Equity Washington patients fear losing access to care as hospitals merge A bill calls for state review of consolidation, as abortions and gender-affirming procedures could be cut by religiously affiliated health systems. by Erin Sellers RANGE Media / February 19, 2024
News From 2020 to now: 4 Seattle Black activists reflect on their work Black activists in the Seattle-King County area speak about their individual activism journeys, where they intersect and diverge. by Jadenne Radoc Cabahug / February 16, 2024 / Updated at 9:35 a.m. on Feb. 16
Equity More Washington companies offer doula services in health benefits Businesses like Microsoft and Walmart are covering costs for birth workers, which advocates say can help lower racial disparity in pregnancy outcomes. by Megan Burbank / February 15, 2024
Politics WA Legislature keeps most of its priority bills alive — so far At the 2024 session midpoint, lawmakers are focusing on big statewide issues such as clean energy, rent stabilization and police accountability. by Donna Gordon Blankinship & Scarlet Hansen / February 15, 2024 / Updated at 11:50 a.m. on Feb. 15
Indigenous Affairs How the case of a missing Indigenous teen fell through the cracks No one was looking for Kit Nelson-Mora, despite warning signs, until a friend contacted police over a year after their disappearance in Omak. by Kelsey Turner InvestigateWest / February 14, 2024
Politics WA bill would add explicit ‘deepfakes’ to child pornography laws HB 1999 would close a legal recourse loophole by outlawing the use of a minor’s face to digitally fabricate sexual content. by Scarlet Hansen / February 13, 2024
Indigenous Affairs The Boldt Decision’s impact on Indigenous rights, 50 years later The landmark 1974 case ordered Washington to uphold its treaties, affirm Indigenous salmon fishing rights and recognize Native nations’ sovereignty. by Nicholas K. Geranios / February 12, 2024
Politics Will WA ever end supermajority law for school construction bonds? Bonds raise taxes for building and maintenance. While the proposal faces hurdles, there is a precedent — school levies needed 60% approval until 2007. by John Stang / February 9, 2024 / Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Indigenous Affairs Washington State University earns $15M a year on stolen land A Grist report reveals that over the past 150 years, WSU has collected at least $1B in profit from land taken from 21 Indigenous nations. by Venice Buhain / February 7, 2024
Politics Seattle social housing advocates want an ‘excess compensation’ tax Supporters are aiming for a November ballot initiative to fund mixed-income, subsidized housing by taxing companies that pay higher than $1M salaries. by Josh Cohen / February 6, 2024 / Updated: February 6, 3:25 p.m.