Kari Plog

Following eight months of meetings, a workgroup on the prevention of sexual harassment in the Washington state House is recommending the formation of an independent office where victims could report misconduct, among other reforms.

In an on-air chat with All Things Considered host Ed Ronco, Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins said the full set of recommendations is robust.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s possible presidential campaign is getting financial backing, with more than $112,000 raised since October. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins talked about this story with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick.

As Seattle drivers start making plans to deal with the longest major highway closure the Puget Sound region has ever seen, the state Department of Transportation is outlining plans for demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. 

It's official — finally. Seattle is home to the next National Hockey League team, after the organization announced the expansion Tuesday morning. The announcement was followed by a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday. 

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, WASH. — The narrative you often hear about this place is that it’s depressed, that the economy has not been kind. Indeed, that's part of the story. But there’s so much more. In this special presentation, we offer a broader picture of the area — the challenges facing residents here and the reasons they love calling it home. Included in our coverage are stories about government, business and history. 

GRAYS HARBOR, WASH.  —  As part of special coverage here last week, All Things Considered host Ed Ronco introduced listeners to a pair of local historical fixtures: the Polson Museum in Hoquiam and the Aberdeen Museum of History. The former focuses on the history of logging. The latter faces a long road to recovery after a devastating fire in June. 

HOQUIAM, WASH. — Stefanie Ask says it's natural to make jokes about where you grew up. But when someone else does it, protective feelings bubble to the surface. "You feel this swelling of rage and sort of pride for this place," she told All Things Considered host Ed Ronco.

GRAYS HARBOR, WASH. — People might not think of Grays Harbor County first as a bastion of progress. But take a closer look at the area's leaders and you might get a different picture. 

Tomorrow, KNKX Connects to Grays Harbor County. All Things Considered will broadcast from the Aberdeen Timberland Library, sharing stories about government, business and history. Today, we give you a sneak peek of our special coverage. KNKX producer Geoffrey Redick brings us along on a visit to Sucher and Sons Star Wars Shop in Aberdeen.

As part of his weekly debrief with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick, KNKX Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins discussed the state’s closest races that are still unresolved weeks after the Nov. 6 election.

The criminal justice system has long treated juveniles who commit crimes differently than adults. Now, research suggests young adults ages 18 to 25 should receive different treatment, as well, and the state is reviewing whether it will make that distinction.

Washington state is funneling billions of dollars into K-12 public education over the next few years to satisfy a state Supreme court order in the McCleary school-funding lawsuit. But that influx of money raises questions about accountability for school district finances. Washington, unlike other states, does not require districts to employ internal auditors to monitor spending of public funds.

Such oversight would be welcome in the Kent School District, where financial turmoil has many people reeling, even within the organization. Ashley Gross, KNKX’s youth and education reporter, sat down with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to discuss her reporting on internal auditing in school districts, and the experts who champion the benefits of the additional accountability measure.

Several dozen post-doctoral researchers rallied at the University of Washington's Seattle campus on Friday, demanding a swift resolution to contract negotiations.

UPDATE, 5:10 p.m. Tuesday: The Seattle City Council voted 8-1 to approve the new police contract, following a contentious meeting with a packed council chambers. 

Tacoma and Seattle were among the cities to join a nationwide protest Thursday, decrying the actions of President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the firing of U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Seemingly hundreds of demonstrations, at least 47 of them in Washington state, came together within hours of the White House announcement that Sessions was forced to resign. 

KNKX reporters fanned out across the region Tuesday for special coverage of the midterm election. Check back as results drop for updates on races and issues down the ballot. Share reaction to results as they roll in, here and across the nation, on social media using #KNKXelex, and listen to local and national coverage on air. And revisit past coverage below.

UPDATE, 12:15 p.m. Thursday: Austin Jenkins, Olympia correspondent for Northwest News Network, chatted with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick about tight state Legislative races.   

Canada legalized marijuana beginning Oct. 17, and officials in the country’s individual provinces and territories will decide how the new system will roll out in each place. So far in British Columbia, marijuana sales have been stifled by a lack of supply and a rotating postal strike, the latter causing delivery challenges.