Washington News & Current Events | Public News Service

Immigration arrests have gone down since their peak during the Obama administration but have gone up again since 2021. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Report: Immigration enforcement changing, NW detention still high

A new report looked into the recent shift in immigration enforcement, especially at the immigrant detention center in Tacoma. The University of …

People are reminded to check their voter registration status on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 17. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Young Washingtonians spread word on National Voter Registration Day

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and some young people in Washington state are encouraging people in their age group to ensure they're …

A program in Washington state partners with school districts to help students attend college.(spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

WA program gets $35 million to help low-income students going to college

Funding is coming to a program supporting students from low-income families in Washington state who want to go on to college or postsecondary educatio…

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is among 17 national forests managed under the Northwest Forest Plan. (heidi/Adobe Stock)

Committee makes recommendations in updated NW Forest Plan

The U.S. Forest Service is considering changes to modernize the Northwest Forest Plan. While it was hailed as a success when it was created 30 years …

The Washington State Department of Commerce expected to fund at least 6,500 rebates for EVs through June 2025 with its new program. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

Demand high for WA EV incentive program

Washingtonians want to drive electric vehicles and a new rebate program from the state is providing proof. Earlier this month, the Washington State …

The average ratio of students to counselors across the United States is 385-to-1. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Checking in on mental health as WA kids head back to school

Promoting mental health is on the checklist as the new school year nears for Washington state students. Mental-health professionals on school …

A new transportation tool will help people find ride options in Seattle and surrounding areas. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

Fed grant supports transportation planning tool in WA

A grant from the federal government is helping improve transportation planning options in the Puget Sound region. The nonprofit Hopelink received a $…

The SUN Bucks program helps families in Washington and 36 other states buy groceries while school is out for the summer. (puhimec/Adobe Stock)

Deadline for summer food benefits for WA kids approaching

The deadline is approaching for families to apply for food benefits in Washington state. The national program known as SUN Bucks is the U-S …

The Washington state primary election was held Aug. 6. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

Ranked choice voting in spotlight after vote splitting in WA primary

A close primary race in Washington state is highlighting the issue of vote splitting and how ranked choice voting could provide a solution. The …

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by rising sea levels are critical issues facing tribes in the Northwest. (Jan/Adobe Stock)

Report finds barriers for NW coastal tribes responding to climate change

Coastal tribes in the Northwest are on the front lines of the changing climate but face barriers to responding to its effects. A new report …

Physicals are important for students who are playing sports during the school year. (rocketclips/Adobe Stock)

Doctor visits important as WA kids head back to school

As children head back to school, doctors said there are a few ways parents can prepare for the transition. One important item on the checklist is …

Infant child care in Washington state costs an average of $14,554 per year. (Maria Vitkovska/Adobe Stock)

With costs already high, WA initiative could cut child care budget

The cost of childcare is on the minds of Washington state voters going into November, especially because of an initiative that could upend funding …

SEIU 775 represents more than 50,000 caregivers in three states, including Washington. (ake1150/Adobe Stock)

WA home care workers push for better wages, benefits

Washington home caregivers are negotiating with the state on wages and benefits. The caregivers' union, SEIU 775, is in talks with the Consumer …

In the wake of dangerous heat waves, Washingtonians are increasingly adopting air conditioning for their homes. (Victor/Adobe Stock)

Cooling tips important for Washingtonians without AC

Heat is a serious threat to people's health and is made more dangerous in Washington state, where many people lack air conditioning. Some tips can …

Wildfires are expected to increase in frequency in Washington state as climate change worsens. (hlxandr/Adobe Stock)

WA provides model for distributing funds to climate-impacted communities

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law two years ago this week and one expert said states should ensure funds from it are going to communitie…

For Washingtonians to vote, online registration is required eight days before election day. (sos.wa.gov)

New WA law streamlines online voter registration

A new law will make it easier for Washingtonians to register to vote online if they don't have a driver's license. The law comes from a bill passed …

In a survey of Washingtonians, 90% said they're concerned about their health-care costs in the future. (Alex Wolf/Adobe Stock)

WA health care costs survey results 'alarming'

A new report finds Washingtonians are worried about the rising costs of health care -- in some cases even avoiding treatment because of the price tag…

South Seattle College has four applied bachelor's degree programs. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

WA community, technical colleges work to meet rural career needs

Four-year universities aren't always able to serve every student, so Washington state has found a way to ensure students have other options through …

The Sea Change, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, took its first trip on July 19. (Pacific Environment)

Revolutionary WA-built hydrogen ferry could jumpstart zero-emission vessels back home

A hydrogen-powered ferry built in Washington state is operating in San Francisco Bay. Clean energy advocates are hoping it spurs action closer to …

Artist Gabriel Newton used acrylic on found wood to paint Southern Resident orcas, which feed in the Salish Sea. (John Rosapepe/Endangered Species Coalition)

WA art exhibit underscores need for action to save orca

An art exhibit in Seattle is highlighting the dire situation for orca off the coast of Washington. The show, called SUPER POD: All Together features …

Symptoms from foodborne illnesses can appear as quickly as 30 minutes, but can also take days to manifest. (Mirsad/Adobe Stock)

WA launches food poisoning monitoring system

The state of Washington has launched an online system for tracking food poisoning cases. The Washington State Health Department has opened its …

A 2018 law in Washington state phased out fish pen farming of non-native species. (cascoly2/Adobe Stock)

Seattle conference inspires push for sustainable fishing in WA

A meeting on sustainable fishing in Seattle could inspire greater protections for Washington state's waters in Olympia. The State Innovation Exchange …

SEIU members from the across the country met with the Biden-Harris administration at the White House. (Vacclav/Adobe Stock)

WA nursing home workers get White House boost in union struggle

Nursing home workers in Washington state have come back from the White House with renewed resolve to fight for their union contract. A delegation of …

The Hanford site in Washington state contains waste from the production of plutonium for the two atomic bombs used on Japan in World War II. (Alison Jones, Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups criticize Hanford nuclear waste cleanup plan

A new agreement on plans for cleaning up nuclear waste at the Hanford site in Washington state is receiving pushback from environmental groups…

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is among the latest projects to receive improvement funds. (Francisco/Adobe Stock)

Feds send $27 million to improve recreation at NW forests

More than $27 million is coming to upgrade forests in the Northwest for recreation. The investment is the latest round of funding from the Great …

Washington state lawmakers approved the long-term care program, WA Cares, in 2019. (wladimir1804/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Costs high for making WA long-term care program optional

A new analysis from Washington state shows passing an initiative making a long-term care benefit program optional could cost taxpayers millions…

Washington state legislators passed a law in 2018 allowing voters to register up to and on Election Day. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

30-day residency requirement for WA voter registration struck down

A 30-day residency requirement to register to vote in Washington state will not go into effect, after a federal judge struck it down. Under the …

More than two-thirds of the Local Food System Infrastructure projecta funded were small farms or food businesses. (Jaskaran Kooner/Adobe Stock)

$1.5 million in grants support WA local food infrastructure

Washington state has allocated nearly $1.5 million in grants to support local food systems and supply chains. The Washington State Department of …

Cherry-picking season has begun in Washington state. (Valmedia/Adobe Stock)

Fed judge restores higher WA farmworker wages

A ruling from a federal judge will keep Washington state growers from depressing wages for farmworkers this harvest season. Judge John Chun has …

Four projects across Washington were chosen to receive AARP Community Challenge grants this year. (AARP Washington)

WA projects receive $68,000 for community project upgrades

Four projects in Washington state were selected to receive grants from the AARP Community Challenge program. Combined, the organizations will …

In King County in 2023, people needed to make $47 per hour to afford the average two-bedroom apartment. (Ryan/Adobe Stock)

WA advocates say SCOTUS is punishing homelessness

Advocates for affordable housing are still grappling with a U.S. Supreme Court decision they say could criminalize homelessness. Justices voted 6-3 …

Kitsap Transit's new maintenance facility will mean buses will travel shorter distances for tune-ups. (Bluedisk/Wikimedia Commons)

$90 million in federal infrastructure funding headed to WA

Washington state is receiving nearly $90 million in federal infrastructure funding, from the Biden Administration. The funds were distributed by the …

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families provides subsidies to eligible families to help them pay for child care. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

WA call center provides child care support for families experiencing homelessness

The high cost of child care in Washington can strain family budgets. It can be even harder when families are experiencing homelessness. A statewide …

The mental health crisis line 988 was activated nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA 988 crisis line rollout successful but more work needed

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and finds Washington state has fared well but still has more work…

Amazon sold a chemical used for suicide at high concentrations but said it cannot be held responsible for how customers use products. (michelangeloop/Adobe Stock)

Amazon responsible for selling chemical used for suicide, lawsuits allege

Lawsuits are seeking to hold Amazon accountable for selling a chemical used by people for suicide. The substance is known as sodium nitrite and is …

Staff - in addition to teachers - are needed to ensure schools run, but these workers are often paid low wages. (davit85/Adobe Stock)

WA workers who help schools run call for higher wages

Workers who help Washington state classrooms run are calling for higher wages. Known as classified staff, their jobs include administrative work…

One in five Americans is expected to be age 65 or older by 2030. (Melanie/Adobe Stock)

WA joins age, dementia-friendly networks

Washington has received designations highlighting the state's efforts to become more age and dementia-friendly. Washington is the 12th state to join …

Reading during the summer can help children combat learning loss. (Samuel B./Adobe Stock)

Combating summer learning loss in WA

School is out for the summer but a lack of learning opportunities can leave kids behind when they head back to school next year. The organization …

Last year, the Washington State Building Code Council approved codes to incentivize electric heat pumps. (V. J. Matthew/Adobe Stock)

Initiative to stop natural-gas phase out would 'turn back the clock' in WA

Signature gatherers in Washington state hope to get an initiative on the November ballot to roll back the state's attempt to phase out natural gas in …

Olympic National Park received nearly 3 million visitors in 2023. (Francisco/Adobe Stock)

Great Outdoors Month highlights recreation impact on WA

June is Great Outdoors Month, which also underscores the importance of outdoor recreation in Washington state. As temperatures warm up, people are …

Cobalt is essential for some of Washington's major sectors, including transportation and aerospace. (cornfield/Adobe Stock)

Mining conditions for minerals essential to clean energy tech under scrutiny

Critical minerals are crucial for the United States' clean energy future. But civil society and environmental groups are raising concerns about the …

Rates of children living in poverty have decreased in Washington and across the U.S. (Iriana Shiyan/Adobe Stock)

WA ranks 14th in child well-being, room to improve

Washington state ranks 14th in a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book measures how well states …

The number of geriatric clinicians increased 4% nationwide, according to a new report from the United Health Foundation. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA ranks in top 10 for older Americans' well-being

A new report looks at the well-being of older Americans. The America's Health Ranking Senior Report shows a mixed bag for the living conditions of …

SEIU 775 workers at Aegis Living gathered for a rally at the company's new facility earlier this month. (SEIU 775)

Assisted living workers at WA facility call for higher wages

Workers for an assisted living facility are calling for higher wages in their union contract negotiations. Aegis Living is a Seattle-based company …

Seattle's ordinance requiring a minimum wage for app delivery drivers is one of the few in the country. (Daisy Daisy/Adobe Stock)

Seattle could reverse gains for app delivery drivers

The Seattle City Council could reduce wages and reverse other protections for app delivery drivers less than six months after an ordinance to provide …

Washington state is supporting 10 projects with $20 million to bring broadband to rural areas. (Christian/Adobe Stock)

WA invests $20 million in rural broadband infrastructure

Washington state is investing in bringing high-speed internet to more people in rural areas. The Washington State Public Works Board has approved $20…

About 1 in 25 construction workers has been diagnosed with diabetes, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. (Suriyo/Adobe Stock)

'Hard hats' learn importance of heart health

The message of the importance of heart health has arrived at construction sites. On Thursday, the American Heart Association is hosting its annual …

Gray wolf pack sizes range from two to 11 wolves. Most packs contain four to six individuals, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (Adobe Stock)

WA considers reclassifying gray wolves as 'sensitive' species

The State of Washington is proposing to downgrade gray wolves from "endangered" to "sensitive" status as a species. At last count, there were 260 …

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