Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Data center regulation stalls amid tech industry pushback
OLYMPIA — Democratic lawmakers' effort to regulate data centers failed to advance this short legislative session. …
WA passes law outlining vaccine coverage
OLYMPIA — A move to shift vaccine recommendation authority away from the federal government to the state was successful this legislative session.
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights awaits governor’s signature
OLYMPIA — Domestic workers across Washington received a major win last week as House Bill 2355, known as the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, advanced through …
More dead bills pile up in Olympia
OLYMPIA — Numerous bills did not pass the opposite chamber policy committee cutoff earlier this week, marking the death of some high-profile legislation, inclu…
WA Majority Leader apologizes for being intoxicated during budget hearing
(The Center Square) - House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, admits he was intoxicated during a House Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednes…
WA supplemental budget proposals advance through committees
OLYMPIA — Democrats’ supplemental operating budget proposals passed out of their fiscal committees Wednesday, Feb. 25, as they finalize adjustments to the 2025…
13th District lawmakers host digital town hall
OLYMPIA — Residents from the 13th Legislative District heard from their elected lawmakers during a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26, to discuss leg…
Columbia Basin Hospital board seeks applicants
EPHRATA — Columbia Basin Hospital is seeking applicants to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3.
2 seats open on Ephrata Parks Commission
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Parks Commission is looking for two volunteers to join the board.
Construction workers rally in support of behavioral health in Olympia
OLYMPIA — Bright orange hardhats and yellow reflective vests engulfed the steps of Washington’s Capitol Feb. 17 as construction workers, apprentices, labor lea…
WA lawmakers push for state to embrace nuclear energy
OLYMPIA — “The United States Department of Energy is looking for a home for a new Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, and Washington is the perfect place to p…
13th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall today
OLYMPIA — Lawmakers representing Washington’s 13th Legislative District will hold a virtual town hall Wednesday as the 2026 legislative session enters its fina…
WA Legislature considering ‘Blue Envelope Bill’ to make traffic stops safer for neurodivergent drivers
OLYMPIA — A bill in the Washington Legislature has the potential to make encounters between police and people with autism safer.
Bill to reduce stress & regulations on WA ag community advancing
(The Center Square) - Legislation that would take a comprehensive look at how state regulations impact Washington's farmers and ranchers is set for executive s…
STUDIO BASIN: From campaign to city hall: Mayor Oliver's first months on the job
EPHRATA — On this episode of the STUDIO BASIN Podcast, Ephrata Mayor Steve Oliver sits down with reporter Nance Beston to discuss his first months in office – …