Washington News & Current Events | Public News Service

The Northwest ICE Processing Center is the largest immigrant detention center in the Western U.S., and is nearing its 1,900-person capacity. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Amid increased activity, pressure to close WA ICE detention center

A year after the death of detainee Charles Leo Daniel, a 61-year-old Trinidadian migrant, legislators and human rights advocates continue pushing to …

Data show the percentage of people who say they adhere to or support Christian Nationalist ideals has remained stable since 2022. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

WA groups work to counter Christian Nationalism

Nationwide, it is estimated about one-third of Americans either adhere to Christian Nationalist ideals or sympathize with them. Groups working for …

Nearly a third of working-age Washington households have earnings which do not meet the minimum<br />cost of living. (Johannes/Adobe Stock)

Bills aim to revamp WA's regressive tax codes

A package of legislation in Olympia aims to reduce growing wealth inequality by reforming Washington's tax code. With the nation's second-most …

Started in 2019, the Tribal Foundational Public Health Service is designed to foster a more equitable, prevention-focused public health system for tribes. (jokekung/Adobe Stock)

Cuts looming for WA tribal public-health funding

Washington state's Tribal Foundational Public Health Service is the first dedicated funding for tribes to advance public health initiatives. In Gov…

First- and second-generation immigrants comprise nearly a third of all students enrolled in higher education in the U.S. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

How WA campuses can prepare for ICE

On President Donald Trump's second day in office, his Secretary of Homeland Security rescinded a Biden-era rule barring Immigration and Customs …

Black and Native American youth are largely overrepresented in juvenile facilities compared to their white counterparts. (Sophon_Nawit/Adobe Stock)

Act would give incarcerated WA youth a second chance

Several bills working their way through the Washington Legislature focus on reforming the state's juvenile legal system, including one known as the …

Indigenous people are incarcerated at a rate four times higher than white people.(Framestock/Adobe Stock)

WA legislators weigh voting rights for incarcerated people

More than 14,000 incarcerated people in Washington are not able to vote and two bills in Olympia aim to change it. One bill would make voting more …

An attempt to open up the Arctic and Atlantic oceans to drilling was blocked by environmental groups during Donald Trump's first term as president. (paxphongtrinh/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit aims to block Trump's plans for offshore drilling in WA

Environmental groups have sued to block President Donald Trump's offshore drilling plans following his order to open the entire West Coast, including …

More than 20% of Washington state's population gets health coverage through Medicaid. (winnievinzence/Adobe Stock)

Nurse practitioner: Medicaid cuts could 'devastate' WA patients, providers

Proposed Medicaid cuts could seriously affect Washington hospitals and health care workers. President Donald Trump and House Republicans are …

Diesel exhaust represents about 80-percent of the potential cancer risk from all air toxics in the Puget Sound area. (Natalia Bratslavsky/Adobe Stock)

Shore power bill would improve WA air quality, cut emissions

New legislation would transition more ocean-going container ships to run off electricity instead of diesel while they are docked at Washington ports…

By 2050, the number of people in Washington state who are 75 and older will nearly double. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Affordable health insurance could ease WA caregiver shortage

Worker's rights advocates and nursing home providers say Washington has a long-term care workforce crisis, and that inadequate benefits in the …

Bright light therapy, may improve symptoms of SAD in up to 60-percent of people. (deagreez/Adobe Stock)

Strategies for overcoming WA winter blues

It's mid-winter blues season, and research shows 40% of Americans report their mood declines during the winter. Especially in Western Washington…

As of last October, 775,000 Washington state students have access to school meals. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Free school meals for all WA students on table this session

Legislation in Olympia would make school meals free for every student. Senate Bill 5352 would ensure every student has access to free breakfast and …

Seniors on fixed incomes are more at risk of homelessness compared to other age groups. (and.one/Adobe Stock)

WA rent stabilization bills have huge public support

New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of skyrocketing rental rates by limiting yearly rent increases to 7%. Chris Walker lives in a …

A University of Washington study found knowledge of treatment options for menopause was lower in rural areas. (loran4a/Adobe Stock)

UW study: Rural women have it harder with menopause

Women in rural areas struggle more with menopause than their urban counterparts, according to a study from the University of Washington. Rural women …

The average cost of caring for a toddler at a Washington child-care center has increased 83% in the past decade. (ink drop/Adobe Stock)

Bill would refund WA businesses for covering child care costs

New legislation in Olympia aims to ease the burden of child-care costs for Washington families by allowing businesses to help their employees pay for …

Washington state currently ranks among the lowest in the nation in serving people with mental health challenges. (Talia Mdlungu/peopleimages.com)

Regulating insurance companies may help WA mental health care ‘crisis’

Washington state mental health care providers are rallying behind a new bill, aimed at addressing what they are calling the mental health care crisis…

Advocates in Washington state are pushing to further streamline the voter registration process. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

WA bill would expand automatic voter registration

A bill in Olympia would further expand Washington state's automatic voter registration process. Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, introduced Senate …

A study found water loss from evaporation at four eastern Washington dam reservoirs will grow by 3.4% over the next three decades. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Study finds 'hidden cost' of WA lower Snake River dams

Dams on the lower Snake River in Washington state are losing water to evaporation at a rapid rate, according to a new study. The reservoirs created …

A 2022 report found Washington state had one school counselor for every 465 students, far higher than the recommendation of one for every 250 students. (Synthex/Adobe Stock)

WA falls behind in school-based mental health support

As young people struggle with mental health issues, schools often provide the best avenue for getting them help. However, Washington state has fallen …

Some Washington state lawmakers want to act as a bulwark against the incoming Trump administration's threats to undocumented immigrants. (CrackerClips/Adobe Stock)

As deportation threat looms, WA groups underscore importance of immigrants

As threats of deportation of illegal immigrants increase with the incoming Trump administration, groups in Washington say immigrants are an integral …

Some medical records can cost four figures to obtain. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

WA lawmakers urged to lower cost to obtain medical records

Obtaining medical records can be a costly endeavor but there is hope Washington state lawmakers could find a fix this session. Medical providers …

A new report found companies owed workers $128 million in wage theft violations between 2021 and 2024. (syhin_stas/Adobe Stock)

WA companies among worst violators for withholding wages from workers

A new report found Washington state is in the top 10 for wage theft, where employers withheld the most wages from workers. Washington ranks ninth in …

There are nearly 50,000 cryptocurrency kiosks across the country, up from just over 1,000 eight years ago. (Maksym/Adobe Stock)

Push to protect WA from crypto ATM scams

They may offer people a legitimate way to convert cash into cryptocurrency but crypto ATMs are also popular with scammers. Washington had the …

Lawmakers head back to Olympia for a 105-day session on Monday. (Russell/Adobe Stock)

WA legislative session preview: Lawmakers look to reduce budget deficit

The next legislative session is approaching in Olympia and Washington state's budget shortfall will be one of the biggest topics. A gap of $10 …

The Kootenai River runs 485 miles is one of the major tributaries of the Columbia River. (JOAN/Adobe Stock)

Coming: Cross-border cleanup plan for Columbia River headwaters

Governing bodies in the U.S. and Canada are taking steps to address mining pollution affecting the headwaters of the Columbia River. Coal mining …

Nearly two in five students experienced food insecurity in a survey of Washington state postsecondary students. (Mauricio Toro/Adobe Stock)

Hunger concerns on WA postsecondary campuses as holidays approach

Hunger is an issue for many students on Washington state's postsecondary campuses this holiday season. A survey of nearly 10,000 students in …

The American Postal Workers Union said under a new proposal, mail that used to take three days from the East Coast to the West Coast will now take five days. (Lost_in_the_Midwest/Adobe Stock)

Postal workers' union says new proposal would slow mail

The American Postal Workers Union is pushing back against proposed changes to the Postal Service they said would slow delivery. Among other things…

Coastal erosion threatens Washington state as sea levels rise, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fossil-fuel lobbyists fail to disclose in WA

A new report found fossil fuel lobbyists in two states with strong transparency and disclosure laws were not making full disclosures, including …

The Green Hill School juvenile facility in Chehalis, Wash., keeps young adults age 17 to 25. (dcyf.wa.gov)

Parents of children in WA prisons face 'unbearable' holiday season

The holiday season is a difficult time of year for families with children in Washington's youth detention centers. Families have limited access to …

Support staff like school bus drivers help Washington state schools run. (teamjackson/Adobe Stock)

As concerns in WA schools mount, staff calls for greater investments

Staff members who support schools are calling for greater investment from Washington state. As next year's legislative session approaches, wages …

New guidance in Washington state is meant to ensure health insurers are complying with federal and state laws on Native Americans' health plans. (doidam10/Adobe Stock)

WA insurance commissioner helps tribal members access heath care

The state of Washington is helping Native Americans access health care after decades of barriers. Health insurers have made it difficult for tribal …

Hanford is a decommissioned nuclear reactor site in Washington state, on the Columbia River. (jdoms/Adobe Stock)

Nuclear energy proposal in NW 'distraction' from proven renewables

Interest in nuclear energy as a solution to "dirty" sources of power is growing, including a proposal in the Northwest. However, some critics say it …

Three in five Americans said they made a conscious effort to buy American-made gifts last year. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Interest in US-made gifts on the rise this holiday season

A new poll from the American Alliance for Manufacturing showed 77% of Americans prefer to buy goods made in the United States, especially during the …

About 350,000 households in Washington state are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Report: Direct cash programs could benefit more WA families in need

Support for programs providing direct cash would benefit families in need in Washington state, a new report showed. About one in four Washingtonians …

Since its founding, the CCA program has generated more than $2 billion for transportation and infrastructure upgrades, clean air and water initiatives, utility bill rebates, community solar, indoor air quality improvements and more. (Adobe Stock)

Coalition defeats repeal of WA Climate Act to save environment, jobs

On Election Day, a broad coalition of conservationists, labor, and others helped defeat a ballot initiative to repeal Washington State's Climate …

A new analysis found solar and wind energy sources are much better poised to meet U.S. energy demands in the next decade than new nuclear technology. (maxdigi/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: New nuclear tech distracts from proven renewable energy

New nuclear power options are getting a lot of attention but analysts said the unproven options could distract from readily available renewable energy…

The City of Seattle aims to cut all climate pollution by 2030. (CLShebley/Adobe Stock)

Green New Deal community assemblies in Seattle pioneer citizen involvement

Community members in Seattle had a unique opportunity to weigh in on the policies guiding the city's climate goals. In 2019, the City of Seattle …

More than 1,500 schools in Washington are offering free school meals in the 2024-25 school year. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

Free school meals on agenda for 2025 session in WA

Washington lawmakers will consider providing free school meals to all students in the state. Thanks to legislation passed in previous sessions…

At least 1.2 million people are killed globally from antibiotic-resistant microbes each year. (wladimir1804/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan bill in Congress could aid fight against antibiotic resistant superbugs

The fight against infections faces an increasing threat: the rise of superbugs resistant to antibiotics. The issue already impacts nearly three …

A new program in Washington state will give people access to long-term care benefit of $36,500 starting in July 2026. (Khunatorn/Adobe Stock)

New book explores living, caregiving questions in 'The Second Fifty'

Aging brings with it new questions on how we can live our best lives and a new book could help people answer some of those questions. One of the …

Finding shelter for young people who are set to be released from detention can be difficult and take much time. (sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

WA youth with nowhere to go can spend longer behind bars

Incarcerated young people in Washington state can spend a longer time in detention if they do not have a place to go upon release. Some of the …

Dual Special Needs Plans offer more health coverage than Medicare or Medicaid alone. (Kiattisak/Adobe Stock)

Dual care plans could provide some Washingtonians more health coverage

Millions of Americans could qualify for more health coverage. People who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid can enroll in a Dual Special …

The electoral college meets on December 17th. (Lori/Adobe Stock)

Experts stress patience in WA, U.S. as votes tallied

Election experts are urging calm and patience - as Washingtonians, and all Americans - head to the polls on Election Day. Rules that forbid …

People from the right and left spreading rumors online often have a frame for interpreting incidents that occur or will occur during the election. (Ramcreative/Adobe Stock)

UW researchers watching as election rumors ramp up

Researchers at the University of Washington are watching closely as rumors and false claims swirl ahead of Election Day. The University of …

Young Washingtonians with juvenile convictions and misdemeanors have a chance to vote in the Nov. 5 election. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

WA youth in juvenile justice system could still vote

Some young people who are in Washington state's juvenile justice system could have the opportunity to vote in this year's election. Young people …

Voting infrastructure has been an important topic in the lead up to the 2024 election. (wolterke/Adobe Stock)

Voting vulnerabilities spotlighted in UW course on 'How to Steal an Election'

A timely course at the University of Washington explores the vulnerabilities of U.S. elections. The course is called "How to Steal an Election" - …

Boxes are set up across Washington for people to drop off their ballots. (David Gales/Adobe Stock)

With WA ballots in mail, voters still have time for informed decisions

The 2024 election is hitting its home stretch, and many Washingtonians have already received their ballots in the mail. Even with Election Day …

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