Environment Federal affirmative action ruling may impact WA cap-and-trade Allocating funds from the carbon plan to minority communities most affected by pollution could draw legal battles based on the new SCOTUS decision. by Alex Brown Stateline / September 8, 2023
Politics Washington state poised to ban guns at protests, Capitol grounds Despite opposition from Republicans and gun-rights activists, lawmakers in Olympia are working to deter ad hoc ‘patrols’ and armed protests. by Levi Pulkkinen & Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / April 9, 2021
News WA laws banning private armies go unenforced before election As concerns grow over vigilante militias on Election Day, police say laws are too vague to invoke. by Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / November 2, 2020 / Updated 2:10 p.m. November 3
Politics Washington state lawmakers look for ways to limit armed militias State laws are vague on armed protests and paramilitaries, but legislators and activists are trying to change that. by Katie Hayes InvestigateWest / January 8, 2021
Environment Skip the woodchipper: Salvaged city trees are the new lumber From Seattle to Baltimore, cities are recycling felled urban trees into furniture, construction projects and guitars. by Alex Brown Stateline / December 20, 2022
Environment Offshore wind farming gains momentum on the West Coast Washington, Oregon and California could soon see floating turbines off their coasts. by Alex Brown Stateline / May 13, 2022
News Washington moves to enforce vaccine mandates, even if workers leave The state’s vaccine mandates are among the most stringent in the nation. Will other states follow? by Alex Brown Stateline / September 23, 2021
News Lost hikers rely on unpaid rescuers. That could change Colorado is preparing to pay search-and-rescue workers. Could Washington be next? by Alex Brown Stateline / September 3, 2021
Environment Washington and other coastal states seek to limit seawall construction Protective structures can help save properties from erosion, but by blocking the natural flow of sand and sediment, they can accelerate erosion elsewhere. by Alex Brown Stateline / November 5, 2021
Environment WA seaweed farming could boom but permitting remains difficult Like much of the West Coast, the state needs a regulatory overhaul if it wants to take advantage of emerging ocean aquaculture. by Alex Brown Stateline / March 29, 2022