Politics Cap-and-trade, climate change return to the 2024 WA Legislature On the agenda starting Jan. 8: Spending Washington’s carbon tax, tweaking the cap-and-invest program and taking a stab at utility rebates. by John Stang / January 3, 2024
Politics Washington Legislature aims to regulate AI — but treads cautiously ‘You don’t want to stop innovation. You don’t want to stop commerce. But you don’t want to stop people’s civil rights.’ by John Stang / January 12, 2024 / Updated 12:30 p.m.
Politics Amanda Knox testifies in Olympia for stricter interrogation laws In support of a bill that would void interview statements if a court finds deceptive police tactics, Knox described her 53-hour questioning in Italy. by Scarlet Hansen / January 17, 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
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
Indigenous Affairs The Boldt Decision’s impact on Indigenous rights, 50 years later The landmark 1974 case ordered Washington to uphold its treaties, affirm Indigenous salmon fishing rights and recognize Native nations’ sovereignty. by Nicholas K. Geranios / February 12, 2024
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 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 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