Washington News & Current Events | Public News Service

The death penalty was abolished in Washington state in 2018. (Felipe Caparr�s/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

UW Professor: Fear of Death Inspires Death Penalty Views

A new book by a University of Washington professor on the death penalty finds support for executions may be motivated by people's own fear of death…

A three-pound sockeye salmon filet is now one of the options in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations for the Lummi Nation. (O'Kelly Photography/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Locally Caught Salmon Provide Step Toward Food Independence for WA Tribe

Under a new project, locally sourced food is part of a food assistance program for members of the Lummi Tribe in northwest Washington. The Food …

The City of College Place, Wash., received a grant to improve wireless internet connection in the community. (City of College Place)

Monday, January 30, 2023

Community Challenge Grant Provides Unique Opportunity for WA Cities

A grant program to improve communities is open for applications. Started in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge program provides grants to …

In a recent survey, 62% of Washingtonians said they've experienced at least one health care affordability burden in the past year. (grzejnik1981/Adobe Stock)

WA Lawmakers Look to Tackle Staggering Health Care Cost Increases

Lawmakers in Olympia have introduced a host of measures to address one of the biggest issues facing Washingtonians: rising health care costs…

A bill in the Washington Legislature would lift cities' restrictions on multifamily housing like triplexes, seen above. (Imagenet/Adobe Stock)

WA Lawmakers Look to Add Affordable Housing for 'Missing Middle'

Washingtonians are being squeezed out of the housing market, and some state lawmakers want to see significant changes to cities' zoning laws to …

A program in Colorado gives undocumented workers who are laid off access to unemployment benefits for up to 13 weeks. (Mr Doomits/Adobe Stock)

Undocumented Workers Could Get Access to Unemployment Under WA Bill

Undocumented workers in Washington state do not have access to unemployment insurance, but some state lawmakers aim to change it this session…

Cases on workplace injuries can sometimes turn contentious. (Freer/Adobe Stock)

Under Bill, WA Workers Could Record Med Exams in Injury Cases

Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would address some workers' concerns about the thoroughness of medical exams performed in worke…

Washington state's tax code has been rated one of the nation's most regressive. (frittipix/Adobe Stock)

WA Joins Multi-State Effort to Pass Wealth Tax

Lawmakers in Washington and other states are introducing bills taxing wealth in their legislatures in a coordinated effort today. In Olympia…

Washington state's approximately 67,700 employees have contracts up for ratification this session. (George Cole/Adobe Stock)

Amid Retention Issues, WA State Workers Push for Raises

Washington state workers face a bevy of challenges, but they hope to get a lifeline from lawmakers this legislative session. Along with lagging pay…

Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Dungeness, spoke to the Age Wave Coalition on Thursday. (Christina Clem/AARP Washington)

Groups Gather in Olympia to Discuss WA 'Age Wave'

With the state legislative session underway, a coalition advocating for older Washingtonians gathered on Thursday to discuss priorities for 2023…

Sunburned apples hurt their quality and can lead to a 40% yield loss. (Guzel/Adobe Stock)

Extreme Heat Prompts NW Farmers to Consider Climate-Change Mitigation

By Michael Crowe for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washingon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Health care workers' unions are supporting a measure in the Washington State Legislature that seeks to address understaffing in hospitals. (Olena Bloshchynska/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Addresses Understaffing for Nurses at 'Breaking Point'

Nurses are describing bleak conditions because of understaffing in Washington state hospitals, and a bill introduced in Olympia aims to address it…

Gov. Jay Inslee's last live State of the State address to lawmakers was in 2020. (TVW)

Gov. Inslee's State of the State Covers WA's 'Multifaceted' Challenges

Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his State of the State speech on Tuesday to open up the 2023 legislative session, touching on a wide range of issues he …

Resolutions that focus on helping others can help people be less materialistic. (ricka_kinamoto/Adobe Stock)

How New Year's Resolutions Can Help Combat Consumerism, Death Anxiety

The beginning of a new year is a time for resolutions, offering people a chance to assess their own values and priorities. Some might wish to cut …

The demand for in-home caregivers is growing as the population rapidly ages. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

WA Caregivers Look to Lawmakers for Help with Worker Shortage

There is a shortage of in-home caregivers in Washington state, but a union representing workers hopes state lawmakers will be able to make changes …

About 10% of the child care workforce has left the profession, compared to the numbers at the start of the pandemic. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Child-Care Crisis Squeezes Families, Workers as WA Session Begins

Child care could be a crucial issue for state lawmakers as the session begins in Olympia today. Because of its cost, early childhood education and …

Many Washingtonians have seen their recycling costs increase in the past few years. (hiv360/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Introduced to 'WRAP' Up Wasteful Packaging

A bill in Olympia aims to reduce packaging and improve recycling in Washington state. The Washington Recycling and Packaging or WRAP Act is designed …

Hate groups target certain people to harass online. (burdun/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Guarding Kids from Online Bigotry

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to shield their children from bigotry and hatred online, but there are a few tips they can follow…

Glacier Northwest appealed the Washington Supreme Court's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court in May. (davidevison/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Case from WA Could Have Far-Reaching Implications for Unions

A case before the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington state could have big implications for labor unions and their ability to strike. The case, Glacier …

There are seven species of Pacific salmon. Five of them occur in North American waters: Chinook, Coho, Chum, Sockeye and Pink, according to the U.S. Geographical Survey. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Issues Water Protection Permits for Columbia River Dams

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia …

Central Washington University and its Wildcat Pantry are located in the small town of Ellensburg. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

WA University Student Pantry Confronts Root of Hunger on Campus

Hunger is pervasive on college campuses across the country, including in Washington, and a university in the state is one example of how students are …

The number of full-time staff at the NLRB has dropped nearly 40% this year. (Timon/Adobe Stock)

Unions Call for Full NLRB Funding Before Lame Duck Congress Ends

Labor unions are calling on Congress to fully fund the National Labor Relations Board before its lame duck session ends. The NLRB has seen its …

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee established the Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery Task Force in 2018. (Scott Bufkin/Adobe Stock)

Ships Slow Down for Puget 'Quiet Sound' Program to Aid Orcas

Ships are getting on board with a program to make Puget Sound quieter for the region's endangered orca population. Sixty-one percent of vessels …

The Copper Mountain mine is just 25 miles north of the Washington state border in British Columbia. (edb3_16/Adobe Stock)

Tribes Call for Greater Regulation of BC Mines Threatening NW Waters

Tribes in Washington and other western states are calling for greater regulation of upstream British Columbia mines that impact their waterways across…

Rural support for Democratic presidential candidates dropped from 47% for Bill Clinton in 1992, to 29% for Hillary Clinton in 2016. (Jon/Adobe Stock)

WA House Race Offers Window into Rural Dems' Success

Democrats have struggled to turn "red" rural areas "blue" across the country for years, but some left-leaning candidates won in 2022, raising the …

Lawmakers are coming back to Olympia for a long, 105-day session in January. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

WA Group Urges Lawmakers to Resist Austerity, Invest in 'Public Good'

The Washington state 2023 legislative session is fast approaching, and one group is urging lawmakers to prioritize investments over budget cuts…

Turnout for local Seattle elections is about half the turnout for federal elections in even-numbered years. (Alcorn Imagery/Adobe Stock)

Voter-Approved Democracy Reforms Changing WA Elections

Democracy reforms got the seal of approval from many Washington state voters this November. While some changes were big, others were subtle but …

Tom Oliver, center, receives the 2022 Washington Andrus Award for Community Service. (Bruce Carlson/AARP Washington)

Washingtonian Helping People with Dementia Receives Volunteer Award

A Bellingham man who supports people with dementia has received one of the most prestigious awards for volunteerism in Washington state. The …

Child poverty dropped to 5.2% during the pandemic because of the expanded Child Tax Credit and other relief efforts. (ktay21/Adobe Stock)

No Corporate Tax Cuts without Family Tax Relief, Dems Say

CORRECTION: Monthly amounts of the expanded Child Tax Credits were $250 (ages 0 to 5) to $300 (ages 6 to 17). An earlier version of this story had …

The United Way of King County's free tax-preparation program has entered its 20th year. (Rick/Adobe Stock)

WA Tax Program Puts Out Call for Volunteers as Year Ends

It may seem early, but programs across the country are preparing to help people with their 2022 income tax returns. In Washington state, United Way …

Consumer advocates advise people not to click on suspicious looking links in email messages, advice which is especially important during the holidays. (zephyr_p/Adobe Stock)

No Pressure: Don't Let Scammers Ruin Charitable Giving

The season of giving is upon us, but consumer advocates are urging people to stay vigilant, so it doesn't become the "season of taking." The number …

Surveys show that most Americans recognize our deep political divisions are not good for the nation. (Rawf8/Adobe Stock)

Group Urges Divided Nation to Choose 'Better Angels' During Holidays

The holidays can be stressful, and our deeply divided political times can make it harder to see family. But efforts across the country are happening …

Boating and fishing added nearly $890 million to Washington state's economy in 2021. (AshleyBelle/Adobe Stock)

'Wow' Factor: Outdoor Rec Adds Loads of Dollars to WA Economy

Outdoor recreation continues to contribute to Washington state's economy in a big way. That's according to new data from the Bureau of Economic …

Every year, about 53,000 Washingtonians are diagnosed with diabetes. (Photographee.eu/Adobe Stock)

Diabetes Month: Disease A Challenge for Millions in US

November is national diabetes month, spotlighting a disease that affects millions of Americans. In Washington state, more than 580,000 people have …

Homero Jose speaks to a crowd gathered at Bellingham City Hall in support of a center that would serve the community's immigrant populations. (Brenda Bentley)

Rally Decries Council 'No' Vote on Bellingham's Immigrant Center

People rallied outside of Bellingham City Hall on Thursday to show support for a city-funded immigrant resource center. It's a response to a City …

As of this fall, more than 5,000 students are enrolled in applied baccalaureate degrees in Washington state. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Less Traditional College Degrees Jump in WA During Pandemic

Enrollment in Washington state's community and technical colleges has suffered during the pandemic, but there has been one bright spot. Programs …

Carina can match caregivers to families with kids all the way into their pre-teen years. (dglimages/Adobe Stock)

Online Tool Started in WA Matches Care Workers with People in Need

An online tool that started in Washington state is connecting caregivers and the people who need their services, and it's getting some national …

A public-health state of emergency had been in place in Washington state since February 2020. (fabrus/Adobe Stock)

Fallout Reverberates from End of WA Pandemic Emergency Declaration

Washington state has ended its COVID-19 state of emergency, and that's having effects on the public benefits people were relying on to get through …

The expanded Child Tax Credit went out to parents of 60 million children when it started in July 2021. (Aleksei Potov/Adobe Stock)

Campaign to Reinstate Child Tax Credit Program for WA Families

The expanded Child Tax Credit lifted 3.7 million kids out of poverty in the United States, including many in Washington. The tax credit expired last …

A study found less than a tenth of plastic waste has been recycled. (Richard Carey/Adobe Stock)

Effort Aims to Move WA Away from Plastics Pollution

Plastic waste is a growing problem across the globe, and it is not just an issue for landfills. Policymakers in Washington state are aiming to find …

The Tacoma Art Museum opened at its current location in 2003, after outgrowing its original location in a former bank built in 1920. (tacomaartmuseum.org)

Weekend Rally Aims to Support Unionization at Tacoma Art Museum

Employees of the Tacoma Art Museum have collected more than 400 signatures on a community letter, as they seek to unionize the institution founded in …

In this time of speeches and campaign ads, fear and anxiety can compel us to make political decisions at the level of the gut, according to one theory. (wellphoto/Adobe Stock)

How Death Anxiety Plays a Role in Politics

CLARIFICATION: Ernest Becker did not create the Terror Management Theory, although it was based on his ideas and research. (2:00 a.m. MDT, Oct. 28…

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States was started in 1985. (Siam/Adobe Stock)

Breast-Cancer Awareness: Screenings Down Compared to Pre-Pandemic

October is breast cancer awareness month and health professionals are urging people to get screened for the disease. Screenings have gone down …

Washington state's Climate Commitment Act will set aside $20 million every year to improve air quality. (asayenka/Adobe Stock)

WA Climate Law Aims to Improve Frontline Communities' Air

Washington state is crafting its ambitious cap-and-invest law to reduce the state's emissions by 95% by 2050 and is seeking comments from the public…

Teletherapy has become a popular option for providing mental health services, and it's now covered by many insurance plans. (kalinichenkod/Adobe Stock)

Chance Approaches for Washingtonians to Make Health-Plan Changes

The new year is still a few months off, but it's nearly time for people to consider their health plans for 2023. The Affordable Care Act's health …

Solar panels on big-box stores and malls could generate enough energy to power nearly eight million homes. (Tracy King/Adobe Stock)

Rooftops on Big Stores, Warehouses Offer Huge Solar-Power Opportunity

By Emily Pontecorvo for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboratio…

Washington and five other states accounted for half of the H-2A jobs certified in 2021. (F Armstrong Photo/Adobe Stock)

Farmworkers Tour WA to Demand Better Labor Conditions

Farmworkers are touring Washington state to call for better conditions in agriculture. The union Familias Unidas por la Justicia, based in northwest …

About one in four people say they have more emergency savings than they did a year ago, according to a recent survey. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

WA Credit Union Offers Bilingual Financial Education

Between rising inflation and the ups and downs of the stock market, it isn't surprising that folks are concerned about their own financial situation…

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