Week in Review: Abortion, COVID-19, and drug decriminalization

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with freelance journalist Joanne Silberner, Seattle Channel’s Brian Callanan, and KUOW’s David Hyde.

An early draft of a Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe vs. Wade was leaked this week. Inslee will “fight like hell to keep WA pro-choice.” Shorter-term, how would this ruling affect abortion access in Western, Eastern and Central WA? How will it affect local politics?

Health officials are asking, but not requiring Snohomish County residents to don their masks again. Cases are up 130% this week, hospitalization rates more than doubled in the past several weeks. As of Wednesday, King County cases were up 18 percent for the last week, with 900 new cases a day. Hospitalizations were down 9 percent to 11 per day. Deaths were down 13 percent, to one per day. Will policies keep changing?

The Seattle City Council is trying to push through Pay Up, a proposed bill intended to improve compensation and working conditions for app-based workers in Seattle. Under the legislation, app-based workers would be assured to earn at least the minimum wage. What are the pros and cons?

Boeing is moving its corporate headquarters from Chicago to the Washington, D.C. area. Will more jobs move eastward?

On Monday, drug-reform advocates, doctors, and politicians announced a proposed ballot measure to remove the penalties for possessing drugs of any kind in Washington. Supporters say the war on drugs needs to end, and that they want I-1922 on a statewide ballot this year. It's proposed by a coalition called Commit to Change WA. Will it pass?