Debbie Cockrell

Olympia, Tacoma

Covering the South Sound specifically and the world in general for @thenewstribune. [email protected]. Retweets ≠ endorsements.

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Articles

Local impacts of Trump-era policies in Washington state

3 days ago | yahoo.com | Cameron Sheppard |Debbie Cockrell |Becca Most

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarizationSix articles explore the local impacts of Trump-era policies in Pierce County and Washington state. This list of stories illustrates how federal decisions around tariffs, federal prison use, transgender rights, and grant funding shape daily life. Tariff hikes have led to warnings from West Coast ports and fears for small businesses while canceled exports and disrupted shipping are being tracked at the Port of Tacoma.
What is happening (or not) with 171 planned apartments near Tacoma Mall?

5 days ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

A new apartment building is planned at the site of this former office building, 4218 S. Steele St., behind the Tacoma Mall. Shown on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Tony Overman [email protected] Plans for new apartments near the Tacoma Mall recently received an extension in terms of permitting. Avanti Apartments, planned at the site of a former office building, 4218 S. Steele St., received an extension on its building permit last month.
Rite Aid and Bartell shoppers take note: Use your gift cards before time is up

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Debbie Cockrell

Amid Rite Aid’s bankruptcy news this week, deadlines have emerged for customers dealing with gift cards or returns tied to both the drugstore chain and subsidiary, Bartell Drugs. Collectively, the two drugstore brands have multiple storefronts in Pierce County, three for Bartell and 12 for Rite Aid, according to their websites. Philadelphia-based Rite Aid has more than 1,200 sites across 15 states. The chain acquired Seattle-based Bartell in 2020.
10 recent developments shaping the city of Lakewood in 2025

1 week ago | thenewstribune.com | Peter Talbot |Debbie Cockrell |Becca Most

This list of stories illustrates how new businesses, changes in the local government, and other developments are reshaping the city of Lakewood. Recent changes include updates to Wards Lake Park, the planned Lakewood Towne Center Apartments, a new Planet Fitness, and plans for a new McDonald's. The city is also dealing with the retirement of longtime city manager John Caulfield and police department controversies, such as allegations of officer misconduct and an internal investigation.
More than just Barnes & Noble: See what else is set to debut at South Hill Mall

1 week ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

South Hill Mall in Puyallup is filling the former Macy’s site, and has announced other new retailers coming to the mall between now and next summer. Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer online property portal The former Macy’s retail space at South Hill Mall in the Puyallup area is set to be filled with a new discount retailer. Discount Collection is scheduled to open June 1.
‘Mass extinction ... for small businesses.’ West Coast tariff warnings intensify

1 week ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

In one sense, the effects of current U.S. tariff policy uncertainty are comparable to how the COVID-19 pandemic spread in early 2020: The first U.S. impacts were seen on the West Coast and then rapidly emerged elsewhere. U.S. Sen.
Korean street food, swanky ‘Sac’ seats, pop culture toy store headed to Tacoma Mall

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

While Tacoma Mall is busy expanding with its new exterior Village concept, one furniture retailer has staked a claim in the new development heavy on food concepts. Meantime, the original, main mall building is welcoming a designer toy store well known among collectors and a new food-court vendor. Lovesac is latest addition to The VillageConnecticut-based Lovesac is planning a furniture showroom in The Village across from Shake Shack and between Supreme Dumplings and Happy Lamb Hot Pot.
With Trump tariffs in the news, how’s container traffic at Port of Tacoma?

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

Port of Tacoma officials discuss current status of shipping at the port. Port of Tacoma Depending on your social-media feed, shipping lanes and port traffic are a hot topic, with varying opinions on whether ports are ghost towns or still buzzing hubs of transport. Los Angeles Port executive director Gene Seroka told CNBC this week that retailers have just a few weeks before feeling the effects of a trade slowdown from China over the 145% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Heath care for mothers, kids expanding in South Sound with enhanced partnership

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma is among sites in the VMFH network set to gain more services from a new strategic affiliation with Seattle Children’s. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health A local health care system and Seattle hospital have announced plans to bring their two entities closer together and reduce the need to drive to Seattle for South Sound families in need of care.
Barnes & Noble expanding in Pierce County with second store. Here’s where

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

Barnes & Noble appears to have a new store in the works at South HIll Mall. Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer online property portal Perhaps this is the year a national bookstore chain opens a long-planned store at South Hill Mall. After announcing plans for opening more than 60 new stores nationwide this year, Barnes & Noble appears set to expand its offerings in Pierce County. A listing on its website shows a new store planned for South Hill Mall, 3500 S.