Stories by Ellen Dennis for the Spokesman-Review

News > Nation

Elections experts, politicians say Colorado’s decision to ban Trump from the ballot is unprecedented

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 20, 2023

The contentious 4-3 decision by the state’s highest court marked the first time in United States history that Section 3 of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. Known as the disqualification clause, the law states:

News > WA Government

Washington lawmakers push to require financial education be taught in schools

Mon., Dec. 18, 2023

State Treasurer Mike Peliocotti and 22 state representatives are backing a bill to add financial education to the list of state-mandated high school graduation requirements. The new requirement would not change the total number of credits students need to graduate high school – 24 – but rather embed a half-credit’s worth of instruction into that existing total.

News > WA Government

Biden administration puts off dam breach talks, partners with tribes to restore salmon habitats

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 14, 2023

Four Pacific Northwest Tribes and the White House announced Thursday that they have partnered to restore wild salmon habitats in the Columbia River Basin and "explore" the possibility of breaching four dams on the Lower Snake River, although the agreement ruled out any tangible action to remove the dams. The Biden administration promised to invest $1 billion of federal cash in fish ecosystems and clean energy.

News > WA Government

Inslee’s $70.9 billion budget proposal would fund behavioral health, housing

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 13, 2023

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced a proposed $70.9 billion for his 2024 supplemental budget, including $464 million in funding for behavioral health in Washington to combat the opioid epidemic and the homelessness crisis.

News > WA Government

Inslee proposes $941 million in spending for climate change and clean energy in Washington

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 11, 2023

On Monday, Gov. Inslee also announced three proposed laws for the 2024 session to increase transparency over prices at the pump, link Washington’s carbon market with California and Quebec, and limit methane gas use by transitioning Puget Sound Energy away from fossil fuels.

News > Transportation

Getting There: Washington transportation department releases first rest stop plan in years, asks state for millions to fund renovations

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 10, 2023

Each year, 24 million people use rest areas in the state. The Washington Department of Transportation is asking the legislature to dole out $375 to $525 million over the next 15 years to keep the facilities operable. Most rest areas in the state were built before the year 1975.

News > Sci/Tech

Washington business groups sue EPA, calling water quality standards ‘impossible’

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 7, 2023

A handful of Washington business groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, claiming the water quality standards it adopted last year are impossible to meet.

News > WA Government

‘The nuclear weapon of drugs’: Inslee, panel of experts talk Washington fentanyl epidemic

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 4, 2023

Last year, more than 2,000 people died of opioid-involved overdoses in Washington. That’s more than twice the number who died of the same cause in 2019. State leaders met in Everett Monday to discuss how to combat the deadly opioid.

News > Transportation

Getting There: Studded tires are unnecessary and destructive, WA officials say

Mon., Dec. 4, 2023

It is still legal for drivers in the state to use studded tires for part of the year between Nov. 1 and March 31. That window of time still applies to drivers from other states who pass through Washington. Drivers found with studded tires outside that window are subject to fines.

News > Nation

Wolverines listed for federal protection after years of debate

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 29, 2023

Scientists estimate there are less than 300 of the mountain-dwelling mammals inhabiting the lower 48 United States.

News > Spokane

Women of the Year: Shari Williams-Clarke ‘stays engaged despite the challenges’

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 29, 2023

Shari Williams-Clarke took over as executive director of Spokane's Carl Maxey Center earlier this year to honor and continue the work of her late friend, Sandy Williams. She has continued the nonprofit's mission as a gathering space offering different types of support for Black community members.

News > Features

Free single Bing Crosby records up for grabs Saturday at Gonzaga museum

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 28, 2023

Visitors to the Bing Crosby House Museum this Saturday could walk away with a limited-edition vinyl record of the crooner’s take on a holiday tale.

News > WA Government

A local firefighter with terminal cancer doesn’t qualify for worker’s comp because he was a volunteer. His family is calling for change

Sun., Nov. 26, 2023

Ron Cato, 72, was diagnosed earlier this year with a type of cancer linked to firefighting. But because he spent most of his time in the fire service as a volunteer, he does not meet Washington state requirements for an L&I claim.

News > WA Government

Opponents of Washington climate law submit signatures to repeal

UPDATED: Tue., Nov. 21, 2023

As thousands of Washingtonians gear up to travel by car for the holidays, a group that blames the state’s climate law for high gas prices has submitted what they reported were thousands of signatures to repeal state climate legislation.

News > WA Government

Washington Secretary of State calls on postal service after old drop boxes used on Election Day

UPDATED: Mon., Nov. 20, 2023

The Secretary of State’s office has alerted the U.S. Postal Service after elections officials in two Washington counties reportedly found uncounted ballots in out-of-service mailboxes.

News > WA Government

Judge rules WA state lawmakers hold ‘privilege’ to withhold documents from public

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 17, 2023

A Thurston County judge on Friday sided with legislators and argued a clause in the state constitution carries more weight than Washington's public records act.

News > WA Government

Temporary unemployment relief for undocumented workers in WA now available

Fri., Nov. 17, 2023

Thousands of workers who contribute to Washington's economy don't qualify for state unemployment insurance due to their immigration status. A donation-funded program was launched by nonprofits who hope to get long-term legislation passed to increase benefits for those undocumented workers.

News > WA Government

Report recommends that unionization of Washington legislative staffs focus on partisan workers

UPDATED: Mon., Nov. 13, 2023

A bill passed in 2022 made Washington one of the first states in the U.S. to allow legislative employees to unionize. The Office of State Legislative Labor Relations was created after the law passed, and the new state agency announced union organizing could begin as soon as next year.

News > Higher education

Washington State University launches initiative to combat election misinformation

UPDATED: Sun., Nov. 12, 2023

In an era of rampant misinformation, Washington State University’s public policy institute announced it has launched an initiative to promote election integrity and civic engagement.

News > K-12 education

Medical Lake School District voters preferred status quo in races that began with 17 candidates

UPDATED: Fri., Nov. 10, 2023

Alexis Alexander, Ron Cooper, Gerri Johnson and Laura Parsons appeared poised to win their respective elections if Wednesday night's vote count held.

News > K-12 education

CdA, Lakeland voters choose different paths in school board races

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 8, 2023

Endorsements from one of two north Idaho political organizations were the key to success for school board races this year in Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland.

News > ID Government

Incumbents beat far-right challengers in races for Coeur d’Alene City Council

UPDATED: Wed., Nov. 8, 2023

Christie Wood, Dan English and Dan Gookin are poised to serve new 4-year terms in their seats.

News > WA Government

Without a presidential race, this November election has been calm, experts say. But 2024 could be another story

Tue., Nov. 7, 2023

Upticks in misinformation about elections, social media use and turnover in elections offices all pose challenges to the U.S. election system.

News > WA Government

Lawmakers propose loosening heat pump requirement for homeowners rebuilding after Spokane County fires

Fri., Nov. 3, 2023

State reps. Mike Volz and Suzanne Schmidt are asking the Legislature to dial back new building code regulations in the hopes it will make reconstruction easier for those who lost their homes in the Gray and Oregon Road fires.

News > WA Government

Washington appellate court hears dispute over state yard sign law

UPDATED: Thu., Nov. 2, 2023

In 2021, a Vancouver couple put a yard sign in front of their house supporting a candidate running for local city council. Their neighborhood homeowner association’s board of directors ordered them to take the sign down because it was put up more than 60 days before the election. The couple took them to court.

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