Government Bill to allow more housing near bus stops and rail stations progresses in Olympia It may be easier for Washington State residents to find an affordable home within walking distance of good transit in the future. A “transit-oriented development” bill has made it halfway through the legislature, on its long path to becoming law. Joshua McNichols
Law & Courts Domestic workers could get guaranteed breaks, minimum wage under proposed Washington state bill Domestic workers in Washington state don’t have guaranteed breaks or minimum pay — unless they’re in the city of Seattle. A bill currently before the Washington state Legislature would change that. Eilís O'Neill
'Mosquito Fleet Act' could bring small ferries to more Puget Sound communities Washington State's new ferry boats are years away. It's a painful reality for waterfront communities that depend on ferries. But a new bill in the legislature promises to give them some relief. Joshua McNichols
Politics 'Sheer panic': Washington officials rush to figure out federal funding freeze UPDATE: A federal judge paused the implementation of a Trump administration order that would have frozen the issuance of federal grants and loans until Feb. 3. Scott Greenstone
Law & Courts Washington farmworkers call for better work conditions amid Trump deportation threats More than 100 farmworkers and their supporters traveled to Olympia from the state’s rural counties Tuesday to lobby lawmakers for more protections against unfair labor practices. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Business Credit card convenience comes at a price. This Olympia bill aims to change that A Washington state senator wants to bar credit card bar fees on sales taxes and gratuities. Ruby de Luna
Education 'We are at a crisis.’ Seattle Eastside schools call for increased state funding The legislative session kicks off next week, and school districts statewide are pushing for a boost in funding. Five districts on Seattle's Eastside joined forces this week to bring their issues to lawmakers. Sami West
Health Care Washington's tribes want Medicaid to cover traditional healing When Washington’s legislative session kicks off next week, lawmakers will take up the issue of traditional Native American medicine. Eilís O'Neill
Health Weed sick: High-potency cannabis leads to ER visits, illnesses for some users As cannabis products like vapes, shatter, and dabs have reached near 100% potency, lawmakers, researchers, and doctors have sounded the alarm about a potential public health crisis. Stephen Howie
Education What Trump's second term could mean for education in Washington state President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House has raised a lot of questions about how policies he’s pushed could affect public education. Sami West
