Politics Washington clergy still not required to report child abuse A compromise proposal near the end of the legislative session died after Catholics rejected the bill over religious objections. by Wilson Criscione InvestigateWest / May 22, 2023
Politics Washington passes law to cut ‘forever chemicals’ in makeup Starting in 2025, the Toxics-Free Cosmetics Act will be among the country’s strongest legislation against hazardous products. by Joseph Winters Grist / May 18, 2023
Politics Washington lawmakers make drug possession a gross misdemeanor The Legislature needed an extra day to pass the new law after failing to come to an agreement at the end of the 2023 regular session. by Joseph O’Sullivan / May 16, 2023
Environment Washington slates $50M for trees to shade salmon streams Gov. Jay Inslee and a bipartisan group of legislators are using a low-tech approach to combat deadly warming waters. by John Stang / May 16, 2023
Politics Crosscut Ideas Festival: Eric Holder’s civil rights legacy After the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, Barack Obama's attorney general leapt into action. by Cascade PBS Newsroom Staff / May 15, 2023
Politics Crosscut Ideas Festival: Michael Cohen on Trump and consequences The 45th president's personal lawyer and “fixer” pulls no punches about shady dealings and ongoing legal troubles. by Cascade PBS Newsroom Staff / May 14, 2023
Politics Crosscut Ideas Festival: Andrew Yang on the harm of primaries Ranked-choice voting is a way out of paralyzing hyperpartisanship, said the 2020 presidential candidate. by Cascade PBS Newsroom Staff / May 13, 2023
Politics WA lawmakers’ ‘year of housing’ could ease the affordability crisis The Legislature passed 10 laws and put $1 billion toward one of Washington’s most pressing problems: a statewide lack of accessible shelter. by Joseph O’Sullivan / May 12, 2023
News Crosscut Ideas Festival: Michael Barbaro on truth, lies and news The host of the New York Times' podcast The Daily explains why covering falsehoods is an existential problem for journalism. by Gavin Borchert / May 12, 2023
Politics Washington to invest $21M in abortion, reproductive health care 'Historic' state budget funding will go toward medical personnel, new provider training, clinic security and other resources. by Megan Burbank / May 11, 2023