Crosscut., Author at KXLY

Proposed WA redistricting maps may violate Voting Rights Act

None of the maps proposed by members of the state Redistricting Commission would create a Yakima Valley district where most eligible voters are Latino, a new analysis finds.

Washington wineries considering dramatic changes for climate change

Wine is a big business in Washington — and a growing one. But it's facing issues such as drought and wildfires.

From mosh pit to ER: Mudhoney bassist on being a nurse during COVID

Harborview nurse Guy Maddison has a new podcast about the pandemic experience of frontline health care workers.

Climate change forces WA apple cider industry to adjust

The future of the business may depend on how apple growers and cider-makers start adapting now to conditions they can’t anticipate.

Rare beluga whale sighting in Puget Sound stirs excitement — and concern

Marine mammal conservation groups are working to get a health assessment of the whale, which was identified from a video taken Sunday.

Redistricting in Washington state: What's at stake in 2021

Commissioners — two Democratic and two Republican appointees — just submitted their proposed new voting district lines.

Cdc Says Many Americans Can Now Go Outside Without A Mask

How Washington courts allow for private prosecutions

A seldom-used state law allows vigilante criminal prosecutions — and the state Supreme Court just opted to leave it on the books.

Us Senate Leader Lends Clout To Marijuana Legalization Push

WA pot industry easier to enter under new licensing rules

The changes are one part of a push to ensure people of color aren’t disproportionately locked out of the state’s marijuana industry.

ArtSEA: WA State Book Awards kick off a rich reading season

Plus, in-person festivals return to On the Boards, Northwest Film Forum and Intiman Theatre

WA lawsuit accuses gold mining company of dragging its feet on cleanup

A federal judge allows suit to proceed, as the state says run-off from the mine is seeping into Okanogan water sources.

Asian Giant Hornet Nest Destroyed In Washington State

When catchy names for insects sting — think ‘Asian giant hornet’

Entomologists push to rename the world’s largest wasp amid conversations about other controversial insect names.

How one WA school district boosts the crucial freshman year

Ninth-grade success has been correlated with graduation. Incoming freshmen at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma get a peek at high school life.

PNW hiking and camping upended as wildfires force tough choices

With firefighting resources strained and burning harder to contain, many face last-minute changes or cancellations to outdoor adventures.

Vaccine-hesitant Washingtonians open up about their fears

Most attention goes to the committed anti-vaccine crowd but a quarter of those unvaccinated come from a more politically, racially diverse group.

One of the most polluted sites in WA is being targeted for development

The contaminated land under the old Snoqualmie sawmill is at the heart of a dispute over plans for an expansive development.

School Mask, Vaccine Mandates Supported In Us: Ap Norc Poll

Critical race theory: A political debate hits WA schools

Many Washington state educators feel the hot-button term is being unduly conflated with teaching anything about race and racism.

The newest Washington mask mandate: What you need to know

Washingtonians need to mask up inside again as of Monday, Aug. 23, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Washington State Is Latest To Pass Heat Rules For Workers

Heat and smoke protections for WA farmworkers may fall short

While deaths and illnesses among agricultural workers mount, state regulators face pressure to do more to protect them.

Despite credibility issues, WA cops find police jobs elsewhere

Prosecutors must flag officers who have known incidents of dishonesty or other misconduct. A Crosscut investigation found at least 22 officers with such issues still found new jobs at other agencies.

What would you need to give up to save salmon in WA?

Many state, federal and local government agencies, as well as private companies and landowners, have built fish passages across Washington over the past century. The system is so big that no one has a complete inventory or accounting of how they have succeeded or failed.