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.

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.

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.

Body of elderly woman found in Nisqually River

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office said an 80-year-old woman was found dead in the Nisqually River days after she was last seen by family. 

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.

From swimming to making an album
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Two Thurston County high school swim captains used their free pandemic time to record an entire album.?

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.

Missing Centralia 18-year-old presumed drowned

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office said an 18-year-old who went into the Chehalis River Wednesday and did not resurface is presumed drowned.

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.