Washington News & Current Events | Public News Service

A bill to prohibit attendance at captive audience meetings was several years in the making in Olympia. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, April 18, 2024

WA workers won't be punished for skipping 'captive audience' meetings

Washington joins a handful of states to do away with mandatory meetings for employees on political or religious matters. Sometimes known as captive …

During a pregnancy, speak to a health care provider if something doesn't feel right. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

As Black Maternal Health Week ends, health disparities persist

While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue. From April 11-17 this year…

Nationally, turnover in election officials reached 38.7% in 2022. (richjem/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Report: Election official turnover trend stretches two decades

A new report dives into election official turnover during more than two decades. It says rates have increased steadily nationwide since 2000…

The majority of people will need long-term care assistance at some point in their lives. (nelzajamal/Adobe Stock)

Ups, downs for WA's long-term care funding program

Access to Washington state's long-term care program will increase because of action during this year's legislative session. But the program also …

A new law in Washington state will look into why ballots are rejected during the voting process. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

WA's new ballot curing law ensures state 'counts every voter'

The process for correcting ballot errors is set to become easier this year thanks to a bill passed in Olympia this session. Lawmakers unanimously …

A free online tool from the IRS is expected to make it easier for many people to file their income taxes. (kjcimagery/Adobe Stock)

IRS's free tax filing tool can save Washingtonians time, money

Washingtonians have an option this year to file their taxes for free and a new report said it is saving people time and money. The Internal Revenue …

Washington state's program to combat climate change raised $2.2 billion in its first year. (jdoms/Adobe Stock)

WA carbon cap program faces initiative challenge on November ballot

By Kate Yoder for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration For…

Youth diverted from incarceration have shown a smaller likelihood of re-arrest. (Delphotostock/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA, other states expand diversion of youth from incarceration

A new report found states are making progress in diverting more youth from incarceration, including in Washington state. However, The Sentencing …

Methane emissions were measured from four dams on the Snake River in southeastern Washington. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Report: Lower Snake River dams source of methane emissions

A new report found four dams in the Columbia River Basin are big emitters of methane. Research from the organization Tell The Dam Truth showed the …

Congress gave final approval to the 2024 budget after a six-month delay. (doganmesut/Adobe Stock)

Missed opportunities in 2024 budget, peacekeeping groups say

Groups supporting peace around the globe say the budget approved by Congress is lacking crucial components. After a monthslong stalemate, Congress …

Washington state has greater protections against predatory loans than other states. (Serge Aubert/Adobe Stock)

WA lawmakers approve greater predatory loan protections

Lawmakers in Olympia this session moved to add more protections for consumers against predatory loans. Washington state lawmakers passed Senate Bill …

Colorectal cancer makes up one-tenth of all cancer cases worldwide. (Anatomy Insider/Adobe Stock)

Colorectal Cancer Month: Disease appearing in younger Americans

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the third most common form of cancer and the second most lethal form in the world…

The Puyallup Tribe reservation is located outside of Tacoma. (Derrick/Adobe Stock)

Puyallup Tribe played key role in WA police accountability push

By Frank Hopper for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

Lawmakers this session in Olympia increased the rate for providers who offer infant care. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

WA makes child-care investments, but more needed

Advocates for accessible child care saw wins during Washington state's legislative session this year but still see room for improvement. Lawmakers …

The Quinault Indian Nation has been working on purchasing forest parcesl on their reservation on the Olympic Peninsula for several decades. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

WA tribe receives funding to return forest lands to tribal stewardship

A Washington state tribe is getting funding to return forest lands to tribal stewardship. The Washington state Legislature has approved $25 million …

Organizations helping underserved youth get outdoors can receive up to $150,000 in grant funding from Washington state. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

WA grant program ensures 'No Child Left Inside'

A program in Washington state is helping kids get out and enjoy nature. The No Child Left Inside program funds grants for organizations to ensure …

Washington state voters will see a half dozen initiatives on their ballots come November 5. (adogslifephoto/Adobe Stock)

Ballot measures backed by conservatives could give blow to WA budget

While three initiatives received the go-ahead to appear on Washington's November ballot at the end the legislative session last week, three that have …

Nationally, nearly half of private sector workers do not have access to retirement savings through their employer. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Program could help 1.2 million WA workers save for retirement

A program to help Washingtonians automatically save for retirement is in the final stretch in Olympia. The Washington Saves program created by …

The decade of 2010-2020 marked the first time in American history the nation's rural population declined. (John/Adobe Stock)

Report: Good-paying jobs available in rural America

Opportunities for good paying jobs exist in rural areas across Washington and the rest of the country, despite myths such places have been hollowed …

Labor strikes were more common in 2023 than in years past. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Clock ticking for WA bill allowing unemployment for striking workers

A bill in Olympia would open access to unemployment while workers are on strike, but time is running out for lawmakers to pass the legislation…

High blood pressure can be indicator of higher risk for serious health concerns, like heart failure and stroke. (Kotchakorn/Adobe Stock)

WA library program lets people check out blood pressure kits

A new program in a Washington public library system is helping people monitor their blood pressure at home. The American Heart Association has …

As part of the Greening Research in Tacoma initiative, air temperature monitors were set up in a city neighborhood. (Hannah Letinich/The Nature Conservancy)

Tree coverage in cities crucial as planet warms, WA research shows

Trees in urban areas provide benefits for people, including decreased temperatures and improved air quality, according to new research from …

A bill providing more state oversight of hospital mergers passed the Washington Senate 28-21 earlier this month. (ColleenMichaels/Adobe Stock)

WA bill would add state oversight to hospital mergers

A bill in Olympia aims to protect Washingtonians against restricted health care access and rising costs from hospital mergers. Consolidation in the …

Child care programs in Washington state struggle with labor costs to provide services outside of daytime hours. (santypan/Adobe Stock)

WA could increase incentive for after-hours child care

Parents often struggle to secure after-hours child care. Advocates want the Washington state Legislature to increase incentives for businesses to …

Experts worry AI could lead fewer people to trust election officials. (Benjamin Clapp/Adobe Stock)

AI could help spread misinformation during 2024 election

The rise of artificial intelligence is raising alarm bells for election officials in Washington state and across the country. Before the New …

People can learn the basics of CPR in 20-minute courses. (Platoo Studio/Adobe Stock)

Heart Month highlights importance of CPR training

February is American Heart Month and experts and survivors are highlighting the importance of CPR. CPR could help someone survive in the event their …

In 2023, about 36% of Washington voters returned their ballots in local elections. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

WA bill allowing even-year local elections could lift voter turnout

Lawmakers in Olympia are considering a measure to significantly boost voter turnout in local elections. House Bill 1932 would allow cities and towns …

Seattle is the largest city in the U.S. to ban political contributions from foreign-influenced companies. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Report: Foreign-influenced companies give big in WA elections

A report analyzed the impact of money from foreign-influenced corporations on elections in six states. Washington topped the list for most donations…

A 2023 bill to eliminate the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases has been modified and is in front of Washington lawmakers again this session. (photogeek/Adobe Stock)

WA lawmakers again consider erasing statute of limitations on sex abuse cases

Washington state lawmakers are considering eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases again this session. House Bill 1618 …

Washington state lawmakers are engaging in important budget negotiations this session, including measures that deal with food assistance. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Anti-hunger advocates call for action at WA Capitol

It's Hunger Action Day at the Washington State Capitol. Advocates are in Olympia to meet with lawmakers and call for policies that curb hunger…

More than 26,000 volunteers from the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program helped people nationally last year. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

Free tax-prep aid available across WA

Free tax-filing assistance is available once again in Washington state starting today. The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program is available to …

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville is reintroducing Canada Lynx onto their reservation in eastern Washington. (David Moskowitz/Yes! Magazine)

WA tribes reintroduce species to native habitat

By Rico Moore for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

A program that provides mental health consultation for young children is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

WA investment could grow reach of child mental health program

A program in Washington state is helping young kids with challenging behaviors. It's hoping to secure more funding during the legislative session …

A bill to give voting rights for people in prison was introduced by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Kitsap, who was formerly incarcerated. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

WA voting rights bill for people in prison would ‘restore humanity'

Legislation in Olympia could give people in Washington prisons their voting rights. House Bill 2030, known as the Free the Vote Act, would allow …

The FBI advises people to reach out for help before cooperating with

FBI warns of tragic results from 'sextortion' targeting teens

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the FBI says financially motivated sextortion - often targeting teen boys - went up 20 percent …

The HPV vaccine is usually divided into two doses. (Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: HPV vaccine crucial in prevention

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and a vaccine for young people can reduce the risk of developing this disease. Cervical cancer typically …

Laborers marked a decade of Farmworkers Tribunals in Olympia in 2023. (Community to Community Development)

Farmworkers Tribunal provides 'critical' platform in Olympia

Washington state farmworkers are converging on Olympia this week to call for better working conditions. The 11th annual Farmworkers Tribunal is …

The Fair Start for Kids Act passed in 2021 invested a $1.1 billion in child care and early learning in Washington state. (Seattle/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA children of color continue to experience inequities

Washington state's kids see disparities in well-being across racial groups. That's according to the Race for Results report from the Annie E…

Washington state aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. (jordano/Adobe Stock)

Repeal of WA carbon cap program would have 'devastating effects'

Opponents of a new law to cap carbon in Washington state are waiting to see if their initiative to repeal it will appear before voters in November…

Only some fish species near Bradford Island on the Columbia River are safe to eat. (J-B-C/Adobe Stock)

Push to clean up Columbia River site faster after Superfund designation

Advocates are making slow but steady progress to clean up a portion of the Columbia River named a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agenc…

A public hearing on the rent stabilization bill was held in Olympia last week. (adonis_abril/Adobe Stock)

As housing crisis builds, rent stabilization measure before WA lawmakers

Housing is a major issue in this year's legislative session -- and for some, simply staying in their home is the goal. One measure in Olympia would …

Critics of PacifiCorp say the company broke a 2004 promise to retrofit its hydroelectric dams to include fish passages. (Kevin/Adobe Stock)

Will PacifiCorp make good on its fish recovery promises?

Coming into the new year, Columbia Riverkeeper is supporting efforts by the Cowlitz Tribe and Yakama Nation to restore salmon migration throughout …

Rural Washington is diverse with differing sets of needs for its students. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Report: Room to improve for WA's rural students

Washington does well in a new report on how states are supporting rural schools, but it still shows there's room for improvement. The National …

Adjunct professors are often unable to hold traditional office hours, in part because they do not have offices on the campuses of schools where they work. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

WA adjuncts to push for higher pay in 2024 legislative session

With the 2024 legislative session around the corner, Washington state adjunct college faculty hope they will be a priority for lawmakers. Adjunct …

An Outstanding Resource Waters designation will preserve portions of the Napeequa (shown here), the Green and the Cascade Rivers and mitigate the effects of climate change. (Richard Droker/Flickr/Creative Commons)

Cascade, Green and Napeequa rivers named 'outstanding resource waters'

Portions of three Washington rivers, the Cascade, Green and Napeequa, now have an extra layer of protection, thanks to a special designation from the …

More than 95% of youth ages 13-17 are on social media, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Mental health concerns grow over social media impact on youth

Health professionals have raised alarms about social media and its impact on young people's mental health. Concern has grown so great that earlier …

More than a quarter of Washingtonians exercise, according to the 2023 America's Health Rankings report. (cascoly2)

Report: Signs look good for a healthy new year in WA

Washingtonians' health is looking good compared to other states, according to the latest standings in the 2023 America's Health Rankings report…

Bill Meyer, seen here, took his first hike to help relieve Parkinson's disease symptoms in 2016. (PasstoPass)

WA man recognized for work helping people with Parkinson's through hiking

A prestigious award for volunteerism has been presented to the founder of an organization helping people with Parkinson's disease enjoy the great outd…

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