WA Government

Back-to-back weather systems carrying enormous amounts of moisture and warm air pummeled the Seattle region this month, devastating roads as rivers ate away at anything their swollen banks could loosen, floods raced across normally dry land, and landslides spilled across highways. The extreme weather has many pinning the blame on a changing climate. So, can the state use funds collected from ...

The work to restore and repair roads may not be “the sexiest thing” when compared to the allure of the ribbon cutting to open a new project, Gov. Bob Ferguson said Friday.

Faced with what he described as a “crisis,” Gov. Bob Ferguson has proposed spending $244 million on housing investments across the state.

The Department of Energy announced Wednesday it has issued an emergency order directing the continued operation of the last coal power plant in the state, delaying longtime plans to shutter its current operations.

Former Pasco Mayor and candidate for state attorney general Pete Serrano will continue to serve as the top federal prosecutor in Eastern Washington through a workaround that the Department of Justice announced Monday.

OLYMPIA – The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” established a program designed to give children a leg up when they reach adulthood. It’s an idea similar to one that’s been proposed across the country, including in Washington, but has found limited support.

When getting her groceries, Lisa Villella almost always forgets her reusable bags at home.

OLYMPIA – A new bill spurred by the recent release of Kevin Coe proposed ahead of the upcoming legislative session would make it harder for serial rapists to be released from civil commitment.

OLYMPIA – About five weeks before lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2026 session, the state’s budget deficit remains top of mind.

OLYMPIA – While State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti has been in office, he has spoken to thousands of people across the state. Not one, Pellicciotti said Thursday, has told him they feel adequately versed in financial education or financial literacy.

The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs to compel the state to turn over information about Washington voters, including names, dates of birth, addresses and either a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number as part of the White House’s crackdown on electoral systems around the country.

How best to spend, save and raise money will be a recurring theme when Washington lawmakers convene in Olympia next week for their annual “committee days.”

A bipartisan group of attorneys general – including Nick Brown of Washington and Raul Labrador of Idaho – is again pushing to stop a federal ban on states regulating artificial intelligence.

Recent changes to how grants are awarded through a federal housing program are illegal and will limit Washingtonians’ access to long-term housing and other services, state Attorney General Nick Brown alleged in a multistate lawsuit filed Tuesday.

OLYMPIA – Washington state is fining health insurance giant Regence Blue Shield over half a million dollars for disparities between its mental health and medical coverage.

OLYMPIA – Colleen Melody, a Spokane native and graduate of Ferris High School, will fill an upcoming opening on the Washington Supreme Court, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Monday.

A break-in at the state Capitol last month caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, according to an updated estimate released Thursday.

Washington state lawmakers next year are set to again discuss whether public sector unions can bargain over their employers’ adoption of artificial intelligence technology.

A former president of the Spokane City Council and current Spokane County Superior Court judge is among the candidates under consideration for appointment to Washington’s top court.