Laurel Demkovich

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News >  WA Government

Misinformation, security of elections on secretary of state candidates’ minds this election

UPDATED: Sun., July 10, 2022

The candidates include a county auditor, current and former state legislators, a data scientist, a banker and a business owner.

News >  WA Government

New Washington laws: New rules take effect in areas ranging from guns to pickleball to license fees

Wed., July 6, 2022

Some of the bills went into effect immediately upon Gov. Jay Inslee's signature, others went into effect June 9 — 90 days after the legislative session — but a number of others became law last week, on July 1. 

News >  Nation/World

Is America divided beyond the hope of democracy? How we got here and where we might be headed

Sun., July 3, 2022

Political scientists and researchers agree that America is in an "extraordinary" time, but most think democracy can prevail.

News >  Health

Inslee orders state patrol to refuse cooperation with other states’ abortion investigations

Fri., July 1, 2022

Inslee announced the directive on Saturday following the Supreme Court's decision reversing Roe v. Wade, which will trigger abortion bans or severe restrictions in a number of state's, including neighboring Idaho.

News >  WA Government

What to know about the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5

Mon., June 27, 2022

COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years old were recently approved.

News >  WA Government

3 candidates look to take McCaslin’s seat in Legislature

UPDATED: Tue., June 28, 2022

Republicans Suzanne Schmidt and MJ Bolt and Democrat Ted Cummings are running this year in the 4th District. They will face off in the Aug. 2 primary where the top two will move on to the November general election.

News >  Washington

Washington prepares for approval of kids’ vaccine

UPDATED: Fri., June 17, 2022

Kids under five years old may soon be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and Washington is ready. 

News >  WA Government

Inslee joins top lawmakers calling for resignation of insurance commissioner

UPDATED: Fri., June 17, 2022

The newfound calls for Kreidler's resignation came after Northwest News Network reported this week that the six-term Democrat had fired Jon Noski, a top aide who submitted a formal complaint that Kreidler had bullied him, used crass language and was "antagonizing staff."

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Congress is proposing a swath of new gun legislation, but much of it is already law in Washington

UPDATED: Wed., June 15, 2022

A number of laws being discussed at the federal level have already been in place in Washington. In recent years, the Legislature has passed a number of laws to limit where and how guns are purchased and used.

News >  Idaho

Newspapers were already hurting, and then COVID-19 struck. How the pandemic hurt the news industry, and how things might turn around

UPDATED: Mon., June 13, 2022

Nonprofits, state and local governments, and even Congress are trying to find ideas for how to save local newspapers, but the trends in closures now are nothing new.

News >  WA Government

With 600 COVID-19 hospitalizations and rising, Washington medical leaders worried about another surge

UPDATED: Tue., June 7, 2022

There are currently 600 COVID cases in the hospital with even more people suspected to have the virus but not yet confirmed, said Cassie Sauer, chief executive officer of the Washington State Hospital Association. That's a 10% increase from the previous week. 

News >  Health

Nursing programs statewide see new funding from Legislature, but some existing programs were left out

UPDATED: Mon., June 6, 2022

Some schools, like Eastern Washington University, got new funding to create a new four-year program while others, including Washington State University, didn't receive any to bolster their current programs. Legislators and university officials say that's just because of what funding each school requested this year.

News >  Health

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise across Spokane area

UPDATED: Sat., June 4, 2022

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Inland Northwest continue to rise, but new cases went down this week.

News >  WA Government

Avista not planning utility shut offs for this year’s wildfire season

Sun., May 29, 2022

Utility companies last week shared their plans for identifying and mitigating wildfire risk with the state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

News >  Health

Prevention techniques, treatment helping keep COVID-19 numbers down statewide

UPDATED: Mon., May 30, 2022

COVID-19 hospitalizations have not reached a point yet where hospitals are again struggling to find intensive care unit beds or to deliver normal care, Dr. Dan Getz, chief medical officer at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, said.

News >  WA Government

Eight candidates vying for Washington secretary of state

Thu., May 26, 2022

The unexpected race for Washington's secretary of state, following Kim Wyman's departure last year, could prove to be one of the most interesting this primary season.

News >  WA Government

Inslee contracts COVID-19 as Washington health officials again encourage masking indoors

UPDATED: Wed., May 25, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and Spokane Rep. Marcus Riccelli all announced positive COVID-19 test results on Wednesday.

News >  Washington

17 challengers file to run against Murray for U.S. Senate seat

Tue., May 24, 2022

Murray's senate seat along with a number of local and statewide races will be on the ballot. The top two from each race will move on to the Nov. 8 general election.

Sports >  Outdoors

Spokane libraries get new adventure packs for card holders to check out

Sun., May 22, 2022

Spokane area libraries are now equipped with new Check Out Washington adventure packs, complete with a special Discover Pass, binoculars and field guides. 

News >  WA Government

COVID-19 cases rising in Washington, but health officials see ‘steady course’

UPDATED: Sat., May 21, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday the best projections from health officials show there is likely to be a plateau in the relatively near future.

News >  WA Government

Inslee appoints former King County judge to head new agency investigating police-involved shootings

UPDATED: Wed., May 18, 2022

Roger Rogoff, former King County Superior Court judge, will lead the agency that will investigate police use of deadly force in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday. 

News >  Idaho

COVID-19 case reporting changing in Inland Northwest

UPDATED: Sat., May 14, 2022

Local health departments have transitioned away from a daily case count to a weekly rate.

News >  ID Government

North Idaho College Board sees new chairman as 3 new trustees join

UPDATED: Fri., May 13, 2022

Banducci stepped down without a fight at a special board meeting on Friday. In the final motion of the night, Banducci moved to appoint new trustee David Wold as chairman. 

News >  WA Government

State Supreme Court upholds DUI standard for driving while high on marijuana

Fri., May 13, 2022

Washington drivers can receive a DUI for driving while high, the state Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. 

News >  WA Government

Spokane cannabis retailer could owe as much as $300,000 in unpaid wages and overtime to employees

Thu., May 12, 2022

The corporation Cannabis Green, which owns three Lovely Buds locations in Spokane, and its owners Elizabeth and Todd Byczek are facing a wage and hour complaint filed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and the state's Office of the Attorney General.