Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
3 council members renew oaths of office in Ephrata
EPHRATA — Three Ephrata City Council Members were sworn in Wednesday evening after winning their respective races.…
Overtime flexibility or worker rights? SB 5476 looks at flexible overtime rules for ag workers
OLYMPIA- Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, introduced Senate Bill 5476 which will grant agricultural employers the flexibility to select up to 12 weeks in a calen…
Warnick bill promoting WDFW, nonprofit cooperation advances
OLYMPIA — Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, received unanimous approval from the Senate to enable the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish co…
Ephrata’s ‘new’ mayor pro tem looks at growing as residents choose
EPHRATA – After serving on the Ephrata City Council since 2015, Matt Moore has taken on a new title: mayor pro tem.
Washington eyes changes to jaywalking regulations
OLYMPIA – There's a push to lighten up on jaywalking fines — a move that hits the headlines for its impact on both the homeless community and Black pedestrians.
No recounts for Grant Co. in Nov. general election
EPHRATA — While there were two races that might’ve qualified for an automatic recount after the November 2023 general election, in the end neither of them did.
Senate bill proposes allowing doctors to keep names off prescription bottles
OLYMPIA – When she treated an out-of-state patient from Idaho with pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Jennifer Chin of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynec…
Capital levy goes before Wahluke voters
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year capital levy request in a special election Feb. 13. Ballots for the election were …
Mandatory voting proposed by WA Dems
OLYMPIA – A proposal to make voting mandatory drew criticisms from two thousand people in a Legislative hearing Jan. 25. “We are already in a moment of extr…
Tribal members confront fentanyl crisis
OLYMPIA – Tribal members in Washington State are four times more likely to overdose and die on opioids than the state average, and advocates are pushing for st…
Dent proposes bill to promote local, regional firefighting cooperation
OLYMPIA — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, proposed a new legislation to establish a pilot project aimed at reducing the high number of wildfire incidents in Washi…
Washington bill could open up licenses for noncitizens
OLYMPIA - Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, introduced House Bill 1889, aiming to grant professional licenses to workers regardless of citizenship status. The bill p…
Legislature considering bill to eliminate time changes in Wash.
OLYMPIA - Washingtonians may lose their cherished ultra-late-night sunsets in the summer if Washington state opts for permanent Pacific Standard Time. "If C…
Ballots coming for levy proposals in local districts
EPHRATA — Ballots will be mailed to voters Jan. 24 for the Feb. 13 special election that features educational program and operations levy requests in a number …
New hospital will impact Samaritan bottom line in 2024
MOSES LAKE — While revenues for Samaritan Healthcare are projected to increase in 2024, Samaritan’s budget will reflect the current project of a new hospital, …
WA lawmakers eye expanding foster care to 18 to 21-year olds
OLYMPIA- A legislative proposal has the potential to create a smoother transition into adulthood for teenagers and adults aging out of the foster care system.