WA males account for 80% of suicides in the state, among other troublingly disproportionate trends
The well-being of boys and men are being re-evaluated in a new piece of legislation in Washington State.
legislation
Attorney General Ferguson, Gov. Jay Inslee set to propose two firearm safety measures, including new bill
OLYMPIA - Attorney Bob Ferguson and Gov. Jay Inslee will propose two common sense public safety measures for the upcoming legislative session. The first renews the call for a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons. The second is…
Idaho State Board of Education devastated by U of I student murders
MOSCOW, Idaho -- The Idaho State Board of Education held a special Board meeting in response to the murder of four University of Idaho students. Board President Kurt Liebich began with the following statement on the students' deaths. “The news…
Washington gun safety advocacy groups demand change after Uvalde shooting
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- It's been a longtime goal for local advocacy groups to reduce gun violence, but after the tragedy in Uvalde, they feel like they still…
Washington lawmakers want to suspend the state gas tax, economists say it's not so simple
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Republican state Senators are calling for a special session to suspend Washington's gas tax. It seems like a quick fix, but the conversation and…
Inslee to sign six tribal-related bills in Tulalip Thursday
TULALIP, Wash. -- Governor Jay Inslee will sign several tribal-related bills into law on Thursday. One of these bills include House Bill 1571, which establishes protections and services…
Gov. Little vetoes Coronavirus Pause Act
BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho Governor Brad Little vetoed the Coronavirus Pause Act, a bill that would have banned businesses from requiring a COVID vaccination for employment and service. The Coronavirus Pause Act would have…
Race-based hair discrimination could be banned federally, local lawmakers voted against it
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Legislation to ban race-based hair discrimination is on its way to the U.S. Senate. Some say federal protection is needed in the workplace. Kameishi…
WA wants to capture the natural gas leaking from landfills
Legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would require methane collection systems at certain landfills.
'It's a problem nationwide': New proposed Washington house bill aims to stop catalytic converter thefts
SPOKANE, Wash -- At least 50 to 100 catalytic converters are stolen every month in Spokane, according to the Spokane Police Department. A new House bill making its…
Proposed bill would allocate millions to help with homeless encampments in public right-of-ways
SPOKANE, Wash -- A new bill making its way to the Senate floor is trying to find a solution to…
Idaho lawmakers bring forward COVID-related bills to House floor
Some of the bills address whether kids should have to mask up in school. Others go head-on with the federal vaccine requirement.
Idaho students pursue licensing for minors to use firearms
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A group of Boise students is drafting legislation to require licensing for minors to purchase firearms, hoping to win bipartisan support for the gun control measure in one of the most conservative states in the nation.…
Idaho Supreme Court overturns tougher ballot initiative law
The ruling issued Monday was a win for Reclaim Idaho, a group that successfully sponsored a Medicaid expansion initiative three years ago and that is now working to qualify an initiative for the ballot that aims to increase public education funding.
Sen. Cantwell among three senators to introduce legislation supporting local news
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell is one of three senators to introduce legislation that would help financially support local news organizations.
Washington governor signs agriculture worker overtime bill
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Agricultural workers in Washington state would become eligible for overtime pay under a bill signed Tuesday by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, drawing praise from President Joe Biden. Senate Bill 5172 creates a phased-in path toward full…
Ex-wildlife managers want veto of Idaho wolf-killing bill
Nearly 30 retired state, federal and tribal wildlife managers sent a letter Wednesday to Idaho Gov. Brad Little asking him to veto a bill that could cut the state’s wolf population by 90%.
Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves heads to governor
The Idaho House on Tuesday approved legislation allowing the state to hire private contractors and expand methods to kill wolves roaming Idaho — a measure that could cut the wolf population by 90%.
Washington Legislature gives final OK to police reform bills
The Washington Legislature has approved two more key police accountability bills — one imposing restrictions on tactics and equipment, and another establishing a statewide standard on use of force.
Idaho House passes ‘nondiscrimination’ education bill
The Idaho House on Thursday approved legislation aimed at preventing public and charter schools and universities from teaching critical race theory, which examines the ways in which race and racism influence American politics, culture and the law.
Washington state governor OKs bill banning for-profit jails
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — One of the country’s largest for-profit, privately run immigration jails would be shut down by 2025 under a bill signed Wednesday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The measure approved by the Washington Legislature bans for-profit detention centers…
Senate passes bill to prevent and fight wildfires
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill to create a dedicated fund to prevent and fight wildfires in Washington. The bill, promoted by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, passed Friday in Olympia. House Bill…
Legislation would double electric vehicle registration fees
An Idaho House committee on Tuesday introduced legislation that would more than double what it costs to register electric vehicles.
Idaho lawmakers introduce bill to fund all-day kindergarten
NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lawmakers have introduced a bill that would fully fund all-day kindergarten programs in the state. The state only funds half-day kindergarten programs, the Idaho Press reported Friday. As a result, school districts must pool together money from…
