Austin Jenkins
Olympia Correspondent, Northwest News Network
About
Since January 2004, Austin has been the Olympia-based state government reporter for the Northwest News Network, a consortium of public radio stations in Washington and Oregon that includes KUOW. Austin's areas of coverage include Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington Legislature.
Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. In 2019, Austin received his Master of Communication in Digital Media from the University of Washington Communication Leadership program.
Location: Olympia
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: he/him
Stories
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As many states move to outlaw abortion, Washington state Democrats look for ways to strengthen abort
While the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the right to abortion is protected under Washington state law. But Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee and fellow abortion rights supporters are looking for ways to strengthen that protection.
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Today So Far Blog
New, more inclusive Pride flag debuts at Washington Capitol
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KUOW Newsroom
Vote fraud conspiracy theories driving some candidates for elections offices in WA, elsewhere
Across the country, backers of former President Donald Trump are making election integrity a campaign issue. So far, that issue has not dominated Washington’s election for secretary of state — the state’s top election official position. But mistrust in voting systems is an issue in some local races this year.
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Today So Far Blog
'Election integrity' issue finds its way into local Washington state races
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KUOW Newsroom
Governor, state Democratic Party and lawmakers call on Washington insurance commissioner to resign
On Thursday, the top Democrat and Republican in the Washington state Senate called on Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler to resign after his office fired an employee who had complained in February about Kreidler's treatment of staff. Kreidler said he won't step down.
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KUOW Newsroom
Aide who blew whistle on mistreatment of staff fired from Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner
A key staffer in Washington's Office of Insurance Commissioner has been fired more than four months after he formally complained about the treatment he and other staff received from Mike Kreidler, the state's elected insurance commissioner.
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Today So Far Blog
Reports of elder abuse on the rise in Washington state
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Today So Far Blog
Could Washington state ban assault-style weapons?
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KUOW Newsroom
Washington voters' role in gun laws: ballots vs bills
The U.S. is once again mourning dozens of lives lost in several mass shootings just last month. And because these events are all too common now in our country, the debates that have followed have been predictable.
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KUOW Newsroom
See ya! Washington police say drivers aren’t stopping for them; cite pursuit restrictions
Since January of this year, more than 900 drivers have failed to stop for a Washington State Patrol trooper trying to pull them over. The patrol and other police agencies around the state say they’ve never seen such blatant disregard for their lights and sirens. The change in driver behavior comes after state lawmakers passed strict new rules on when police can engage in pursuits.