Washington Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Washington, Idaho Outline Different Approaches For Schools; Moscow Goes Hybrid, Delays Start

By NWPB News August 5, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced new guidance for school district on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. CREDIT: TVW

Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday that schools in the majority of Washington’s counties should strongly consider online-only learning for students this fall due to COVID-19 and canceling or postponing sports and all other in-person extracurricular activities. In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little is urging schools to reopen where it's deemed safe. Read More

Washington Primary: Jay Inslee, Loren Culp Advance To General; Other Races Still Being Counted

By NWPB News August 5, 2020

The race for governor and lieutenant governor were among dozens of federal, statewide and local races that voters were deciding in the state’s top-two primary, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the November ballot, regardless of party. Last-minute voters had until 8 p.m. to drop their ballots off at drop off boxes around the state. Read More

Breaking Down Dynamics Of Washington’s Aug. 4 Primary, With A Crowded Race For Governor

By Austin Jenkins August 3, 2020

Washington state primary election ballot for the Aug. 4, 2020 all-vote-by-mail election. CREDIT: Scott Leadingham/NWPB

While turnout in November could easily top 80 percent, Washington’s August primary typically draws 40 percent or less of the electorate. We break down the dynamics of this year's unusual election season during the coronavirus pandemic. Read More

Court Upholds Conviction Of Former Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley, Further Appeals Possible

By Austin Jenkins July 29, 2020

Former Washington State Auditor Troy Kelley. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected an appeal by former Washington state Auditor Troy Kelley who sought to have his 2017 convictions for possession of stolen property, filing false tax returns and making false statements overturned. Read More

Jay Inslee Announces Restrictions On Social Gatherings For Some Counties As COVID-19 Cases Grow

By Scott Leadingham July 16, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a 10-person limit on social gatherings in current Phase 3 counties during a July 16 press briefing. CREDIT: TVW

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says there is a concerning rise in the rate of coronavirus infections in the state. On Thursday he announced one measure to address it as counties wait in limbo for further reopening. Beginning Monday, July 20, social gatherings in current Phase 3 counties will be limited to 10 or fewer people. Read More

Forest Service Considers Rule Change That Prevented Logging Of Some Northwest Old-Growth Trees

By Courtney Flatt July 13, 2020

OSU scientists detect a tagged hermit warbler in the canopy of an old growth grove in the Oregon Cascades. Learning how the small song birds travel over the course of a day could provide insight into why bird populations are doing well in old growth forests while declining in other warming landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. CREDIT: GREG DAVIS

The land management plans, known as the “Eastside Screens,” came about in 1995 to protect old growth trees east of the Cascades. The rules were meant to be temporary. The Forest Service wants to amend a section of the policy called the “21-inch rule,” which prohibits harvesting trees that are greater than 21-inches in diameter. Read More

League of Women Voters Lieutenant Governor Virtual Election Forum

By NWPB Vote 2020 July 7, 2020

LT GOV FORUM PRIMARY TVW live stream page

The League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County hosts a virtual primary election forum featuring candidates for Washington Lieutenant Governor. Live Stream – July 9 | 5:30 pm Days Hours Minutes Seconds **If above embed doesn’t work, click here for direct link to TVW NWPB Vote 2020 StoriesRead More

A Presidential Year Without A Statewide Ballot Initiative: A First Since 1928 In Washington

By Austin Jenkins July 3, 2020

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

A review of Washington’s initiative history reveals that not since 1928 has the November ballot been bereft of an initiative to the people in a year when voters were electing a president. Continue Reading A Read More

Washington State Leaders Hesitant About Counties Moving To Final Phase 4 Of State Reopening Plan

By Tom Banse June 24, 2020

Thinly populated, rural counties in Washington -- such as Columbia County, seen here -- are in the vanguard of the state reopening process, but the final stage appears to be delayed. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

Washington state leaders are expressing hesitancy about opening the door to the final phase of the governor's four-phase reopening plan. By the end of this week, eight rural counties will have spent the minimum three weeks in Phase 3 and can then theoretically apply to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions. Read More

Tacoma Case Of Manuel Ellis Prompts State Attorney General To Review Dozens Of Police Force Cases

By Will James June 24, 2020

The family of Manuel Ellis and their attorney, James Bible, address reporters during a news conference Tuesday in Tacoma. They renewed calls for the state to lead an independent investigation into Ellis' killing on March 3. CREDIT: Parker Miles Blohm/KNKX

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office is reviewing at least 30 cases in which police killed or wounded people in 2020, amid concerns law enforcement agencies are not following new rules governing how they hold each other accountable in cases of deadly force. Read More

Study Estimates High Costs, Low Ridership If Washington Boosted East-West Train Service

By Tom Banse June 24, 2020

The rail corridor studied stretches from Seattle to Spokane with six intermediate stops including Ellensburg, Yakima and Pasco.

The Washington Legislature commissioned the $250,000 study last year to see if it would be feasible to restart passenger service on the Stampede Pass line. The route crosses the Cascade Mountains from Seattle to Ellensburg, then stretches onward through the Yakima Valley to Pasco and Spokane. Read More

Governor Jay Inslee Issues Statewide Mask Requirement; Yakima Hospital Clarifies Capacity Question

By NWPB News June 23, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a statewide mask-wearing requirement on June 23, 2020. CREDIT: TVW

After weeks of relying on voluntary compliance, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday afternoon announced an enforceable, statewide requirement that people wear face coverings when in public, including outdoors when six feet of separation can't be maintained. The new public health order, to be issued by the Secretary of Health, takes effect on Friday. Read More

She Lost Her Sister To COVID-19. It Highlights Risk To People With Developmental Disabilities

By Austin Jenkins June 19, 2020

A montage of photos captures special moments in the life of Sharon Gowdey who had Down syndrome and died of COVID-19 in April. People with developmental disabilites appear to have a much higher risk of death from the virus. Courtesy of Kathleen Hesseltine

Early data show a 13.5 percent death rate among people with developmental disabilities who live in state-supported, community-based settings and have tested positive. That’s nearly triple Washington’s current statewide death rate of 4.6 percent. It’s a similar story in other states, including Oregon. Read More

New Washington Phone Hotline Serves People Struggling With COVID-19 Issues

By Doug Nadvornick June 16, 2020

The new Washington Listens line for people struggling with Covid-related issues is funded by a federal emergency management grant. CREDIT: Washington DOH

The state of Washington has opened a new statewide toll-free telephone hotline for people who are struggling during the Covid pandemic. Continue Reading New Washington Phone Hotline Serves People Struggling With COVID-19 IssuesRead More

Washington’s ‘Stay Home’ Order Ends June 1, With State Moving To County-By-County Approach

By NWPB News May 29, 2020

A COVID-19 test kit. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instructed state health officials to test all nursing home staff and residents in the coming weeks, according to a state doctor.

Gov. Jay Inslee's stay-at-home order will end at midnight on May 31. Instead, state officials will use a phased plan outlined at the beginning of the month to govern county-by-county reopening permissions. Continue Reading 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

30K Coronavirus Tests A Day Could Be The Ticket To Washington’s Freedom

By Northwest News Network May 7, 2020

A Washington Army National Guard soldier consults instructions while assembling a Covid-19 test kit at a state warehouse in Tumwater. The National Guard is currently helping to assemble 30,000 kits for distribution to local public health agencies.

More testing will allow Washington state to relax some social distancing measures, because we'll be able to identify sick people early and keep them isolated. Here's how we can get there. Continue Reading 30K Coronavirus Tests A Day Could Read More

Jay Inslee Extends Coronavirus Closures Through May, Outlines Phased Plan To Reopen

By NWPB News May 1, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced an extension of the state's stay home, stay healthy measures through May, while unveiling a four-phase economic reopening and recovery plane. CREDIT: TVW

Washington's 'stay home' order will extend until at least May 31. On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the new time frame and that businesses will be able to open over four phases. Continue Reading Jay Inslee Extends Read More

Washington’s Stay-Home Order Will Be Extended Past May 4, Details Coming Later This Week

By NWPB News April 29, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces the closing of all K-12 schools in three Washington counties on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The closure was extended statewide on Friday for at least six weeks. CREDIT: Rachel La Corte/AP

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday confirmed that his statewide stay-at-home order would be extended beyond its current May 4 end date. Inslee also said the state had new guidelines for health care providers to resume some non-urgent surgical procedures. Read More

Big Study Finds Small Territory Usage For Washington’s Medium-Sized Wild Lynx

By Courtney Flatt April 27, 2020

A Canada lynx in Washington spotted by one of 650 wildlife cameras in a Washington State University study. CREDIT: WSU Mammal Spatial Ecology and Conservation Lab

In a study recently published in the Journal of Wildlife Management, WSU scientists found that lynx only occupy about 20% of potential habitat in Washington. Continue Reading Big Study Finds Small Territory Usage For Washington’s Read More

Inland Northwest Farmers Markets Hit By Coronavirus Closures Adapt To New Rules

By Nicholas Deshais April 23, 2020

Morgan Henry Kerr of Bellingham's Farmers Market monitors the new market entrance to monitor the number of people in the market so that physical distancing is maintained at all times.

While some elements of a farmers market are allowed — selling food and soap — other parts are not considered an “essential business” under Washington and Idaho’s orders. That means no more live music. No more kids’ activities. No seats. No touching the produce. Read More

Surge In Unemployment Continues As Clunky State Systems Await Upgrades

By Tom Banse April 17, 2020

Shavonne Maes paints a mural onto the boarded up facade of Some Random Bar on March 26, 2020, in Seattle.

Fresh numbers of initial claims for jobless benefits showed some moderation in the past week in the staggering wave of layoffs across the Northwest caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But the level of unemployment claims continues to hover at record levels, as reported Thursday by the state labor and employment departments of Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Read More

The Northwest Cattle-Branding Show Goes On, With Cautious Eye Toward Coronavirus Safety

By Anna King April 16, 2020

Cattle brandings in the Northwest take a lot of people. One person vaccinates, another brands, another castrates the calves — all at the same time. Courtesy of Gary King

Around a million beef cattle are born each spring in the Northwest — about 228,000 in Washington, 533,000 in Oregon and 495,000 in Idaho last year. It takes a large crew working close to get through hundreds of cattle at a time, and ranchers say the job can’t wait — coronavirus or not. Read More

In Washington And Beyond, When Will It Start To Get Back To Normal? Experts Weigh In

By Austin Jenkins April 16, 2020

This chart from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington shows a sharp decline in COVID-19 related deaths by early May if social distancing practices continue. CREDIT: Office of Gov. Jay Inslee

After weeks of extraordinary efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, Washington state officials are beginning to talk more openly about easing social distancing restrictions and a sequential unlocking of the economy. Read More

COVID-19 Cases Surge Across Washington’s Nursing Homes

By John Ryan April 13, 2020

Sisters Seri Sedlacek, left, and Susan Simpkins look in on their father, Chuck Sedlacek, at the Life Care Center, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Kirkland. Shuksan Healthcare Center in Bellingham is working to avoid what happened at the Kirkland facility. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

The number of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases more than doubled in the first eight days of April. Nursing and assisted-living centers in Bellingham, Coupeville, Everett, Kennewick, Kirkland, Richland and Shoreline have each reported at least 25 COVID-19 cases Read More

In Northwest States, Newly Jobless Wait For Unemployment Systems To Catch Up

By Tom Banse April 10, 2020

Laid-off restaurant worker Katrina Thiessen is frustrated by the weeks-long delay in having her unemployment claim approved.

There are hundreds of thousands of additional jobless workers waiting in the wings to file claims, including part-time and gig economy workers and self-employed who qualify under expanded federal benefits. But they are temporarily frozen out. The wait for overloaded unemployment systems to catch up is leaving some of them frustrated or anxious. Read More

Meet The Person Leading Washington’s Hospital Coordination: A Retired Admiral Nicknamed ‘Rocky’

By Tom Banse April 7, 2020

Retired Vice Admiral Raquel Bono came to Olympia in mid-March to fill the newly-created position of COVID-19 health systems response coordinator.

When the coronavirus outlook got scary and hairy in mid-March, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee recruited an outsider to join his crisis management team. He convinced a retired vice admiral to temporarily move cross-country to serve as Washington state's COVID-19 hospital "czar." Read More

Washington Extends K-12 School Closure Through June; So Does Idaho (With Big Caveats)

By NWPB News April 6, 2020

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday that all Washington K-12 schools would remain closed for the rest of the current school year. CREDIT: TVW/Screenshot

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday that all Washington K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of this school year and will shift to a distance learning model. Continue Reading Washington Extends K-12 School Closure Read More

Why Insurers May Not Cover Business’ Coronavirus Losses

By NWPB News April 3, 2020

Carlo Lamagna, the owner and chef of Magna Kusina in Portland, Ore., poses for a portrait inside his closed restaurant on Friday, March 27, 2020. Lamagna laid off his entire staff and closed the business following Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s order to halt dine-in eating at restaurants in response to the coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Bryan M. Vance/OPB

As coronavirus pandemic shutters small businesses across the Northwest, business owners are bracing for a wave of insurance denials. That’s because insurers have been telling businesses that coronavirus losses don’t count. Continue Reading Why Insurers Read More

Gov. Jay Inslee Extends Washington ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ Order Until At Least May 5

By NWPB News April 2, 2020

On Monday, March 23, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the state and issued a 'stay-at-home' order in a further attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Governor's Office

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the original 'stay-at-home' order would be extended until at least May 5. There were no additional restrictions or other measure put in place beyond what's already been implemented. Continue Read More

Inslee Asks Washington Manufacturers To Help COVID-19 Fight; Idaho Goes Vote-By-Mail For Primary

By NWPB News April 1, 2020

Kaas Tailored employees sew masks on Monday, March 23, 2020, at the Kaas Tailored furniture factory in Mukilteo. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

Gov. Jay Inslee is calling on businesses across Washington state to help produce critical medical supplies, such as N95 masks, face shields, and testing supplies. Also, Idaho will go ahead with a May 19 primary -- but switch to an all-vote-by-mail system, like Washington and Oregon already have. Read More

Washington Steps-Up Messaging On ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order: Risk Ticket Or Losing Business Licence

By NWPB News March 30, 2020

A highway sign in Carmel, Ind., urges resident to stay home as the state ordered residents to remain at home except for essential activities. Similar signs are up in many states, including Washington, after governors have issued their own orders limiting business and travel. CREDIT: Michael Conroy/AP

The governor outlined a three-tier law enforcement response system for violations of the order, which could amount to a gross misdemeanor. A first offense would result in a warning. But consequences thereafter would become more serious. Read More

As Monthly Rents Come Due, So Do Different Eviction Policies For Idaho And Washington Tenants

By Nicholas Deshais March 30, 2020

Rent is due this week. But with stay-home orders in both Washington and Idaho, shuttered businesses and a troubled economy, some people wonder if they’ll get evicted if they don’t pay. In Washington, a moratorium on evictions gives protection to renters hit hard by the COVID outbreak. Idaho has no such moratorium, but a recent court order may protect them. Read More

Are Gun Stores ‘Essential’ During Coronavirus Outbreak? Different States Have Different Answers

By NPR News March 27, 2020

Andrea Schry (right) fills out the buyer's part of legal forms to buy a handgun as shop worker Missy Morosky fills out the vendor's parts after Dukes Sport Shop in New Castle, Pa., reopened on Wednesday. Keith Srakocic/AP

Governors and mayors in some parts of the country are requiring them to close like many other businesses. Other officials are letting gun sales continue. Gun rights groups are on the defensive. Continue Reading Are Read More

Washington High Schoolers Won’t Get Litter Crew Jobs This Summer — But Adults Can Apply

By Courtney Flatt March 27, 2020

Washington high school students won't get the chance to get job skills in outdoor litter crews this summer. But the Dept. of Ecology will hire adults for the crews. CREDIT: Washington DOE

The state Dept. of Ecology will bring the student crews back next summer. But the agency will will hire more adult crews, ages 18 and up, to pick up litter. There won’t be as many openings as with youth workers because the adults will work longer than three weeks. Read More

Northwest States See Unprecedented Surge In Unemployment Claims

By NWPB News March 26, 2020

File photo. Porter Hahn makes an iced coffee drink in November 2019 in a Seattle coffee shop. U.S. services companies grew at a faster pace in February 2020 than the previous month. Then the coronavirus outbreak in the region shut down much of the service industry. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

Mirroring the national trend, Washington, Idaho and Oregon are experiencing an unprecedented spike in unemployment claims caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading Northwest States See Unprecedented Surge In Unemployment ClaimsRead More

Distanciamento Social Continuará Después Del 4 De Mayo, Según Inslee

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa March 25, 2020

In an April 28, 2020, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said residents should prepare for current social distancing restrictions to continue past May 4. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Northwest Public Broadcasting ha creado esta página para mantener a lectores hispanohablantes al tanto de recomendaciones y medidas gubernamentales para combatir el coronavirus, también conocido como COVID-19. Esta página será actualizada conforme se desarrolle la noticia. Favor de mandar preguntas y noticias de su comunidad al reportero Enrique Pérez de la Rosa al (206) Read More

Under Financial Strain, Washington Community Health Centers Ramp Up For Coronavirus Response

By NPR News March 25, 2020

Dr. Esther Johnston of HealthPoint Community Health Center says her clinic in Auburn, Washington has overhauled how it sees patients, shifting resources away from routine primary care to pandemic response by necessity. CREDIT: Will Stone for NPR

Community health centers in Washington are under increasing financial strain as they ramp up for coronavirus, while also losing some key sources of funding. Continue Reading Under Financial Strain, Washington Read More

Washington And Oregon Close State Parks Over…Well, You Know By Now

By Courtney Flatt March 24, 2020

The new entrance sign telegraphs the state-tribal partnership to manage the new state park. CREDIT: WA STATE PARKS

You’ll have to put off your favorite hike on Washington public lands for at least two weeks. State-managed parks and wildlife areas are closing starting Wednesday, March 25. Continue Reading Washington And Oregon Close State Parks Over…Well, Read More

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Announces Statewide ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order To Address Coronavirus

By NWPB News March 23, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a statewide "stay at home" order Monday, March 23, with exceptions for essential travel, jobs, grocery shopping and exercise. He implored residents to maintain social distancing in the interest of public health. CREDIT: TVW

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a stay-at-home order Monday for all Washington residents. The order builds on other "unprecedented steps" that the state has already imposed, including closing schools and public places such as bars and in-house dining services. It's all an effort to reduce in-person physical social interactions. Read More

Yakima County Gets Stay-At-Home Order As President Trump Declares Emergency For Washington

By NWPB News March 22, 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

Coronavirus continues to spread in Washington and Idaho. As of Sunday, March 22, Washington had nearly 2,000 confirmed cases, with at least 95 deaths since the outbreak began. Idaho’s official number stood at 47 cases, with most in Blaine County. 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

Inslee Gives Washingtonians Eviction Protection; Little Asks Idahoans To Avoid Large Crowds

By NWPB News March 18, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, left, gives an elbow touch to American Sign Language interpreter Terry Dockter after a news conference about the coronavirus outbreak Monday, March 16, 2020, in Seattle. Inslee ordered all bars, restaurants, entertainment and recreation facilities to temporarily close to fight the spread of COVID-19.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a slate of measures Wednesday to help the state’s workers, businesses and renters. In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little urged his state’s citizens to impose more discipline on themselves to keep COVID-19 from spreading. Read More

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

By Austin Jenkins March 18, 2020

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

Washington, Idaho And 4 Other States Vote: Your Guide To ‘Big Tuesday’

By NPR News March 9, 2020

The 2020 Washington presidential primary ballot requires voters to select a party, which is new, and many people don't care for it. CREDIT: Scott Leadingham/NWPB

Tuesday's contests offer 352 delegates among six states. Michigan is the biggest prize, and it could be another pivot point in this Democratic primary. Continue Reading Washington, Idaho And 4 Other States Vote: Your Guide To ‘Big Read More

Episode 2 – Who Should Pick A Party’s Nominee?

By NWPB Vote 2020 March 6, 2020

How We Ended Up Here Episode 2 podcast artwork

Washington state’s all-vote-by-mail presidential primary looks a lot like a regular election. But, really, it’s not. And this one is different than 2016. Continue Reading Episode 2 – Who Should Pick A Party’s Nominee?Read More

Study: Evidence Does Not Support Hunting As A Way To Control Cougar Population

By Erin Ross February 27, 2020

Problem encounters with cougars have increased in Oregon's Willamette Valley. CREDIT: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Most Western states rely on hunters to keep cougar numbers in check. It makes a sort of logical sense: if cougar populations are high, attacks on elk, bighorn sheep and deer should be high. So should attacks on livestock and humans. But a new study casts doubt on the effectiveness of sport hunting as a means of predator control. 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

Odds Improving That Washington May Legalize Sports Betting, But Not Like Oregon

By Tom Banse February 11, 2020

At least in the near term, Washington state lawmakers do not want to have online sports betting as offered by the Oregon Lottery.

A couple of years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states beyond Nevada to have sports betting. Oregon dove in last year. Idaho, Washington and California have held back. Now, Washington state lawmakers are taking a hard look at legalizing sports betting. But they do not seem inclined to copy much from Oregon's playbook. Read More