News in Olympia
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Amtrak's 300-passenger Airo trains debut Sept. 30 on Cascades route, adding seats but not speed or frequency.
Opinion: Washington has an income tax – why won’t the media call it one?
Cargill argues the media is using supporters' preferred label "millionaires tax" instead of the legally accurate term "income tax."
WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield] —The state Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated a ballot measure approved by voters in 2024 that sought to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps. In a 6-3 decision, the justices affirmed a lower court…
Washington Center for the Book announces 2026 Washington State Book Award winners
OLYMPIA — The Washington Center for the Book has selected winners in seven categories for the 2026 Washington State Book Awards (WSBA) for outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2025. This is the 60th year of the program, formerly called the Governor’s Writers…
WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife, habitats
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Tuesday a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that introduces students to wildlife of Washington and the habitats where they live. This…
Washington Needs $1.3 Billion More to Cover Soaring Government Misconduct Lawsuits
OLYMPIA [JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET] — 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. This comes after the Legislature…
Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus both announce new 2026-27 Season
SEATTLE – Seattle Men’s Chorus (SMC) and Seattle Women’s Chorus (SWC) return to the stage for the 2026-27 season with three brand-new concerts, treating audiences to holiday magic, an intimate look at life’s journeys, and a full-on return to the dance floor. The new season will…
Reykdal seeks an additional $2 Billion to fund WA public schools in next budget
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield and Aspen Ford] — 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.…
Two WA public sector unions reach tentative deals on new contracts
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield] — 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. Just after midnight, negotiators for the Washington…