Disproportionately hit by COVID-19, WA Latinos brace for vaccine
Public health experts are racing to prepare communities for the vaccine, but they face notable hurdles.
Author: Crosscut.
Some WA legislators come to the Capitol armed with guns
It’s legal for state lawmakers to carry firearms while voting on bills and conducting the people’s business.
WA Legislature to start 2021 session with heightened security
COVID-19, tax reform and police accountability top lawmakers’ agenda, but the threat of armed protesters hangs over their work.
Only 55% of WA voters say they want to be vaccinated, poll says
A new Crosscut/Elway poll found vaccination interest in the state is much lower than needed for herd immunity under federal guidelines.
How to avoid cabin fever in WA’s pandemic winter
With mental health on the line, Washingtonians are finding creative, safe ways to get outside.
Symptoms and struggles persist for WA couple, 10 months after COVID
As one of the earliest infections in the country, the Malpass family still faces the unknown impacts of the coronavirus.
Black-owned pot shops are rare in WA. Can a task force fix that?
A plan to bring social equity to the state's mostly white marijuana industry was delayed by COVID-19. Now, things are inching forward.
WA unemployment problems persist, with some going unpaid for months
Nine months into the pandemic, the state’s unemployment system is still rife with issues, and thousands are stuck in limbo.
The weakest link in WA’s new COVID-tracking app? Us
Our state is the latest to adopt a coronavirus exposure app to assist contact tracing efforts. But its effectiveness depends on the people using it.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan will not run for a second term
Durkan and the city went from optimism to a series of crises this year, from COVID-19 to social unrest and the city budget.
A COVID vaccine is coming. Here’s how WA is preparing
With multiple vaccines on the way, local governments face major logistical challenges to distribute doses.
How Republican Kim Wyman keeps winning in blue Washington state
The secretary of state’s latest victory will make her the only statewide GOP official on the West Coast, outside of Alaska.
Washington considers narrowing its eviction moratorium
Under pressure from landlords, the state could ask tenants to prove their financial hardship is due to COVID-19.
WA's first Native Supreme Court justice works so she won't be the last
Raquel Montoya-Lewis didn't meet a lawyer until law school. Now she wants others from underrepresented communities to picture themselves in the legal system.
WA Democrats see path to cleaner fuels, capital gains tax after election
Democrats already had strong majorities, but Tuesday’s election may have created an even more progressive Legislature than before.
Jail inmates can vote in Washington — but they may not know it
Attorneys are trying to bring voter outreach to jails, where many may not have access to a ballot or know they can register.
WA election campaign staff protest working conditions, poor pay
A collective of campaign workers across the state says its members are tired of working long hours with no job security or health care.
Inmates with mental illness are illegally stuck in WA jails
The pandemic has made a bad situation worse: a backlog of people in jail who shouldn’t be.
Election fact check: WA, OR ballots can’t be ‘cancelled’ online
The states’ online portals won’t invalidate your original paper ballot — even if malicious actors try to do so from afar.
Matt Shea isn’t running, but he’s a key part of election attack ads
The lawmaker, who was accused of domestic terrorism, is being used to attack not only his fellow Republicans, but also a Seattle Democrat.
WA Republicans fight to keep last two statewide offices
Both GOP Secretary of State Kim Wyman and state Treasurer Duane Davidson face a tough challenge this election.
How tech helped in the fight against the 1918 flu
Radios, telephones and dishwashers influenced our response to the nation's last great epidemic.
Census outreach in high gear for Native groups across WA
The pandemic has been just another hurdle for tribal leaders and organizations working hard to improve historically low counts in Native American communities.
Wildfire smoke is still hurting Washington, weeks later
An epic season of smoke damages our environment and economy in ways that could last much longer than the haze.
