Three years ago, Washington state started a program to clear encampments from state and public rights-of-way.

Host lead-in: With help from Pierce County and the Washington State Department of Commerce, a nonprofit has opened another tiny home community for people experiencing homelessness in Tacoma. N-W-P-B’s Lauren Gallup reports.

The City of Bend’s Human Rights and Equity Commissioners are calling for an emergency meeting with the city council. They want to discuss why a sponsorship payment to a Juneteenth organizer this year was delayed.

Grants Pass City Council unanimously approved a settlement in an ongoing homeless lawsuit Wednesday night.

Eugene is likely to see triple-digit temperatures this weekend. Local homeless advocates are asking the public to help protect people living outdoors.

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Lincoln County will ask voters in November for a five-year-levy to raise funds for veteran services.

KLCC’s Rebecca Hansen-White explains.

The Grants Pass City Council voted to settle a lawsuit with Disability Rights Oregon.

Todd Achilles [UH-kill-eez], formerly a Democrat in the Idaho state legislature, has left state politics to prepare to run against incumbent Senator James Risch [REESH]. N-W-P-B’s Lauren Paterson has the latest.

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Washington state’s corrections agency is under a court-ordered consent decree to meet the needs of transgender people in prison more efficiently and effectively.

AD Lewis is a lawyer who specializes in improving conditions for trans people in jails and prisons.

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If Washington DOC complied with the settlement agreement as written, it would be among, if not the leading prison system for observing and ensuring trans civil rights and trans medical care access in the United States.]

So, almost two years later, is it working?

Reporter Eilís O’Neill has the second part of our report about the treatment of trans people in Washington’s prisons.

And a note for listeners: Part of this story deals with suicide.

Transgender people in Washington state’s prisons have been seeking better medical care and overall treatment for years.

They want access to consistent hormone treatment, timely surgeries, adequate clothing.

Disability Rights Washington sued on their behalf.

And about two years ago, Washington’s corrections department agreed to a consent decree — a binding plan to improve conditions.

About three hundred incarcerated people have told the agency they’re trans or non-binary.

In this first part of a two-part series, KUOW’s Eilís O’Neill looks at what prompted the lawsuit…