The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Boeing machinists who’ve been on strike nearly three weeks are getting some help from state taxpayers in the form of healthcare and dental coverage, which lapsed for them on Sept. 30, due to the walkout. Thanks to a recently approved state law, striking workers are eligible to apply for health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, the state's health benefi

(The Center Square) – A trial date has been set in a lawsuit involving former Washington State Department of Transportation economist Scott Smith’s claim that he faced hostility and retaliation for refusing to keep quiet about his calculations last year showing the state’s cap-and-trade program would increase gas prices by 45 to 50 cents per gallon. The trial is ...

(The Center Square) – A ruling in the Kroger-Albertsons merger case will hinge on how U.S. District Court Judge for Oregon Adrienne Nelson interprets a 1980s-era definition of the grocery industry in the 21st-century marketplace. Post-hearing memoranda were due Sept. 27. ...

(The Center Square) – As Spokane attempts to get more answers regarding a plan that could send liquid radioactive waste through the city, Councilmember Michael Cathcart sent a letter voicing his opposition. While the letter is dated Sept. 26, ...

(The Center Square) – While the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is on track to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, efforts at both the federal and state levels to regulate legal hemp products are ongoing. Last week, U.S. Se...

(The Center Square) – "STRIKE!!!!! 40%!!!!! PENSIONS!!!!!" That's what one commenter posted on Facebook over the weekend as 33,000 machinists hold out for a better contract offer from Boeing. Negotiations resumed last Friday, four days after the company issued what it called its "best and final offer," which was quickly rejected by union leadership who said they were insulted t

(The Center Square) – The Washington Supreme Court is considering dramatic changes to standards that impact caseloads for public defenders. For years, trial courts have been overwhelmed trying to handle cases both from the prosecutorial side and public defense. D...

(The Center Square) – Sue Kuehl Pederson, a Republican candidate for state public lands commissioner who failed to advance after the August primary, has filed a motion to intervene in a case filed by the Washington State Republican Party. A...

(The Center Square) – The opposition campaign to Initiative 2117 repealing Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act is continuing to argue that repealing it would undermine transportation project funding in the state. In a series of new ads, I-2117 opponents are claiming the measure, if approved by voters this November, would undermine maintenance and preservation work on roads and bridges. In on

(The Center Square) – Spokane County held its first roundtable on Tuesday regarding the 2025 preliminary budget, delving into revenue projections for next year amid shortfalls that might raise some eyebrows. Randy Bischoff, senior director of Finance & Administration, ran the county commissioners and those in attendance through the process. Based on...