Government Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Should Civics Have A More Prominent Place In Washington Schools?

By Doug Nadvornick February 16, 2021

Advocates for police accountability and racial justice rallied on the steps of the Washington Capitol in June 2020. Now the Washington Legislature is taking up those issues as it welcomes a record number of lawmakers of color. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

This is the first academic year when districts in Washington are required to teach a stand-alone civics education course, not just something embedded in existing social studies classes. It’s the result of a bill approved by legislators three years ago. Read More

In Washington, The Revolving Door Between State Public Service And Lobbying Is Well Greased

By Austin Jenkins September 2, 2020

The Washington state capitol building in Olympia. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Efforts to slow WA’s revolving door from state service to lobbying have been thwarted in recent years. That makes the state an outlier in not requiring a cooling off period. So how much does this happen? Continue Read More

40 Years After Mount St. Helens, Sounds Of Past Government Response Echo Today

By Nicholas Deshais May 18, 2020

Mount St. Helens left an indellible mark on the Northwest landscape -- not just in the ecology and geology, but in how government officials respond and think about disaster preparedness.

In the days leading up to the May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption 40 years ago, Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies tried to prevent people from getting too close to the growling, shaking mountain. Continue Reading 40 Years After 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

Congress Poised To Punt On Government Spending Fight Over Border Wall

By NPR News December 3, 2018

The U.S. flag flies at half-staff in honor of former President George H.W. Bush outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Monday. Top Hill leaders planned on a stopgap funding bill to avoid a partial shutdown at the end of the week. CREDIT: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images

After the death of former President George H.W. Bush top Hill leaders decided to prepare a two-week funding bill to postpone a fight over President Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall. Continue Reading Congress Poised To Punt Read More