Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Soap Lake looking to seat salary commission
SOAP LAKE — The City of Soap Lake is seeking residents to serve on its newly reactivated Salary Commission, a citi…
Democrats propose raising tobacco taxes, creating new ones in search of revenue
(The Center Square) – Smoking is a dangerously expensive habit, but it could get even more costly under two bills proposed Monday that would further hike the s…
Legislative update from Tom Dent
Dear Friends and Neighbors, The Legislature officially convened the 2025 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 13. There are many new faces on both sides of t…
Fed. Judge issues order delaying stop on birthright citizenship
OLYMPIA — A Seattle-based federal judge granted a request from the Washington Attorney General’s Office for a temporary restraining order to delay an executive…
WA bill would give judges discretion to reduce felons' sentences
(The Center Square) – Washington state lawmakers are contemplating a bill that, if enacted, would give judges discretion to reduce the sentences of convicted felons, including those convicted of violent crimes and …
'Homes for Heroes' bill advancing in Olympia
(The Center Square) - One of the Republican-backed proposals for the 2025 Washington state legislative session that earned the endorsement of Gov. Bob Ferguson…
House Democrats push 11% firearm, ammo excise tax as $10B to $16B shortfall looms
(The Center Square) – As Washington state grapples with an operating budget shortfall upwards of $16 billion through 2029, House Democrats are proposing a tax …
HB 5060 proposes law enforcement recruiting grant
OLYMPIA – A bipartisan bill to create a law enforcement hiring grant program was introduced to the Senate Law and Justice Committee Tuesday by Sen. Jeff Holy, …
AC commissioner says county may get monetary help for mandated services, or not
RITZVILLE — Adams County Commissioner Dan Blankenship said one of Adams County’s biggest challenges is finding the money to fund all the services it’s required…
Three MLHS seniors discuss levy election impacts
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is running an Educational Programs and Operations Levy on the Feb. 11 ballot. MLSD students Javier Gonzalez, Jaciel…
Fixing energy policy a focus for Ybarra in 2025 session
OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislative session began lasl Monday with many lawmakers, including State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, unsure of what to exp…
WA hate crime bill advances through House committee
(The Center Square) – A Washington House committee voted to advance a bill that would broaden the definition of a hate crime in the state, and remarks by a ran…
Kriete reflects on first half of term, plans to run again
EPHRATA – Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said Wednesday that he doesn’t like being stagnant and he’s not been able to in the first half of his four-year term…
Property tax relief bill proposed by WA lawmaker as majority considers increase
(The Center Square) – As Washington Democrats consider potential tax increases to fill a massive projected budget deficit over the next four years, some lawmak…
WA SB 5082 proposes housing funding for foster children aging out of the system
OLYMPIA – Jonas Rios entered foster care at 17 years old and was put in eight different placements before turning 18. He entered the Extended Foster Care progr…
CTUIR, Corps of Engineers sign pact to improve Mill Creek fish passage
WALLA WALLA — Officials from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a signing Jan. 10 at the Corps’ W…