Got rent? Here’s the recent housing legislation you should know about.
By Oren Roberts | April 17Take the time to understand how the law could give you a leg up on your rent-hiking landlord.
Washington State
More Washington State
Washington State
Centering overburdened and underserved communities in environmental policy
By Cliff Heberden | May 21Editor's note: This story has been amended to clarify the relationship between tribal and federal governments. The clarification was made to a quotation from an interview with Millie Piazza, at her request. Additional information regarding section 6 of the Climate Commitment Act has been added to the story as well.
Washington State
State legislature enacts new tenant protections as eviction moratorium expires
By Caroline Brooks | May 19The Washington state eviction moratorium was extended on March 18 for what is expected to be the last time before it officially expires on June 30. In response, the Washington State Legislature announced a new bill with the intent to alleviate the pressures of the expiring moratorium and improve tenant protections.
Washington State
Southern Resident Orcas are threatened by Whatcom County oil refineries
By Cameron Baird | May 17Southern Resident killer whales, a population of Orcas in the Salish Sea, may benefit from a recent court ruling imposing regulations on the Phillips 66 oil refinery in Ferndale.
Washington State
Police reform bills on their way to be approved in Washington state
By Kelton Burns | May 16Following the widespread demonstrations and growing number of Black Americans killed by the police, the Washington Legislature is moving forward on reforming the police statewide. A majority of police reform bills have been delivered to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk to be signed into law while others are making their way through the Legislature.
Washington State
A mysterious disease is wreaking havoc on Pacific Coast sea stars
By Luisa Loi | May 8A mysterious illness that appeared eight years ago and nearly wiped out sea star populations along the Pacific Coast is continuing to leave researchers puzzled.
Washington State
Statue of Billy Frank Jr. to be added to the US Capitol
By Cameron Baird | May 3A statue of Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually tribal activist and environmental leader, will be placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
Washington State
Bellingham continues seeing benefits from cannabis boom
By Joslin Keim | May 3A report released from Leafly, a Seattle-based cannabis education and retail cannabis information provider, showed that Washington state made $1.42 billion in cannabis sales in 2020.
Immigration
Ban of for-profit prisons in Washington state
By Cliff Heberden | May 3On April 14, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1090 into law, banning for-profit prisons and detention facilities. The measure announces change to the immigration enforcement landscape in Washington state.
Washington State
A check-in with The Outback
By Crystal Tucker | April 28Western Washington University’s five-acre organic Outback Farm was designated an essential business throughout the pandemic, allowing continued operation of the student-led organization to provide the community with produce from their garden.
Business & Economy
Vaccine passports could be a pivotal step in reopening the US-Canada border
By Cameron Baird | April 26Vaccine passports are sparking political debate as extended border closures continue to strain Whatcom County’s economy.
Washington State
House of Representatives will vote on historic environmental legislation before end of current session
By Cliff Heberden | April 23Called by Gov. Jay Inslee “one of the most substantive pieces of climate legislation in the country,” the House of Representatives will vote on the Climate Commitment Act before the end of the legislative session, April 25.
Washington State
New state poet laureate focuses on community
By Jake Isom | April 23Rena Priest was named the new Washington state poet laureate by Governor Jay Inslee on April 1. Priest is a member of the Lhaq’ Temish, Lummi Nation and is the first Indigenous poet to assume the role.
Washington State
Forest management project draws community’s attention
By Cliff Heberden | April 21On March 3, the U.S. Forest Service released its environmental assessment for a new forest management project in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Washington State
Bicycle helmets not required in Bellingham, social justice, infrastructure prioritized
By The Front | April 7By Sophia Struna
