Public News Service

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…

A nivel nacional, la rotaci�n de funcionarios electorales alcanz� el 38,7% en 2022. (richjem/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Tendencia de participación de funcionarios electorales se extiende por décadas

Un nuevo informe profundiza en la rotación de funcionarios electorales durante más de dos décadas. Dice que las tasas han aumentado …

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 …

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…

Seattle es la ciudad m�s grande de Estados Unidos que proh�be las contribuciones pol�ticas de empresas con influencia extranjera. (JHVEFoto/Adobe Stock)

Empresas con influencia extranjera donan grandes cantidades a elecciones

Un informe analizó el impacto del dinero de corporaciones con influencia extranjera en las elecciones en seis estados. Washington encabezó …

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 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 has 34 community and technical colleges. (Atomic Taco/Wikimedia Commons)

AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions

The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues education is faci…

Braver Angels holds a variety of events to bring people together, including town hall debates, workshops and one-on-one conversations. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

WA organization connects people across political divides

Americans are deeply divided on political issues. One organization is attempting to bridge this gap. The group Braver Angels brings together people …

Washington was the second state to allow elections to be conducted completely by mail. (CLShebley/Adobe Stock)

Research links faster postal service to higher voter turnout

When the postal service works better, people are more likely to vote - according to new research. The study published in the Election Law Journal …

Washington state's minimum wage is more than twice the federal minimum wage. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

WA minimum wage to increase, but workers still feel financial strain

Washington state is raising its minimum wage in 2024, but workers likely will still feel financially squeezed. The Washington State Department of …

Bellingham is the largest city in Whatcom County, which borders Canada. (CascadeCreatives/Adobe Stock)

Opponents push back on initiative to build jail in NW WA

A new jail would be built in northwest Washington if a measure on the November ballot passes. Opponents say it isn't a good solution to issues facing …

The bottom 90% of earners in the U.S. own about 30% of the wealth. (Dilok/Adobe Stock)

Financial Institutions Could Play Role in Shrinking Wealth Gap

The United States' wealth gap is a persistent and complex issue. Financial institutions could help chip away at it. The top 10% of income earners …

Nearly 200,000 children in Washington state are facing hunger, according to Feeding America. (FAMILY STOCK/Adobe Stock)

As School Year Nears, Child Hunger Major Struggle in WA

The new school year is around the corner and one issue in the spotlight in Washington state is child hunger. Even with free breakfast and lunch …

Beneficial State Bank supports affordable housing, calling it a human right. (Dennis M. Swanson/Adobe Stock)

Bank Helps Bring Affordable Housing to WA

A new program in Washington state will provide homes to people who are most in need in the region. The project, known as Madrona Highlands in south …

In Washington, 18% of Hispanics between ages 18 and 34 are enrolled in higher education. (abraham/Adobe Stock)

Report: Latino Students Lag in College Completion

The gap in college graduation rates between white and Latino students is increasing, a new report finds. An analysis of degree completion across …

U.S. officials are meeting with representatives from around the Pacific Rim at the Seattle Convention Center on Sunday.(dbvirago/Adobe Stock)

Critics Call for Transparency at Seattle Global Trade Meetings

Global trade negotiations are happening this weekend in Seattle and critics say the process should come out from behind closed doors. Meetings for …

Food insecurity ranged from 32% to 73% across Washington state counties in a hunger survey. (Mikhailov Studio/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Remains Top Concern for Many WA Families

Three years on from the start of the pandemic, securing food is one of the biggest challenges facing households in Washington state. The Washington …

Preventable injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (whyframeshot/Adobe Stock)

Workplace Injuries in Spotlight During Safety Month

June is national safety month and workplace injuries are an important focus. What is considered a workplace injury is broader than many workers may …

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure on May 15 to update procedures for automatic voter registration. (David Gales/Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers Make Registering to Vote in WA Easier

Washingtonians will soon find it even easier to register to vote. Passed this session, Senate Bill 5112 automatically makes people applying for …

Gender affirming care can improve the mental health of young people. (AngelHerrezuelo/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Supports Trans Youth as Attacks Across US Increase

As legislation across the country targets transgender people, Washington state lawmakers are moving in the opposite direction. The Legislature …

The National Credit Union Administration is a government-backed insurer of U.S. credit unions. (Timon/Adobe Stock)

Bank Collapses Highlight Credit Unions as Alternatives

The collapse of two banks has put the U.S. financial sector into focus this week. Some are considering the alternative structures of institutions …

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…

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 …

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 …

Businesses in Bellingham have displayed some of the origami butterflies that are part of a campaign called

WA Community Urges Creation of Immigrant Resource Center

Community members in northwest Washington are gathering support for an immigrant resource center. In September, Democrats in Whatcom County …

A temporary intellectual property waiver gave countries around the world better access to COVID-19 vaccines, but did not extend to treatments and tests. (tsuguliev/Adobe Stock)

WA Students Call on U.S. to Increase Access to COVID Treatments Globally

As the World Trade Organization meets this week, students across the country are pushing the Biden administration to support more access to COVID-19 …

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 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…

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 …

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 …

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…

Shareholders at 22 companies made a total of $1.5 trillion from January 2020 to October 2021. (Andrii Yalanskyi/Adobe Stock)

WA Could 'Lead Nation' on Tax System That Tackles Inequality

While the pandemic has fueled soaring profits for the country's richest, it has also exposed growing income and wealth inequality in the United …

This is the fifth year organizations have marked Black Maternal Health Week. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

During Black Maternal Health Week, WA Doc Says 'Racism Manifests in Body'

This week is Black Maternal Health Week, highlighting the disparities in health outcomes for pregnant people. Black mothers are two to three times …

Visitors to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April might also notice workers with picket signs, protesting working conditions in the tulip fields. (Community to Community Development)

Tulips Aren't Blooming for Farmworkers in WA's Skagit Valley

The tulips in Skagit Valley may be blooming, but the farmworkers tending to them say there are serious issues with working conditions. About 70 …

Washington state has followed California in limiting nondisclosure agreements, where lawmakers passed a law in 2021. (rboerdijk/Adobe Stock)

WA Law Means Workers Are 'Silenced No More'

A new law in Washington state bans employers from silencing employees about illegal acts in the workplace. The Silenced No More Act - which passed …

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a dozen police reform bills into law last year, and new research indicates they're working to reduce police-related deaths. (Reuben/Adobe Stock)

Progress on WA Police Accountability, with Refinements on Tap

A year after their passage, police accountability bills in Washington state are showing signs of success. An ACLU Washington analysis found a 62% …

The three law schools in Washington state are located in Seattle and Spokane. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Course Invites Latino, Native American Students to WA Law Schools

Washington state law schools are aiming to recruit more Latino and Native American students through a program at a central Washington university…

The 14th and 15th legislative districts are a point of contention for Latino and indigenous communities in the region. (Washington State Redistricting Commission)

Communities of Color Push Back on WA Voting Map

Challenges linger over the Washington State Redistricting Commission's recently approved legislative map. Redistricting Justice for Washington …

A program that would incentivize utilities to transition to clean energy was stripped out of the Build Back Better Act. (richard theis-EyeEm/Adobe Stock)

Front-Line Communities on Climate Action: First Step is "Stop the Harm"

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Communities dealing with the impacts of climate change in Washington state are watching legislation in Washington, D.C. closely…

Reconciliation Bill Includes Union-Friendly PRO Act Provisions

SEATTLE - Unions could get a boost under provisions currently included in the budget reconciliation package. The Biden administration has released …

Half of the college graduating class of 2019 in Washington state had student debt. (William W. Potter/Adobe Stock)

Free College Plan Out in Congress, But WA Students Still Have Options

SEATTLE - Congress has abandoned plans for two free years of community college in its expansive spending bill. But low and middle income families in …

More than 60% of Washingtonians are members of a credit union. ( www.doglikehorse.com/Adobe Stock)

WA Credit Unions Celebrate Community Impact

SPOKANE, Wash. - Millions of members around the world, including some Washingtonians, are observing International Credit Union Day today. This year …

A 2010 district map may have diluted the political clout of Latino and Native American voters in Yakima, Wash. (Andrew Black/Adobe Stock)

WA Redistricting: Communities of Color Push for Fair Representation

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- As the Washington State Redistricting Commission considers drawing new lines for voting districts, a coalition of groups is urging …

Senate Bill 5194 turns 200 part-time faculty positions at community and technical colleges into full-time positions. (paulaphoto/Adobe Stock)

WA Law Aims to Make Comm, Technical Colleges More Inclusive

SEATTLE -- Washington state community and technical college staff members are excited about a measure aimed at improving the success of students of co…

At least 11 states have introduced legislation guaranteeing the right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases. (pixelrobot/Adobe Stock)

WA First to Guarantee Right to Counsel in Eviction Cases

SEATTLE - With the threats of evictions rising as the pandemic eases, Washington state took a major step this year to protect tenants. In the 2021 …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

SEATTLE -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both the US …

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WA: Social Justice