Robert Lough was convicted of first-degree rape and first-degree attempted murder in 1986.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, Lough met with a woman at a bar in Renton, and after some games of pool, lured her into his van and drove out to the highway. He raped her, choked her unconscious, and then tried to stab her to death.

The victim awoke on the side of the road hours later, where she was spotted by a passing driver who took her to the hospital.

She was treated for severe trauma and at least 15 internal wounds, two black eyes and a broken eye socket. During surgery, a portion of her colon was removed. Court records indicate the victim suffered severe injuries that resulted in lifelong internal damage.

During evaluations conducted while he was in custody, Lough reportedly described himself as a "monster for five minutes" and attributed the attack to drug use, including a mixture of cocaine and heroin known as a speedball.

The Pierce Transit board took a major leap Monday, teeing up voters this November with a funding measure that will represent the biggest opportunity for service expansion that the South Sound has seen in decades. If approved, the ballot measure would bump the dedicated sales tax rate funding Pierce Transit from 0.6% to 0.9%, a funding stream that has been sitting unchanged since George W. Bush's first term in the White House.

Growing the transit-dedicated sales tax rate to 0.9% would bring Pierce Transit more on par with peer transit agencies like King County Metro, avoiding a potential fiscal cliff looming by the early 2030s and threatening major service cuts.

It marks the first time Pierce Transit funding has been put on a ballot since a pair of measures failed in 2011 and 2012. Those failed votes led to stagnant local transit service in and around Tacoma, even as other agencies around the region have grown.

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/49447799

cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/49447796

A federal judge has ordered the immigration detention center in Tacoma to allow Washington state officials access to conduct health and safety inspections. It’s the latest in a long-running fight between state officials and GEO Group, the private contractor that owns and operates the federal facility.

The judge’s order, issued Thursday, takes effect after two weeks. GEO Group is expected to file an appeal, though the company did not respond to a request for comment.

The Northwest ICE Processing Center is one of the largest detention facilities in the Pacific Northwest. For the past three years, it’s been locked in an ongoing court battle with the state and has repeatedly denied access to health inspectors. There have been over 3,500 complaints about substandard living conditions in the facility, alleging dirty drinking water, food containing bugs, black mold in the showers, sexual assault, and more.

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The order follows a request for an injunction filed by both Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown in April. The order would allow health inspectors to enter the detention facility, with the exception of administrative and medical areas.

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The Trump administration said in a memo last summer it would pursue detention of all immigrants found illegally in the country, not just those with a criminal history. The administration currently has some of the highest numbers of people being held in detention centers across the country in U.S. history.

Less than two years after opening the doors to GRANN on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue, co-owners and chefs Reginald Jacob Howell and Denzel Johnson are taking their passion for barbecue to a national audience.

The South Sound chefs are featured competitors on Food Network's new series "Pitmasters," alongside eight other two-person teams. The show premieres at 9 p.m. on June 13 on Food Network and the following day on HBO Max and Discovery+.

What is Porchfest?

A two-day, all-ages walkable music festival taking place on porches (and in businesses). FREE. Kids activities, food trucks, and so much music. Plus there's wrestling, comedy, poetry....and a parade that any one can join.

Where is it?

Central & North Tacoma, divided by 6th Ave. Map below.

Who performs, and who hosts?

Residents (and businesses) sign up to offer their porches, driveways, and patches of grass as performance spaces; artists and bands sign up to perform. They're matched up, and a festival is created. In 2025, more than 300 bands were involved.

How do I plan what to see?

This bit is tricky, especially if you are unfamiliar with most of the artists. Which is also great, because you are guaranteed to find someone / something you enjoy and start following them for future events. Pick a start point and just wander. The beauty of this is that if you come across something you don't vibe with, you can just....walk on.

Expect to hear multiple genres of music coming from the one street corner. You'll probably also stumble upon random 'unofficial' acts - like a guy last year who DJ'd from his upstairs apartment balcony and started a sidewalk dance party. It's all good.

Top Tips

Wear comfy shoes. You'll probably do a lot of walking.

Bikes are a great way to get around.

Keep hydrated - carry a water bottle and fill it up when you can. It's going to be hot.

Take a break inside 6th Ave businesses - I find it a great chance to sit down in air conditioning and sip a cold (non-water) beverage.

Volunteer

Volunteers are still needed for a variety of roles - if you're interested in picking up a shift, head to the website and complete the form. If you're a community group, you all might be interested in the necessary task of 'flagging' - traffic and pedestrian control. Help here especially is needed.

Organizers & Funding

This event exists because someone who lives in the area thought it sounded like a good idea and then made it happen. It continues because lots of people in the area agree and participate. Some funding now comes through grants; other funding is through donations (keep an eye out for volunteers during the event). Bands get paid a nominal amount, and many of those funds come from donations.

21st Annual IN THE SPIRIT Arts Market & Northwest Native Festival Saturday, August 8, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

FREE

at The Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and Museum of Glass

Celebrate 21 years of IN THE SPIRIT! Experience this free community festival showcasing Native arts and culture with live music, artisan vendors, art exhibitions, interactive demonstrations, delicious food, and complimentary museum admission. Join this powerful celebration hosted by Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and Museum of Glass.