Stories by Mitchell Roland for the Spokesman-Review

Washington launches new hate crime hotline in Spokane County ahead of statewide launch

UPDATED: Wed., July 2, 2025

The hotline, launched Tuesday in Spokane, King and Clark counties, is part of a pilot project ahead of a planned launch statewide by January 2027.

Senate removes state AI regulation ban opposed by Sen. Maria Cantwell

UPDATED: Tue., July 1, 2025

The United States Senate voted 99-1 early Tuesday morning to remove a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill that would have restricted states from “limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating” artificial intelligence for the next decade.

Questions on birthright citizenship, nationwide relief remain in the Northwest after Supreme Court ruling

Sun., June 29, 2025

While babies born in Washington and a slate of other blue states will continue to automatically qualify for American citizenship, that right is “tenuous” for those in red states that have not challenged President Donald Trump’s attempt to end the practice , said Washington Attorney General Nick Brown.

News > Spokane

Thousands pack Spokane streets as Hoopfest returns

UPDATED: Sat., June 28, 2025

Emily Turner showed up for her second Hoopfest on Saturday to support her boyfriend and his team, “Trill Walton,” named after the late famous basketball player and sportscaster, Bill Walton.

News > Spokane

‘It just kind of brings out the competitive nature in us’: Teams battle in Hoopfest 2025

UPDATED: Sat., June 28, 2025

Team Yes knows what it takes to come out on top.

Washington state superintendent to help fund Imagination Library, work with legislature to restore funds

UPDATED: Thu., June 26, 2025

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will continue to offer free books to children younger than 5 for at least the next year, according to Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

News > WA Government

New forecast shows uptick in Washington transportation revenue as gas tax set to increase

UPDATED: Wed., June 25, 2025

Washington will have $6.8 billion more to spend on roads and other transportation projects over the next four years, thanks to a gas tax increase and other fees.

News > WA Government

Gov. Ferguson does not expect special session after budget forecast shows revenue decline

UPDATED: Tue., June 24, 2025

Gov. Bob Ferguson does not anticipate calling lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session to address the state’s budget after an updated revenue forecast showed the state will bring in less money than lawmakers anticipated. However, he said Tuesday his office is “closely monitoring developments from the federal government that could force me to revisit that question.”

News > WA Government

Washington joins growing list of states to tax increasingly popular nicotine pouches like ZYN

UPDATED: Mon., June 23, 2025

When school is in session, ZYN is one of the top sellers at the Mobil gas station on Hamilton Street.

News > WA Government

Democrat Cantwell, Republican Blackburn voice opposition to 10-year moratorium on state AI regulations

UPDATED: Wed., June 18, 2025

A bipartisan group of federal and state lawmakers is voicing concern over a provision tucked into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would restrict states from “limiting, restricting, or otherwise regulating” artificial intelligence for the next decade.

News > WA Government

Spokane County jurisdictions to receive nearly $5 million as part of latest opioid settlement

UPDATED: Wed., June 18, 2025

Jurisdictions in Spokane County will receive nearly $4.7 million as part of a multibillion-dollar settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, over their role in fueling the country’s opioid epidemic.

News > WA Government

Washington legislators condemn political violence following Minnesota shooting

UPDATED: Sun., June 15, 2025

OLYMPIA – The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Washington House and Senate released a joint statement Sunday condemning political violence following the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota legislators.

News > WA Government

‘If a system cannot protect children, it’s not worth defending’: Washington lawmakers call for review of AMBER alert protocols after Decker killings

UPDATED: Fri., June 13, 2025

A bipartisan group of Washington lawmakers has called on the state to reform its AMBER alert system and others after the killings of three young sisters near Leavenworth.

News > WA Government

Gov. Ferguson calls on protesters to remain peaceful ahead of widespread demonstrations

Fri., June 13, 2025

SEATTLE – With momentum building for big “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump this weekend, Gov. Bob Ferguson is urging people to remain peaceful.

News > Nation/World

With Baumgartner in audience, Trump signs bill blocking Washington’s electric vehicle mandate; state sues in response

UPDATED: Fri., June 13, 2025

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday signed legislation into law that blocks Washington and other states from following California’s lead in phasing out gas-powered vehicles.

News > WA Government

Washington could bear responsibility for natural disasters as Trump eyes changes to FEMA

UPDATED: Wed., June 11, 2025

Washington state could soon be responsible for a bigger share of disaster relief response, a possibility state officials have spent months preparing for.

News > WA Government

Washington AG exploring potential challenge to new federal travel restrictions

UPDATED: Tue., June 10, 2025

Washington is “taking a careful look” at where it has standing to challenge President Donald Trump’s recent proclamation restricting travel from 12 countries, Attorney General Nick Brown said during a news conference Tuesday.

News > WA Government

Washington sues federal government to block distribution of forced reset triggers

UPDATED: Mon., June 9, 2025

Washington has joined 14 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives plan to return seized “forced reset triggers,” a device the Washington attorney general’s office says allows novice shooters to “achieve the firepower of a military machine gun.”

News > WA Government

Judge orders Trump administration to restore Americorps funding, including hundreds of thousands in Spokane area

UPDATED: Fri., June 6, 2025

A federal judge in Maryland has ordered the Trump administration to restore AmeriCorps funding in 25 states, including Washington.

News > Higher education

WSU faces ‘strategic’ staffing cuts after regents adopt pared-down budget

UPDATED: Thu., June 5, 2025

Washington State University is likely to face personnel cuts in the coming weeks after the school’s Board of Regents adopted a budget that includes a $17.1 million reduction in spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

News > WA Government

Ahead of wildfire season, Sen. Cantwell says staff shortage at National Weather Service has a ‘dangerous impact’

UPDATED: Thu., June 5, 2025

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell has voiced concern over staffing cuts at the National Weather Service, which she says have left much of the country ill-prepared for this year’s hurricane and fire seasons.

News > WA Government

Lincoln County Commissioners declares it’s not a ‘sanctuary county’ following inclusion on Homeland Security list

UPDATED: Tue., June 3, 2025

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has formally declared that the county is not a “sanctuary county” after ending up on a federal list recently.

News > WA Government

Democratic attorneys general outline response to federal government during Seattle town hall

UPDATED: Mon., June 2, 2025

Just over four months into President Donald Trump’s second administration, the rate and frequency with which Democratic attorneys general have challenged federal policy has greatly outpaced that of his first term in office.

News > WA Government

New Washington law keeps identifying information of whistleblowers private following investigation into Spokane Valley councilman

UPDATED: Sun., May 18, 2025

OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers amended public disclosure law this year to require identifying information of accusers, complainants and witnesses in workplace discrimination or harassment cases be kept private and their voices altered in audio recordings.

News > WA Government

Challenge from Washington and other states to Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship makes way to U.S. Supreme Court

UPDATED: Mon., May 19, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a case that could upend long-standing precedent on who is guaranteed American citizenship under the Constitution.

All Stories