Inslee signs measure addressing health provider PPE costs
Health benefit plans would have to reimburse health care providers a set amount for personal protective equipment for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic under a measure signed Friday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
Inslee warns of possible 4th COVID-19 wave in Washington state
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday warned that Washington state was on the cusp of a fourth COVID-19 wave with case numbers and hospitalizations rising.
Olympia approves extra ‘hazard pay’ for some grocery workers
Starting next month, large grocery stores in Olympia will be required to pay workers an additional $4 an hour in pay, the latest city in the state to enact such a requirement during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Environmental leader and treaty rights activist, Billy Frank Jr.'s statue heads to the US Capitol
Frank was a member of the Nisqually tribe and was a tireless advocate for tribal fishing rights and salmon recovery.
Bill to ensure legal counsel to low-income Washingtonians facing eviction advances through Legislature
A "right to counsel" measure that is getting closer to approval by the Legislature would make Washington the first state to ensure that low-income tenants have legal representation when faced with an eviction.
Washington Legislature approves Juneteenth as state holiday
The Washington state Legislature has passed a measure that makes Juneteenth a legal state holiday.
Over 100 Washingtonians spending life in prison to be re-sentenced under new law
The Washington Legislature has passed a bill to resentence as many as 114 people serving life without parole under the state’s three-strikes law.
House OKs bill making police intervene to stop undue force
The Washington state House on Wednesday approved a measure requiring police to intervene if they see a fellow officer using, or attempting to use, excessive force.
Law enforcement reform bills advance in Olympia
A series of bills aiming to restrict a police officer’s use of force is moving through the legislature in Olympia.
Washington state Senate approves ban on Native American mascots at schools
The Washington Senate has approved a measure to ban the use of Native American names, symbols and images as school mascots, logos and team names at most public schools in Washington.
Washington Senate passes first draft of budget plan
The Washington Senate on Thursday passed its two-year budget spending proposal that lawmakers said focuses on helping those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.
Review: Suspect in Portland protest killing likely fired at police before being fatally shot
A fugitive wanted in the highly-publicized killing of a demonstrator in Portland, Oregon, last summer probably fired first at police in Washington state before they fatally shot him, investigators found.
Bill in Washington state would ban Tacoma private immigration jail
The Washington Legislature has approved a bill aimed at shutting down one of the country’s largest for-profit, privately run immigration jails.
Kidnapping victim found tied up in backseat after police stop wrong-way driver in Olympia
Officers who pulled over a wrong-way driver in Olympia early Sunday morning found a kidnapping victim bound in the backseat.
Washington state OKs bill to give voting rights to parolees
Washington state lawmakers have voted to automatically restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison after committing felonies, even if they’re still on community supervision.
Emergency rule bans credit scoring in Washington for 3 years
Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler on Tuesday issued an emergency rule prohibiting insurers from using credit scoring to set rates for personal property for three years after the current coronavirus pandemic is declared over.
Ethnic studies graduation requirement gaining support in Washington
The Washington State Board of Education has voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to establish an ethnic studies graduation requirement.
Judge sentences man accused of threatening reporters on Capitol Campus
A man accused of spraying three people with bear spray and threatening two journalists while armed with an assault weapon pleaded guilty to assault, harassment and criminal trespass charges.
Court overturns automatic life sentences for young Washington state killers
The Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the automatic life-without-parole sentences given to two men for murders committed when they were 19 and 20, saying judges must consider the youth and brain development of such defendants in sentencing them.