Washington State Legislature

Washington state Senate passes mask ban to curb federal immigration enforcement tactics

Could publicly owned stores help prevent grocery deserts in Seattle?

In the wake of Kroger closing a Fred Meyer store in Lake City last October, Washington lawmakers are introducing bills to help neighborhoods recover from losing a grocery.

Gerrymander Washington state? Democrats want to talk about it

As red and now blue states around the country try to redraw their congressional maps, the conversation in Washington state to this point has been: There’s "literally no way." But Joe Fitzgibbon, the Democrats’ majority leader in the state House of Representatives, wants to start a conversation.

The year in numbers: 2025 in Seattle and Washington state

Record-breaking protests. A historic run for the Mariners. Mass tech layoffs. The closest local election in decades. Here are some of the numbers that shaped KUOW’s stories this year.

Violent crime is on the decline in Washington state and nationwide

Preliminary data suggest that rates for violent and property crimes in Washington state fell in 2025, continuing the decline that began two years ago. That was the big takeaway in a briefing for state lawmakers Thursday.

Interfering with signature-gathering for WA initiatives is on the rise. It's also illegal

Incidents involving signature-gatherers have become increasingly frequent as the group Let’s Go Washington, backed by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, gears up its second effort to get conservative policies passed in majority-Democratic Washington state.

Intruder burns, smashes through state Capitol, knocking over Washington bust

A man broke into the Washington State Capitol's Legislative Building on Sunday night, knocked over the giant bronze bust of George Washington, and burned state and county flags.

Rough night for Seattle incumbents, moderates: 5 takeaways from WA's 2025 primary election

Early results indicate that a slate of progressive newcomers will face off against moderate incumbents in several key Seattle races this November. King County’s government will see a changing of the guard. Property taxes are probably going up in those areas, too.