Steve Jackson

1 week ago | spokanepublicradio.org | Lauren Paterson |Steve Jackson |Owen Henderson |John Ryan

Loss of federal workers could affect fire season in north IDThere are fewer federal workers at the U.S. Forest Service this fire season. The deferred resignation program allowed federal workers to resign from their jobs while still getting full pay and benefits through September. That left vacancies in the U.S. Forest Service offices in Northern Idaho according to Jim Wimer, the fire prevention officer for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

1 week ago | spokanepublicradio.org | Steve Jackson |Freddy Monares |Bellamy Pailthorp |Diana Romero

New WA PFAS rules could affect clothes, cleanersThe Washington Department of Ecology is proposing new rules that would restrict the sale of products in the state that contain so-called “forever chemicals.”PFAS have been linked to cancer and detrimental effects to human immune and reproductive systems. They’re found in many household products and were in the firefighting foam used at Fairchild Air Force base and the Spokane International Airport that contaminated many wells on West Plains.

3 weeks ago | spokanepublicradio.org | Doug Nadvornick |Bellamy Pailthorp |Owen Henderson |Steve Jackson

WA traffic deaths fall from 33-year high but remain elevatedThe summer travel season unofficially began this week, and Washington state officials have released their annual report on traffic fatalities. The Traffic Safety Commission says 731 people were killed in accidents during 2024. Mark McKechnie, a spokesperson for the commission, said that’s down from more than 809 the year before.

3 weeks ago | spokanepublicradio.org | Doug Nadvornick |Steve Jackson |Anna King |Gustavo Sagrero

Residents can now add supplements to state long-term care insuranceWashington legislators this year tweaked the state’s first-in-the-nation long-term care program, WA Cares. The most significant change allows people to also buy supplementary private insurance — similar to Medicare supplements — to cover some of their long-term care expenses. Initially, the state required people to choose one or the other. Many opted out of WA Cares to avoid the mandatory payroll deduction.

1 month ago | spokanepublicradio.org | Freddy Monares |John Ryan |Doug Nadvornick |Steve Jackson

WA cuts funds to nonprofit that helps foster youthA former Washington State lawmaker is criticizing the current Legislature for excluding $7 million for a foster youth program from the state budget. Reuven Carlyle served in both chambers of the legislature between 2009 and 2023. He helped secure the first and then subsequent state investments to the nonprofit Treehouse.