Regional News

King County sued over lack of protection during trafficking investigation

A woman is suing King County, contending that as a teenage runaway decades ago, sheriff’s deputies investigating a prostitution ring knew she and… Continue reading

Police rescue 2 after Bellevue home slides off foundation

Police in Bellevue rescued two people from a home that slid off its foundation. The Seattle Times reported police received a call of… Continue reading

Dismissed Kennewick fire chief sues alleging racial discrimination

A former Kennewick fire chief is suing the southeast Washington city in federal court, saying he was fired because he is Black and… Continue reading

Seattle students rally for stronger COVID-19 safety protocols at schools

About 100 Seattle students gathered outside the Seattle Public Schools district headquarters Friday seeking stronger safety protocols after increasing COVID-19 cases and safety… Continue reading

Supreme Court to hear case of praying ex-football coach from Bremerton

The Supreme Court will hear the case of a former Bremerton High School football coach who was removed from his job because he… Continue reading

Washington State Patrol troopers stand near the state seal in the rotunda of the Legislative Building, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, before Gov. Jay Inslee's scheduled State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Due to cautions against COVID-19, Inslee will give the speech in the State Reception Room and it will be shown by streaming video to lawmakers meeting remotely. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Inslee calls for ‘bold’ action

Governor presents State of the State address

Washington State Patrol troopers stand near the state seal in the rotunda of the Legislative Building, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, before Gov. Jay Inslee's scheduled State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Due to cautions against COVID-19, Inslee will give the speech in the State Reception Room and it will be shown by streaming video to lawmakers meeting remotely. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A lone worker walks on the floor of the state Senate last Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia as the room was being prepared for the start of the 2022 legislative session, which opened Monday. The new session will look much like the one a year ago: a limited number of lawmakers on site at the Capitol, and committee hearings being fully remote due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press)

State lawmakers set to kick off mostly remote session

Public participation virtual via live streams

A lone worker walks on the floor of the state Senate last Thursday at the Capitol in Olympia as the room was being prepared for the start of the 2022 legislative session, which opened Monday. The new session will look much like the one a year ago: a limited number of lawmakers on site at the Capitol, and committee hearings being fully remote due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press)

Inslee rescinds affirmative action ban in state hiring

Gov. Jay Inslee said he will roll back a long-standing directive that restricts affirmative action in state hiring, contracting and education and announced… Continue reading

State orders 5.5 million at-home tests for public

More boosters, masks also in the works

State Senate joins House in moving to hybrid floor votes

Sixty-day session begins Monday

State House returns to fully remote session amid COVID-19 spike

In response to an increase of COVID-19 cases across the state, the state House of Representatives has released an updated plan for next… Continue reading

Inslee releases nearly $62 billion supplemental budget plan

Gov. Jay Inslee has released a nearly $62 billion supplemental state budget plan that would increase spending on efforts related to homelessness, climate… Continue reading

Inslee, leaders opt to pause long-term payroll tax

A new payroll tax on employees in Washington state is being delayed. The Seattle Times reports Gov. Jay Inslee and state Democratic legislative… Continue reading

Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen dies after COVID battle

State Sen. Doug Ericksen, a staunch conservative, has died at age 52. Ericksen’s death Friday came weeks after he said he had tested… Continue reading

Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press Gov. Jay Inslee announces several climate-related proposals for the 2022 legislative session during a news conference Monday in Olympia, including a plan to offer rebates on new and used electric vehicles.

Inslee unveils climate proposals ahead of budget plan

Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday announced several climate-related proposals for the next legislative session, including a plan to offer rebates for new and… Continue reading

Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press Gov. Jay Inslee announces several climate-related proposals for the 2022 legislative session during a news conference Monday in Olympia, including a plan to offer rebates on new and used electric vehicles.

Northwest residents urged to stay alert as storms roll in

Weather officials urged Northwest residents to remain alert as more rain was predicted to fall in areas with lingering water from extreme weather earlier this… Continue reading

State seeks more than $38 billion from opioid distributors

After rejecting a half-billion-dollar settlement, Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Monday took the state’s case against the nation’s three biggest drug distributors to… Continue reading

Heavy rains bring flooding, evacuations, school closures across Western Washington

Heavy rainfall and high winds in Washington on Monday caused flooding and mudslides that forced evacuations and closed schools and part of Interstate… Continue reading

Gov. Jay Inslee lets state eviction moratorium expire

After more than 18 months of pandemic-driven eviction limits, Gov. Jay Inslee said he will allow the latest version of the state’s eviction… Continue reading

Gov. Jay Inslee, front, talks to reporters in Olympia earlier this month as Secretary of Health Umair Shah looks on. Inslee announced Thursday that 94 percent of state workers complied with a state mandate to either get the COVID-19 vaccine or be approved for an exemption. (Rachel La Corte/The Associated Press)

Inslee: 94 percent of state employees comply with vaccine mandate

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday applauded numbers showing that some 94 percent of state employees are… Continue reading

Gov. Jay Inslee, front, talks to reporters in Olympia earlier this month as Secretary of Health Umair Shah looks on. Inslee announced Thursday that 94 percent of state workers complied with a state mandate to either get the COVID-19 vaccine or be approved for an exemption. (Rachel La Corte/The Associated Press)