Washington News & Current Events | Public News Service

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15, which marks the date of Mexico's independence from Spain. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday, September 23, 2022

Hispanic Heritage Month: WA Credit Union Finds Ways to Serve Community

Hispanic Heritage Month began in mid-September and runs through Oct. 15, and a financial institution in Washington state is finding unique ways to …

The Hanford Nuclear Site was home to the world's first plutonium production reactor. (U.S. Department of Energy)

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Interactive Hanford Story Teaches about Nuclear Site's Threat to Columbia River

The Hanford Nuclear Site on the Columbia River in central Washington has left a complex legacy for the region. An interactive story map imagines …

Kids have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. Advocates are in Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the issues. (Sergey Novikov/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Child Advocates Meet with Leaders in DC, Call for Investments in Kids

Advocates for child well-being are in the nation's capital today, calling on lawmakers to invest in children. The Save the Children advocacy summit …

Wildfires near farms in Whatcom and Skagit counties have made work in the fields hazardous for workers. (Alfredo Juarez)

Amid Wildfires, Heat, WA Farmworkers Call for Greater Protections

Washington state farmworkers are facing harsh conditions in the midst of wildfires and late-summer heat. They're calling for greater protections from …

Nearly 20 million Americans may have received inaccurate diagnostic test results, according to a Pew poll. (totojang1977/Adobe Stock)

WA Senator Sponsors Bill to Provide More Oversight for Medical Lab Tests

Accurate lab tests are crucial for medical treatment, and Congress is considering a measure to provide more oversight. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.…

A recent report finds 30 Washington state legislators were in far-right groups which frequently spread disinformation on Facebook. (cirquedesprit/Adobe Stock)

WA Candidates Tied to Far-Right On Ballot in November

Washington state's primary results have diminished fears of a far-right insurgency in the state's elections. But there are still concerns that 2020 …

The Nez Perce Tribe finds spring chinook salmon on the Snake River are unlikely to recover without substantial intervention. (Hanjo/Adobe Stock)

WA Leaders: Breaching Snake River Dams Necessary, Not Yet Possible

An announcement from Washington state leaders on the future of the lower Snake River dams contained both good and bad news for groups defending native…

An internet database says at least 580 people have died in mass shootings this year. (OlegD/Adobe Stock)

Panel Explores Relationship Between Guns, Death Anxiety

Gun violence is a major issue across the country, and now, the work of a 20th-century anthropologist could help people dive deeper into their own …

The timber industry has nearly disappeared in Washington state in the past three decades, creating challenges for communities. (Leslie C Saber/Adobe Stock)

$1 Billion Pilot Program from Congress Aims to Help Distressed Communities

A program approved by Congress aims to give rural Washington communities a boost when applying for federal dollars. The CHIPS Act, passed last …

Eye exams before kids enter school will determine if they need glasses or have other vision issues. (NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe Stock)

Health Pros: Add Check-ups to Back-to-School Checklist

Kids are heading back to school and health professionals say this is a good time for them to get a full health check-up. Before families' schedules …

A waiver to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has significantly widened the pool of qualified workers. (wutzkoh/Adobe Stock)

Calls to Extend Waiver Simplifying Public-Worker Student-Loan Forgiveness

A streamlined process for erasing public-sector employees' student debt is expiring soon. State officials, including in Washington, are calling for …

Adding fruits to water is a natural way to add flavor without adding gobs of sugar to the drink. (Mary's/Adobe Stock)

Health Pros: Consider Alternatives to Sugary Drinks as School Returns

It's almost time for kids in Washington state to head back to school, and some might gravitate toward soda and other drinks with lots of sugar…

The vast majority of monkeypox cases in Washington are in the western part of the state. (Hit Stop Media/Adobe Stock)

Preventing Infection Possible as Monkeypox Cases Spread in WA

A relatively new virus known as monkeypox has made its way to the state of Washington. About 280 cases have been reported, with 240 occurring in King …

Ductless heat pumps are an energy-efficiency option that also provide air conditioning. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA Push Heats Up to Make Homes Greener, Healthier

Washington state wants to make homes for its most vulnerable residents greener and healthier. It started with a needs assessment from the Department …

The rate of Washington state kids with health insurance has increased over the past decade to one of the highest rates in the nation. (Iriana Shiyan/Adobe Stock)

Report: Many WA Kids Suffering from Anxiety, Depression

The mental health of Washington state children is a major area of concern, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids …

People can wait up to three years to get into affordable housing in Spokane, Wash. (Zach/Adobe Stock)

Innovative 'Land Bank' Could Bring More Affordable Housing to WA

Washingtonians are feeling the squeeze from high housing prices, but a novel concept launching in Spokane could speed up the creation of affordable …

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, people enrolled in Medicare would pay a maximum of $2,000 a year on prescription drugs. (Stock Footage, Inc./Adobe Stock)

Senate Passage Brings Hope Bill Could Rein In Prescription Costs

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill which could dramatically reduce prescription drug prices for older Americans. The Inflation Reduction Act includes …

Residents of Bellingham, Wash., studied other cities' immigrant resource centers and have proposed one for Whatcom County. (CascadeCreatives/Adobe Stock)

Call for Immigrant Resource Center on Anniversary of WA Farmworker Death

People in northwest Washington are holding a vigil at Bellingham City Hall for an immigrant farmworker who died five years ago, and calling for a …

A version of last year's Build Back Better proposal included $400 billion for child care and preschool. (oksix/Adobe Stock)

So Far, Child-Care Industry Left Out of Senate Reconciliation Package

Child care advocates say there is a big hole in the reconciliation package being considered by the U.S. Senate. Support for the child care industry …

In the fall of 2020, about three in five faculty members at universities in Washington state were contingency staff. (as-artmedia/Adobe Stock)

Report: University Faculty See Biggest Pay Decrease in 50 Years

College faculty across the country saw the biggest decrease in their wages in nearly a half century, according to an annual report. The American …

Washington state is the country's leading producer of apples. (Bernt Rostad/Flickr)

Groups Fill Food-Access Gaps in WA School District

When school districts are not able to provide summer-school classes, it can have a big effect on how children get meals. Case in point: the Mount …

Since 2010, SEIU 775 Benefits Group has provided more than 7.5 million hours of home-care training. (Kate Baldwin Photography)

Training Provides Crucial Role for Thousands of WA Caregivers

Caregivers provide critical support to people across Washington state. They also get support of their own. SEIU 775 Benefits Group has provided …

FIT tests to screen for colorectal cancers typically are received and sent through the mail. (Paul Maguire/Adobe Stock)

With Pandemic Numbers Decreasing, Docs Urge Colon Cancer Screening

Cancer screenings are important tools for health professionals, but some worry the pandemic could dampen numbers. In particular, screenings for …

Revenue from timber sales and leasing on about 1.8 million acres of public land goes to Washington state's K-12 Common School Trust. (dnr.wa.gov)

Unions Warn of Potential Effect on Jobs from WA Timber, Schools Proposal

Washington state's top education official is proposing a change to how timber revenue is used for schools. Unions are urging caution so the policy …

The Washington State Redistricting Commission approved a new legislative map in 2021. (redistricting.wa.gov)

WA Voting Map Lawsuit in Yakima Valley Won't Affect 2022 Elections

A lawsuit challenging Washington state's new legislative map is underway, but it will not affect this year's primary or midterm elections. The suit …

The dam holding toxic mine waste at the Mount Polley mine in British Columbia experienced a breach nearly eight years ago. (Visible Earth, NASA/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Toxic Waste from BC Mines Presents Urgent Threat to NW

A new report released today details the potentially disastrous threats mines in British Columbia pose to Washington and other states in the Northwest…

Nearly 57% of Washingtonians who attended college but have no degree or certificate are age 35 or older. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Report: 1 Million-Plus in WA Have Some College, No Credential

The number of people with some higher education but no degree or other credential to show for it has increased in recent years, according to a new …

The share of arrests of young people has decreased in every major crime category over the past two decades. (sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

Research Undermines Narrative of Youth-Led Crime Wave

Crime rates among young people have dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage that points to a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

The Sams River on the Olympic Peninsula is among the rivers that would be protected by legislation in Congress. (Javin Elliff)

Rivers Month: Calls to Protect Olympic Peninsula's Unique Waterways

June is National Rivers Month, and supporters are calling for greater protections of the Olympic Peninsula's rivers and landscapes. The Wild …

A new report includes an assessment of urban trees in nearly 80 cities in the Puget Sound area. (adonis_abril/Adobe Stock)

New Tree Canopy Assessment Has Puget Sound Covered

Trees in urban areas provide a number of benefits, from shade to cleaner air. Authors of a new assessment hope Puget Sound cities and towns will keep …

Websites such as Facebook have become a vehicle for misinformation around elections. (wachiwit/Adobe Stock)

Election Experts Urge Vigilance Against Misinformation Ahead of WA Primary

Washington state's primary election is coming up, and election officials are calling on voters to be vigilant about misinformation. Washington …

Ivermectin got attention online as a potential COVID-19 treatment, but never received authorization from the federal government. (Alexey Novikov/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Major Factor in Legal Cases of Medical Carelessness

Medical negligence cases in Washington and elsewhere have taken on a new shape during the pandemic, as hospital resources have been strained and the …

Salmon on the Snake River continue to struggle, despite actions like spilling more water at the river's dams. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

WA Leaders Ask for Comment on Dam Removal Proposal

A report from leaders in Washington state lays out how the services of four dams on the lower Snake River could be replaced in order to save ailing sa…

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on a major abortion case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, this month. (Philip/Adobe Stock)

How a Death-Anxiety Theory Fires Up Abortion Debate

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on a case, which could upend abortion access across the country. The topic is a source of …

Accessible housing is necessary for older people, and can limit the feasible number of houses available to them. (denboma/Adobe Stock)

Report: High Health Ranking for Older Washingtonians, But Barriers Remain

Although the state's residents fare well in a new report, older Washingtonians still face challenges to their overall health. UnitedHealthcare …

Washington state ranks 22nd in average student debt. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA Low-Interest Loans Would Cut Student Debt

The cost of higher education is a major headache for people, even years after they've graduated. A program in Washington state aims to make borrowing …

The Washington state Legislature set aside $144 million for nursing homes this fiscal year. (CrackerClips/Adobe Stock)

WA Nursing Home Workers Demand Raises Promised by Legislature

Nursing home workers at a Washington state facility are calling on their employer to raise their wages with money set aside in the Legislature's budge…

Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in 2007. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Forgiveness Makes Student Debt Disappear for Public Workers

After changes to streamline the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, more workers are getting their student debt erased. The U.S. Education …

Southern Resident orca, which live along the West Coast, have been listed as endangered since 2005. (Valmedia/Adobe Stock)

Young People Gather to Save NW Salmon, Call for Dam Removal

Young people are leading the charge this weekend in the call to remove four dams conservation groups believe will aid the survival of salmon in the No…

Willow Grove Park is home to a popular beach near Longview, Wash. (Columbia Riverkeeper)

Swim Guide Offers Clean-Water Map for Columbia River Fun

Ready to make a splash this summer? An app is helping direct Northwesterners to spots along the Columbia River where it is safe to play. "Swim …

Recognizing a stroke early can save a person's life and prevent disabilities. (elenabsl/Adobe Stock)

For Stroke Awareness Month, Doc Advises People 'BE FAST'

May is stroke awareness month. People need to act quickly to avoid lasting damage when they happen - and remember the acronym "BE FAST." 'B' stands …

More than 1,100 species of plants live in Olympic National Park. (paulacobleigh/Adobe Stock)

With Nature in Crisis, State Lawmakers Call for National Biodiversity Plan

State lawmakers from around the country are calling on the Biden administration to develop a plan to protect the country's dwindling diversity of anim…

The totem pole made about a dozen stops in Idaho, Oregon and Washington over the past three weeks. (House of Tears Carvers)

Totem Pole Takes Journey for Salmon, Struggling Puget Sound Orca

A totem pole from Washington state promoting a free-flowing Snake River has nearly completed its 2,500-mile journey around the Northwest. The Spirit …

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. (Volodymyr/Adobe Stock)

Death Anxiety Could Play Role in Putin's Ukraine Invasion

What is the link between anxiety about death and Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine? A Seattle-based organization is hostin…

Gwen Goodfellow is an at-home caregiver in Washington state who used hazard pay to do safer shopping for the people she cares for. (Gwen Goodfellow)

Inflation Eroding WA Caregivers' Gains in Pandemic Hazard Pay

At the start of the pandemic, at-home caregivers in Washington state saw their wages go up with a boost from hazard pay. Two years later, inflation …

It's estimated about 0.2% of Washingtonians would be subject to the recently passed capital-gains tax. (Dilok/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to Repeal WA Capital-Gains Tax Failing to Gain Support

An initiative that would repeal Washington's capital-gains tax on the state's richest residents is struggling to gain traction. Initiative No…

Doug Baldwin won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. (Jeff/Flickr)

WA BBQ Brings Together Community Kept Apart by COVID-19

The pandemic has kept Washingtonians apart for the past two years. With COVID-19 numbers down, an event in Renton is aiming to bring people together …

There are about 60,000 fewer students enrolled across higher education in Washington state because of the pandemic. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Community, Technical College Enrollment in WA Plummets During Pandemic

Enrollment at Washington state's community and technical colleges has dropped sharply over the pandemic, and the state hopes it can entice students …

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