Local Politics

Politics Governor Inslee appoints the Tri-Cities' first-ever Hispanic judge

By Ryan Simms Published: May 6, 2013 at 5:50 PM PDT Last Updated: May 6, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT

The effort to improve our courts brought Governor Inslee to the Tri-Cities.

Politics Marijuana tax set at 25%, drug-related DUIs up (Video)

By Lindsey Adams Published: May 3, 2013 at 7:54 AM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 10:39 AM PDT

Since marijuana has become legal, drug recognition experts have noticed a 50 percent increase in the number of drug-related DUI call outs.

Politics Inslee OKs elimination of marital rape exception

By Associated Press Published: May 2, 2013 at 2:30 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 2:30 PM PDT

Marriage will no longer be an absolute defense against allegations of some forms of rape and sexual assault in Washington state.

Politics Woman claims she was fired for inhaling second-hand pot smoke (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Matt Markovich Published: Apr 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM PDT

You can't get drunk if the person next to you is overdoing it with the booze. But what if they were smoking pot? The consequences of breathing their second-hand smoke could lead to your firing or even a DUI.

Politics Gun control advocates launch background check initiative (Video)

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Published: Apr 29, 2013 at 11:23 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

Gun control advocates in Washington are launching an initiative campaign after state lawmakers declined to expand background checks on gun sales.

Politics Inslee wants Legislature to come back May 13 (Video)

By Mark Miller and Associated Press Published: Apr 29, 2013 at 10:01 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 29, 2013 at 4:20 PM PDT

One of the biggest divides on coming up with two-year budget is how to pay for public education.

Politics Wash. Legislature passes bill to monitor social media in workplace

By Associated Press Published: Apr 27, 2013 at 3:01 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 27, 2013 at 11:39 PM PDT

State senators voted unanimously on Saturday to establish laws around the handling of social media in the workplace. The bill awaits Gov. Jay Inslee's signature.

Politics House approves fix to state marijuana law

By Associated Press Published: Apr 27, 2013 at 3:04 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 27, 2013 at 3:04 PM PDT

The House has approved a measure prosecutors and crime lab scientists say is needed because of concerns that a provision in Washington's new legal marijuana law jeopardizes their ability to go after any pot crimes at all.

Politics Draft rule ends federal protections for gray wolves (Photo Gallery)

By JOHN FLESHER and MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Published: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM PDT

Federal wildlife officials have drafted plans to lift protections for gray wolves across the Lower 48 states, a move that could end a decades-long recovery effort that has restored the animals but only in parts of their historic range.

Politics Officials: Legal marijuana law jeopardizes all pot prosecutions (Video)

By GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press Published: Apr 24, 2013 at 12:53 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 25, 2013 at 6:11 PM PDT

Prosecutors and crime lab scientists say a little-noticed provision in Washington's new law legalizing recreational marijuana has jeopardized their ability to go after any pot crimes at all, and they're calling for an immediate fix in the Legislature.

Politics Special session? State lawmakers head into final days

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Published: Apr 24, 2013 at 2:23 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM PDT

As lawmakers head into the final days of the 105-day regular legislative session, Gov. Jay Inslee acknowledged Wednesday that the clock might run out before a budget deal is struck and agreement is reached on other bills he says are still in play.

Politics State governments may push workers to health exchange

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Published: Apr 24, 2013 at 7:28 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 24, 2013 at 10:07 AM PDT

Washington state lawmakers have found a creative way to pass a large chunk of their health care expenses along to Washington, D.C. - and analysts say others are likely to follow suit.

Politics Oregon Senate gives green light to immigrant driver's license bill

By Lauren Gambino, Associated Press Published: Apr 23, 2013 at 1:16 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 23, 2013 at 10:28 PM PDT

The bill would allow immigrants, among others, who have lived in Oregon for at least a year and meet other requirements, to apply for driver's licenses without proving legal presence.

Politics State House Dems drop beer tax, other revenue proposals

By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Published: Apr 23, 2013 at 1:14 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 23, 2013 at 1:15 PM PDT

House Democrats in Washington state have dropped their plan to extend the state's beer tax and backed away from other revenue proposals they felt were distracting.

Politics Gender-neutral bill does away with 'freshmen,' 'penmanship'

By Associated Press Published: Apr 23, 2013 at 9:40 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 23, 2013 at 9:40 AM PDT

Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed off on the final installment of a six-year effort to make language in the state's copious laws gender-neutral.