Public News Service

Immigration arrests have gone down since their peak during the Obama administration but have gone up again since 2021. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Report: Immigration enforcement changing, NW detention still high

A new report looked into the recent shift in immigration enforcement, especially at the immigrant detention center in Tacoma. The University of …

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by rising sea levels are critical issues facing tribes in the Northwest. (Jan/Adobe Stock)

Report finds barriers for NW coastal tribes responding to climate change

Coastal tribes in the Northwest are on the front lines of the changing climate but face barriers to responding to its effects. A new report …

Wildfires are expected to increase in frequency in Washington state as climate change worsens. (hlxandr/Adobe Stock)

WA provides model for distributing funds to climate-impacted communities

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law two years ago this week and one expert said states should ensure funds from it are going to communitie…

During a pregnancy, speak to a health care provider if something doesn't feel right. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

As Black Maternal Health Week ends, health disparities persist

While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue. From April 11-17 this year…

As part of the Greening Research in Tacoma initiative, air temperature monitors were set up in a city neighborhood. (Hannah Letinich/The Nature Conservancy)

Tree coverage in cities crucial as planet warms, WA research shows

Trees in urban areas provide benefits for people, including decreased temperatures and improved air quality, according to new research from …

A bill to give voting rights for people in prison was introduced by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Kitsap, who was formerly incarcerated. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

WA voting rights bill for people in prison would ‘restore humanity'

Legislation in Olympia could give people in Washington prisons their voting rights. House Bill 2030, known as the Free the Vote Act, would allow …

The Fair Start for Kids Act passed in 2021 invested a $1.1 billion in child care and early learning in Washington state. (Seattle/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA children of color continue to experience inequities

Washington state's kids see disparities in well-being across racial groups. That's according to the Race for Results report from the Annie E…

Washington state has 34 community and technical colleges. (Atomic Taco/Wikimedia Commons)

AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions

The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues education is faci…

Revenue from Washington state's cap-and-trade program has exceeded expectations, bringing in $1.5 billion this year. (martin33/Adobe Stock)

WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities

Washington state's Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to …

School boards play integral roles in how school districts are governed. (designbydx/Adobe Stock)

Far-right candidates running in WA school board races

Extreme candidates are running for school boards across Washington state, and if they win, opponents warned they could threaten the safety of some …

The bottom 90% of earners in the U.S. own about 30% of the wealth. (Dilok/Adobe Stock)

Financial Institutions Could Play Role in Shrinking Wealth Gap

The United States' wealth gap is a persistent and complex issue. Financial institutions could help chip away at it. The top 10% of income earners …

The second Community BBQ in Renton will provide events for children of color. (rentonhs.rentonschools.us)

Community BBQ Supports WA Youth of Color Programming

A barbecue in Seattle is bringing the community together and will support events for youth of color in the region. United Way of King County's …

Farmworkers have organized in the Bellingham area every year since Honesto Silva Ibarra died in 2017. (Community to Community Development)

Walk Remembers Farmworker's Death, Hiroshima Bombing

An event is being held this weekend to honor a farmworker who died on the job in Bellingham. It also coincides with the anniversary of the dropping …

In Washington, 18% of Hispanics between ages 18 and 34 are enrolled in higher education. (abraham/Adobe Stock)

Report: Latino Students Lag in College Completion

The gap in college graduation rates between white and Latino students is increasing, a new report finds. An analysis of degree completion across …

Black Americans are less likely than white Americans to seek treatment for mental health issues. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Overcoming Care Barriers During Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

July is national minority mental health awareness month, spotlighting the unique struggles in health care settings for communities for color in the …

Los estadounidenses negros son menos propensos que los blancos para buscar tratamiento de salud mental. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Superando barreras en el Mes de Concientización sobre Salud Mental de las Minorías

Julio es el mes nacional de la concientización sobre la salud mental de las minorías, que destaca las dificultades específicas de las …

Food insecurity ranged from 32% to 73% across Washington state counties in a hunger survey. (Mikhailov Studio/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Remains Top Concern for Many WA Families

Three years on from the start of the pandemic, securing food is one of the biggest challenges facing households in Washington state. The Washington …

A University of Washington Center for Human Rights investigation detailed unsanitary conditions at the Northwest Detention Center dating back to 2018. (clpmag/Flickr)

Independence Day Has Different Meaning in NW Detention Center

Independence Day is this week but for people in the Northwest Detention Center, the day will mean something different. The Tacoma facility is run by …

The Supreme Court involved the validity of the Washington Voting Rights Act passed in 2018. (Rex Wholster/Adobe Stock)

WA Supreme Court Voting Decision Could Reverberate in Other States

A recent decision from the Washington State Supreme Court on voting rights could echo in other states in the future. Justices unanimously upheld the …

A new report on child well-being ranks Washington state 10th in its family and community category. (Aleksei Potov/Adobe Stock)

Access to Care Among WA Children's Biggest Challenges

Washington state fares well in a new report released on child well-being, but is facing important challenges in child care. The Annie E. Casey …

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure on May 15 to update procedures for automatic voter registration. (David Gales/Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers Make Registering to Vote in WA Easier

Washingtonians will soon find it even easier to register to vote. Passed this session, Senate Bill 5112 automatically makes people applying for …

State lawmakers passed the original Washington Voting Rights Act in 2018. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

Washington Voting Rights Act '2.0' Strengthens State Law

Voting rights in Washington got an upgrade this legislative session. House Bill 1048 is designed to make the Washington Voting Rights Act a more …

Washington state lawmakers will begin crafting a budget before the session is scheduled to adjourn on April 23. (George Cole/Adobe Stock)

WA Raises $300 Million from Polluters for Climate Action

By Kate Yoder for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism-Public News Service Col…

Restoration Community Impact provides greens through its market that are inclusive of a variety of cultures. (Marlando and Stephanie Sparks)

Providing Inclusive Foods Integral Mission for WA Food Pantries

Food assistance is integral for families - but it's also important that the food available makes sense culturally. The American Heart Association …

Highways are hot spots for soot, fine particulate matter which has major effects on people's health. (Naris Dorndeelers/Adobe Stock)

Proposed EPA Air Quality Update Not Good Enough, Groups Say

A new air quality standard from the federal government does not go far enough to protect the public, advocates said. For the first time in a decade…

In the midst of a housing crisis, a program in the state Legislature would create a fund for low-income Washingtonians to buy a home. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

WA Baby Bond Bill Could Help Address Racial Wealth Gap

In Olympia, lawmakers want to address the wealth gap early with a fund set aside for children of low-income households. The Washington future fund …

AARP Washington set up a demonstration of an accessory dwelling unit near the Capitol in Olympia. (AARP Washington)

WA Lawmakers Consider Backyard Solution to State's Housing Crisis

Lawmakers in Olympia are looking for a solution that can fit in people's backyards to help ease the state's housing crisis. A bill in the Washington …

Overtime pay for Washington state farmworkers began phasing in starting in 2022. (Oksana Perkins/Adobe Stock)

Overtime Gains for WA Farmworkers Threatened in Olympia

Legislation in Olympia would roll back recent gains farmworkers have made to receive overtime pay in Washington state. Senate Bill 5476 would allow …

Hate groups target certain people to harass online. (burdun/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Guarding Kids from Online Bigotry

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to shield their children from bigotry and hatred online, but there are a few tips they can follow…

Businesses in Bellingham have displayed some of the origami butterflies that are part of a campaign called

WA Community Urges Creation of Immigrant Resource Center

Community members in northwest Washington are gathering support for an immigrant resource center. In September, Democrats in Whatcom County …

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15, which marks the date of Mexico's independence from Spain. (MarekPhotoDesign.com/Adobe Stock)

Hispanic Heritage Month: WA Credit Union Finds Ways to Serve Community

Hispanic Heritage Month began in mid-September and runs through Oct. 15, and a financial institution in Washington state is finding unique ways to …

A recent report finds 30 Washington state legislators were in far-right groups which frequently spread disinformation on Facebook. (cirquedesprit/Adobe Stock)

WA Candidates Tied to Far-Right On Ballot in November

Washington state's primary results have diminished fears of a far-right insurgency in the state's elections. But there are still concerns that 2020 …

Washington state is the country's leading producer of apples. (Bernt Rostad/Flickr)

Groups Fill Food-Access Gaps in WA School District

When school districts are not able to provide summer-school classes, it can have a big effect on how children get meals. Case in point: the Mount …

The Washington State Redistricting Commission approved a new legislative map in 2021. (redistricting.wa.gov)

WA Voting Map Lawsuit in Yakima Valley Won't Affect 2022 Elections

A lawsuit challenging Washington state's new legislative map is underway, but it will not affect this year's primary or midterm elections. The suit …

The number of Ukrainians arriving in Washington state has increased since conflict in the eastern part of the country began in 2014. (aviavlad/Adobe Stock)

Ukrainians New to WA Face Barriers to Work

The number of Ukrainians arriving in Washington state has increased since the Russian invasion in February. Already, the Evergreen State is home to …

This is the fifth year organizations have marked Black Maternal Health Week. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

During Black Maternal Health Week, WA Doc Says 'Racism Manifests in Body'

This week is Black Maternal Health Week, highlighting the disparities in health outcomes for pregnant people. Black mothers are two to three times …

Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in downtown Seattle. (Toohool/Adobe Stock)

WA Program Model for Support in Homelessness Crisis

Washington state lawmakers made a historic investment of $850 million in housing this session. An effort in Seattle to get people housed could …

The Washington State Redistricting Commission voted against intervening in a federal challenge to the state's maps. (iQoncept/Adobe Stock)

Challenges Remain for WA's New Voting Maps

Concerns are lingering over the final voting maps approved in Washington state. While the districts are set for the 2022 election, legislative …

Radio Tierra has been on the air in the Columbia River Gorge since 2004. (yooranpark/Adobe Stock)

Bilingual Station Keeps Columbia Gorge Farmworkers Up to Date

A unique radio station in the Columbia River Gorge provides information in English and Spanish, on topics ranging from the environment to immigration…

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a dozen police reform bills into law last year, and new research indicates they're working to reduce police-related deaths. (Reuben/Adobe Stock)

Progress on WA Police Accountability, with Refinements on Tap

A year after their passage, police accountability bills in Washington state are showing signs of success. An ACLU Washington analysis found a 62% …

Puget Sound Agrarian Commons started in 2020 after a gift of land from Caroline Gardener on Whidbey Island. (Northwest Meadowscapes)

Land Trust Agreement Provides Step Toward Food Justice in WA

CORRECTION: A description of this land has been changed to "land trust agreement," rather than "leased farmland." (1:19 p.m. PST, Feb 22, 2022) A 99-…

Only about one-third of dentists accept health insurance from public programs such as Medicaid. (karelnoppe/Adobe Stock) Only about one-third of dentists accept health insurance from public programs like Medicaid. (karelnoppe/Adobe Stock)

Many Ways to Improve Kids' Teeth During Children's Dental Health Month

It's Children's Dental Health Month, a time when the importance of oral health is in the spotlight. Health professionals say children can improve …

The Washington state Legislature adopted its final legislative district map on Feb. 8. (Washington State Redistricting Commission)

WA Bill Changes Approval for Redistricting, Other Election Adjustments

As Washington state continues to grapple with new voting maps, a measure in the Legislature would ensure future maps comply with the Washington …

Facility Suspected of Holding Immigrants En Route to WA Detention Center

Protesters are staging weekly vigils around a facility in a northwest Washington town that they say is a short-term holding facility for immigration l…

Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano spoke with 16 custodians in 2020 for the UW Custodian Project. (UW Custodian Project)

WA Project Highlights Work Conditions for Custodians

By Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Washington News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News …

The racial wealth gap has persisted for decades. White families have about seven times the wealth of Black families. (Hyejin Kang/Adobe Stock)

WA Baby Bond Program Aims to Address Wealth Gap

Washington state lawmakers are considering a policy which could help close the wealth gap for future generations. The Washington Future Fund is a …

George Floyd's killing in 2020 sparked massive protests, in Seattle and across the country, to spotlight the need for racial justice. (SoundersBruce/Wikimedia Commons)

NW Racial Equity Struggle in Focus on MLK Day

The quest for greater racial equity in the Northwest is in the spotlight today on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and it's part of the mission of one …

The 14th and 15th legislative districts are a point of contention for Latino and indigenous communities in the region. (Washington State Redistricting Commission)

Communities of Color Push Back on WA Voting Map

Challenges linger over the Washington State Redistricting Commission's recently approved legislative map. Redistricting Justice for Washington …

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WA: Human Rights/Racial Justice