Regional News

Billy Frank Jr. (Photo by Ecotrust)

US Navy names future ship for iconic leader Billy Frank Jr.

Navajo-class vessel follows traditional naming selection

 

CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in 6 states linked to Papa Murphy’s cookie dough

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and federal agencies, are investigating reports of 18 salmonella infections in at least… Continue reading

 

State passes drug law in single-day session

New law keeps drug possession illegal, boosts treatment resources

 

A volunteer cleans up needles used for drug injection that were found at a homeless encampment in Everett on Nov. 8, 2017. A temporary law that makes possession of small amounts of drugs a misdemeanor expires on July 1, so if lawmakers fail to pass a bill, Washington would become the second state — after neighboring Oregon — to decriminalize drug possession. Lawmakers said Tuesday they were increasingly optimistic a compromise will be reached to avoid those consequences. (Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press, file)

Drug policy sparks special session

State would decriminalize possession if law expires

A volunteer cleans up needles used for drug injection that were found at a homeless encampment in Everett on Nov. 8, 2017. A temporary law that makes possession of small amounts of drugs a misdemeanor expires on July 1, so if lawmakers fail to pass a bill, Washington would become the second state — after neighboring Oregon — to decriminalize drug possession. Lawmakers said Tuesday they were increasingly optimistic a compromise will be reached to avoid those consequences. (Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press, file)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks before signing multiple bills meant to prevent gun violence on April 25, 2023, at the Capitol in Olympia. On Monday, Inslee announced he does not plan to seek a fourth term. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms. (Lindsey Wasson/The Associated Press, file)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee won’t seek fourth term

Washington Gov. Jay Inlsee, a Democrat who sought to make the state a leader on progressive policies from climate change to gun violence… Continue reading

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks before signing multiple bills meant to prevent gun violence on April 25, 2023, at the Capitol in Olympia. On Monday, Inslee announced he does not plan to seek a fourth term. He was most recently re-elected in 2020, making him only the second Washington state governor to serve three consecutive terms. (Lindsey Wasson/The Associated Press, file)
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox discusses his decision to leave his leadership position. (WNPA News Service)

Wilcox steps down from House Republican leadership position

Drew Stokesbary of Auburn to take over

House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox discusses his decision to leave his leadership position. (WNPA News Service)

New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenge

Gov. Jay Inslee signs three related bills

Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects Blake bill

Enforcement could be in hands of cites, counties after July 1

State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again

Senators debated and voted for a second time, after the House rejected what they passed April 8.

Police gain greater ability for pursuit in House bill

Reasonable suspicion of some crimes permitted

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

State Senate OKs assault weapons ban, longer wait on gun sales

Bills outlawing many semiautomatic weapons, adding restrictions on gun purchases, now on course

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

Abortion pill to be stockpiled in state

Texas case threatens prior FDA approval

Proposal aims to keep power on during extreme heat

Power, water to stay on if temps hit 90

Healthcare masking requirement to end

Washington and Oregon will soon drop mask requirements in healthcare settings, moving to lift the last major masking requirements meant to curb… Continue reading

Supreme Court: State law preempts city gun ordinance

The Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled that a city ordinance requiring that guns be locked up and kept out of… Continue reading

This combo of images shows Republican challenger Matt Larkin, left, in an image provided by Campaign for Matt Larkin, and U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., 8th District, in Issaquah, Wash., on July 30, 2022. (Mark Andrew/The Campaign for Matt Larkin, left, and Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via The Associated Press)

Two races in Washington state could tip scales in Congress

Control of Congress could come down to one or two seats in Washington, but the state’s vote-by-mail system means final results likely won’t… Continue reading

This combo of images shows Republican challenger Matt Larkin, left, in an image provided by Campaign for Matt Larkin, and U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., 8th District, in Issaquah, Wash., on July 30, 2022. (Mark Andrew/The Campaign for Matt Larkin, left, and Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via The Associated Press)

Democrat, independent vie for Washington secretary of state

Democrats are trying to win the secretary of state’s office in an election for the first time in six decades after Republicans failed… Continue reading

Boxes of signatures are displayed after a news conference hosted by Citizens for Voter ID at the Nebraska Capitol building on July 7, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Voters in several states are deciding measures that could affect the way they cast ballots in future elections. While some measures would expand access to voting, proposals elsewhere would impose new identification requirements to cast ballots or raise the threshold to pass citizen initiatives. (Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via The Associated Press)

Voting laws at issue as states decide scores of ballot items

Voters in several states are weighing in on fundamental questions about how future elections will function as scores of ballot measures addressing an array of… Continue reading

Boxes of signatures are displayed after a news conference hosted by Citizens for Voter ID at the Nebraska Capitol building on July 7, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Voters in several states are deciding measures that could affect the way they cast ballots in future elections. While some measures would expand access to voting, proposals elsewhere would impose new identification requirements to cast ballots or raise the threshold to pass citizen initiatives. (Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via The Associated Press)

Washington: What to expect on election night

Ballot counting totals can be slow in vote-by mail state

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., speaks during the House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing. Murray faces Republican Tiffany Smiley in the November election. (Mariam Zuhaib/The Associated Press, File)

Murray, Smiley spar over abortion, crime in US Senate debate

Candidates will meet again Sunday

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., speaks during the House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing. Murray faces Republican Tiffany Smiley in the November election. (Mariam Zuhaib/The Associated Press, File)