Land company says WA violated state law with $304,000 fine

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A southeast Washington land company is appealing a $304,000 fine over water use, saying the Washington state Department of Ecology acted unlawfully. The Department of Ecology fined Frank Tiegs LLC in Pasco for allegedly irrigating land from the...

WA Supreme Court declines to draw new redistricting plan

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Supreme Court on Friday said a plan adopted by the Washington Redistricting Commission “substantially complied” with statutory deadlines, and declined to adopt a new redistricting plan for the state. "This is not a situation in which...

Washington Supreme Court declines to draw new political maps, returns matter to bipartisan panel

Murder sentence reduced after high court drug ruling

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — The prison sentence for a man convicted of murder was reduced by more than seven years Thursday, following a recent Washington state Supreme Court decision. A jury in 2019 found Matthew McGowan guilty of first-degree murder for tying Michael Boone...

Potential delay of new long-term care payroll tax considered

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday he is talking to lawmakers about a potential delay in the collection of a mandatory payroll tax to fund Washington state’s new long-term care program. On Wednesday, Senate Democratic leadership sent Inslee...

Republican senator to enter WA secretary of state race

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Keith Wagoner says he plans to challenge newly appointed Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs in next year’s election. Hobbs was sworn into office Nov. 22 following his appointment by Gov. Jay Inslee to replace Kim...

COVID vaccine verification digital record offered in WA

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state has started offering residents a digital record of their coronavirus vaccinations that can be used to access businesses and other places where vaccine proof is required. The Washington State Department of Health said the state...

Woman missing since Thursday rescued near Blewett Pass

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A Spokane Valley woman who was missing since Thursday was found injured in her vehicle near Blewett Pass Monday night, sheriff's officials said. KREM-TV reports according to the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office a Silver Alert was in effect for...

Lawsuit filed over WA House's COVID-19 session plan

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A handful of Republican state lawmakers and others are suing Democratic leaders and a House official over a plan that allows a limited number of lawmakers vaccinated for COVID-19 on the chamber floor during the upcoming legislative session. The new...

State flood damage inspectors headed to northwest Washington

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — State flood inspectors are in northwest Washington’s Whatcom County this week to formally assess the level of damage and dollar impact from severe flooding after days of rain fueled by an atmospheric river last week in the region. The Whatcom...