Washington State Standard
Trial begins in WA suit against Albertsons over opioid epidemic liability
The state has brought in more than $1.3 billion to address the opioid crisis from drug manufacturers and distributors in other cases.
Washington State Standard
Washington sued over assisted living spending cuts
by Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard June 15, 2026 Faced with a budget shortfall this year, Washington Democratic lawmakers relied on spending cuts and other maneuvers to make ends meet. For one, they trimmed tens of millions of dollars in state funding for assisted living facilities that care for
Washington State Standard
Environmental groups sue to stop 400 acres of logging in WA’s Elwha Watershed
The lawsuit argues that the state failed to study possible environmental harms of cutting the forests, which include trees that are 140 years old.
Washington State Standard
High-potency cannabis fuels state debates over psychosis and addiction risks
by Amanda Watford, Washington State Standard June 8, 2026 When her son was a teenager, Connecticut mom Amy Wadsworth said, he was the type of kid parents rarely worry about. He played sports, cared about his health and stayed away from drugs. In 2018, when he left West Hartford to
Washington State Standard
Where Affordable Care Act insurance coverage has dropped most in WA
by Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard June 1, 2026 Washington’s rural counties saw the largest drops in insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act after the Republican-controlled Congress failed to extend subsidies that helped consumers afford the plans. About 250,000 Washingtonians are enrolled this year through
Washington State Standard
1 year later, how WA’s controversial cap on rent hikes has been enforced
The state has issued over $800,000 in penalties against landlords, but hasn’t collected them so long as they comply with state law.
Washington State Standard
Federal Judge Rebuffs bid to Toss WA Legislative Maps
by Jerry Cornfield and Bill Lucia, Washington State Standard May 18, 2026 A federal judge has rejected a request to ditch political maps for Washington’s Legislature that he approved two years ago. Now, opponents are waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on whether
Washington State Standard
Income tax foes will pursue repeal on fall ballot
They formally launched an initiative effort Tuesday. To qualify, they’ll need to gather upward of 300,000 signatures in less than two months.
Washington State Standard
WA Fish and Wildlife panel confronts high tensions and harsh testimony
An investigation and a lawsuit fueled sharper comments at a meeting last week. There were renewed calls for commissioners to resign and the agency director to be fired.
Local News
SNAP benefits on pace to run out in two weeks if shutdown persists
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2500"] Photo by Scott Warman, Unsplash [/caption] News by Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom, Washington DC As the federal government shutdown extends to day 17, and with congressional leaders nowhere near negotiating, state officials are beginning to raise concerns of potential cuts
Environment
WA officials take stock as wildfire season winds down
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2500"] Photo by Jako Janse van Rensburg, Unsplash [/caption] News by Emily Fitzgerald, Washington State Standard With fall weather dampening wildland fire conditions in Washington, officials are beginning to reflect on the fire season. Washington state saw more individual fires than
Local News
New sales tax on services in Washington takes effect Wednesday
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2500"] Photo courtesy of Scott Graham. Unslpash [/caption] News by by Jake Goldstein-Street, Washington State Standard A contentious new sales tax on services that Democratic state lawmakers relied on to pay for Washington’s latest budget is set to take