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.
News Podcast | A Seattle hotline supports sex trafficking survivors June Guzman and Audrey Baedke offer housing and emotional support through the nonprofit Real Escape from the Sex Trade (REST). by Sara Bernard / January 31, 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
News Podcast | Why a WA mom's child support payments never arrived Reporter Brandon Block shares an example of how the state intercepts parental assistance to people who also receive TANF, or welfare. by Sara Bernard / February 7, 2024
News Podcast | Is the Washington Legislature ready to curb rent hikes? A Bellingham tenant and a housing advocate explain how steep rent increases are hurting state residents, and how HB 2114 could help. by Sara Bernard / 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
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
News Spokane’s Black community newspaper is making a comeback After a two-year hiatus and the 2022 death of founder Sandy Williams, The Black Lens returns with a new website and a wider circulation. by Mai Hoang / February 27, 2024
Environment WA’s carbon pricing system may fund $200M for new electric ferries But if voters repeal the cap-and-trade program in a November referendum, the plan to convert three diesel vessels to hybrid may need other funding sources. by John Stang / March 4, 2024