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Why we are here
Meaningful, independent journalism is at a crossroads. Advertisers who once filled newspaper coffers and funded local journalism have shifted resources to the Internet. And... — Updated 10/22/2021
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Border reopening offers no magic pill for border towns
News that the U.S. would open its land borders to vaccinated travelers on November 8 was met with relief by border towns along the northern border and recognition that much more... — Updated 10/22/2021
Border announcement brings an early Christmas present
Following months and months of increasing pressure from federal, state and local politicians as well as business and civic groups, the Biden administration has announced the... — Updated 10/14/2021
Bear cub burned in Cedar Creek Fire recovering
A young bear cub seriously injured by the Cedar Creek Fire west of Mazama earlier this summer is recovering well at the Lynnwood-based PAWS animal rehabilitation center, officials... — Updated 9/9/2021
Building industry group seeks pause on energy code requirements
A group representing the Washington state building industry wants to see a pause on energy code requirements implemented earlier this year until April as a stressed supply chain further increases home prices. On Aug. 26, the... — Updated 9/9/2021
Most plastic bags to be banned Oct 1
Washingtonians may see fewer plastic bags littering the state's roadsides, parks, and streams beginning Oct. 1 when the statewide plastic bag ban goes into effect. That's the plan,... — Updated 8/12/2021
Ferry fares on the increase again
You didn't expect ferry fares to go down, right? Especially after a pandemic – which is not yet over – kept many commuters and travelers home and away from Washington state's... — Updated 8/12/2021
NTSB releases report on Custer train derailment
A report issued on June 10 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examines how the tank cars were operated during last December's train derailment. The report does not... — Updated 6/17/2021
Ecology announces remedies for contaminated orchards
The Washington State Department of Ecology recently released a map showing the locations of about 115,000 acres of historic orchards that could be contaminated by lead arsenate... — Updated 6/10/2021
Governor gives tenants protections, reduces help for landlords
Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law an automatic right for tenants to have an attorney, though it came with a catch — Inslee sent back two parts of the bill regarding landlord rental assistance. In a memo after the April 22 bill... — Updated 4/26/2021
Working families tax credit heads for approval
A tax credit for working families in Washington passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote April 11, with lawmakers on both sides saying the exemption for low-income earners was a long time coming. “Expanding and fully funding the... — Updated 4/16/2021
Senate passes carbon cap after debate on green energy, transportation
A controversial statewide cap on carbon emissions scraped through the Legislature in a 25-24 vote late April 8 after lawmakers passed a Climate Commitment Act that majority Democrats say will boost the state’s economy and... — Updated 4/9/2021
Incarcerated people to regain right to vote
Formerly incarcerated people will immediately regain the right to vote after Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law this automatic right, marking passage for one of the first criminal justice reform bills this session. “The right to... — Updated 4/8/2021
House passes $11 billion transportation budget
The Washington House of Representatives passed a $10.94 billion transportation budget with some bipartisan support. The vote on April 2 was 87-11. The budget pays for expanded green transportation and improved roadways. Constructio... — Updated 4/7/2021
House passes $6 billion capital works budget
Lawmakers passed a $6.23 billion capital budget April 2 in a unanimous vote, earmarking millions of state and federal funding for investments in community projects and public works. "We've put together a budget that not only... — Updated 4/7/2021
Sweeping childcare reform moving in Legislature
Early childhood care and education in the state would see sweeping reform through the expansion of affordable child health and learning services, if a bill in the state Legislature wins approval. “This is a gamechanger for kids... — Updated 3/31/2021
Bill kickstarts effort for state universal healthcare
Universal health care for every state resident who wants it could come to Washington by 2026. A bill under consideration now in the state Legislature establishes a healthcare commission to develop a comprehensive plan for a... — Updated 3/31/2021
Senate Democrat spending plan increases state spending by 12%
Funding for health care, education and efforts to curb houselessness are promised in a $59.2 billion state budget proposal from the Washington Senate Democrats unveiled March 25.... — Updated 3/26/2021
Worker whistleblower law advances in Legislature
A bill moving through the Washington Legislature would allow workers to bring legal action if labor laws are not upheld. The bill, House Bill 1076, would allow a person to bring suit as a whistleblower on unfair labor practices. Th... — Updated 3/18/2021
