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
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
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