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Washington State Standard

@washingtonstatestandard.com
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A nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet, providing original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state policy and politics.

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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 5h
A company providing medical care at the Overlake Medical Center emergency room will refund more than $400,000 to low-income patients under an agreement with Washington’s attorney general. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/30/w...
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WA company has to pay $410K for withheld hospital charity care • Washington State Standard
A company providing medical care at the Overlake Medical Center emergency room will refund more than $400,000 to low-income patients under an agreement with Washington’s attorney general.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21h
In a surprise announcement, Republican state Rep. Skyler Rude of Walla Walla, said Tuesday that he will resign from office days before the election to start a new job with Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/29/w...
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WA state lawmaker to resign 3 days before the election • Washington State Standard
Washington state Rep. Skyler Rude said Tuesday that he will resign from office days before the election to start a new job.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 29/09/2026
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson hopes the state’s space entrepreneurs can pilot their industry to infinity and beyond. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/29/f...
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Ferguson launches council to boost WA’s commercial space industry • Washington State Standard
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson hopes the state’s space entrepreneurs can pilot their industry to infinity and beyond.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 29/09/2026
As PacifiCorp readies to sell its Washington service area to Gem, an affiliate of Portland General Electric Company, Utah state watchdogs and advocates are skeptical, saying the deal in its current form may not be in the public interest. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/29/p...
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PacifiCorp’s sale of Washington assets may not be in Utah’s public interest, experts say • Washington State Standard
Utah state watchdogs and advocates are skeptical of a move by a major regional utility to sell assets in Washington.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 28/09/2026
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/28/w...
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WA wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says • Washington State Standard
Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for federal aid to help recover from wildfires this summer.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 28/09/2026
In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on health care and other benefits. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/28/w...
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WA state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike • Washington State Standard
Washington's largest union of state workers has ratified a new two-year contract containing no pay raises for thousands of employees.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 28/09/2026
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown says rising utility costs and the state’s escalating liability expenses are emerging as priorities as his office develops its agenda for the 2027 Legislature. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/28/b...
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Brown eyes utility costs, tort liability as 2027 legislative priorities • Washington State Standard
Washington's attorney general wants the Legislature to confront rising utility costs and the state's escalating liability expenses.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 26/09/2026
The latest forecast of state tax collections released Friday did nothing to brighten Washington’s budget outlook. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/25/w...
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With tax receipts flat, budget hurdles remain for WA leaders • Washington State Standard
A new forecast of state tax collections came out Friday. It did nothing to brighten Washington’s budget outlook.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 25/09/2026
Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove is dialing back his goal to protect 77,000 acres of older state forests from timber harvest even as he asks lawmakers to give him more tools to do so. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/25/p...
washingtonstatestandard.com
Public lands commissioner calls on Legislature to approve, fund conservation of state forests • Washington State Standard
Dave Upthegrove is dialing back his goal to protect 77,000 acres of older state forests from timber harvest.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 25/09/2026
More than two years of construction and $131 million later, a historic building on the Washington state Capitol campus is reopening. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/24/b...
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‘Better than before’: WA reopens historic Capitol campus building • Washington State Standard
More than two years of construction and $131 million later, a historic building on the Washington state Capitol campus is reopening.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 24/09/2026
State toxicology labs are dealing with an enormous backlog of alcohol and drug test evidence that could delay or jeopardize DUI prosecutions, officials warn. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/24/w...
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WA toxicology labs see progress on backlog, but evidence delays continue • Washington State Standard
State toxicology labs are dealing with an enormous backlog of alcohol and drug test evidence that could delay or jeopardize DUI prosecutions.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 24/09/2026
Younger voters and voters of color in Washington state see their ballots challenged for signature issues more often than their older and white counterparts, according to new research. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/24/w...
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WA voters of color more likely to have ballots challenged, per report • Washington State Standard
Younger voters and voters of color in Washington see their ballots challenged for signature issues more often than older and white voters.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 23/09/2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his authorization to move forward with linking Washington into its carbon market that’s shared with Quebec, Canada, the next-to-last step in California’s process to complete the merger. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/23/w...
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Washington nears final step in joining California-Quebec carbon market • Washington State Standard
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his authorization to move forward with linking Washington into its carbon market that’s shared with Quebec, Canada.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 23/09/2026
Nearly five months after its launch, roughly half of the $112 million in available vouchers have been requested under the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/23/s...
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Small businesses slow to take up WA’s new electric truck vouchers • Washington State Standard
Five months after the program’s launch, half of $112 million in vouchers have been requested, but some say more funding is needed for small businesses.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 22/09/2026
A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday tossed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Washington seeking the state’s voter rolls, in line with many rulings across the country. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/22/t...
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Trump administration’s WA voter roll lawsuit dismissed • Washington State Standard
SEATTLE — A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday tossed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Washington seeking the state’s voter rolls, in line with many rulings across the country. This marks…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 22/09/2026
Washington’s program to collect medication so it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands has brought in over 1 million pounds of drugs since 2020, according to a state audit. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/22/w...
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Washington’s medication collection program faces hurdles despite success • Washington State Standard
Washington’s program to collect medication so it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands has brought in over 1 million pounds of drugs since 2020, according to a state audit.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 22/09/2026
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery may move forward with a merger if they boost film production, support displaced workers and preserve competition among cable channels, 12 Democratic-led states and the attorneys representing the companies agreed in a court settlement Monday.
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Washington, 11 other states reach settlement with Paramount, Warner Bros. over merger • Washington State Standard
The settlement would allow the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger to move forward under certain conditions.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 22/09/2026
Diesel prices hit a record average of $6.51 a gallon Monday, and some in President Donald Trump’s own party are breaking their support for the ongoing war in Iran that has driven fuel prices to staggering levels in the United States and across the globe.
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Diesel prices shoot upward as top farm-state GOP senator begs Trump for export embargo • Washington State Standard
The cost of diesel, which fuels the movement of goods through the United States, is up nearly $1 since last month, and up from just over $3.69 a year ago, according to AAA.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
COMMENTARY: Wildfire is no longer a seasonal surprise across the Mountain West. It is a recurring fiscal challenge that threatens communities, public lands, infrastructure, air quality, and state budgets.
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Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington show key strategies for effective wildfire funding • Washington State Standard
Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming have developed strategies for dealing with funding and mitigation costs of wildfires.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
Tribal leaders across Washington and Oregon said this year’s record-breaking wildfires burned timber that they rely on for income, and threatened food sources and waterways. Hotter, drier conditions driven by climate change already have made wildfires more frequent and intense:
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Tribes hit hard by wildfires face health effects, cultural losses • Washington State Standard
Tribal leaders across Washington and Oregon told Stateline that this year’s record-breaking wildfires burned timber that they rely on for income, threatened food sources and waterways, and harmed the…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
Concerned about conditions in federal immigrant detention facilities but often barred from entering them, some Democratic-led states are fighting to enforce their own health and safety standards at the sites.
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States fight to inspect federal immigrant detention facilities • Washington State Standard
Washington is among several states fighting to inspect immigrant detention facilities, including those run by private companies.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
A grassroots organization has successfully raised enough money to spare 29 acres of trees on state forestland in the Northern Olympic Peninsula from being cut down, employing a new conservation method that also replaces timber revenue.
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Trees in coastal temperate rainforest spared from the chopping block • Washington State Standard
The Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition essentially bought out the rights to harvest 29 acres of state forests from a logging company.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
The US House overwhelmingly passed legislation forcing state regulators to consider requirements that data centers absorb the cost of the electricity they use. But there’s more to be done, say data center critics, and they’re finding there is no easy or even obvious answer about what to do next.
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Trump likes data centers. Congress seems stuck. The midterms could deliver a verdict. • Washington State Standard
The rare 2026 issue that draws huge support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress is the same one that’s mobilized many Americans: restrictions on giant data centers.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 21/09/2026
The three news organizations that President Donald Trump has barred from entering the White House filed a lawsuit against the administration today.
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CNN, MS Now, Politico sue Trump over White House ban • Washington State Standard
CNN, MS Now and Politico wrote in a joint statement the suit is intended “to protect our First Amendment rights and defend the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 20/09/2026
Acknowledging a nationwide shortage of estrogen-based patches for menopause symptoms, the FDA said it's helping manufacturers increase the supply:
washingtonstatestandard.com
FDA acknowledges estrogen patch shortage, says it’s working to increase supply • Washington State Standard
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration acknowledged a need for more estrogen-based hormanal patches as more women seek hormonal therapies for symptoms related to menopause.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 19/09/2026
The U.S. Senate took another step forward on a sweeping bipartisan bill to overhaul the college sports world. It would would set national standards for college athletes’ compensation and bar professional athletes from college athletics, among other things.
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Bipartisan push to set rules for college athletes’ pay continues to advance in US Senate • Washington State Standard
A bill sponsored by Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell that would overhaul how colleges fund sports and pay athletes is nearing a Senate vote.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 19/09/2026
A federal judge told the Trump administration today a case against the Department of Justice’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is “still alive and kicking.”
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Judge says case challenging Trump’s anti-weaponization fund ‘still alive and kicking’ • Washington State Standard
The administration sought to dismiss the case brought against President Donald Trump’s negotiated settlement terms to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service for a years-old…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 18/09/2026
Krista Perez, a Democratic candidate for the Washington state House of Representatives, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence today in her first court appearance since she was arrested last month.
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Washington state House candidate pleads not guilty to DUI charge • Washington State Standard
Krista Perea, a Democratic candidate for the Washington state House of Representatives, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence Friday in her first court appearance after she was arrested…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 18/09/2026
The state Supreme Court delivered the final blow yesterday to a controversial 2024 ballot measure pushed by builders and passed by voters that sought to halt Washington’s shift away from natural gas.
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WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters • Washington State Standard
The state Supreme Court on Thursday founded a ballot measure approved by Washington voters to be 'unconstitutional in its entirety.'
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 18/09/2026
Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to decide whether Washington will join 31 other states that have opted into a new federal tax program aimed at driving more private dollars into the education of K-12 students:
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Will a new federal education tax credit be available in Washington? • Washington State Standard
Advocates say the program would bring in millions of additional dollars for education. Critics say it would divert funding into private hands.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 18/09/2026
Professors, staff and lawmakers shared a dire outlook on the state of the University of Washington. They’re calling for more staff and faculty involvement in decision-making. In case you missed this one:
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Profs and staff give UW a failing grade for budget and bureaucracy troubles • Washington State Standard
Professors, staff and lawmakers on the panel shared a dire outlook on the state of the University of Washington.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 18/09/2026
Civil rights groups and union orgs sued today to prevent ICE agents from being deployed to the polls during the midterms in November. Trump officials have said ICE can enter polling locations in some circumstances for immigration enforcement. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/18/r...
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Trump administration faces second lawsuit to block ICE agents at polls • Washington State Standard
A coalition of civil rights groups and union organizations Friday sued the Trump administration to prevent the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations…
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 16/09/2026
An ex-lawmaker and a labor leader will debate I-645 which seeks to repeal WA's's high-earners income tax at 8 pm Oct. 8 in Seattle. U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and state Senate Republican leader John Braun will face-off on live TV on Oct. 7 and 13. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/15/p...
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Prime-time debates set for WA income tax repeal measure, high-stakes US House race • Washington State Standard
Two of Washington’s hottest ballot battles will be the subject of prime-time televised debates next month.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 15/09/2026
Declining birth rates mean fewer students. And that means more districts around the country are grappling with whether to close or merge schools. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/15/r...
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Fewer students, too many schools: Communities confront closures and consolidations • Washington State Standard
Declining birth rates mean fewer students. And that means more districts grappling with whether to close or merge schools.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 15/09/2026
Washington needs to spend another $1.3 billion over the next two years to address skyrocketing lawsuit payouts due to state government misconduct, according to a recently filed budget request from a state agency. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/15/w...
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WA lawmakers face another $1B decision on lawsuit payouts • Washington State Standard
Washington needs to spend another $1.3 billion over the next two years to address skyrocketing lawsuit payouts due to government misconduct, officials say.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 15/09/2026
In an unexpected move, President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Pete Serrano, a former state attorney general candidate from Pasco, to be the next U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/14/t...
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Trump nominates Pete Serrano for US attorney in western WA • Washington State Standard
President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Pete Serrano to be the next U.S. attorney for the western District of Washington.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 15/09/2026
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday kept in place a lower court’s order blocking President Donald Trump’s embattled plan to place new restrictions on mail ballots for this year’s midterm elections. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/14/r...
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US Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting, sides with Dem states • Washington State Standard
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday kept in place a lower court’s order blocking President Donald Trump’s embattled plan to place new restrictions on mail ballots for this year’s midterm elections.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 14/09/2026
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos has rarely faced a competitive election challenge in her nearly three decades in the Washington Legislature. That's not the case this year. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/14/w...
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WA’s longest-serving state House member at risk of ouster • Washington State Standard
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos has rarely faced a competitive election challenge in her nearly three decades in the Washington Legislature.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 12/09/2026
Washington’s largest union for state government workers reached a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract early Friday, ending weeks of tense negotiations and a walkout by workers statewide. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/11/t...
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Two WA public sector unions reach tentative deals on new contracts • Washington State Standard
Washington’s largest union for state government workers reached a tentative agreement on a new two-year contract early Friday.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 11/09/2026
While the state’s lawyers fight in court to repel the Trump administration’s repeated attacks against vote-by-mail, Washington’s election officials are drawing up contingency plans for the November election. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/11/a...
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Amid uncertainty about mail-in ballots, WA leaders say they’re ready for what comes next • Washington State Standard
Washington officials are drawing up contingency plans for the November election amid uncertainty on what might change for mail-in ballots.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 11/09/2026
The leader of Washington’s public school system on Thursday outlined his multibillion-dollar budget request he says is needed to ensure the state meets its legal obligations to fund basic education for more than 1 million students. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/10/r...
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Reykdal seeks $2B infusion for WA public schools in next budget • Washington State Standard
The leader of Washington’s public school system on Thursday outlined his multibillion-dollar request for the state's next budget.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 10/09/2026
An infusion of state aid will help restore a Spokane landfill ravaged by last month’s Old Trails Fire and reconstruct a Chelan County road washed out by last winter’s historic flooding. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/10/s...
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State doles out millions of dollars for flood and fire-related repairs • Washington State Standard
Washington is sending aid to several communities to repair roads and shore up infrastructure damaged by recent fires and last year's floods.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 10/09/2026
A quarter million Washingtonians who get their insurance through the state’s exchange under the Affordable Care Act face another year of double-digit rate increases. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/09/a...
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Affordable Care Act insurance costs to rise steeply again in WA • Washington State Standard
A quarter million Washingtonians who get their insurance through the state’s exchange face another year of double-digit rate increases.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 09/09/2026
A national waste management company faces over $1 million in Washington state fines for alleged mishandling of used oil, solvents and other toxic materials. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/09/h...
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Hazardous waste management company hit with $1M Washington state fine • Washington State Standard
The state Department of Ecology fined Crystal Clean $1.04 million after its Lakewood location was found to have violated multiple state laws.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 08/09/2026
Five races for seats on Washington’s state Supreme Court are set to get much more attention over the next two months. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/08/c...
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Coming in November: A big election for WA’s Supreme Court • Washington State Standard
Five races for seats on Washington’s state Supreme Court are set to get much more attention over the next two months.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 07/09/2026
Labor union membership continues to climb in the United States, though the increase remains sharply divided by the politics of individual states. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/04/r...
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Labor unions are growing, but where depends on state politics • Washington State Standard
Labor union membership continues to climb in the United States, though the increase remains sharply divided by the politics of individual states.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 06/09/2026
Opponents of President Donald Trump’s decision to sharply downsize two Utah national monuments in July are re-upping their argument that he didn’t have the authority to do so. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/05/p...
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Patagonia, environmental groups revive old legal fights against new cuts to national monuments • Washington State Standard
Opponents of President Donald Trump’s decision to sharply downsize two Utah national monuments in July are re-upping their argument that he didn’t have the authority to do so.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 05/09/2026
Wildfires this year have burned 93,000 acres of Washington state trust forestland. It marks a record for the largest amount of state-managed land burned by fires in a season since recordkeeping began in 2000. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/04/w...
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WA looks to boost salvage logging as wildfires scorch record amount of state land • Washington State Standard
Summer wildfires burning through Washington just broke another record.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 04/09/2026
A last-ditch legal effort nearly succeeded Thursday to knock a statement off ballots that characterizes how repealing Washington’s new income tax on high earners would affect the state budget. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/03/v...
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Voters will see statement on WA income tax measure’s budget effects • Washington State Standard
A legal effort fell short Thursday to keep a statement off ballots on how repealing Washington’s income tax would affect the state budget.
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Washington State Standard @washingtonstatestandard.com · 04/09/2026
When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/09/04/w...
washingtonstatestandard.com
Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities • Washington State Standard
When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers.
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