Articles about Washington

How Washington state could use federal infrastructure money to close the digital divide

Deploying broadband throughout Washington state has been at the top of local lawmakers’ minds for years. The state legislature enacted… Read More

Washington state regulators say Amazon’s workflow and pace injures warehouse workers

Washington state workplace regulators fined and admonished Amazon for pushing workers at its DuPont, Wash. fulfillment center so relentlessly that… Read More

Washington state tech community spars over proposed capital gains tax

Update: The Washington state Senate on Saturday passed SB 5096 by a slim margin, 25-24. The bill now moves to the… Read More

Will Bezos bounce? Amazon CEO’s departure plan sharpens debate over ‘billionaire tax’ in Wash. state

When Jeff Bezos announced plans to step down as Amazon CEO later this year, critics of a plan to tax… Read More

Tech workers sound off on Washington state’s proposed ‘billionaire tax’ at first public hearing

Tech workers showed up to a virtual hearing Tuesday to voice their opinion on a proposed tax on Washington state’s… Read More

Why Washington state could finally pass data privacy laws with a bill backed by the tech industry

Washington state will once again try to pass data privacy regulations akin to Europe and California’s laws this year —… Read More

Washington state announces broad new restrictions to curb surging coronavirus

Washington is tightening restrictions on gatherings and businesses as coronavirus cases surge across the state. “If we let the virus… Read More

Washington state extends re-opening pause amid rising coronavirus cases

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday that his pause on re-opening the state will be extended through July 28 due… Read More

Washington state offering $18M in grants and loans for internet infrastructure projects

Washington state is making $18 million available for broadband infrastructure projects at a time when workers and students are increasingly… Read More

Washington state sues Trump administration over student visa rules

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced plans to sue the federal government over new rules that would ban international students… Read More

Washington governor orders businesses not to serve customers who don’t wear masks

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered businesses not to serve customers who don’t wear masks Thursday in response to rising coronavirus… Read More

Washington state issues new COVID rules for universities and colleges ahead of fall term

Washington state issued new guidelines for institutes of higher education Thursday as they prepare to re-open for the fall term.… Read More

Washington mandates masks in public statewide as COVID-19 cases rise

Washington state will require all residents to wear face coverings in public to slow the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Jay… Read More

Washington state loosens restrictions for phased opening as shutdown order approaches expiration

Counties across Washington state will enter a phased re-opening program Monday as Gov. Jay Inslee’s “stay-home” order expires. Inslee announced… Read More

Washington state reveals contact tracing plan to support phased opening of business

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday that the state’s contact tracing team will be in place by the end of… Read More

PBS Frontline contrasts state and federal response to coronavirus crisis in ‘a tale of two Washingtons’

When the first COVID-19 case in the U.S. was discovered in Seattle, officials in Washington state quickly realized they would… Read More

Washington’s new jobless claims dip but state officials warn it’s ‘the calm before the storm’

There were 82,435 new claims for unemployment benefits in Washington state last week, a 42% decline from the week prior.… Read More

Washington, Oregon and California to coordinate on plan to re-open economies and fight COVID-19

West Coast states unveiled a unified approach to lifting lockdown orders and combating COVID-19 on Monday. The governors of Washington,… Read More

Washington state launches $5M grant program to help small businesses struggling under shutdown

Washington rolled out a $5 million emergency grant program Tuesday to help small businesses in the state that have been… Read More

Internet should be an ‘essential utility,’ WA schools chief says as state pulls plug on rest of term

The longtime problem of digital inequity has been thrown into sharp relief by the coronavirus pandemic as schools turn to… Read More

Google location data for Seattle shows decline in work, transit and retail trips — but not park visits

Seattle-area residents are taking Washington state’s social distancing mandate seriously. They have dramatically reduced trips to work, retail and restaurants,… Read More

Washington governor extends ‘stay home’ order until May 4, says it’s ‘absolutely the soonest’ state could re-open

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order for an additional month Thursday. The rules, which… Read More

Microsoft president calls Washington state’s new facial recognition law ‘a significant breakthrough’

Microsoft President Brad Smith took a break from responding to the COVID-19 outbreak Tuesday to praise Washington state’s landmark facial… Read More

Unemployment applications surge 843% in Washington state amid coronavirus isolation order

Washington state has seen an unprecedented spike in unemployment applications amid an order for all non-essential workers to remain in… Read More

Washington governor issues ‘stay home, stay healthy’ order to slow spread of COVID-19

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday ordered all residents except essential workers to stay at home for at least two… Read More

Washington governor avoids ‘shelter in place’ rule, but warns citizens they’re not doing enough

Editor’s note: On Monday, March 23, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered all residents except essential workers to stay at home… Read More

Washington state authorizes mobile fueling; legislator calls it ‘timely’ as residents practice social distancing

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law this week that makes it easier for companies to provide mobile… Read More

Washington state will temporarily close restaurants, bars, and entertainment/recreational facilities

Washington state will temporarily close restaurants, bars, and entertainment/recreational facilities statewide starting Monday, March 16 in the latest move to… Read More

Data privacy regulations fail in Washington state legislature

A bill that would have enacted data privacy regulations in Washington state failed to pass the state legislature before the… Read More

Washington state passes landmark facial recognition bill, reining in government use of AI

The Washington state legislature passed a bill establishing new guardrails on government use of facial recognition software. The bill cleared both chambers… Read More