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Proposed law would require student registration by age 5
Early childhood education is so critical to student success that now some educators are pushing for enrollment in school by age 5. Currently, Washington parents are allowed to delay their child’s enrollment with the local school... — Updated 1/17/2022
Families press for end to hazing
Sam Martinez, a freshman at Washington State University, was found dead from alcohol poisoning at his fraternity house just weeks into the 2019 school year. He was the victim of a hazing tradition at his fraternity. Now his mother... — Updated 1/17/2022
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 1/16/2022
Chemicals in cosmetics targeted in new law
For a large portion of Washingtonians, the use of cosmetic products is a part of their everyday routine, but some of those same household products often contain harmful chemicals that cause a variety of health risks. A bill now... — Updated 1/16/2022
New House bill would make oil owners financially liable for oil spills
The financial responsibility for an oil spill will fall on those who own the facilities and vessels that produce and transport oil under proposed House Bill 1691. “The goal is to minimize the permanent long-standing damage that... — Updated 1/16/2022
Bill would post warnings about cold water shock
March 23, 2021 was a sunny day in Lewis County. Zachary Lee Rager, an 18-year-old Centralia teen wanting to take advantage of the pleasant weather, headed to a familiar hang out with some friends, a bridge connecting the banks of... — Updated 1/15/2022
Bill increases availability of sexual assault nurse examiner training
Harborview medical center is currently the only hospital in Washington State that provides training for nurses to become sexual assault nurse examiners, also known as SANE. A bill in this year’s state Legislature is aimed at... — Updated 1/15/2022
More protection for election officials approved by Senate
Election officials will get more protection from harassment if SB 5148 becomes law. The bill was approved in the Senate Jan. 12 with 48 yeas and 0 nays. It will be up to the House... — Updated 1/13/2022
More aid for college students proposed
College students struggling to balance the cost of higher education with everyday expenses will have the burden slightly alleviated if lawmakers pass a bill increasing access to funds through the Washington College Grant program.... — Updated 1/13/2022
Inslee calls for swift action on housing, homelessness, climate change
Immediate action must be taken to address climate change, the housing crisis, transportation, and education, Gov. Jay Inslee said in his annual State of the State address Jan. 11. "... — Updated 1/12/2022
Bill aims to help homeless & former foster care college students
Homeless students at community and technical colleges across the state will get the help they need if HB 1601 becomes law. If passed, the bill would provide homeless students and students who age out of the foster care system help... — Updated 1/11/2022
Lawmakers propose Women's Suffrage Day
Women fought a decades-long battle for the right to vote, and now lawmakers want to memorialize the crusade by designating March 22 Women’s Suffrage Day. The 19th Amendment, prohibiting voting discrimination on the basis of sex,... — Updated 1/11/2022
2022 Legislative session gets underway
The 2022 session of the Washington State Legislature opened Jan 10 with legislators saying they want to help strengthen economic well being, manage COVID-19 risks, provide help with childcare, housing, and mental health support... — Updated 1/10/2022
Inslee would support law to ban lying about elections
On the one-year anniversary of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he will support legislation criminalizing lying about election results. “It should not be legal in the state of Washington for... — Updated 1/7/2022
Far too little fraud to make a difference in election, AP finds
An Associated Press review of every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states disputed by former President Donald Trump has found fewer than 475 — a number that would have made no difference in the 2020... — Updated 12/16/2021
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
