Washington ferries are going hybrid-electric, but disposal of old ones poses environmental, legal risks
An abandoned ferry in the Puget Sound represents a shared struggle across the West Coast: to sell an old ship or destroy it
Government
Cap-and-trade, climate change return to the 2024 WA Legislature
On the agenda starting Jan. 8: Spending Washington’s carbon tax, tweaking the cap-and-invest program and taking a stab at utility rebates.
Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman replaced, controversy over his alt-right contractor lingers
Hoffman exits one month after InvestigateWest reported on think tank’s ties to alt-right propagandist
Almost 57,000 Idaho kids have lost Medicaid. Federal regulators are worried
Idaho, tied for the highest rate of children removed from Medicaid, says its following the law in how it re-evaluates program eligibility.
Biden’s Administration Is Still Denying Immigrants Citizenship for Working in Legal Cannabis
Federal officials consider immigrants “drug traffickers” even in states where cannabis has been legalized
Idaho keeps some psychiatric patients in prison, ignoring decades of warnings about the practice
A temporary program for “dangerously mentally ill” patients has continued for five decades, despite calls from critics to provide better care. Soon, Idaho will be the only state still using prisons to house patients who face no criminal charges
With pipeline growth booming, the US agency in charge of safety struggles to keep up
Pipeline miles expand every year, and are expected to see even faster growth in the near future thanks to major federal laws.
Cascadia bullet train stuck at the station as feds dole out big bucks for rail
Supporters say the dream of a speedy train between Portland and Vancouver, BC, is not derailed. Meanwhile, other rail fans want to see more money directed to existing Amtrak lines in the region.
Some Republicans were willing to compromise on abortion ban exceptions. Activists made sure they didn’t.
A review of 12 of the nation’s strictest abortion bans. Few changed in 2023, as state lawmakers caved to pressure from anti-abortion groups opposing exceptions for rape, incest and health risks.
West Coast leaders urge feds to reverse decision allowing natural gas pipeline expansion
The expansion would allow 150 million more cubic feet of gas – on top of the 2 billion now – to be delivered to the region each day.
Oregon judge rules that voter-approved Measure 114 gun safety law violates the state constitution
State lawyers say they will appeal. A federal judge has ruled the measure legal under the U.S. Constitution.
Idaho forms statewide public defence agency, easing county burden after lawsuits over legal representation gaps
The Office of the State Public Defender was created under legislation passed in 2023
Over 100 detainees go on hunger strike against poor conditions for immigrants at Tacoma detention center
Over 100 people are refusing meals at the privately-run Northwest Detention Center, which has a history of controversy and similar strikes.