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Gale force ferry service warnings

Posted Wed, Feb 8, 2 a.m.

By C.B. Hall

The state is talking about cuts in the neighborhood of 40 percent. But would such drastic cuts really happen?

Developers to Legislature: Save us from runoff rules

Posted Wed, Feb 1, 2 a.m.

By Robert McClure/InvestigateWest

Environmentalists are appalled at a possible end run of long-awaited Department of Ecology rules. But cities and developers say it's too much, too soon.

Updated: A little oil and a ton of trouble

Posted Sun, Jan 29, 2 a.m.

By Pete Knutson

A fisherman with a leaky hydraulic line discovers what a serious business an oil sheen on Puget Sound can be — especially if you're one of the unlucky few to get tagged for it, and you get on the wrong side of the pollution detectives. New: The Department of Ecology has now reached a decision.

Port opens door for China to get U.S. coal

Posted Fri, Jan 27, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

As Northwest concerns build about global and local environmental issues in the Northwest, a small Oregon port gives its approval to exporting coal to burn in Chinese power plants.

State's newest ferries are proving pricey

Posted Thu, Jan 26, 2 a.m.

By C.B. Hall

The ferries were bought at a high price and have some odd characteristics: the tendency to list, the engines that seem to waste fuel, and tight quarters for vehicles. They are very comfortable, but the state is looking at a potentially bleak future for ferry service finances. Updated: The ferry system has provided a statement about an award given to the new ferries.

Prescription for abuse: difficulties for reform efforts

Posted Mon, Jan 23, 2 a.m.

By Carol Smith/Investigate West

Too many people are abusing painkillers, many of them young. Very few abusers are in treatment. And it won't be easy reversing a history of lax oversight.

Prescription for abuse: Washington tries to get serious

Posted Sun, Jan 22, midnight

By Carol Smith/Investigate West

Responding to concerns about excessive prescribing of drugs, Washington state has new rules in effect. But will it make a difference in a trend that is claiming more lives nationally, including among the young?

Heritage Turkeys of the year

Posted Mon, Jan 9, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Who did most to raze, wreck, uproot, neglect, and generally trash our historic treasures in 2011? The envelopes, please...

Tolls: a long road still ahead to get best results

Posted Mon, Jan 9, 2 a.m.

By Douglas B. MacDonald

There are some encouraging signs, but tolls can't work as well as possible without more flexibility and wider adoption. And cross-lake efficiencies also require much more flexibility in transit than reliance on light rail.

Best of 2011: Scientists zero in on culprits behind Puget Sound water problems

Posted Fri, Dec 30, 2 a.m.

By Lisa Stiffler

New studies of where pollutants originate give scientists a clearer idea of where problems lie. Who knew that so much trouble comes from forest lands?

Want to do the crime but not the time in Washington? Be white

Posted Wed, Dec 21, 2 a.m.

By John Stang

A new study finds that blacks and Latinos face much greater likelihood of winding up in prison compared to whites arrested for the same crime. At each step through the criminal justice system, race may subconsciously play into the decisions, adding up to gross unfairness.

The Legislature adjourns - and kicks the tough questions down the road, again

Posted Fri, Dec 16, 2 a.m.

By Dick Nelson

Bookkeeping gimmicks, calendar juggling, and one-time windfalls won't patch up the state budget for long. But at least the special session laid some groundwork for serious work next time.

Seattle, state's rail growth faces mud on the tracks

Posted Thu, Dec 15, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay and C.B. Hall

With mudslide season approaching, officials are looking at what could be done to minimize disruptions. Does BNSF really have to halt passenger service for days after a slide?

Legislature likely to leave some pink slips before holidays

Posted Sun, Dec 11, 12:15 p.m.

By Austin Jenkins

Halfway through their special session, lawmakers aren't following Gov. Chris Gregoire's suggestions for budget action. But some action can be expected before Christmas.

Tanker trucks full of trouble

Posted Thu, Dec 1, 2 a.m.

By Eric Scigliano

Another fuel truck wrecks and gushes gasoline, this time on I-405. Double-walled tanks might prevent such spills, but don't hold your breath waiting for them.

Washington to other states: 'We suck less than you do.'

Posted Wed, Nov 23, 2 a.m.

By Stephen H. Dunphy

Hard numbers reveal a confusing economy that's exporting more, hiring less, and still quavering before Europe's debt and America's political gridlock.

Instead of cutting the cities' revenue share, should we trim some special districts?

Posted Tue, Nov 22, noon

By Reuven Carlyle

A profusion of special purpose districts collect state money and taxes for everything from mosquito control to 'television reception improvement'. Cities and counties might do their jobs better, for less.

Coal-export plan survives election cliffhangers

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 2 a.m.

By Floyd McKay

Neither side in the battle over exporting coal to China winds up with clear mandate in Bellingham and Whatcom County elections.

Finding ways to bring our veterans back home

Posted Fri, Nov 11, 2 a.m.

By Judy Lightfoot

Half a year after Gen. Peter Chiarelli told a packed audience at the UW that Seattle must take specific steps to help veterans cope with the lingering trauma of military service, how are we doing?

More trains for NW may mean no more service

Posted Fri, Nov 11, 2 a.m.

By C.B. Hall

Oregon will soon receive more Talgo trains, made in an American plant. But advocates fear Northwest states will miss the chance to open new service.

Washington Agencies Blog posts

Voter participation in Washington nears top nationally

Posted Fri, Jan 20, 10:41 p.m.

by Matt Rosenberg

True voter turnout figures calculated by a noted authority show that in 2010, Washington trailed only one other state. Is it a vote-by-mail benefit?

McKenna rails against sex ads (but doesn't notice who has them)

Posted Mon, Dec 26, 5 a.m. 2011

by Eric Scigliano

Washington's AG equates prostitution with rape and human trafficking, but thinks Backpage.com stands alone.

Gregoire presents early Christmas present to reformers

Posted Fri, Dec 16, 2 a.m. 2011

by Jason Mercier/Washington Policy Center

The governor's press conference unveiled strong moves for leaner management and a push toward privatization of the lottery. In addition, a number of senators from both parties are working on a constitutional amendment to block initiatives that require spending but fail to provide the needed funding.

What is the Legislature's thinking in ending its session?

Posted Wed, Dec 14, 2:15 p.m. 2011

by Jason Mercier/Washington Policy Center

Perhaps Europe is about to enjoy a sudden economic revival that will sweep its good tidings here? Otherwise, this failure to act more concretely on the budget is another sign of the need to give the governor more budget-cutting discretion.

Big guy: Liquor changes will hurt little guy wine shops

Posted Sat, Dec 10, 2 a.m. 2011

by Ronald Holden

Because of its size, Wine World in the University District stands to gain handsomely from Initiative 1183's approval. But its owner worries about the smaller competitors when the changes occur.

Recalculating debt limits could help in financial crunch

Posted Tue, Nov 29, 2 a.m. 2011

by Roger Valdez

A commission is about to decide on recommendations that are likely to provoke political fight.

New 737 battle: Gregoire makes a move

Posted Wed, Nov 16, 4 p.m. 2011

by Matt Fikse

A new study shows opportunities for the state to improve its chances of landing the next generation Boeing 737 MAX but Texas shapes up as a tough competitor.