Austin Jenkins, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Concern High At Western State Hospital As Number Of COVID-19 Cases Grows

By Austin Jenkins April 8, 2020

Western State Hospital is Washington state's largest psychiatric facility. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK

To date, 22 Western State Hospital (WSH) staff have tested positive for the virus. That number has more than quadrupled in two weeks. In addition, six patients have tested positive and one elderly patient has died. Claudio said with each additional positive case, her fear rises. Read More

First Washington Prison Inmate Tests Positive For COVID-19

By Austin Jenkins April 6, 2020

Columbia Legal Services has filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington seeking the early release of some inmates to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Thomas Hawk / Flickr -TINYURL.COM/HA5H3WP

A prisoner at the Monroe Correctional Complex has tested positive for COVID-19, making him the first incarcerated individual in a Washington prison known to have contracted the virus. Continue Reading First Washington Prison Inmate Tests Positive For Read More

A Washington Inmate Fears Coronavirus Could Sweep Through His Prison Like A Fire

By Austin Jenkins April 5, 2020

Nightfall at the Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, November 29, 2018. Two units at the prison are currently on "precautionary quarantine." CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

The risk that COVID-19 could get into a prison is high, as is the potential for it to spread quickly because of tight spaces, shared quarters and dense populations. Adding to the danger is the fact Washington prisons – with nearly 17,000 inmates -- are at 100 percent of capacity. Read More

Jay Inslee Vetoes $235M In Washington Spending As Coronavirus-Caused Fiscal Cliff Looms

By Austin Jenkins April 3, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee signs Washington's supplemental operating budget into law on April 3, 2020. Before doing so, he vetoed more than $200 million in new spending in anticipation of the fiscal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. CREDIT: Office of the Governor

In anticipation of state revenues cratering because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday vetoed more than $200 million of new spending from the supplemental budget passed by state lawmakers last month. Read More

As Supplies Dwindle, One Washington Doctor Gets Creative To Hustle Masks

By Austin Jenkins March 28, 2020

Dr. Jessica Van Fleet-Green posted this selfie to Instagram after she received a new N95 mask after three weeks of using her old one.

Over the previous weekend, Dr. Jessica Van Fleet-Green rounded-up 200 masks for her team – a mix of the more protective N95s and standard surgical masks. The donations came from a dental office that’s now closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, two construction contractors and even her father who found two at home. Read More

Petition Seeks Early Release Of Some Washington Prison Inmates To Reduce Coronavirus Risk

By Austin Jenkins March 26, 2020

The petition for a writ of mandamus by Columbia Legal Services, a civil legal aid law firm, asks the Washington Supreme Court to intervene on behalf of older inmates, those with underlying health conditions and those who are within 18 months of their release date. Read More

‘Everybody’s In This Really Strange Place Right Now,’ Says Washington’s Top Infectious Disease Doctor

By Austin Jenkins March 22, 2020

Laurie Kuypers, a registered nurse, reaches into a car to take a swab from a patient at a drive-through COVID-19 coronavirus testing station for University of Washington Medicine. The federal government is trying to get more protective equipment to states for medical workers who will be on the front lines of the growing coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

These days Dr. Scott Lindquist is operating more like a military logistics officer. His phone is blowing up with calls from local public health officials on the frontlines of the battle against coronavirus. They’re asking for help in procuring the personal protective equipment that healthcare workers need to test and treat patients. Read More

It’s Not Just Nursing Homes: Threat Of Coronavirus Spread Looms In Other Communal Settings

By Austin Jenkins March 19, 2020

At Western State Hospital, entrances have been blocked off and locks changed to prevent employees from entering without being screened first for coronavirus symptoms.

The best available science suggests that people should maintain at least six feet of distance from others to avoid contracting COVID-19 – which is believed to be spread through droplets. But practicing safe distancing is often a challenge in congregate living settings. Read More

Outside Coronavirus Epicenter, Northwest Health System Workers Brace For What’s Coming

By Austin Jenkins March 18, 2020

Jess White, a registered nurse at UW Northwest, demonstrates to another nurse how to properly remove a mask on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at UW Medicine's drive-through testing clinic in Seattle. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

While the greater Seattle area has so far borne the brunt of the outbreak in Washington, health care workers outside the epicenter are bracing for what’s to come. Continue Reading Outside Coronavirus Epicenter, Northwest Read More

Coronavirus Prompts New Mandatory Work Measures At Washington State Agencies

By Austin Jenkins March 16, 2020

Visitors to Western State Hospital and other state facililties are being screened for coronavirus before they are allowed to enter. CREDIT: PHIL THOMAS / ASYLUMPROJECTS.ORG - TINYURL.COM/J28OGDB

Even as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee uses his emergency powers to restrict gatherings of more than 50 people and orders the closure of bars, restaurants and other gathering spaces for at least the next two weeks, state agencies are scrambling to implement emergency measures to protect their employees and those they serve from the rapid spread of coronavirus. Read More

What Passed, What Didn’t In 2020 Washington Legislature (Hint: Coronavirus Changed Plans)

By Austin Jenkins March 13, 2020

As the Legislature adjourned Thursday, 60 days felt like a lifetime ago. A surreal “new normal” had taken hold as Washington finds itself in the grips of a global coronavirus pandemic -- which poses a threat not just to the public, but also to the economy and to state revenues. Read More

Jay Inslee Orders Nursing Homes To Limit Visitors, Signals Social-Distancing Measures Are Next

By Austin Jenkins March 10, 2020

Warning that the number of coronavirus cases in Washington could double weekly, Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday indicated that mandatory social-distancing measures could be announced this week and, in the meantime, imposed new restrictions on nursing homes. Read More

Grant County Case First COVID-19 Death In Eastern Washington; Inslee Hints At Crowd Restrictions

By Austin Jenkins March 8, 2020

On CBS' 'Face the Nation' Gov. Jay Inslee hinted that he may soon order mandatory social distancing measures to stem the spread of coronavirus.

"We are contemplating some next steps, particularly to protect our vulnerable populations and our nursing homes and [the] like and we are looking to determine whether mandatory measures are required," Inslee said in an interview Sunday morning with CBS's "Face the Nation." Read More

Vice President Pence Visits Washington State As Coronavirus Outbreak Grows

By Austin Jenkins March 6, 2020

Vice President Mike Pence, at podium, speaks as Gov. Jay Inslee, left, and other officials look on during a news conference, March 5, 2020, at Camp Murray in Washington state. Pence was in the state to discuss the state's efforts to fight the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. CREDIT Ted S. Warren/AP

As the death toll climbs and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washington tops 70, Vice President Mike Pence traveled to the state Thursday to tour the Military Department’s Emergency Operations Center, meet with Gov. Jay Inslee and other elected leaders and announce the arrival of a shipment of supplies for healthcare workers from the Strategic National Stockpile Read More

Washington Heath Department Requests Legislators Allocate $100M For Coronavirus Response

By Austin Jenkins March 2, 2020

Washington Sec. of Health John Wiesman testifies before the Senate Ways and Means Committee about the coronavirus outbreak and associated costs.

“We know we’ve got the coronavirus in our community, we know that we’re having some community spread, we know that the risk is increasing,” Sec. of Health John Wiesman told the Senate Ways and Means Committee Monday morning. Read More

Judge: Tim Eyman Concealed More Than $750K In Campaign Contributions For Ballot Measures

By Austin Jenkins February 21, 2020

In November, anti-tax activist Tim Eyman announced he's running for governor. On Friday, Feb. 21, a Thurston County Judge found that Eyman has repeatedly concealed contributions related to his initiative campaigns. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

A judge has found that anti-tax activist and Republican candidate for governor Tim Eyman concealed more than $700,000 in campaign contributions related to his initiative work over a six-year period. The finding comes as Eyman mounts a first-ever run for public office and faces trial this summer over an alleged campaign finance kick-back scheme. Read More

Felon Voting Rights Bill Dies On Washington Senate Floor In The Middle Of Debate

By Austin Jenkins February 19, 2020

File photo - Washington prison - Courtesy of Washington Department of Corrections

Legislation to automatically restore the voting rights of convicted felons when they are released from prison has died unexpectedly in the Washington Senate. Majority Democrats abruptly ended debate on the controversial bill Wednesday evening when they realized they lacked the 25 votes needed to pass the measure. Read More

Lobbying Pays Off: Washington Health Insurers Benefit From Change To Consumer-Focused Bill

By Austin Jenkins February 18, 2020

Kaiser Permanente’s Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington is among the largest insurance plans in the state, along with Regence BlueShield and Premera Blue Cross. Together they’ve amassed nearly $4.5 billion in surpluses. At the same time, consumers have faced double-digit premium increases.

Strong opposition and intense lobbying by Washington’s health insurance industry has resulted in a key change to a consumer-oriented measure designed to address rising premium costs. Continue Reading Lobbying Pays Off: Read More

Where Will They Go? Washington Nursing Home For Brain Injured Patients To Close

By Austin Jenkins February 12, 2020

Washington nursing home for brain injured patients will close after nearly half a century. Continue Reading Where Will They Go? Washington Nursing Home For Brain Injured Patients To CloseRead More

Washington Lawmaker Wants To End ‘Better-Than-Boeing’ Tax Break For Prescription Drug Warehouses

By Austin Jenkins February 11, 2020

File photo. Distributors of opioids and other prescription drugs in Washington kept their better-than-Boeing tax break this year, despite a lawsuit against the industry's three largest players. CREDIT: Kevin Mooney/N3

Democratic state Rep. Lauren Davis says Washington’s current approach to helping people with substance use disorders is like a stool that’s missing two legs. While Medicaid pays for treatment, it doesn’t fund pre-treatment services which Davis calls the first leg of the stool. Read More

Big Insurers Rack Up Billions In Surpluses, Now Lawmakers May Take A Bite Of The Pie

By Austin Jenkins February 6, 2020

Two proposals in the Washington Legislature are taking aim at surpluses amassed from health insurers. Continue Reading Big Insurers Rack Up Billions In Surpluses, Now Lawmakers May Take A Bite Of The PieRead More

Washington Lawmaker Wants To Ban Openly Carried Firearms At The State Capitol

By Austin Jenkins February 3, 2020

Under current Washington law, visitors to the Capitol can openly-carry firearms. A bill introduced in the Legislature would ban weapons from the statehouse and Capitol grounds. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

State Rep. Tana Senn of Mercer Island said she filed her bill Monday, just days before a key cut-off deadline, after witnessing what she described as an "unsafe work environment" at the Capitol last Friday. Continue Reading Read More

After Attacks, Western State Hospital Will Open New Ward For Most Violent Psychiatric Patients

By Austin Jenkins January 30, 2020

Western State is one of the largest psychiatric hospitals west of the Mississippi River. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS

Nearly a year-and-a-half after a series of vicious patient-on-staff attacks, including one that cost a nurse part of her ear, Western State Hospital is poised to open a new unit to treat its 10 most violence-prone patients. Read More

‘Our Hair Is Literally A Crown.’ Washington Lawmakers Consider Ban On Race-Based Hair Bias

By Austin Jenkins January 29, 2020

uppporters of a bill to ban race-based hair discrimination pose for a photo following a public hearing in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

On Tuesday, a panel of state lawmakers heard passionate -- and unanimous -- testimony in favor of legislation that would define race to include traits such as hair texture and hairstyles like Afros, braids, locs and twists. Read More

Washington Lawmaker Wants Hairstyles Protected Under State’s Anti-Discrimination Law

By Austin Jenkins January 25, 2020

Rep. Melanie Morgan of Tacoma has introduced legislation to ban race-based hair discrimination. CREDIT: Washington Legislature

State Rep. Melanie Morgan’s “hair discrimination” bill would define race, which is a protected class, to include traits such as hair texture and “protective hairstyles” like Afros, braids, locs and twists. Continue Reading Read More

Do Kids Have A Right To Sell Lemonade? Washington Lawmakers Want To Guarantee It

By Austin Jenkins January 23, 2020

File photo. Bills in the Washington Legislature would prohibit local governments from regulating kid-run lemonade stands. CREDIT: EvinDC/Flickr tinyurl.com/EvanDCLemonade

Washington lawmakers are tackling a variety of weighty issues this year from homelessness to prescription drug pricing to transportation funding to …. the legality of kids’ lemonade stands. That’s right, lemonade stands are on the agenda for the 2020 legislative session in Olympia. Read More

Ban On ‘Assault Weapons’ Appears Unlikely To Pass Washington Legislature This Year

By Austin Jenkins January 21, 2020

Gun-rights supporters rally on the steps of the Washington state Capitol on Friday. Among the speakers was Republican state Rep. Matt Shea who participated in an act of domestic terrorism, according to a recent House investigation.

Despite a push by Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a ban on so-called “assault weapons” appears unlikely to pass the Washington Legislature this year. Continue Reading Ban On ‘Assault Weapons’ Read More

Grief And Furor As Gun Violence Victims And Gun Rights Advocates Testify In Olympia

By Austin Jenkins January 20, 2020

People packed a Washington legislative committee hearing room Monday, Jan. 20, to speak against and in favor of proposed gun safety measures. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

A gun rally in Virginia on Monday drew thousands of people and national attention. But guns were also on the agenda at the Washington state Capitol following a smaller pro-gun rally in Olympia on Friday. Continue Reading Read More

Washington Rep. Matt Shea At Gun-Rights Rally: ‘They’re Trying To Label Us All Domestic Terrorists’

By Austin Jenkins January 17, 2020

Washington state Rep. Matt Shea, a Spokane Valley Republican, has been accused of participating in an act of domestic terrorism prompting top elected officials to call on him to resign. But Friday, Shea found strong support at a gun rights rally at the state Capitol. Read More

Back At Washington Capitol, Rep. Matt Shea Remains Defiant As Supporters Rally To His Defense

By Austin Jenkins January 14, 2020

Washington state GOP Rep. Matt Shea records a video on the first day of the legislative session while a small group of supporters gather around him. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

In an exclusive interview with public radio's Northwest News Network, an upbeat Shea -- "I'm doing great" -- said he plans to fight any effort to expel him from the House chamber and called the allegations against him a "flat out lie." Read More

Gun Safety, Homelessness, Fate Of Matt Shea: Big Issues Loom As Washington Legislature Convenes

By Austin Jenkins January 13, 2020

File photo. The Washington State Capitol campus in Olympia. CREDIT: WSDOT - TINYURL.COM/YDDSPL8B

When Washington lawmakers convene a short, election year session on Monday, Jan. 13 they’ll confront a range of issues from homelessness to gun control to whether to expel state Rep. Matt Shea. Continue Reading Gun Read More

Disabled Woman Received Vinegar Instead Of Colonoscopy Prep. Secrecy Shrouds Her Death

By Austin Jenkins January 9, 2020

In February of 2019, a 64-year-old developmentally disabled woman named Marion Wilson died after being given cleaning vinegar instead of colonoscopy prep medicine. Since then, the details of what happened have remained a closely guarded secret. Illustration by Ryleigh Brimhall

The Spokane County Medical Examiner determined Mary Wilson, a developmentally disabled woman, died from ingesting household vinegar. The cleaning strength product, with six percent acidity, had inflamed and killed the tissue in Wilson’s esophagus, stomach and small bowel resulting in her death. Her caregiver was supposed to give her prescribed liquid ahead of a Read More

Booked And Buried: Case Of Lorenzo Hayes Shows It’s Not Easy Getting Answers To Jail Deaths

By Austin Jenkins December 27, 2019

A barbed wire fence encloses the Columbia County Jail yard in St. Helens, Ore., Saturday, March 30, 2019. CREDIT: Bradley Parks/OPB

In other words, jail deaths are a local matter. It’s up to the jail director, the sheriff or other county officials to decide how an in-custody death should be investigated. The state has no role and no oversight of that investigation. The result is jail death investigations have no guarantee of independence, oversight or necessarily accountability. Read More

15 Easily Missed Details From Deep Inside The Report On Washington State Rep. Matt Shea

By Austin Jenkins December 20, 2019

WA state Rep. Matt Shea has been ejected from the House Republican Caucus in response to a report that found he is a leader in the Patriot Movement and helped plan the 2016 armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge.

Buried in the report are a number of details and revelations that give readers an inside look at how Rep. Matt Shea reportedly operates behind the scenes. It’s a world of code names, encrypted communications and military-style directives. Read More

Internal Investigative Report Accuses Washington State Rep. Matt Shea Of ‘Domestic Terrorism’

By Austin Jenkins December 19, 2019

State Rep. Matt Shea speaks at a 51st state rally at the Washington Capitol on Feb. 15 2019. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS / N3

An internal report commissioned by Washington state legislative leaders and led by a former FBI agent, found that eastern Washington state Rep. Matt Shea engaged in "political violence" and "domestic terrorism" against rivals and helped plan the 2016 Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation. Read More

Washington Supreme Court Rules State Lawmakers Are Subject To Public Disclosure Law

By Austin Jenkins December 19, 2019

File photo of the Washington Senate gallery. CREDIT: WASHINGTON LEGISLATURE

In a 7-to-2 decision, the Washington Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that individual state lawmakers are subject to the state’s Public Records Act (PRA) and therefore must disclose records such as emails and calendars. In doing so, the high court upheld a lower court ruling and delivered a significant victory to media outlets that sued over access to lawmaker records. Read More

Investigation Underway After Developmentally Disabled Spokane Woman Dies From Vinegar

By Austin Jenkins December 13, 2019

This Spokane home is where a caregiver allegedly gave Marion Wilson, a 64-year-old developmentally disabled woman, a fatal dose of cleaning vinegar instead of colonosocopy prep solution. A state criminal investigation into the death is now underway. CREDIT: Doug Nadvornick/Spokane Public Radio

The Medicaid fraud division of the Washington Attorney General’s office is conducting a criminal investigation into the death of a developmentally disabled woman who died last February in Spokane. The existence of the state’s investigation, which began in August, has not been previously reported. Read More

Governor Jay Inslee Appoints First Native American To Washington Supreme Court

By Austin Jenkins December 4, 2019

Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis has been appointed as the first Native American justice to serve on the Washington Supreme Court. Courtesy of office of Gov. Jay Inslee

In a barrier-breaking appointment, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has selected a Whatcom County judge to serve as the first known Native American justice on the state Supreme Court since its founding in 1889. Continue Reading Governor Read More

Tensions Rise In Olympia As People With Few Options Park RVs Outside Washington Capitol

By Austin Jenkins November 22, 2019

Austin Hall, left, his fiance Victoria Swan and a man who identified himself as Mark Goddard sit in one of the RVs parked on Deschutes Parkway on Washington's Capitol campus. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

The state of Washington now finds itself grappling with an issue that’s been front and center in Seattle, Portland and many other cities -- people who are homeless living in dilapidated recreational vehicles parked on public streets. Read More

Anti-Tax Ballot Initiative Sponsor Tim Eyman Says He Is Running For Governor Of Washington

By Austin Jenkins November 21, 2019

Professional initiative sponsor Tim Eyman, right, holds a photo from his first successful $30 car tabs initiative in 1999. Eyman says he has collected almost enough signatures to qualify a 2019 car tabs rollback initiative to the 2019 Legislature. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

Eyman says his decision to run is motivated in part by legal efforts to overturn Initiative 976, his car tabs measure that voters just approved. Continue Reading Anti-Tax Ballot Initiative Sponsor Tim Eyman Says He Is Read More

Washington Mother And Advocate For Developmental Disability Services: ‘Move To Oregon’

By Austin Jenkins November 20, 2019

Lindsey Topping-Schuetz poses for a photo with her three-year-old son Owen before testifying about the challenges families face in obtaining state-paid developmental disabilities services.

Currently, nearly 14,000 people who meet the Washington state's criteria as developmentally disabled are not receiving services. They’re on what’s known as the no-paid services caseload. Continue Reading Washington Mother And Read More

He Died By Suicide In Solitary Confinement. Now Washington Will Pay $500K In Settlement

By Austin Jenkins November 13, 2019

In 2014, Morgan Bluehorse died by suicide in his isolation cell at the Airway Heights Corrections Center near Spokane. His family has settled its lawsuit against the state for $500,000 CREDIT: WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The state of Washington has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of a 29-year-old man who died by suicide in an isolation cell at the Airway Heights Corrections Center near Spokane in May 2014. Read More

AP: Washington Voters Appear To Narrowly Reject Effort To Bring Back Affirmative Action

By Austin Jenkins November 12, 2019

Affirmative action opponents demonstrate outside the Washington Senate on Sunday night following a vote to approve I-1000. AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

The Associated Press declared Referendum 88 rejected late Tuesday afternoon, one week after Election Day. Soon after, the pro-affirmative action Washington Fairness Coalition sent out a concession statement. Continue Read More

Uptick In Washington Nursing Homes Closures Prompts Proposals To Raise Medicaid Rates

By Austin Jenkins November 10, 2019

Keiro Northwest Rehabilitation and Care Center is one of nearly 20 skilled nursing facilities to close in Washington over the past nearly three years.

In response to a rash of nursing home closures in Washington, a Republican state senator is calling for an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates and other steps to stave off additional closures. “We are in a crisis of skilled nursing facilities and beds,” said Sen. Steve O’Ban, a Pierce County Republican. Read More

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