WA Government

News > Pacific NW

Sen. Honeyford looks back on 28 years in Legislature, 60 years of service

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 28, 2022

Dec. 28—The classic car glistening in Sen. Jim Honeyford's garage could be seen as a metaphor for the career of this longtime lawmaker. The 1930 Ford Model A Coupe with its slick green paint and original — and operational — engine and brakes is the product of much behind-the-scenes work: Not budgets and bills, but restoration. It has traveled all over Central Washington carrying Jim, his wife, ...

News > Nation/World

We the People: As head of Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray hopes to be role model for more effective Congress

Sun., Dec. 25, 2022

Each week, The Spokesman-Review examines one question from the Naturalization Test immigrants must pass to become United States citizens.

News > Pacific NW

WA attorney general sues Kroger, Albertsons, Rite Aid over opioid crisis

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 21, 2022

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday his office is suing Kroger, Albertsons and Rite Aid, arguing their pharmacy chains failed to act as the "final barrier" against the over-prescription of opioids.

News > Washington

Top Republican on Senate Budget Committee criticizes Gov. Inslee’s gudget

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 20, 2022

State Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, released a statement on Wednesday criticizing Gov. Jay Inslee's operating budget proposal. In Wilson's view, Inslee's budget fails to prioritize the issues that most affect families in Washington state.

News > Washington

Inslee, Ferguson renew push for ban on assault weapons in Washington

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 19, 2022

Inslee and Ferguson joined legislators and others affected by gun violence in Tukwila on Monday to announce upcoming legislation to reduce gun violence. The legislation addresses assault weapons, permits to purchase guns and holding businesses that sell guns liable.

News > Nation/World

We the People: Cathy McMorris Rodgers finally has her dream job in Congress, leading Energy and Commerce Committee

Sun., Dec. 18, 2022

Each week, The Spokesman-Review examines one question from the Naturalization Test immigrants must pass to become United States citizens.

News > Washington

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler provides final remarks on House floor

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 14, 2022

On Tuesday, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler spoke on the House floor for the last time, providing a farewell to the role she filled since 2010.

News > Washington

Inslee proposes $70 billion budget with focus on housing, homelessness, behavioral health

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 14, 2022

The proposal will likely guide lawmakers this session as they write budgets for the next two-year cycle that will fund education, housing, new construction, state employees' salaries, public safety and other programs across the state.

News > Education

Spokane’s Wilson Elementary requires masks after 30% of students absent with respiratory illnesses

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 14, 2022

Through the end of this week, students, staff and visitors are now required to wear masks during school hours and encouraged to wear masks during evening events. Masks will be available at the school for those who may need them.

News > Washington

Inslee pushes for funding to make WSU Tri-Cities clean energy hub in Washington

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 12, 2022

Inslee on Monday previewed his climate agenda for the 2023 legislative session at an event in the Tri-Cities, including a proposal to make Washington State University Tri-Cities the home of a new Northwest Energy Futures institute. Inslee is asking the Legislature for $10 million to fund the institute.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: Election skeptics demanding records, recounts

Sat., Dec. 10, 2022

The start of the partial recount in the Spokane County auditor’s race was delayed briefly last week by some observers using the opportunity to demand answers about pending public records requests, something at best only tangentially related to the matter of reviewing results from five of the county’s 439 precincts.

News > Pacific NW

Wash. Dept. of Commerce seeks resident help to preserve broadband funding

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 9, 2022

Dec. 8—OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is asking state residents to help check the accuracy of the Federal Communications Commission's new National Broadband Map, which notes which parts of the country have and do not have access to broadband internet service. According to a press release issued Thursday by the Washington State Department of Commerce, at stake is the ...

News > Washington

City of Spokane public bargaining mandate unconstitutional, state Supreme Court says

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 8, 2022

The court on Thursday upheld a Spokane County Superior Court judge's ruling from last August that said the new charter section was in conflict with state laws.

News > Agriculture

Legal weed in Washington turns 10 this week. What challenges lie ahead in the next decade?

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 4, 2022

Today, with 21 states and counting allowing the possession and sale of the drug to adults, the attention has shifted among industry members to the real possibility that the walls around Washington's market, approved by voters, could soon come tumbling down with federal legalization and access to banking.

News > Washington

One year later, Camp Hope remains open. Spokane’s mayor lays blame at Commerce’s feet.

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 5, 2022

Saturday will mark the one-year anniversary of the protest in front of city hall that spawned Camp Hope.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: After decade, same-sex marriage law not so controversial in Washington

Sun., Dec. 4, 2022

Action by Congress on the Respect for Marriage Act is a good example of how much things can change in just one decade.

News > Washington

Ballot rejection rate this election on par with previous seasons, but disparities remain

Sat., Dec. 3, 2022

For this year's general election, the Spokane County Canvassing Board rejected 2,443 ballots for this year's general election, about 1.09% of ballots cast.

News > Spokane

Another $5 million coming to fund solutions to homelessness in Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 2, 2022

Another $5 million is coming to Spokane to help house the homeless, the state Department of Commerce announced Friday morning.

News > Washington

Gov. Inslee appoints Anne Egler to replace retiring Thurston County Superior Court Judge

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 1, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed a Pierce County deputy prosecuting attorney to Thurston County Superior Court ahead of a judge's retirement.

News > Education

Spokane Public Schools plans to ask legislature for more funding for special education, transportation and more

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 1, 2022

Spokane Public Schools will lobby in the new year for greater state support for special education, the district board of directors decided Wednesday night.

Featured Stories

We the People: As head of Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray hopes to be role model for more effective Congress

Latest Stories

Sen. Honeyford looks back on 28 years in Legislature, 60 years of service

We the People: As head of Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray hopes to be role model for more effective Congress

WA attorney general sues Kroger, Albertsons, Rite Aid over opioid crisis

Top Republican on Senate Budget Committee criticizes Gov. Inslee’s gudget

Inslee, Ferguson renew push for ban on assault weapons in Washington

We the People: Cathy McMorris Rodgers finally has her dream job in Congress, leading Energy and Commerce Committee

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler provides final remarks on House floor

Inslee proposes $70 billion budget with focus on housing, homelessness, behavioral health

Spokane’s Wilson Elementary requires masks after 30% of students absent with respiratory illnesses

Inslee pushes for funding to make WSU Tri-Cities clean energy hub in Washington

Spin Control: Election skeptics demanding records, recounts

Wash. Dept. of Commerce seeks resident help to preserve broadband funding

City of Spokane public bargaining mandate unconstitutional, state Supreme Court says

Legal weed in Washington turns 10 this week. What challenges lie ahead in the next decade?

One year later, Camp Hope remains open. Spokane’s mayor lays blame at Commerce’s feet.

Spin Control: After decade, same-sex marriage law not so controversial in Washington

Ballot rejection rate this election on par with previous seasons, but disparities remain

Another $5 million coming to fund solutions to homelessness in Spokane

Gov. Inslee appoints Anne Egler to replace retiring Thurston County Superior Court Judge

Spokane Public Schools plans to ask legislature for more funding for special education, transportation and more

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