Compiled by: Andrew Koch Washington state suspends death penalty Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced on Feb. 11 that he will issue a reprieve to any death penalty case sent before him, effectively suspending the death penalty. Eighteen states have abolished the death penalty, six of them in the last 10 years. NFL draftee comes out Michael Sam, a former all-American defensive end for the University of Missouri Tigers, recently revealed that he is gay. Sam, who was named co-SEC defensive player of the year and SEC leader in sacks, is the first openly gay NFL draftee. Though other NFL players … Continue reading National News in Brief