Drew Mikkelsen

Olympia

South Bureau Chief at KING-TV (Seattle, WA)

KING-5's South Bureau Chief. Husky/SF Giants fan. Family man. Retweeting is not an endorsement.

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Articles

Port of Olympia exploring ferry service

6 days ago | krem.com | Drew Mikkelsen

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Commuters to and from Olympia might have another option in a couple of years. The Port of Olympia is exploring the establishment of electric-powered hydrofoil ferry service. “We’re ready to invest to make that happen,” said Port of Olympia President Jasmine Vasavada. Vasavada said the port is conducting feasibility and demand studies into the idea.
Port of Olympia exploring ferry service

6 days ago | king5.com | Drew Mikkelsen

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Commuters to and from Olympia might have another option in a couple of years. The Port of Olympia is exploring the establishment of electric-powered hydrofoil ferry service. “We’re ready to invest to make that happen,” said Port of Olympia President Jasmine Vasavada. Vasavada said the port is conducting feasibility and demand studies into the idea.
Yelm school funds expected to fall short despite new Washington state budget

2 weeks ago | krem.com | Drew Mikkelsen

YELM, Wash. — Public schools will receive an additional $1.5 billion from the four-year budget passed by legislators in Olympia. But Yelm superintendent Chris Woods said the money won’t do much to solve his district’s funding problems.
Yelm school funds expected to fall short despite new Washington state budget

2 weeks ago | king5.com | Drew Mikkelsen

YELM, Wash. — Public schools will receive an additional $1.5 billion from the four-year budget passed by legislators in Olympia. But Yelm superintendent Chris Woods said the money won’t do much to solve his district’s funding problems.
Washington women’s prison closure won’t mean job losses, DOC says

2 weeks ago | krem.com | Drew Mikkelsen

MASON COUNTY, Wash. — For two years, Alena Folsom has known her job as a prison cook was in jeopardy. But things got real Monday when she, and more than 100 of her co-workers at Mission Creek Correction Center, got word the state budget called for the facility’s closure. “It was kind of like the little last straw,” said Folsom, “A little demoralizing.” Folsom has worked in prison kitchens for more than 23 years, the last 14 at Mission Creek, near Tahuya. Former Gov.
Washington budget awaits approval as Ferguson vows thorough review

2 weeks ago | kgw.com | Drew Mikkelsen

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state legislators met their deadline to pass a balanced budget by midnight Sunday. Now they have to wait to see if Gov. Bob Ferguson will sign it. That could be a while. Under state law, Washington’s governor has 20 days, not counting Sundays, to sign legislation passed in the final days of a legislative session. ”It's literally a line-by-line exercise, and we're going to take that seriously,” Ferguson said Tuesday.
Gov. Ferguson ‘cautiously optimistic’ legislators can meet budget deadline

2 weeks ago | krem.com | Drew Mikkelsen

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state legislators have until midnight Sunday to pass a balanced budget. Gov. Bob Ferguson said he is “cautiously optimistic” they will get him a budget proposal by the deadline. ”I’m confident that at this stage, based on the conversations we’re having, and what I’m seeing from their hard work and the legislation that’s being approved, I think we’re on track to get to a budget that works for Washingtonians,” Ferguson said Friday morning.
Former Washington city employee accused of stealing nearly $1 million

2 weeks ago | kgw.com | Drew Mikkelsen

MORTON, Wash. — Investigators believe a former Morton city employee treated the town’s bank account as her personal ATM. Tammy Clevenger is accused of stealing more than $930,000 in taxpayer funds over an almost nine-year stretch. Clevenger was the city clerk/treasure from 2012 to 2022. Morton, a small town about 40 miles east of Chehalis, has a population of just over 1,000 people, according to the 2023 U.S. Census.
Former Washington city employee accused of stealing nearly $1 million

2 weeks ago | king5.com | Drew Mikkelsen

MORTON, Wash. — Investigators believe a former Morton city employee treated the town’s bank account as her personal ATM. Tammy Clevenger is accused of stealing more than $930,000 in taxpayer funds over an almost nine-year stretch. Clevenger was the city clerk/treasure from 2012 to 2022. Morton, a small town about 40 miles east of Chehalis, has a population of just over 1,000 people, according to the 2023 U.S. Census.
State prison libraries could lose staffing, resources under federal cuts

3 weeks ago | krem.com | Drew Mikkelsen

OLYMPIA, Wash. — For more than 50 years, the state has operated libraries inside state prisons, relying mostly on federal grant funding. That funding, $3.9 million, could be cut by the Trump administration, which deemed the programming “unnecessary.” Washington is one of 21 states suing the administration, challenging the legality of the cuts. “I just really don't have words for how wrong I think that is,” said Sara Jones, Washington State Librarian.