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WA insurance commissioner apologizes for using racial slurs

Mike Kreidler sits at a desk talking with two colleagues.
Ted S. Warren/AP
/
AP
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, center, conducts a meeting in his office, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Washington's elected insurance commissioner Mike Kriedler has apologized for using racial slurs in the presence of his employees and said he'll attend diversity training along with his senior staff.

The apology comes afterreporting from Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins and the Seattle Times revealed a pattern of behavior that included the slurs, mistreatment of staff, a transphobic comment and asking unusual favors from employees of color.

Austin joined KNKX Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick to explain what's next.

Kirsten Kendrick hosts Morning Edition on KNKX and the sports interview series "Going Deep," talking with folks tied to sports in our region about what drives them — as professionals and people.
Vivian McCall is a former KNKX reporter, producer and host. She previously spent eight years as a reporter in Chicago, where she wrote for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ public radio.