While he may not have been present in the courtroom, former Chehalis resident Forrest Amos remained the center of discussion during a hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, where a judge declined a review of his sentence for a 2017 conviction.

The Washington State Legislature adjourned minutes before its midnight deadline on April 28, ending its 105-day session on time for the first time since 2009.

OLYMPIA – Hundreds of people gathered for a “March for Our Rights” gun-rights rally Saturday on the Washington Capitol campus. The group held a similar protest in April 2018. Speakers from various organizations spoke along with lawmakers including Reps. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley and Jim Wa…

OLYMPIA – The 2019 legislative session began Jan. 14 and is scheduled to end on April 28, if the operation, transportation, and capital budget all pass the Legislature and are signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.

OLYMPIA – Passing a basic skills assessment will no longer be required for individuals to be admitted to teacher preparation programs after legislation sponsored by Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday.

OLYMPIA – The Legislature passed an amended version of a bill mandating meal and rest breaks for certain healthcare employees on Wednesday afternoon. The Senate passed the bill in a 63- 34 vote and the House passed it in 70-24.

In a late night party-line vote, the Washington Senate approved the removal of the personal exemption for the measles, mumps, and rubella, the MMR vaccine on Wednesday, April 17. 

A bill to reduce the processing time for sexual assault kits passed the Washington legislature in two unanimous votes.

The state Senate passed an amended version of the operating budget totaling $52.5 billion for the next biennium with 31 in favor and 17 opposed.

The legal age to purchase tobacco and vape products is about to rise from 18 to 21 under a bill headed to the governor’s desk after a 33-21 vote by the Washington State Senate on Wednesday.

Undetectable and untraceable firearms and their creation would be illegal under proposed legislation. These types of firearms are being manufactured most commonly via 3-D printers and are often referred to as “ghost guns.”

Newly named hate crime offenses would let courts infer the offense was due to the perception of the victim’s association with a protected class unless evidence suggests otherwise. 

Washington state’s 19th Legislative District is fiercely independent.

The Native American Voting Rights act was signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee at a widely attended ceremony March 14.