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 Facing shortages, WA expands police trainings and fronts the bill While the Legislature will fund law enforcement instruction, in recent sessions it failed to allow cities to reroute tax revenue to hire new cops. by John Stang / April 17, 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 legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass A batch of regulations are likely headed to Gov. Inslee’s desk – including one that would require reporting lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours. by John Stang / March 4, 2024
Politics Why are gas prices rising at stations unaffected by cap-and-trade? Even oil companies not participating in the state’s new carbon auction system are pumping up the cost to the consumer. by John Stang / October 23, 2023
Politics 'Free' casino apps prey on addiction, users say, and WA lawmakers are considering a crackdown Several ongoing lawsuits allege that mobile casino games, as well as games that let players buy ‘loot boxes,’ amount to illegal online gambling. by Melissa Santos / February 7, 2020
Politics Iowa caucus chaos has Washington Democrats feeling 'brilliant' for switching to a primary For the first time this year, the state's Democrats won't use neighborhood caucus meetings to help choose a presidential nominee. by Melissa Santos / February 4, 2020 / Updated 1:08 p.m., Feb. 5, 2020
Politics State proposal would let King County tax large businesses to pay for homelessness and housing The measure, aimed at companies with highly paid workers, could allow the county to raise up to $120 million a year. by Melissa Santos & David Kroman / January 29, 2020 / Updated Jan. 29 at 5:58 pm
Politics 'It's a fairness thing': Testing positive for pot wouldn't disqualify you from most WA jobs under new bill Weed use has been legal in Washington state since 2012, but so has refusing to hire adults who lawfully consume the drug. by Melissa Santos / January 29, 2020
Politics WA could test its own version of Andrew Yang's universal basic income A proposed pilot program would give 500 low-income Washingtonians $500 a month. by Melissa Santos / January 27, 2020