City seeks input on renaming of Canada Island
You can register your choice online which Salish moniker you'd like to see as the new name of Canada Island, part of the redevelopment of Riverfront Park.
Spin Control
FRIDAY, JAN. 27, 2017
Rep. Short to seek open Northeast Washington Senate seat
Rep. Shelly Short said she will seek the state Senate seat that is open because of Sen. Brian Dansel's resignation to take a job in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 2017
Parental notification for teen abortion bill likely to pass committee
A perennial proposal to require Washington minors to notify parents before getting an abortion drew familiar support and opposition Thursday, and may wind up with the same fate as last year’s proposal: Getting partway through the Legislature, then dying.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25, 2017
Washington cities tell lawmakers they don't need new law to ban pot sales in problem areas
Cities tell lawmakers they think they can already ban pot sales in some areas, don’t need new legislation.
Washington House adopts rules after debate over 'fund education first'
A routine vote over House rules turned into a brief debate over one of the GOP's favorite budget ideas: Fund education first
MONDAY, JAN. 23, 2017
Grow-your-own bills for Washington marijuana get support in hearing 1
Home-grown marijuana rules would be loosened under two House bills.
Should we drive 75 on I-90? Washington officials say NO
Lawmakers looking at a 75 mph speed limit for parts of Interstate 90 in Eastern Washington, but state officials are advising them not to do it.
Thousands urged to be warriors against abortion
Abortion foes who filled the steps of the Capitol Building Monday were urged to move from prayer to action.
Washington House approves delay in 'levy cliff'
School districts would get another year of higher property tax collections under the first bill the full House passed Monday.
McMorris Rodgers on inaugural, Women's March: 'I'm quite concerned about the division I see' 5
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers attended the inauguration Friday and saw coverage of the march in Spokane on the day that followed. She praised Donald Trump's speech as a rallying cry for those that have "fallen behind" and also supported the marchers' right to speak.
SATURDAY, JAN. 21, 2017
When the GOP comes up with a school plan is everyone's business
Senate Republican leader tells reporter “it’s none of your business” when they’ll come up with a plan for public schools, then apologizes. Sort of.
THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 2017
Bill proposes: Want an assault weapon? Get a license. 4
Washington residents who want to own, buy or sell a semi-automatic assault rifle would have to obtain an annual license from local law enforcement agency under a proposal introduced this week in the House.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18, 2017
WaLeg Day 10: Voting rights and fantasy sports
Another day of hearings in Olympia.
TUESDAY, JAN. 17, 2017
Banning licensed pot stores could cost you, lawmakers warn cities
OLYMPIA – Cities and counties that try to keep state-licensed marijuana stores from opening without adopting specific ordinances could pay a price by losing most of their tax revenue from alcohol.
WA Lawmakers: Don't Facebook and drive
OLYMPIA – Facebooking while driving would be just as illegal as texting while driving under a pair of bills announced Tuesday in the Washington Legislature.
WaLeg Day 9: A full day of hearings
Legislators have hearings from early morning through late afternoon on everything from dangerous dog breeds to marijuana moratoria to whether or not state universities should call their branch campuses "branch campuses.
MONDAY, JAN. 16, 2017
Thousands call for lawmakers to spend more on schools
Thousands of sign-waving parents, students and school employees jammed the steps of the Capitol Monday morning then streamed into legislative office buildings to lobby their lawmakers.
SATURDAY, JAN. 14, 2017
Sunday Spin: Scenes from Week 1
Judy Collins, an excellent adventure toast and an icy sculpture were among first week's highlights.
FRIDAY, JAN. 13, 2017
Shea calls for repeal of gun sale background check law
Private gun sales would once again be exempt from background checks if a Spokane Valley legislator succeeds in repealing a two-year-old initiative approved by voters.
THURSDAY, JAN. 12, 2017
WA Leg Day 4: House panel votes to delay 'levy cliff'
The House Appropriations Committee voted 17-15, on partisan lines, to give school districts another year before they are pushed off the "levy cliff."
After the party's over...
The popular but somewhat salacious geoduck ice sculpture from Wednesday night's Inaugural Ball found a new home, and a new "friend".
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, 2017
Shots from the Inaugural Ball: Lining up for the toast
Elected officials were given a glass of sparkling wine as they arrived in the Capitol Rotunda for the official toast.
Shots from the Inaugural Ball: Get your mind out of the gutter
Ice sculptures are popular at the Inaugural Ball reception.
The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.