LATEST POLITICAL NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PUGET SOUND REGION

MyNorthwest Politics

Photo: Around a thousand federal workers protest outside the federal building in downtown Seattle i...
KIRO Newsradio staff

‘It’s up to us:’ Federal workers take part in Presidents Day rally against Trump administration

Around a thousand people, including federal workers, protested on Presidents Day outside the federal building in downtown Seattle.
1 year ago
Matt Markovich

Statewide ban on flavored tobacco, nicotine and vape moves forward

A statewide ban on flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products is moving forward in the Washington legislature.
1 year ago
Photo: A female Grizzly bear walks in a meadow....
Matt Markovich

Washington considers taking over grizzly bear management — But not everyone’s on board

A new bill making its way through Washington’s legislature aims to take back control over the state's most infamous apex predator: the grizzly bear.
1 year ago
Rep. Sharon Shewmake...
Matt Markovich

Washington State’s wood-burning stoves: Still legal, but with stricter emissions rules

A bill that some feared would lead to a ban on wood-burning stoves in Washington passed a Senate committee on Friday—but without the harsh restrictions that many had worried about. The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee gave Senate Bill 5174 a “do pass” recommendation, meaning it could soon go to a vote before the […]
1 year ago
millionaires' tax...
Matt Markovich

Democratic lawmakers rally for bigger budget to fight gender-based violence

On Valentine's Day, several democratic Washington state lawmakers gathered to shed light on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and pushed for crucial funding to support survivors.
1 year ago
Photo: Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown speaks regarding the restraining order filed by...
Julia Dallas

‘We will continue to fight:’ WA AG’s restraining order granted over controversial Trump order

The AG's Office announced it is filing a lawsuit to stop an executive order from the Trump administration that halts federal funding for gender-affirming care.
1 year ago
Image: A sign outside the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle can be seen in December 2023....
Sam Campbell

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center ends DEI programs

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center announced it will end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (D-E-I) programs to retain federal funding.
1 year ago
Former U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman...
Sam Campbell

U.S. Attorney for Western WA fired by Trump Justice Dept.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Tessa Gorman has been fired amid a flurry of justice department removals by the Trump administration. The Seattle Times reports her firing was “at the direction of President Donald Trump” specifically, but it’s not entirely clear why Gorman was removed so quickly. According to a report by […]
1 year ago
Photo: Firearms....
Matt Markovich

Stalled reform: Bill to toughen juvenile gun laws faces uncertain fate

A bill introduced three weeks ago that would overhaul how the legal system handles juveniles caught with firearms appears to have stalled. House Bill 1536 is supposed to be heard by the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee. It’s an unusual move by the Democrat-led House of Representatives leadership, as most bills involving juvenile […]
1 year ago
A Senate committee discusses a new bill that would limit restraint or isolation of students in publ...
Matt Markovich

Student Safety vs. Classroom Control: Washington lawmakers debate limits on restraint and isolation

Washington state lawmakers are once again debating a bill that would further restrict the use of restraint and isolation in schools.
1 year ago
Image: The city of Seattle, including the Space Needle, and Mount Rainier can be seen on a sunny, d...
MyNorthwest Staff

Republican Capitol Hill icon to challenge Harrell in mayoral race

Capitol Hill Icon and roadway business owner Rachael Savage has officially entered the Seattle mayoral race, adding her name to a growing list of challengers to incumbent Bruce Harrell.
1 year ago
washington budget democratic governors...
MyNorthwest Staff

Will Washington move to a full-time legislature?

Senate Bill 5744 proposes an audit to enhance Washington's legislature for better effectiveness and representation.
1 year ago
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Office of Pe...
Matt Markovich

Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era

Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill to establish a committee overseeing the redesign of the Washington state flag.
1 year ago
Matt Markovich

WA Supreme Court rules against Seattle police officers seeking anonymity in Jan. 6 records case

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled Thursday against a group of Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers.
1 year ago
washington recession...
Matt Markovich

State advances bill to expand voter registration services on a party-line vote

In a move aimed at broadening voter participation, the Washington State Senate has passed Senate Bill 5077 (SB 5077).
1 year ago
(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)...
Frank Lenzi and Associated Press

Murray calls Trump funding freeze “illegal and deeply harmful”

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) will hold a virtual press conference today to highlight how she believes President Trump's funding freeze is putting energy jobs at risk in Washington and across the country.
1 year ago
Seattle's Homeless Struggle During Coronavirus Pandemic - seattle voters...
Matt Markovich

WA bill letting homeless sue cities for not allowing camping, lying in parks is still alive

A controversial bill that gives homeless individuals the right to sue a city for enforcing its camping and "sit and lie" laws continues to make its way through the Washington State legislature.
1 year ago
Photo: Woman scanning groceries at self-checkout line in Costco....
Matt Markovich

Scanning for safety: Clerks pushing WA bill to end chaos at the self-checkout line

As self-checkout stations continue to proliferate across grocery stores in Washington, concerns have sparked a need for new legislation.
1 year ago
voting - department of justice...
Sam Campbell

WA Secretary of State warns Trump admin. may undermine election security

Our Secretary of State said the Trump administration could be undermining election security here in Washington.
1 year ago
Matt Markovich

WA Democrats debating ‘tax the rich’ property plan as alternative to cap increase

Pedersen said lawmakers are exploring a plan to create a tax exemption for primary homes while placing a heavier burden on luxury properties and wealthy investors.
1 year ago
minimum wage burien...
Brandon Thompson, KIRO 7 News

Burien Special Election: Measure to increase minimum wage leading in votes

As early results rolled on Tuesday night, a measure in Burien to create a minimum wage increase is leading by several hundred votes.
1 year ago
deport illegal immigrants...
MyNorthwest Staff

Curley blasts latest Senate bill: ‘God forbid we deport a criminal’

Washington legislators have passed a bill in the Senate that could help block undocumented immigrants with criminal records from being deported.
1 year ago
levies seattle...
Gwen Baumgardner, KIRO 7 News

Seattle voters approve two key levies for public school

When the results of two levies from the Special Election were released Tuesday night, Proposition 1 was passing with more than 77% of voters approving the measure. More than 71% of voters approved of Proposition 2.
1 year ago
Photo: The Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington....
Matt Markovich

Democratic proposal would raise state minimum wage to $25/hour by 2032

If passed, Senate Bill 5578 would set Washington’s minimum wage on a path to $25 per hour by 2032.
1 year ago