Activists monitor Seattle’s Boeing Field deportation flights by McKenzie Funk ProPublica / March 18, 2024
Legislature decides WA schools should include LGBTQ+ history SB 5462 would require state curricula to teach the perspectives and experiences of historically marginalized groups. by Scarlet Hansen / March 14, 2024
Politics 2024 WA Legislature passes bills on guns, environment, education Yet lawmakers failed to advance most housing initiatives. From AI task forces to child marriage, here is how some standout bills fared. by Donna Gordon Blankinship & Scarlet Hansen / March 11, 2024
Politics WA Legislature revs up plan to electrify 10,000 school buses A bill to switch from diesel vehicles — plus $50M from cap-and-trade revenue — passed out of the Legislature, but did not offer a timeline. by John Stang / March 8, 2024
Politics A heap of housing bills failed in WA’s legislative session Proposals concerning rent stabilization and increased housing density died this time, in contrast to 2023’s “year of housing” when 10 passed. by Scarlet Hansen / March 7, 2024 / Updated at 3:40 p.m. on March 7
Politics How the Israel/Hamas war influenced a WA genocide education bill The proposal failed over a debate about the curriculum, its development and inclusivity. by Scarlet Hansen / March 5, 2024
Politics WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass A batch of regulations are likely headed to Gov. Inslee’s desk – including one that would require reporting lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. by John Stang / March 4, 2024
Politics Most WA youth exiting mental health treatment face homelessness Shelter resources are scarce for unhoused young adults completing inpatient care. HB 1929 would establish at least two residential programs for them. by Scarlet Hansen / March 1, 2024
Environment Gas prices too high? WA residents may get $200 back for utilities The Legislature considers offering rebates to middle- and low-income households to offset fuel costs blamed on the new cap-and-invest program. by John Stang / February 22, 2024
Politics WA debates bill on ‘stealthing,’ or lying about sexual protection HB 1958 would create a penalty of up to $5K for nonconsensual removal or misleading someone about the use of devices like condoms and dental dams. by Scarlet Hansen / February 21, 2024
Equity Washington patients fear losing access to care as hospitals merge A bill calls for state review of consolidation, as abortions and gender-affirming procedures could be cut by religiously affiliated health systems. by Erin Sellers RANGE Media / February 19, 2024
Politics WA Legislature keeps most of its priority bills alive — so far At the 2024 session midpoint, lawmakers are focusing on big statewide issues such as clean energy, rent stabilization and police accountability. by Donna Gordon Blankinship & Scarlet Hansen / February 15, 2024 / Updated at 11:50 a.m. on Feb. 15
Northwest Reports Podcast | Is the Washington Legislature ready to curb rent hikes? Season 1 , Episode 57 / February 13, 2024 A Bellingham tenant and a housing advocate explain how steep rent increases are hurting state residents, and how HB 2114 could help.
Politics WA bill would add explicit ‘deepfakes’ to child pornography laws HB 1999 would close a legal recourse loophole by outlawing the use of a minor’s face to digitally fabricate sexual content. by Scarlet Hansen / February 13, 2024
Politics Will WA ever end supermajority law for school construction bonds? Bonds raise taxes for building and maintenance. While the proposal faces hurdles, there is a precedent — school levies needed 60% approval until 2007. by John Stang / February 9, 2024 / Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Investigations A WA bill would extend unemployment pay to workers on strike Advocates say fear of financial hardship undermines bargaining leverage. Opponents say the bill will increase business costs or prolong work stoppages. by Lizz Giordano / February 8, 2024
Politics Despite industry pushback, WA farmworkers will keep overtime pay Since Jan. 1, agriculture has a 40-hour work week. But the system drew concerns from some growers over labor costs — and has workers split, too. by Mai Hoang / February 6, 2024