In this special episode of County Connection, Paul Jewell sits down with Denny Heck, Washington’s Lieutenant Governor, for a wide-ranging conversation on public service, civic health, and the future o...

The U.S. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend government funding through December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Unform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be ad...

Lawmakers must quell surging state tort payouts while preserving the ability of Washingtonians to seek redress for government wrongdoing.

What do election security, international trade missions, public libraries, and Dungeons & Dragons have in common? They all fall under the watch of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. In thi...

IRS data shows King County is still gaining population from out-of-state arrivals, but losing a greater number to other Washington counties, writes FYI Guy.

Last week, representatives from Washington State counties attended the 2026 NACo Annual Conference in New Orleans!

Pierce and Snohomish counties want a court to find that the state of Washington is the appropriate defendant, not counties.

Washington’s runaway payouts for government misconduct climbed to $537 million in the past year, as the ever-growing sum continues to strain the state’s finances. That tally from the fiscal …

Washingtonian tax dollars are paying out an astronomical increase in lawsuits. Now, lawmakers are struggling to find a solution.

What if one of the most powerful resources for local government was hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Paul sits down with MRSC Executive Director Melanie Harding to unpack how the Municipal Rese...

What does it take to fund roads, water systems, and broadband across Washington? In this episode, we break down the Public Works Board; how it works, where the money comes from, and why it’s such a cr...

For years, public defenders have reasoned and pleaded with Washington lawmakers to address a crisis ...

East of the mountains, solar and wind farms are common. But west of the Cascades, there's a new trend: massive battery storage facilities.

Washington’s public defense system is facing a crippling shortage of attorneys, driving high burnout rates.

MEAD, Wash. — Fire officials across Spokane County are urging people to take advantage of the coming weeks to prepare for what experts say could be another challenging wildfire season in the Inland No...

WOODINVILLE — For four straight years, at least parts of Washington have been in a drought, as snowpack has failed to meet historical norms amid climate change.  This year, all of …

You’ve seen Law & Order. You’ve heard the Miranda Rights. You know that if someone charged with a crime cannot afford an attorney, all US states have a constitutional obligation to provide one. But, b...

We reached out to the WSALPHO President to learn more about the affiliate group, what they do, and why they're important.

(The Center Square) - Washington state is indirectly using bond debt to cover its operating budget despite record revenue and the largest tax increase in the state's history, according to

County officials say they're "going backwards" after funding was stripped from an income tax bill.

In the final episode of the 2026 legislative session, Paul Jewell and budget whisperer Brian Enslow unravel the mysteries of the newly released supplemental budgets. From the unexpected size of the op...

On the eve of sine die, Paul Jewell and Jamie Bodden break down a whirlwind session packed with major public health wins, surprise amendments, and one dramatic eleventh‑hour rescue of a $21 million FP...

In this breaking‑news episode, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks dig into the chaotic final days of the 2026 legislative session as the controversial “millionaire’s tax” bill, SB 6346, changes, yet again. Th...

In this special episode, the tables are turned, and the mics are flipped as Policy Coordinator Travis Dutton interviews Government Relations Director Paul Jewell about one of the most complex and cons...

New nursing staff and faster assessments improve safety, treatment, and reentry planning.

ALT: a seahawks mascot is laying on the field with a referee in the background

This week, Paul Jewell and Kelsey Hulse dig into the fast‑growing, and often confusing world of agritourism, from pumpkin patches and petting zoos to tasting rooms, weddings, and goat yoga. They unpac...

ALT: a man with a beard is surrounded by mathematical equations on his face .

Prosecutors and schools are using a coordinated, multi-level intervention strategy aimed at preventing youth violence before it escalates.