PNW
What's happening in the Pacific Northwest? For information and details regarding Northwest news, see our articles below.
More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week
LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to …
Legislators discuss state holidays, data, environment-friendly products
If passed, House Bill 1485 would bring a new holiday to Washington celebrating Women’s Suffrage Day and the federal 19th Amendment, and was one item on legislators’ agenda on Jan. 10.
Sens. Warnick and King criticize response to Kittitas County offer to help clear snow on state highways
Sens. Warnick and King say they are shocked and very disappointed that the state Department of Transportation refused Kittitas County’s offer to help clear sno…
Inslee activates Washington National Guard due to omicron
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced during a Thursday afternoon press conference he is activating 100 Washington National Guard troops to help in hospitals an…
Bills could improve extreme weather response
A bill requiring the Washington Military Department to create and implement an extreme weather response grant program moved through a public hearing with state legislators without opposition on Wednesday.
Three local representatives, other lawmakers back bill to replace WA Cares Fund program
Washington state’s new long-term care program and payroll tax got immediate attention from lawmakers as the Legislature opened its session.
House Public Safety Committee discusses use of force bills
Testimonial debate over the proper use of force rattled legislators again as House Bills 1735 and 1726 reached the Washington State House Public Safety Committee Tuesday morning.
Change coming for apple foundation leadership
After leading the Washington Apple Education Foundation, or WAEF, as its executive director for 20 years, Jennifer Witherbee has announced she intends to step down at the end of March 2022.
Democrat runs for Congress, says central Washington needs attention
YAKIMA — Doug White looks back on some important lessons he learned while working in his grandfather’s vineyards as a child.
Warnick to lead Republicans in Senate
Members of the Washington state Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday elected Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, as their caucus chair and Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, as caucus vice chair.
Job not done: State redistricting left up to court, will affect local legislators
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Redistricting Commission failed to reach an agreement on new legislative district boundaries by the midnight Monday deadline, me…
Republicans call for repeal of WA Cares Fund
State House Republicans on Nov. 1 called for a repeal of the Democrats’ long-term care insurance program and payroll tax, according to a release from the Washington House Republicans.
State health plan market open for enrollment
Fifteen health insurers were approved to sell in Washington’s 2022 individual health insurance market, according to a release Nov. 1 from the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
All three COVID-19 vaccine boosters available for some
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is expanding COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to certain people after getting recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Centers for Disease Contr…
Inslee: Nine out of 10 state workers complied with vaccine mandate
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee said thanks to the more than 91% vaccination and exemption rate among state employees, essential state services should be relatively unaffected as the vaccination deadline passes on Monday.
WDFW lifts most fire restrictions; ban remains in Columbia Basin Wildlife Area
OLYMPIA — With lower temperatures and higher humidity reducing wildfire danger, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says it lifted fire restrictions Friday, including the ban on target shooting on most l…