In General

College kids and dangerous stimulants

Public Affairs Unit — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:49:05 GMT

Two recent stories remind us of the danger faced by young people, especially those in college, when they experiment with stimulants. First, the federal government announced on Friday that it will investigate "alcoholic energy drinks." These boozy beverages are mixed with caffeine or other stimulants.

AG McKenna receives outstanding achievement award

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:24:02 GMT

On Nov. 5, Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna received an award for Outstanding Achievement from FOSI, The Family Online Safety Institute

Rep. Pearson: Serial domestic abusers must get the punishment they deserve

Public Affairs Unit — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:39:31 GMT

Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, has penned a terrific guest editorial about the domestic violence bill he's sponsoring in the State House.

Good luck, Elyse!

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:26:50 GMT

The Yakima-Herald Republic reports today that Elyse Umemoto (pictured here at the AGO's Seattle office) will compete in the Miss Nevada pageant this weekend.

60 Minutes takes on Medicare and Medicaid fraud

Public Affairs Unit — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:24:18 GMT

On Sunday, Oct. 25, ABC Television's 60 Minutes aired a terrific story on fraudsters who bilk taxpayers out of about $90 billion a year by siphoning money from Medicare and Medicaid. The choice quote in the story comes from "Tony," who was convicted of stealing about $20 million from Medicare. He says that stealing money from this program doesn't require being a criminal mastermind. Rather, "It's more like taking candy from a baby," Tony said.

Domestic violence event recap

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:15:27 GMT

Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington 2007, endorsed the AGO's domestic violence bill on Tuesday. Earlier this year, Umemoto came forward to talk about her experience as a survivor of domestic violence. She alleges that she was stalked and assaulted by her boyfriend in 2007 and 2008. Her attacker pled guilty last year to charges related to the incident.

Olympian: Former Miss Washington speaks out on domestic violence

Public Affairs Unit — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:23:54 GMT

Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington, 2007, visited Olympia last week to speak about her experience as a victim of domestic violence.

AG McKenna's Taipei Impressions - Day Three (Oct. 10)

Public Affairs Unit — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:19:13 GMT

Our Saturday was dedicated to tours of Taiwan's, and China's, long history and modern accomplishments. We began with a stop at Hsing Tien Temple in Taipei, a large, three-temple complex that is predominantly Daoist but features elements of Confucianism and Buddhism .

AG McKenna's latest blog from Taiwan

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:38:46 GMT

Our official visit continues to be blessed in many ways. Today we dodged a second typhoon, which moved below Taiwan into the South China Sea. Earlier this week, another typhoon veered north of the island and made landfall in western Japan. Taiwan's people and government can be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief at dodging these two recent storms, considering how hard they were hit by the typhoon of about two months ago. That hurricane took many lives and also swept away quite a few government officials whose performance was deemed inadequate -- including some officials with whom we had been scheduled to meet.

Domestic violence awareness month

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:50:25 GMT

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this month, we encourage you to decorate your home or business with at least one purple light to remember victims who lost their lives because of domestic violence; to support those who survived domestic violecne; and to symbolize hope for those still living with abuse.

Horsey on gangs and youth violence

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:22:38 GMT

The Seattle P.I.'s David Horsey has a provacative cartoon today about the gang problem.

AG McKenna blogs from Taiwan

Public Affairs Unit — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:53:31 GMT

Note: Attorney General Rob McKenna and fellow attorneys general are in Taiwan this week as guests of the Taiwan Ministry of Justice, reciprocating for years of visits from Taiwanese prosecutors to the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Summer Meeting.

McKenna, Sonntag launch open government task force

Public Affairs Unit — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:00:03 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna and State Auditor Brian Sonntag yesterday kicked off the first meeting of their Open Government Task Force.

CNN confirms that disabled Americans are more likely to be victims of violent crime

Public Affairs Unit — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:19:53 GMT

The story from CNN on Friday was stunning, yet confirms what we've been talking about for years:

People with disabilities are 50 percent more likely to be victims of violent crimes than are people without disabilities, according to a government study released Thursday.

Another celebrity death related to prescription drugs

Attorney General Rob McKenna — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:55:25 GMT

The Los Angeles Times reports:

Celebrity disc jockey and Los Angeles club owner Adam Goldstein -- better known by his professional alias, DJ AM -- died of an overdose of cocaine and prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner ruled Tuesday.

"The cause of death was accidental drug overdose due to the combined effects of cocaine, Vicodin, oxycodone, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Benadryl and levamisole," said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York medical examiner. Levamisole is a medication drug dealers cut cocaine with before selling it on the street.

Day of Hope rally roundup

Public Affairs Unit — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:35:43 GMT

Attorney General Rob McKenna was in Yakima this weekend, taking part in a march against gang violence.

AG McKenna opines on prescription drug abuse

Public Affairs Unit — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:51:39 GMT

Several newspapers included guest editorials by AG McKenna this week.

AG & Auditor team up to improve access to government

Public Affairs Unit — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:10:31 GMT

Citizens complain that government information they're seeking is difficult to access. Government staffers struggle with voluminous records requests intended solely to harass. Where's the middle ground? How can we solve this problem without resorting to expensive lawsuits?

State Attorney General Rob McKenna and State Auditor Brian Sonntag have convened a new Open Government Task Force to study the creation of administrative board or other alternative to the courts to rule on complaints of violations of the Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act.

New story confirms teen abuse of prescription drugs

Public Affairs Unit — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:14:17 GMT

Yesterday CNN reported on the latest study from the National Center on Addiction. The study includes disturbing news about teen drug abuse

Civil injunctions another tool in fight against gangs

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:53:04 GMT

An interesting editorial has been published by the Yakima Herald. It talks about a frightening gang-related weapons seizure:

Here's just a glimpse of what was taken during the drug-related arrest: a MAC-11 machine-gun pistol, several AK-47s, homemade silencers, shortened AR-15 rifles and shotguns. The total: 33 guns. Don't forget the three pipe bombs and a bag full of rolled-up $100 bills totaling thousands of dollars.

A Prescription for Prescription Drug Abuse

AGO Intern — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:30:22 GMT

Attorney General McKenna broadens the offensive against prescription drug abuse by providing statistics to the News Tribune.

Attorney General McKenna speaks out on gang violence

AGO Intern — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:43:30 GMT

Attorney General McKenna addressed the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce. According to the Yakima Herald:

McKenna came at an opportune moment to deliver his thoughts on the state's responsibility to address the issue.

Read more about our office's 2007 proposal for anti-gang legislation, and our press release when those laws went into effect.

The Road to Cleaning Up Hanford

Public Affairs Unit — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:16:50 GMT

An agreement was reached between Washington State and federal parties to resume the timely cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation after years of lawsuits and missed deadlines.

Rob's video blog: Tribal Journeys 2009 Paddle to Suquamish

Attorney General Rob McKenna — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:40:46 GMT

McKenna, AGO’s Chris Johnson, speak at prescription drug panel

Public Affairs Unit — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:36:48 GMT

Attorney General McKenna moderated a panel on prescription drug abuse at a meeting of the Western Attorneys General on Wednesday. The panel included McKenna’s Policy Director, Chris Johnson. The Idaho Mountain Express reports:

SeattlePI.com: Home foreclosures up

Public Affairs Unit — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:15:53 GMT

The PI’s Aubrey Cohen covers an important story today:

AG McKenna stops in Port Angeles, talks about prescription drugs

Public Affairs Unit — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:12:36 GMT

Attorney General McKenna spoke with the Peninsula Daily News yesterday about the problem of prescription drugs:

Tribal Youth Music Academy news stories

Public Affairs Unit — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:40:13 GMT

We were proud to help sponsor the Tribal Youth Music Academy last week. The six-day event allowed more than 70 teens to learn how to write their own hip-hop music and become "music mentors."

Welcome to In General!

Public Affairs Unit — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:16:01 GMT

The purpose of this blog is to keep you informed about what we’re doing at the AGO. Here you’ll learn more about the latest issues we’re addressing – from gangs, to prescription drug abuse and beyond.