How a rollback of Roe v. Wade would affect abortion rights in WA
Whatever the U.S. Supreme Court decides in its latest abortion case, Washington state has its own protections on the books.
Politics
Spokane city leaders at odds over positions on police chief's executive team
The battle is over whether or not their positions should become classified, civil service jobs.
Most Idaho abortions banned if Roe v. Wade is overturned
An Idaho law banning nearly all abortions would take effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that declared a nationwide right to abortion.
Idaho Attorney General Wasden announces run for sixth term
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Republican Attorney General Lawrence Wasden will seek a sixth term as the state’s chief legal officer, he announced Monday. Wasden is seeking to extend his run as the longest-serving attorney general in the state’s history.…
Steve Hobbs sworn in as Washington’s 16th secretary of state
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Steve Hobbs was sworn in Monday as Washington’s 16th secretary of state, the first person of color to head the office and the first Democrat to hold the position in 56 years. Hobbs, who is…
A Q&A with Kim Wyman, departing WA secretary of state
Once she joins the Biden administration Monday, there will be no Republican statewide elected officials on the West Coast outside of Alaska.
Washington gets another positive state revenue forecast
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — As Washington lawmakers prepare for a new legislative session to craft and pass a supplemental budget, they’ll have more money to work with thanks to a steady increase of state revenues over the past year. Updated…
Idaho Senate panel kills three COVID-19 vaccine bills
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Legislature appeared ready on Wednesday to wrap up the extended 2021 session after a Senate committee killed three bills having to do with COVID-19 vaccine legislation. The Senate State Affairs Committee held all three…
New WA political maps a mystery after final redistricting meeting
The public doesn’t know if the state's bipartisan redistricting commission completed its work on time — or what exactly got approved — since talks happened mostly in private.
Idaho lawmaker censured for publicizing rape accuser’s name
An Idaho lawmaker who publicized the name of a 19-year-old intern who reported she was raped by another legislator has been stripped of a committee assignment.
Justices say Gov. Jay Inslee overstepped veto authority
SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee overstepped his veto authority when he cut a sentence that appeared seven times in the 2019 transportation budget, the Washington Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The sentence in question would have prevented the Department of…
Gov. Inslee names Steve Hobbs as Washington's new Secretary of State
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Governor Jay Inslee has named Steve Hobbs as Washington’s new Secretary of State. Hobbs, a Democrat, will be the first person of…
Former President Trump endorses Idaho's Lt. Gov. for state's top office
Idaho Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin shared on Tuesday that she had the support of former President Donald Trump heading into the state's next gubernatorial election.
2 Democrats seek to unseat McMorris Rodgers in WA-05
SPOKANE, Wash. -- An attorney and a marketing professional have announced their candidacies to represent Washington’s fifth Congressional district. Natasha Hill and Ann Marie Danimus, both democrats, are seeking to replace incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who has held the seat…
Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad announces run for Idaho governor
LEWISTON, Idaho -- Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad is running for governor of Idaho. The Democrat made the announcement Monday in Lewiston. Rognstad is a fourth generation Idahoan…
Inslee-led coalition of governments signs range of actions to reduce carbon emissions
GLASCOW -- A coalition of governments, led by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, affirmed their commitment to addressing the climate crisis on Sunday. Inslee has spent the weekend in Glasgow, Scotland with other mayors and governors as part of the United…
WA’s new federal judges signify reversal of Trump-era influence
The Senate’s recent confirmation of three federal judges in Washington reveals a deliberate effort to increase diversity in the courts.
'Lawless act': Idaho's Lt. Gov. says Gov. Little left the state without notifying her office
On Friday, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin sent out a statement saying Gov. Brad Little left the state without letting her office know.
WA Senate considers plan that includes COVID-19 testing
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Under a plan being considered by the Washington Senate, lawmakers in that chamber would conduct their work through a mix of virtual committee meetings and on-site votes, and senators and staff would have to provide proof…
Idaho Gov. Brad Little says he plans to sue President Biden over new vaccine mandate
The new requirements go into effect on Jan. 4, 2021, and could apply to about 84 million people.
McGeachin meets with former President Trump in Florida
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Republican Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin said Thursday she met earlier this week with former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. McGeachin in a statement said she spoke with Trump on…
McMorris Rodgers calls Biden's employer vaccine mandate 'un-American'
WASHINGTON D.C. -- Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers called President Joe Biden’s new employer vaccine mandate “un-American.” On Thursday, the Biden Administration announced that Americans who work…
Bingle, Zappone continue to lead in latest vote count
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Votes are still being counted, but the Spokane City Council will have surely two new members come January. Wednesday’s updated results did not…
Moderate candidates leading liberals in Seattle's top races
SEATTLE (AP) - Moderate candidates were leading in early Seattle election returns following a months-long debate about how to address the city's problems of homelessness, policing and racial and economic injustice. In the mayor's race Tuesday, Bruce Harrell, a former…
