Politics Where do I have to wear a mask in WA? We explain With COVID-19 surging, state, local and federal health officials have issued new masking recommendations for vaccinated people. by Melissa Santos & Donna Gordon Blankinship / July 28, 2021 / Updated Monday, Aug. 23 at 9:48 a.m.
Politics What new WA police accountability laws do and don’t do Plus, a closer look at some of the concerned statements made by police chiefs and sheriffs. by Melissa Santos / July 28, 2021
News Poll: WA isn’t as optimistic as it was six months ago Pessimism rose despite more residents saying they’re likely to get vaccinated, a new Crosscut/Elway Poll finds. by Melissa Santos / July 27, 2021
Politics Despite law, 20 WA counties don’t offer public-option health plans Now, legislators think they have a fix to bring the public-option law they passed two years ago to every county. by Melissa Santos / July 26, 2021
Politics New WA laws start to close public broadband gap — but it’s a small step Legislators are spending $400 million to expand broadband, while opening up public internet options. But access for everyone is still a long way off. by Melissa Santos / July 16, 2021
Politics New suicide prevention hotline aims to divert callers from police Starting in mid-2022, people will be able to dial 988 instead of 911 to access different types of services in a mental health crisis. by Melissa Santos / July 8, 2021
Politics That voting-rights bill Congress rejected? Most of it is WA law With mail-in voting and same-day voter registration “we really are ahead of the curve,” one state lawmaker says. by Melissa Santos / June 28, 2021
Politics What it means for Juneteenth to be an official holiday The U.S. and Washington state are now formally celebrating June 19 to mark the end of slavery. by Melissa Santos / June 18, 2021
Politics 3 WA families on how new police laws could have helped their loved ones The state's new accountability laws might not have happened without the advocacy of people whose family members were killed by police. by Melissa Santos / May 26, 2021
News A year after George Floyd’s murder, what’s changed in Washington state? Last year's BLM protests fueled major actions on police accountability, tax reform and environmental justice. But no one thinks the work is done. by Melissa Santos / May 25, 2021