Laurel Demkovich

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News >  ID Government

Future of Idaho Republican Party on the line in May 17 primary

UPDATED: Sun., May 8, 2022

Set for May 17, the primary is a chance for voters to choose which candidates in their party they wish to see move on to the general election. All statewide offices, including governor and lieutenant governor, and all state legislative positions are on the ballot.

News >  Health

‘They will be welcome’: Inslee, Washington Democrats commit to ‘sanctuary’ for those needing abortions in other states

UPDATED: Wed., May 4, 2022

Inslee, joined by a number of other Democratic politicians in Kerry Park in Seattle, made clear on Tuesday the state will remain a safe place for those who need to access abortion. Washington will become a "sanctuary" for those who need it, he said.

News >  WA Government

Biden makes first trip to Washington since becoming president, talking climate change and more on Earth Day

UPDATED: Fri., April 22, 2022

The Washington visit ended a West Coast trip that started Thursday in Portland. On his tour, Biden touted the recently passed infrastructure package and highlighted his efforts to fight climate change and lower prescription drugs costs.

Sports >  Outdoors

Spring turkey hunting is here – here’s what to know about the season

UPDATED: Fri., April 22, 2022

So far this year, more than 21,000 turkey tags, which are required to hunt and report turkeys, have been purchased in Washington. 

News >  WA Government

Fearing a threat to shellfish industry, Washington Legislature provides funds for kelp, eelgrass protection

Mon., April 11, 2022

The Legislature this year provided the Department of Natural Resources with funding to create a plan to conserve or restore 10,000 acres of kelp and eelgrass habitats by 2040.

News >  Health

Nurse, health care worker shortage at center of several new Legislative programs

Sun., April 10, 2022

Those include funding for more nursing slots statewide, a new nursing program at Eastern Washington University, new lab equipment at some colleges and universities and a loan forgiveness program for nurse educators.

News >  Nation/World

Lasting effects of Amazon union vote unknown but could point to change in labor movement, Washington experts say

Sat., April 2, 2022

Though it's too early to tell what kind of lasting effects the union could have on Amazon and the labor movement in the U.S., Washington experts say it does fit into a narrative of a labor market that has experienced a lot of change in the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  WA Government

Inslee signs $64 billion supplemental budget into law

Fri., April 1, 2022

During supplemental budget years, legislators are tasked with adjusting the two-year budget passed the year prior. It will be in place through the end of the budget cycle in 2023.

News >  WA Government

Racial covenants in home titles to remain in public record, Washington Supreme Court rules

UPDATED: Fri., April 1, 2022

In a case that started in Spokane County, the court affirmed a lower court ruling in favor of the county, saying that racial covenants, language in home titles that made it illegal for people of color to live there, should remain in the public record.

News >  Education

New student loan program in works with Inslee signature

Thu., March 31, 2022

Washington must develop a state student loan program for residents, under a bill signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday. 

News >  WA Government

Getting There: Inslee signs transportation package into law with funding for new electric ferries

UPDATED: Tue., March 29, 2022

At a visit to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday signed a number of transportation and climate bills, including the revenue portion of the $17 billion transportation package.

News >  WA Government

Inslee signs Washington state gun regulations into law. Here’s how the rules will change.

UPDATED: Wed., March 23, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a package of bills to restrict gun usage, including where they can be carried, how to handle firearms without serial numbers and what kinds of magazines can be made and sold.

Sports >  Outdoors

Discover Pass free days extended to all state recreational lands

Sun., March 20, 2022

Currently, state parks designate 12 days each calendar year where entry is free, no day fee or Discover Pass needed. Under the bill signed Thursday, those days will now include all Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources and State Parks and Recreation Commission sites and lands.

News >  WA Government

Inslee signs bipartisan use-of-force bill into law

UPDATED: Thu., March 17, 2022

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday signed a bill that allows law enforcement the ability to use physical force to stop a person from actively fleeing a scene

News >  Nation/World

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing – here’s what might be part of a deal

UPDATED: Tue., March 15, 2022

Experts have mixed ideas about how the conflict will end, but most can agree it will take some compromising from both Russia, Ukraine and the West.

Beware of fake charity organizations when looking to donate to Ukraine efforts

Sun., March 13, 2022

The Washington Secretary of State is encouraging everyone to research charities before donating. 

News >  WA Government

Plan to allow legislative staff to unionize awaits Inslee’s signature

Fri., March 11, 2022

The bill passed 28-20 in the state Senate on Thursday, and changes made were OKed in the state House of Representatives on Thursday.

News >  WA Government

The Washington Legislature adjourned for the year. Here’s a look at what they did the last 60 days

UPDATED: Sat., March 12, 2022

The Legislature adjourned sine die Thursday just before the midnight deadline with more than half of their members — masked and mostly socially distant — in person on the floor. 

News >  WA Government

With one day left to pass it, Democrats release $64 billion budget proposal

Thu., March 10, 2022

Democrats on Wednesday released their final budget proposal, spending $64.1 billion on new investments in K-12 schools, reducing poverty and homelessness, behavioral health and helping the state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  WA Government

Legislature passes capital budget with funding for new housing and behavioral health resources in Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., March 10, 2022

The supplemental plan — an adjustment to the $6.3 billion two-year budget passed last year — would invest in infrastructure and construction projects across the state. 

News >  WA Government

Nurse staffing standards, Spokane sewer tax limit are among proposals that won’t become state law this year

Thu., March 10, 2022

OLYMPIA – Controversial proposals that would have created a check on a governor’s power during a declared emergency and set staffing standards for nurses at hospitals are among numerous bills that won’t be approved this year as the legislative session nears its end.

News >  WA Government

Bus rapid transit, possible acceleration of North Spokane Corridor funded in legislative transportation package

UPDATED: Wed., March 9, 2022

OLYMPIA – Legislative Democrats revealed their final proposal for a 16-year, $17 billion transportation package that would fund transit, maintenance, a number of new projects in Spokane and possibly speed up completion of the North Spokane Corridor.

News >  Health

Washington nurse-to-patient ratio bill likely dead in state Legislature

Sat., March 5, 2022

The bill, sponsored by Spokane Democratic Rep. Marcus Riccelli, would have had to make it out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee by Monday, but it was not voted on.

News >  Local Government

New restrictions for gun magazines one step away from being law in Washington

UPDATED: Sat., March 5, 2022

OLYMPIA – Making, distributing or selling gun magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds is one step closer to being illegal in Washington.

News >  WA Government

Some police reform changes become law with Inslee’s signature; others still under consideration

UPDATED: Fri., March 4, 2022

Inslee on Friday signed a bill that allows officers to clarify that physical force against a person who needs mental health assistance. He signed another bill that allows law enforcement agencies to use and acquire ammunition of .50 caliber or greater and other types of firearms of .50 caliber or greater.