When a special commission redraws the boundaries for Washington’s legislative districts this year, some residents will urge its members to make more of those 49 districts competitive for candidates of both parties. That will be difficult in the Spokane area.

The events that unfolded Wednesday shocked the country, leading many Washington lawmakers on both sides to quickly condemn the violence that led to a pause in the 2020 presidential election certification, an overtaken Capitol and one woman dead.

Three Stevens County commissioners were sworn in Tuesday, taking the place of an interim board appointed after previous elected officials were removed by court order.

Mark Burrows will serve as Stevens County commissioner starting Monday, following an appointment by Gov. Jay Inslee. The other two positions will be filled by elected board members. 

Four years ago I was working with a group of journalism students covering the election when an editor came out and asked for everyone’s attention. He told us the Associated Press had just called the election for Donald Trump.I watched as the students held back tears. Some went outside or to the bathroom to cry.

School districts will begin phasing in the new requirements in the 2021-2022 school year, but for opponents of the bill, the fight is still not over. 

Wyman defeated state Rep. Gael Tarleton in Tuesday's election with about a six-point lead as of Friday. Tarleton, who will retire in her role as state representative this year, officially conceded Friday.

Flush with cash and confidence, Democrats again opened their wallets in an effort to flip Spokane County’s 6th Legislative District blue in 2020.

Incumbent Republican state Rep. Mike Volz’s lead widened again Thursday and now appears unlikely to be surmounted.

The results of the general election are to be certified by Nov. 24. But Stevens County remains governed by an interim board of commissioners after previous office holders were effectively ousted by a judge's order earlier this year. 

Jay Inslee was talkingjbAS of plans for a rare third term in the governor's office Wednesday as opponent Loren Culp was refusing to concede and hinting at fraud in the vote counting.

Incumbent State Rep. Jenny Graham appears poised for re-election in the 6th Legislative District with her lead widening as additional ballots were tallied on Wednesday, and her opponent issued a concession.

Incumbent Chris Reykdal will likely enter his second term as superintendent of public instruction, after a race defined by COVID-19 policies, partisan politics and the controversial sex ed measure, Referendum 90.

In down-ballot statewide executive races, Democrat incumbents prevailed on Tuesday night.

As of Tuesday night, Democrat Mike Pellicciotti is leading in the treasurer's race while Democrat Gael Tarleton is within three percentage points of Republican Kim Wyman in the secretary of state's race, although it was too close to call as of Tuesday. 

The vote was split about 60-40 in Tuesday's first vote count.

U.S. Rep. Denny Heck is leading Tuesday in the lieutenant governor's race, which pitted two Democrats against each other.