Race And Equity

Environmental justice moves to mainstream as governments embrace cause

Washington state’s oil refineries all sit near, or on, Indian reservations. Advocates say that fits a national pattern of pollution disproportionately hitting people of color.

Race & Identity

Remembering the Tuskegee Airmen of the northwest on the squad's 80th anniversary

The Tuskegee Airmen are some of the most well-known Black soldiers to serve in World War II, but we hear so little about the few who came from right here in the northwest. Thomas Gray is the recording secretary for the local Sam Bruce Chapter. He wasn't a pilot himself, but when the retired Boeing engineer happened to go by one of their meetings decades ago, the airmen invited him to become a member.

Environment

Out in Seattle: Downtown tolls. In: Electric cars

Mayor Durkan shelves major climate initiative after pushback from equity advocates.

'We are not silent.' Hundreds denounce anti-Asian violence in Seattle

Hundreds gathered at Hing Hay Park in Seattle's Chinatown-International District on Saturday to denounce hate, bias and violence aimed at Asian American and Pacific Islander communities both in the region and across the U.S.

Government

It’s pedal to the metal as Democrats in Olympia push ahead with pandemic-era agenda

Washington’s 105-day legislative session has crossed the halfway point and a key deadline for policy (non-budget) bills to clear their chamber of origin...

Arts & Life

Seattle's chief librarian is moving on: What will he remember, and be remembered for?

The Seattle Public Library’s celebrated chief librarian is about to leave a big hole in the community. Marcellus Turner has served the library for a decade, earning accolades for expanding technology and digital services, especially during the pandemic.

Government

WA House passes ban on chokeholds; backs off complete ban on tear gas

Police officers, along with jail and prison staff, would be barred from using neck holds or restraints designed to restrict a person’s airway or blood flow, but the use of tear gas would still be allowed in limited circumstances under a bill that’s passed the Washington House.

Race & Identity

White advantage. Racialized trauma. Paths forward

‘America doesn’t have a race problem. It has a racism problem.’

New monument at Washington Capitol will honor Black pioneer George Bush and family

Washington’s sprawling Capitol campus features war memorials, a granite monument to fallen police officers, a replica of a Roman-style fountain and a brass sundial.

Health

Bridging a vaccine trust gap

Washington's vaccine rollout hasn't been equitable, especially for Black folks. One reason: broken trust between Black communities and the medical system. Today we talk to someone who's trying to rebuild it.