The Police Dog Who Cried Drugs at Every Traffic Stop
Cops laugh about “probable cause on four legs” but the damage to innocent lives is real.
Washington State
The Washington Supreme Court Just Decriminalized Simple Drug Possession. Legislators Shouldn't 'Fix' the Overturned Law.
The court said criminalizing unknowing possession violates the right to due process.
Washington State Might Tax 4 People Billions of Dollars. What If They Leave?
A proposed wealth tax would collect 97 percent of its revenue from famous billionaires.
I Asked for Public Records on a Fatal Police Shooting. Then a Washington Sheriff's Office Sued Me.
The move is similar to what's known as a "reverse FOIA" lawsuit, which forces the requester to go to court to defend his right to access public records.
Shootings, Stabbings Mar a Weekend of Pro-Trump Protests
Plus: Vaccine distribution begins, stimulus talks continue, and more...
CDC Antibody Studies Confirm Huge Gap Between COVID-19 Infections and Known Cases
The difference implies that the virus is much less deadly than it looks, but it also makes contact tracing a daunting challenge.
Seattle Says It Will Ask Protesters To Voluntarily Leave 'Autonomous Zone.' What Happens If They Don't?
Plus: Trump tries to cancel skilled worker visas, Seattle repeals "prostitution loitering" law, Pennsylvania makes cosmetologists prove "good moral character," and more...
Texas Admitted It Can't Enforce Its COVID-19 Lockdown. More States Should Do The Same.
The sooner everyone else recognizes those limits, the sooner we can shift to policies that balance public health and economic freedom.
Study Finds Marijuana Legalization Had Little Impact on Crime in Colorado or Washington
A comparison with other states finds "no statistically significant long-term effects" on violent or property crime rates.
CDC Confirms That the Vast Majority of Vaping-Related Lung Disease Cases Involve THC Products
The latest findings highlight the irrationality of banning legal e-cigarettes that deliver nicotine.
Washington Supreme Court Says Obesity Is a Disability
"It is illegal for employers in Washington to refuse to hire qualified potential employees because the employer perceives them to be obese."
Straw Ban Bills Migrate From Progressive Cities to Purple State Legislatures
Bills introduced in Montana, Florida, and Washington would either ban or restrict plastic straws.
Washington State Lawmaker Wants to Ban Dwarf Tossing, Says It 'Ridicules and Demeans'
What's actually demeaning is thinking you know what's best for an entire group of people.
Supreme Court Won't Hear Case of High School Coach Fired for Praying on the Field
The conservative justices listed a key factor preventing them from hearing the case.
Washington Offenders Could See Clemency for Pot Convictions
Gov. Jay Inslee, who intends to run for president, made the announcement on Friday.
Washington Redefines All Semi-Automatic Rifles As 'Assault Weapons'
A ballot initiative that took effect this week bans sales to adults younger than 21.
Adolescent Pot Use in Post-Legalization Colorado and Washington Is Still Failing to Rise
A favorite prohibitionist theme is refuted by reality.
Deputies Ignored Their Mom's Calls for Help. Now the County Is Paying Them for Her Death.
Jessica Ortega repeatedly told deputies that her boyfriend threatened to kill her. She died following their negligence.
Washington State Carbon Tax Initiative Loses
Did voters recognize it as a green pork-barrel scheme?
What Would the Washington State Carbon Fee Initiative Really Accomplish?
Very little carbon reduction, lots of political patronage.
Washington State Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Penalty
According to the court, "The death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner."
Cop Kicks Teen Who Had Already Been Pepper-Sprayed
The officer is now under internal investigation. Some want a citizen review panel, but the chief thinks that would be "problematic."
After Gay Wedding Cake Ruling, Supreme Court Punts Floral Arrangements Case
Washington State told to revisit ruling against Arlene's Flowers.
Tattoos Shouldn't Be Cause for Deportation
ICE claimed tattoos are evidence of gang activity, grounds for deportation.
Can You Guess How Much Butt This Town Will Let You Show?
Everett, Washington, continues to wage war against scantily clad "bikini baristas."
Rose-Colored Visions of High-Speed Rail Tempt the Pacific Northwest
Politicians push for a "Cascadia line."
Washington Governor Signs Legally Dubious Net Neutrality Bill
The FCC's December order repealing net neutrality preempted sates from reimposing regulations.
Washingtonians to Vote on Making It Easier to Convict Cops for Using Deadly Force
The measure would also require officers to render first aid directly after shootings and undergo new training.
Washington, California Trying to Punish Businesses that Overly Cooperate with Feds on Immigration
Motel 6 sued for passing names along to ICE.
Would More Infrastructure Spending Have Stopped Yesterday's Derailment?
President Trump seems to think so.
Seattle to Amazon: Don't Leave Me, Baby
The city's leaders try desperately to reset relations with the company while it searches for a new headquarters.
Seattle's Sound Transit Pays $100,000 for a Parking Space
The cost overruns do not reflect well on the agency's ability to complete a $54 billion project on time and on budget.
Bikini Barista Lawsuit Defends Freedom to Espresso Oneself
A group of coffee industry workers sues Everett, Wash. over city's new anti-bikini ordinances.
Seattle Ballot Initiative Would Block Safe Drug Injection Centers
Some would rather have overdoses than risk "destigmatizing" addiction.
Seattle's Light Rail Extension Sees $500 Million in Cost Overruns
Never trust the sticker price on billion dollar rail projects.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program Sees Its First Fraud Investigation
The alleged fraud highlights the ways in which the controversial program has failed to help outsider candidates.
Seattle Bans Landlords from Running Criminal Background Checks
A textbook case of good intentions gone awry
Seattle's 'Democracy Vouchers' Serve as Campaign Welfare for Well-Established Candidates
A program intended to empower voters has instead funneled public money to most organized and funded campaigns.
Seattle Transit Agency Wants to Tear Down Fraternal Lodge
...and put up a parking garage
