Washington State

National

FBI says two men attacked Washington's electric grid in order to commit a robbery

5:38pm January 04, 2023

by Camila Domonoske

On Christmas Day, an act of sabotage cut off power for thousands of people near Tacoma, Wash. Federal agents have charged two men with conspiracy, saying they used the outage to rob a local business.

Karen hugs Tony in his wheelchair on April 14, 2022. They now live in Burlington, Wash., and their mobile home no longer exists on the island. They are grateful to be together after being separated for long periods of time during the pandemic.

For two years, this Washington island has grappled with the long reach of COVID

2:38pm May 18, 2022

The virus hit Whidbey Island early in 2020, and photojournalist Lynn Johnson was there. A million deaths later, we return to see how the pandemic has subtly but indelibly altered life there forever.

Medicare's coverage for long-term care is very limited, while Medicaid generally requires people to impoverish themselves before it picks up the tab.

Washington state retools a first-in-nation payroll tax plan for long-term care costs

5:00am April 17, 2022

by Michelle Andrews

The WA Cares Fund would help alleviate the financial burden of long-term care by providing workers a lifetime benefit of $36,500. The program was delayed while lawmakers addressed equity issues.

The Washington state government, in its second year of offering the nation's first public option health insurance plan, has learned an important lesson: If you want hospitals to participate, you're probably going to have to force them.

The 1st public option health plan in the U.S. struggles to gain traction

10:21am February 21, 2022

by Markian Hawryluk

Washington is the first state to introduce a public option for health insurance, but it has been difficult to get hospitals on board. Other states with public options in the works are taking notice.

A man operates a personal watercraft along a road flooded by water from the Skagit River on Monday in Sedro-Woolley, Wash.

National

Heavy rains bring flooding and mudslides to the Pacific Northwest and Canada

2:36pm November 16, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a severe weather state of emergency for 14 counties in the western part of the state. Oregon and British Columbia also saw extreme flooding and high winds.

People jump from a pedestrian bridge at Lake Union Park in Seattle on Sunday as a record-setting heat wave blasts the Pacific Northwest.

National

The Pacific Northwest Has Limited A/C, Making The Heat Wave More Dangerous

2:23pm June 28, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The brutal heat wave is worse for some residents in the region who live in areas where relatively mild summers have meant that many homes don't have air conditioners.

Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologist Chris Looney displays a dead Asian giant hornet, a sample sent from Japan and brought in for research last year in Blaine, Wash.

The First 'Murder Hornet' Of 2021 Has Been Discovered In Washington State

1:24pm June 17, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

Because of its withered condition and the fact that male giant hornets don't typically emerge until July, officials believe the hornet was likely from a previous season and just recently found.

Washington is offering free, pre-rolled joints to adults who get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here, a person smokes a joint in The Netherlands.

Hey Washingtonians! Get A Vaccine. Smoke A Joint.

12:48pm June 09, 2021

by Josie Fischels

In Washington, adults can now walk away from their COVID-19 vaccine appointment with a free, pre-rolled joint. Other states are also offering incentives to try to convince people to get the shot.

Sydney Porter of Bellevue, Wash., receives her COVID-19 vaccination from Kristine Gill, with the Seattle Fire Department's Mobile Vaccination Teams, before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park on May 5 in Seattl

4th Wave Of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hits Washington State

12:12pm May 11, 2021

by Will Stone

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is extending mandates and restrictions while much of the U.S. celebrates declining COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations.

Queue Listen Now

Police and other law enforcement officials stand in a line as protesters approach in the street in front of the City-County Building on Sunday in Tacoma, Wash.

National

Protests Sparked In Tacoma After Police Officer Drives Into Crowd

3:40pm January 25, 2021

by Brakkton Booker

Protesters took the streets of Tacoma, Wash., after several people were struck and at least two were injured. The officer was placed on paid administrative leave.