counterparts. This builds on the important visit that Prime Minister Modi made to the United States followed by President Biden’s visit here for the G20. And we continue – India and the United States – to deepen our partnership, to deepen our collaboration on everything from emerging technologies to defense to people-to-people ties, as well as our shared diplomacy to try to advance an Indo-Pacific region that’s free, that’s open, that’s prosperous, that’s resilient./ US STATE DEPT.
Austin Marks 'Transformative' Ties With India at Talks in New Delhi
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III lauded the strong partnership between the U.S. and India following his talks today with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi./DOD
NATION:
DOD Implores Congress to Provide Ukraine Defense Funding.
The Defense Department is beseeching Congress to pass the supplemental budget request that President Joe Biden initially made in August to continue to meet Ukraine's battlefield needs, said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, who held a news conference today./DOD
Justice Department Secures Agreement with South Dakota Hotel and Sports Lounge to Resolve Allegations of Discrimination Against Native Americans/DOJ
Jamaican National Sentenced for Role in Fraudulent Sweepstakes Scheme that Targeted Elderly Victims/DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Premiers Public Service Announcement Elevating the Teaching Profession
PSA is part of “Teachers: Leaders Shaping Lives” campaign to elevate the teaching profession and promote educator diversity/DEPT. OF EDUCATION
Federal Housing Administration Proposes Update to Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Assignment Claims Eligibility to Strengthen Market Liquidity
Proposal posted for feedback will ensure long-term program viability and expanded availability for senior homeowners./HUD
BUSINESS:
Couple Charged for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Pyramid Scheme.
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned an indictment yesterday charging a Texas couple for operating an illegal pyramid scheme that defrauded thousands of participants of more than $10 million./DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Invests More Than $1.2 Billion in Rural Cooperatives to Increase Economic Opportunity and Advance Equity in Rural America/USDA
IRS Achieves Key Paperless Processing Initiative Goal, Outlines Improvements for Filing Season 2024/ US TREASURY
Opening Remarks
Chair Jerome H. Powell
At "Monetary Policy Challenges in a Global Economy," a policy panel at the 24th Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference, hosted by the International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C./THE FED
FTC Publishes Proposed 2024 Budget for Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority/ FTC
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS FOR 11/11/23
https://pr2345.blogspot.com/p/in-focus-local-meetings-for-111123.html
