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

New $480M Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital will have play area, ‘kitten’ scanner

1 week ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroomMary Bridge’s $480M children’s hospital opens March 2026. Design includes pediatric trauma care, imaging suite and family-friendly rooms. Special features like a 'kitten scanner' aim to reduce sedation and patient anxiety. For now, the future home of MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is abuzz with construction, a shell of its future self.
New $480M Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital will have play area, ‘kitten’ scanner

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Debbie Cockrell

For now, the future home of MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is abuzz with construction, a shell of its future self. During a recent tour of the future Level II pediatric trauma site with a six-story hospital tower set to open next March, The News Tribune saw the beginnings of patient rooms, operating rooms, a future emergency department and more. The site is across from the current hospital, 317 M.L.K. Jr Way. A rendering of the future Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.
Big crowds gather for ‘No Kings’ protests throughout Tacoma and Pierce County

1 week ago | thenewstribune.com | Isha Trivedi |Debbie Cockrell

People gather and wave anti-Trump signs during a No Kings” protest at People’s Park on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. Brian Hayes [email protected] Thousands of protesters turned out at rallies in and around Tacoma on Saturday, in response to President Donald Trump’s military parade on the same day in Washington, D.C..
Wash. man gets 12.5 years for role in Aryan prison gang-led drug ring

2 weeks ago | corrections1.com | Debbie Cockrell

By Debbie CockrellThe Peninsula Gateway (Gig Harbor, Wash.)TACOMA, Wash. — A Pierce County man described as a “high-volume” drug redistributor for the leader of a drug distribution ring tied to white supremacist prison gangs was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. Gregory Beers, 32, of Edgewood, received a total of 12.5 years in prison from U.S. District Court Judge David G. Estudillo.
You can now tour model for $1M homes in this East Pierce County mega-development

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

Garrette Custom Homes is introducing a new model to the Glacier Pointe neighborhood at Tehaleh. Garrette Custom Homes A homebuilder in the Bonney Lake-area Tehaleh development recently announced the opening of a new model home in a developing neighborhood. The new model’s GPS location is at 15709 210th Ave. E., in the Glacier Pointe neighborhood at Tehaleh. The model opened June 7.
5 articles highlight recent Rite Aid and Bartell closures in Washington

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell |Cameron Sheppard

This collection of stories covers recent store closures, bankruptcy updates, and plans for future redevelopment at Rite Aid and Bartell locations in Washington. Several stories discuss the bankruptcy court filings and long lists of stores now scheduled to close, including in Pierce County. Several reports mention the acquisition of prescription files by CVS Pharmacy, the closing of the Bartell Drugs Distribution Center in Des Moines, and the transition of some store locations to CVS ownership.
Seeing a lack of some items on Pierce County grocery shelves? This might be why

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

A cyberattack on grocery distributor UNFI’s operating systems has disrupted deliveries for stores nationwide. UNFI If you’re seeing scarcity of some items on your local grocery shelves, it might be more than a seasonal disruption. Pierce County and national grocers have reported issues with regional grocery supplier United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) following a cyberattack on UNFI’s operations reported in recent days.
Could a new tax incentive get the Village at Harbor Hill across the finish line?

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Julia Park |Debbie Cockrell

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroomGig Harbor considers MFTE program to support long-stalled Village at Harbor Hill. MFTE would offer tax breaks for rent-restricted housing near key city services. City plans town hall in July to evaluate exemption impact and gather feedback. Could an affordable housing initiative help get the Village at Harbor Hill across the finish line? The city of Gig Harbor is considering a potential tax exemption program aimed at encouraging rent-restricted housing.
Here’s where BECU says it is planning its next Pierce County branch location

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell

Washington state’s largest credit union is continuing its brick-and-mortar branch expansion with a new location in Pierce County. Tukwila-based BECU this week announced it will open a new Neighborhood Financial Center in Lakewood, 10011 Bridgeport Way SW, this winter. The new branch will be BECU’s eighth Pierce County location, which include sites in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Bonney Lake, Puyallup and University Place. A search of records show that permits have yet to be filed with the city of Lakewood.
5 stories of growth at a WA hospital with one of the busiest ERs in the U.S.

2 weeks ago | thenewstribune.com | Debbie Cockrell |Isabela Lund

This collection of stories explores the growth happening at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. The hospital’s emergency department is among the nation’s busiest per capita. Construction plans for a 160-bed patient care tower aim to increase capacity. Recent changes include the appointment of a new hospital president and the opening of a hybrid operating room that expands cardiac treatment options. New technology like the DaVinci ION robotic system helps doctors diagnose lung cancer sooner.