Governing

1100 Stories

Northwest tribes: Treaties mean Trump can’t ax salmon funding

Northwest tribal officials say the Trump administration’s latest budget proposal would violate their treaty rights to catch salmon.
- John Ryan
New records detail fear, deception as Seattle investigated former police chief Diaz for hiring girlfriend

Seattle’s Office of Inspector General has released a long-awaited trove of documents undergirding the investigation that led Mayor Bruce Harrell to fire then-Seattle police chief Adrian Diaz for dishonesty last December.
- Ashley Hiruko
Looks like they made it, or not. Highlights from Washington's 2025 legislative session

The work of governing a state comes to a pinnacle every year when the governor signs or vetoes legislation. Nearly 500 bills were completed this session in Olympia. That’s a lot to keep track of. To focus on some highlights, KUOW’s Kim Malcolm spoke to Olympia correspondent Jeanie Lindsay.
- Jeanie Lindsay
Ferguson breaks with past Washington governors — on his official bill-signing pens

What pen a governor uses to sign laws might not seem that important — but it’s a token and often an extension of who they are as a person.
- Scott Greenstone
ICE agents at Seattle courthouse arrest people whose deportation hearings are dismissed

People showing up for hearings at the Seattle Immigration Court this week are facing something new. Federal immigration agents wait in the courthouse hallways to arrest people if their deportation proceedings are dismissed by a judge.
- Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
To recuse or not to recuse? The Seattle City Council debates an ethics conundrum

The Seattle City Council is scheduled to debate a change to the city's ethics policy Thursday. Current rules require council members to recuse themselves if they have a financial conflict of interest, which can mean some districts aren't fully represented in a vote. A proposed bill would make it easier for members to vote on legislation they have an interest in, but still require them to disclose any potential conflicts.
- Paige Browning
UW project took nuisance seaweed from shellfish farm to help growers. The USDA cut its funding

A $5 million grant to promote climate-smart farm practices that funded the Blue Carbon, Green Fields project was cancelled by the USDA.
- Ruby de Luna
Washington cities are decriminalizing magic mushrooms. Could a psychedelic ‘renaissance’ take hold statewide?

Resolutions have decriminalized psilocybin in cities across Western Washington. Studies show psychedelics can help people suffering from trauma, depression, and anxiety. And more people are microdosing for their mental health.
- Stephen Howie
Rent limits become law in WA with signature from Gov. Bob Ferguson

Washington has new limits on annual rent increases. Surrounded by affordable housing advocates, the governor signed the rent limits into law Wednesday – as well as a suite of other housing bills that the Legislature approved this year.
- Jeanie Lindsay
21 students suspended, banned after UW protest

The University of Washington has banned and suspended 21 students who were arrested at a protest at the Seattle campus Monday night.
- Scott Greenstone

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