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
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
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
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.
Politics Despite industry pushback, WA farmworkers will keep overtime pay Since Jan. 1, agriculture has a 40-hour work week. But the system drew concerns from some growers over labor costs — and has workers split, too. by Mai Hoang / February 6, 2024
Politics Washington public defenders say the strained system needs funding Too many cases, too few lawyers and too little money hurt local governments’ ability to provide effective counsel to those with financial constraints. by Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard / February 2, 2024
Politics Washington teens advocate for Narcan in every school The life-saving opioid reversal medication is currently available only at high schools in districts with 2,000 or more students. by Scarlet Hansen / February 1, 2024 / Updated at 1:40 p.m. on Feb. 1
News Speaking Lushootseed: WA’s Indigenous curriculum may be renamed A bill would name the Native history program after the late advocate, longtime state Sen. John McCoy (lulilaš), who inspired its creation. by Jadenne Radoc Cabahug / January 31, 2024
Politics A WA bill would allow non-citizens to obtain professional licenses House Bill 1889 would remove citizenship requirements from certifications for jobs ranging from security guards to private investigators. by Scarlet Hansen / January 30, 2024