Making Washington a place to prosper.

‘The pendulum is swinging back’: Democratic mayor hopeful police pursuit initiative will help with crime crisis

‘The pendulum is swinging back’: Democratic mayor hopeful police pursuit initiative will help with crime crisis

An initiative to restore reasonable police pursuits in Washington will take effect on June 6. Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, a Democrat who advocated for the changes, said he thinks it will help reduce the number of stolen vehicles and put criminals on notice. He joined Brandi Kruse on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Burien homeless battle illustrates government dysfunction

[un]Divided: Burien homeless battle illustrates government dysfunction

As homeless people continue to die of drug overdoses in Burien, King County is refusing to enforce the city’s ban on encampments. The resulting legal battle shows how government bureaucracy is standing in the way of saving lives. Brandi Kruse explains on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

WA’s natural gas restrictions extremely unpopular – Inslee signs it into law

WA’s natural gas restrictions extremely unpopular – Inslee signs it into law

This article has been updated to reflect Gov. Inslee signing HB 1589 into law following original publication. One of the more surprising pieces of legislation that advanced this year’s legislative session was HB 1589, which places severe restrictions on natural gas usage in Washington. The existence of such a bill wasn’t surprising – progressive lawmakers...

[un]Divided: What is driving the youth crime crisis?

[un]Divided: What is driving the youth crime crisis?

The 18-year-old driver who plowed into a car in Renton, killing a woman and three children, had already totaled two other cars in less than 11 months. It’s the latest example of a juvenile crime crisis spiraling out of control. Brandi Kruse has more on the unDivided Podcast.

By Brandi Kruse

Seattle Times op-ed: Redistricting decision hurts Latino voters

Seattle Times op-ed: Redistricting decision hurts Latino voters

Gloria Mendoza – president/CEO of GMC Training Institute and mayor of Grandview, Yakima County, from 2018-23 – was published in the Seattle Times on Mar. 25 with a response to a critical redistricting decision in Washington: Every 10 years, Washington undergoes redistricting to equalize population shifts in legislative districts. Many Eastern Washington Hispanics were thrilled...

Citizens rise up, force lawmakers to listen in historic session

Citizens rise up, force lawmakers to listen in historic session

The 2024 Washington state legislative session, which concluded last Thursday, marked a pivotal shift in the balance of power between the people and their elected officials. Emboldened by rising costs of living and concerns for public safety, Washingtonians rose up like never before to serve as a formidable check on lawmakers. They made it abundantly...

Politics unPacked: Week 9

Politics unPacked: Week 9

In the final week of the 2024 legislative session, three voter initiatives became the law of the land, Democrats narrowly passed a controversial natural gas bill, and refund checks were approved to help offset costs from the Climate Commitment Act.

By Brandi Kruse

Roll call votes on HB 1589: Natural Gas Ban

Roll call votes on HB 1589: Natural Gas Ban

On Tuesday, March 5, Washington lawmakers passed HB 1589, a bill that will have notable impact for Washingtonians, particularly low-income families. It effectively bans natural gas, causing families to pay tens of thousands of dollars to adjust their homes, and could lead to energy bill increases upwards of $206 each month. The bill allows Puget...