Political
Need information regarding current political news? Here we'll keep you updated on the latest political news, locally and nationally.
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he…
WA Republicans call out partisanship while Dems tout bipartisan successes
OLYMPIA - Wash. House and Senate Republicans are expressing frustration with a growing partisan legislature, which they say they witnessed during the recent st…
WA supplemental budget passes unanimously
OLYMPIA - The Washington state legislature unanimously passed its $1.5 billion supplemental capital budget on Wednesday with investments in housing and infrast…
Jones not seeking fourth term as Grant County sheriff
EPHRATA — Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term. “It was just a joint decision with my fami…
State legislature passes high-capacity magazine ban
OLYMPIA - Gun owners will no longer be able to purchase magazines with capacities greater than ten rounds under legislation passed by the House on Friday if it…
Washington Redistricting Commission chair resigns
OLYMPIA — Sara Augustine, chair of the Washington State Redistricting Commission, resigned from her position Monday after the commission failed to vote to inte…
Police reform bill restores options to law enforcement
OLYMPIA - Law enforcement will soon have the authority to use force when detaining individuals and in other situations under legislation passed by the House on…
Open and concealed carry restriction likely to expand
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Legislature has passed a bill to restrict gun owners from practicing open-carry and possession in certain settings after a Senat…
Outdoor school could bridge COVID-19 learning gaps
OLYMPIA — Middle school-age students may have more learning opportunities outside of the classroom under legislation considered by the Senate on Monday. Sen…
Grant County Republicans gather
MOSES LAKE — For Caleb Heimlich, the issue is simple. “There’s not a single area of life where we’re better off today than two years ago,” the chair of the Wa…
State legislation could provide low-interest student loans
OLYMPIA — High-interest loans may no longer deter low-income families seeking higher education under legislation considered by the Senate Ways & Means Committe…
Wash. tax revenues to be used to battle housing crisis
OLYMPIA — Rural counties could soon use local tax revenue to address the affordable housing crisis under legislation considered by a House committee on Thursda…
State budget passes both chambers
The Senate and House passed the Senate’s proposed supplemental budget which intends to spend billions on various sectors. The state’s spending bill is now awaiting a decision from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
WCOG settles suit with redistricting commission
OLYMPIA — The Washington Coalition for Open Government and the Washington State Redistricting Commission agreed Thursday to settle a lawsuit brought by WCOG over alleged violations of the Open Public Meetings Act, …
Washington House address homeless encampments
OLYMPIA — Homeless individuals may have an opportunity to move into permanent housing under legislation considered by a Washington House committee on Thursday.
Legislators consider ghost gun legislation
OLYMPIA — The manufacture, sale and distribution of “ghost guns,” often-homemade weapons that are untraceable by authorities, may soon become illegal in Washin…