Washington Ledge

The FBI is in possession of a sheriff’s investigation into an alleged voter suppression effort in King County, Wash. Conservative activists who don’t trust Washington’s vote-by-mail system were behind the effort during the run-up to the August primary.

If you call 911, you expect someone to answer quickly and send help. But that system is strained these days by a shortage of dispatchers. The problem has grown worse during the COVID pandemic. In Washington, some State Patrol dispatch centers have a vacancy rate over 50 percent. And one office got so short-staffed it had to close.

Washington Democrats were bracing for a tough showing in state legislative races. But they are pleased with the early results of Tuesday's primary.

In Washington’s race for Secretary of State, the top two finishers after the initial vote count were Democrat Steve Hobbs and independent Julie Anderson. Hobbs, who currently holds the office, had about 41 percent of the vote. Anderson, who’s the Pierce County Auditor, had nearly 13 percent. But Republican Bob Hagglund was trailing a close third.

Elections themselves have become a campaign issue. And this year Washington’s top election position is on the ballot. Eight candidates are running for Secretary of State in the August primary.

Modern day DNA sleuthing has solved two Washington rape cases from nearly two decades ago. Both cases had gone cold until local authorities received grants from the Attorney General’s office. That money allowed them to hire forensic genealogists to develop a list of potential suspects.

A judge has acquitted a caregiver in the accidental poisoning death of a developmentally disabled woman in Spokane in 2019.

New restrictions on gun magazines and so-called "ghost guns" take effect in Washington on July 1.

While the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the right to abortion is protected under Washington state law. But Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee and fellow abortion rights supporters are looking for ways to strengthen that protection.

Across the country, backers of former President Donald Trump are making election integrity a campaign issue. So far, that issue has not dominated Washington’s election for secretary of state — the state’s top election official position. But mistrust in voting systems is an issue in some local races this year.