Northwest

State Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington. File photo

Mental illness: Lawmakers propose plan to treat without consent

Concerns raised on the guardianship and loss of rights for incapacitated persons.

  • Feb 8, 2020
State Capitol Building, Olympia, Washington. File photo
Legislators Das, Mead team up on environmental protection policies

Legislators Das, Mead team up on environmental protection policies

Numerous bills proposed this session in Olympia

  • Feb 7, 2020
Legislators Das, Mead team up on environmental protection policies
Black Press file photo
Black Press file photo
Screenshot from paradisofestival.com.

Paradiso Festival is on the rocks following lawsuit

Paradiso Festival, one of the most popular annual EDM events in Washington state, may be in trouble after one of its owning companies is suing… Continue reading

Screenshot from paradisofestival.com.
Recredentialed: Hundreds of WA doctors are stuck working survival jobs

Recredentialed: Hundreds of WA doctors are stuck working survival jobs

Unable to find residency positions, many are driving Ubers, working warehouses or unemployed.

Recredentialed: Hundreds of WA doctors are stuck working survival jobs
A stump left over from a previous timber cut on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lawmakers back timber industry to help reduce WA’s carbon emissions

8 million acres of private forests offset 12% of state’s carbon emissions, says forestry group.

  • Jan 31, 2020
A stump left over from a previous timber cut on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kreidler: Trump rule on abortion payment needlessly harms consumers, risks their coverage

Kreidler: Trump rule on abortion payment needlessly harms consumers, risks their coverage

Insurance commissioner instructs health plans to continue to follow state law

  • Jan 30, 2020
Kreidler: Trump rule on abortion payment needlessly harms consumers, risks their coverage
Sarah Abdullah is a pharmacist who left Iraq as a refugee. She joined the Welcome Back Center at Highline College and is now only two tests away from gaining Washington state certification to practice her trade. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo

Recredentialed: Barriers face Washington’s immigrant, refugee professionals

Even with degrees from abroad, it can be difficult for many to get certified in the state.

Sarah Abdullah is a pharmacist who left Iraq as a refugee. She joined the Welcome Back Center at Highline College and is now only two tests away from gaining Washington state certification to practice her trade. Aaron Kunkler/staff photo
File photo

Pot shops group up in unincorporated King County

A report found the retailers are not distributing around the county.

File photo
Washington state lawmakers will consider a system that would charge drivers fees based on how many miles they travel. File photo

Lawmakers hear pitch to replace gas tax with per-mile fees

Transportation officials recommend 10-year transition.

  • Jan 29, 2020
Washington state lawmakers will consider a system that would charge drivers fees based on how many miles they travel. File photo
Bill to increase school staff introduced in the Legislature
Bill to increase school staff introduced in the Legislature
Union Street/Symphony Station to be new name for Seattle light rail stop

Union Street/Symphony Station to be new name for Seattle light rail stop

University Street Station to be renamed

  • Jan 23, 2020
Union Street/Symphony Station to be new name for Seattle light rail stop
New bill would make visiting state parks free

New bill would make visiting state parks free

$30 Discover Pass would be eliminated

New bill would make visiting state parks free
A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants in Washington state to complete a safety course. File photo

Democrats seek firearm training requirement for concealed carriers

Republican senator calls proposal ‘unconstitutional.’

  • Jan 22, 2020
A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants in Washington state to complete a safety course. File photo
Inslee praises Cosmic Crisp apple team during speech

Inslee praises Cosmic Crisp apple team during speech

WSU researchers spent 20 years developing apple

  • Jan 22, 2020
Inslee praises Cosmic Crisp apple team during speech
Snohomish County man is first U.S. case of new coronavirus

Snohomish County man is first U.S. case of new coronavirus

A man in his 30s was hospitalized in Everett after contracting the virus during a trip to China.

  • Jan 22, 2020
  • By Andrea Brown, Caleb Hutton and Julia-Grace Sanders Herald Writers
Snohomish County man is first U.S. case of new coronavirus
State House passes formation of nation’s first statewide ‘Office of Equity’

State House passes formation of nation’s first statewide ‘Office of Equity’

Gregerson sponsors bill to reduce systemic disparities

  • Jan 21, 2020
State House passes formation of nation’s first statewide ‘Office of Equity’
Matt Marshall, leader of the Washington Three Percenters gun rights group, addresses a crowd rallying for Second Amendment rights Jan. 17 at the state Capitol in Olympia. Marshall condemned Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, which expelled Rep. Matt Shea from the Republican Caucus. Marshall announced his candidacy for the 2nd District seat held by House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service

Gun rights advocates rally at Capitol

Criticism levied at Matt Shea investigation, Republican leadership.

  • Jan 20, 2020
Matt Marshall, leader of the Washington Three Percenters gun rights group, addresses a crowd rallying for Second Amendment rights Jan. 17 at the state Capitol in Olympia. Marshall condemned Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, which expelled Rep. Matt Shea from the Republican Caucus. Marshall announced his candidacy for the 2nd District seat held by House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox. Photo by Cameron Sheppard, WNPA News Service
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (center) announced a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in a press conference Jan. 2. Debbie Warfield of Everett (left) lost her son to a heroin overdose in 2012. Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki (right) lost her son to an overdose of OxyContin in 2017. They are joined by Rep. Lauren Davis of Shoreline (second from right), founder of the Washington Recovery Alliance. (TVW screenshot)

AG Bob Ferguson talks lawsuits, gun control

Washington state Attorney General stopped by Sound Publishing’s Kirkland office.

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson (center) announced a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson in a press conference Jan. 2. Debbie Warfield of Everett (left) lost her son to a heroin overdose in 2012. Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki (right) lost her son to an overdose of OxyContin in 2017. They are joined by Rep. Lauren Davis of Shoreline (second from right), founder of the Washington Recovery Alliance. (TVW screenshot)
Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of SB 5323, speaking on the bill. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Sabio-Howell)

Proposed law adds a fee to plastic bags at checkout

Senate passes bill to ban single-use plastic bags, place 8-cent fee on reusable plastic bags.

  • Jan 17, 2020
Sen. Mona Das, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of SB 5323, speaking on the bill. (Photo courtesy of Hannah Sabio-Howell)