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
Politics Seattle Mayor Harrell touts innovation, hope for Sonics return In his State of the City speech, Bruce Harrell tallied improvements on safety, housing and Downtown recovery, and alluded to the city’s former NBA team. by Josh Cohen / February 20, 2024
News Over half of WA school bond measures get majority vote, but fail Only seven of 21 school bonds statewide got supermajority votes, but 91% of school operations levies, which require only a simple majority, passed. by Venice Buhain / February 20, 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
News From 2020 to now: 4 Seattle Black activists reflect on their work Black activists in the Seattle-King County area speak about their individual activism journeys, where they intersect and diverge. by Jadenne Radoc Cabahug / February 16, 2024 / Updated at 9:35 a.m. on Feb. 16
Equity More Washington companies offer doula services in health benefits Businesses like Microsoft and Walmart are covering costs for birth workers, which advocates say can help lower racial disparity in pregnancy outcomes. by Megan Burbank / February 15, 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
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
Politics Seattle social housing advocates want an ‘excess compensation’ tax Supporters are aiming for a November ballot initiative to fund mixed-income, subsidized housing by taxing companies that pay higher than $1M salaries. by Josh Cohen / February 6, 2024 / Updated: February 6, 3:25 p.m.
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
Politics Washington public defenders say the strained system needs funding Too many cases, too few lawyers and too little money hurt local governments’ ability to provide effective counsel to those with financial constraints. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / February 2, 2024
Politics Washington teens advocate for Narcan in every school The life-saving opioid reversal medication is currently available only at high schools in districts with 2,000 or more students. by Scarlet Hansen / February 1, 2024 / Updated at 1:40 p.m. on Feb. 1
News Speaking Lushootseed: WA’s Indigenous curriculum may be renamed A bill would name the Native history program after the late advocate, longtime state Sen. John McCoy (lulilaš), who inspired its creation. by Jadenne Radoc Cabahug / January 31, 2024
Politics A WA bill would allow non-citizens to obtain professional licenses House Bill 1889 would remove citizenship requirements from certifications for jobs ranging from security guards to private investigators. by Scarlet Hansen / January 30, 2024