Governing

KUOW Newsroom

Voter redistricting maps by commission can go forth, WA Supreme Court says

In a surprise order Friday morning, the Washington Supreme Court declined to take on the job of drafting new congressional and legislative maps. Instead, the court declared that the state's Redistricting Commission had finished its work on time last month.

KUOW Newsroom

'Smile, keep going.' Metro’s Operator of the Year has advice for newbies

After reducing service last year amid the pandemic, King County Metro says it’s hired back enough drivers to staff more than 90% of its routes. KUOW’s Bill Radke asked a decorated veteran driver what advice she has for all those newbies.

More than 630 days and counting. When will Inslee’s state of emergency end?

For months, minority Republicans in the Washington Legislature have called for limits on the governor’s emergency powers. But now even some Democrats are expressing concerns about the open-endedness of the COVID-19 state of emergency and the limited role of state lawmakers.

KUOW Newsroom

Makah Tribe works to obtain food provisions after landslides close highways

Makah tribal officials say record rainfall last weekend resulted in landslides and washouts that initially cut off access to their reservation at Neah Bay. They've been working to ensure access to food, medicine and fuel as tenuous travel routes are restored.

Seattle Now

WA's redistricting drama

High drama unfolded this week over the future of Washington’s political battle lines. A redistricting committee missed its midnight deadline to redraw the state’s congressional and legislative maps. Now, for the first time, it’ll go to the state Supreme Court. Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner explains.

KUOW Newsroom

New voting maps to be drawn by state Supreme Court, after historic fail by commission

Washington was supposed to know by Tuesday, Nov. 16 what the state’s new political maps would look like. But the state's bipartisan redistricting commission has missed its deadline. The task now goes to the Washington State Supreme Court.

KUOW Newsroom

Jayapal trumpets infrastructure bill passage, predicts success for Build Back Better

‘I'm looking forward to continuing to rebuild the trust because at the end of the day, not a single Republican will vote for universal childcare, universal Pre-K, lowering prescription drug prices, investing in housing, taking on climate change, supporting immigration.’

KUOW Newsroom

Gov. Inslee appoints state Senator Steve Hobbs as new secretary of state

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Democratic State Senator Steve Hobbs to serve as the next secretary of state, replacing Republican Kim Wyman who is taking a job with the Biden administration.

KUOW Newsroom

How the infrastructure bill could bring big wins for Seattle-area transit

Congressperson Pramila Jayapal came to Seattle Tuesday to talk about the infrastructure bill that just passed.

Clean fuels and clean water: What's in the infrastructure bill for Washington

The infrastructure bill will help Washington state electrify buses and other vehicles, fix hundreds of roads and bridges, and give salmon a better chance at survival.