Around The State
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Increased participation might be 'silver lining' in online state legislative session
This might be the most accessible Legislative session in history, thanks to online tools provided by the state. McKenna Troje, 22, a graduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle, participated in a one-person... — Updated 2/3/2021
Reflector sold to new owners
The Reflector is moving from one family to another. Chad and Coralee Taylor, owners of The Silver Agency in Chehalis, have agreed to purchase the newspaper from Lafromboise... — Updated 1/16/2021
Read & heed: New year brings new laws
The new year brings a new dawn and new regulations for Washington State residents. Beginning Jan. 1, the minimum wage in Washington state increases from $12 to $13.50 an hour because voters approved an initiative phasing in a wage... — Updated 1/8/2021
Outrage growing over decision to close National Archive
Outrage is growing among open government groups and researchers over a decision by the federal government to close the National Archives in Seattle and move the collection that is... — Updated 1/8/2021
"Chinese fire drill" comment by Kuderer draws complaint
Washington Asians for Equality and the American Coalition for Equality filed a complaint to the Secretary of Senate and Senate Counsels against Sen. Patty Kurderer, D-Bellevue, demanding an apology for her use of what they... — Updated 1/8/2021
Democrats push to require firearm training for concealed carriers
A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants to complete a safety course. Senate Bill 6294 would require concealed-carry permit holders to complete eight hours of training that would include safe... — Updated 1/8/2021
Five new lawmakers take seats in 2020 Legislature
Two state Senators and three new House of Representatives members were welcomed to their newly appointed positions for the 2020 legislative session in Olympia this week. In the... — Updated 1/8/2021
Gun rights advocates rally at Capitol
Hundreds of people from across Washington gathered Jan. 17 on the state Capitol steps in support of their right to bear arms. Lawmakers and activists alike spoke to an excited... — Updated 1/8/2021
Jinkins is first woman Speaker of the House
State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma on Jan. 13 was applauded by colleagues as she became the first woman and first gay woman to serve as Speaker of the Washington House of... — Updated 1/8/2021
Governor talks up state's positives, notes areas to improve
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee stood before the Washington Legislature to deliver his 2020 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14. "Washington state indeed embodies the best in... — Updated 1/8/2021
Public employee union pushes back on birthdates
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled late in 2019 that government employee birthdates are public information, but now public employee unions are pushing back and advocating for a reversal of that decision. Mike Yestramski,... — Updated 1/8/2021
Patched together transportation budget fills car tab tax hole
Facing a shortfall of $450 million, lawmakers this week patched together a budget to fund highway maintenance, the Washington State Patrol and other transportation projects. The... — Updated 1/8/2021
Grow-your-own recreational marijuana bill introduced
People will be allowed to grow up to six of their own cannabis plants and up to 15 plants per household if the Legislature passes House Bill 1131 or its companion, Senate Bill 5155. Under current law, people can obtain... — Updated 1/8/2021
Busy legislature passes 400 new laws
At the end of the state legislative session this month, lawmakers had passed nearly 400 bills — averaging at least five new laws per day — focused on a variety of policies including; comprehensive sex education, letting... — Updated 1/8/2021
Vice President visits 'epicenter' of U.S. coronavirus outbreak
On the day Washington state recorded its 11th death from the COVID-19 virus, Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Pierce County to meet with Gov. Jay Inslee and state health... — Updated 1/8/2021
Voter turnout could trip 2021 elections
COLFAX — The Nov. 3 general election saw a high voter turnout of 86.4%, far higher than in previous years. While that speaks highly of voter involvement in the election, it could mean snags for measures on the ballot in 2021 due... — Updated 12/26/2020
U.S./Canada border closure extended until January 21
U.S. and Canadian officials extended the border closure to non-essential travel until January 21, 2021. Bill Blair, Canada's minister of public safety, announced the extension in a... — Updated 12/18/2020
Internet From Above
SpaceX announced plans in 2015 to create a satellite internet service, Starlink, and with limited beta testing now in progress, that reality might not be far away. The goal of Starl... — Updated 12/18/2020
CBP leadership allegedly detained more Iranian travelers than thought, covered up actions
A joint press release from the Council on American Islamic Relations Washington (CAIR) and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) released November 17 alleges that local CBP... — Updated 12/9/2020
Inside the eradication of the Asian giant hornet nest east of Blaine
Philip Bovenkamp was the first to arrive. At 4 a.m. he pulled his lawn chair 100 feet behind the yellow caution tape on his neighbor's east Blaine property. He drank black coffee... — Updated 10/29/2020
Coalition of conservation groups to challenge wolverine decision
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced last week that it will deny protections for the rare and elusive wolverine under the Endangered Species Act, prompting a coalition of conservation groups to announce they intend... — Updated 10/29/2020
WSDA attempts to track second Asian giant hornet
Using lessons learned from the first Asian giant hornet tracking attempt last week, researchers inched closer to success with a second attempt at tracking a live hornet on October... — Updated 10/29/2020
Camas author pens 'Girl and the Bombardier' book about father's WWII rescue
Camas author Susan Tate Ankeny had heard her father's breathtaking World War II story - Dean Tate, a B-17 bombardier, shot down over Nazi-occupied France, rescued by a French... — Updated 10/7/2020
Washington state climatologist says Farmer's Almanac winter forecast is way off
LONG BEACH - The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its winter forecasts, saying Western Washington can expect more rain than normal, with warmer temperatures and less snow.... — Updated 10/7/2020
Stranding network to wildlife watchers: Keep your distance
Elsie Mae, the juvenile northern elephant seal who has spent much of this year on Skyline’s beaches, looks “absolutely beautiful” with the new outer layer of skin and fur... — Updated 10/7/2020
Charting new course for Tommy Thompson Train proving to be daunting task
Getting the Tommy Thompson Train operational - whether in Anacortes or in a city near Sacramento, California - is proving to be no easy challenge. A designer and vintage restorer... — Updated 10/7/2020
Pacific County moves toward normal
Pacific County was approved to move into phase two of reopening on Saturday, May 23; but even as businesses prepared to resume operations, business owners are worried they won't be... — Updated 9/24/2020
Impacts from border restrictions could linger
The economic impact from the U.S./Canada border closure has been swift, but the severity and length of that impact is unknown, said Laurie Trautman, director of Western Washington... — Updated 9/24/2020
What sank the Alumaweld off Edmonds Marina?
The real story of a boat sinking on Labor Day off the Edmonds coast is more complicated than it first appeared. Incomplete information from rescue officials about a "17-foot... — Updated 9/18/2020
The captain of history: From Rhode Island to Port Townsend, racing yacht Martha can't be beat
If you change all the wood in a boat, is it still the same boat? The Theseus Paradox, a question dating back to ancient Greece, generates a laugh from Robert d'Arcy, captain of the... — Updated 9/17/2020
Lawmaker calls for investigation
OLYMPIA - A local lawmaker is calling for an investigation and possible penalties after recent reports that Governor Jay Inslee brought apple-maggot-infested fruit to Eastern... — Updated 9/17/2020
Gov. Inslee says wildfires should be called "climate fires"
MALDEN - Don't call them wildfires. Call them "climate fires." That was the message Gov. Jay Inslee gave reporters during a brief appearance about noon today, Thursday, Sept. 10,... — Updated 9/11/2020
Bill would stop immigrant arrests at courthouses
Undocumented immigrants in Washington state may no longer need to fear unexpected arrests thanks to the protection that legislation currently under consideration in Washington state promises to provide them. House bill 2567, and... — Updated 2/25/2020
Goldendale steps closer to $2 billion pumped water energy project
The long-awaited Goldendale pumped water energy storage project took a giant step towards becoming reality in December when Rye Development LLC, in conjunction with National Grid USA, filed a license application with the Federal... — Updated 1/18/2020
