Inside Olympia

On this week's Inside Olympia ... What will it take to create a robust and comprehensive behavioral health system in Washington? Why is it taking so long to get there? And what are the barriers to success? On the program for the full hour this week, Amber Leaders, Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Behavioral Health.

Host Austin Jenkins sits down for an interview with Washington's 2024 Elementary School Principal of the Year, Dr. Cathy Sork of Dorothy Fox Elementary in Camas.

Host Austin Jenkins sits down with 2024 Washington Teacher of the Year Blaire Penry. Penry, from the Auburn School District, has been interviewed by Bill Gates, and has a lot to say about online learning, artificial intelligence in the classroom, equity and diversity in education, and more.

Host Austin Jenkins does an in-depth interview with Dan Wilson of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Claire Davis of WA Wildlife First.

On this week's episode of Inside Olympia …. We continue our in-depth look into how Washington manages its fish and wildlife populations.  On the program for the full hour is the agency head of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Department Kelly Susewind.

This week, the first interview in a three-part series on the management of fish and wildlife in Washington state. Host Austin Jenkins sits down for the full hour with Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair Barbara Baker, and Commissioner Jim Anderson.

On this episode of Inside Olympia...From Hanford cleanup to salmon-harming toxins to the state’s carbon pollution credit program … The Department of Ecology is the regulatory agency in charge. How is ecology managing the state’s most pressing environmental hazards? On the program this week is the Director of Ecology Laura Watson.

On this episode of Inside Olympia....Host Austin Jenkins discusses veterans' services and housing with the Director of the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs David Puente.

On this week's episode of Inside Olympia … How is Washington State's government working to combat the fentanyl crisis? We talk with Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah, and Sue Birch of the State Health Care Authority.  Also, what lessons were learned from covid? And how concerned should we be about bird flu? Dr. Shah discusses those and other priority issues for the State Department of Health.

Host Austin Jenkins sits down for an in-depth interview with retiring former House Republican Leader and State Representative J.T. Wilcox, of Yelm.

Host Austin Jenkins sits down for an in-depth interview with retiring legislator Andy Billig, Senate Majority Leader from Spokane.

A statewide drought emergency has been declared. How low is the snowpack? And what are the implications for fish, farms and people? We ask representatives of the Department of Ecology and Agriculture.

Host Austin Jenkins sits down for an in-depth interview with State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong.

An interview with Washington Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Jilma Meneses.

Interviews with State Representatives Jamila Taylor and Kevin Waters.

An exit interview with retiring State Senator Sam Hunt, plus a discussion on K-12 public schools with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

Host Austin Jenkins interviews Washington Health Care Authority Director Sue Birch about the work of the HCA's Health Care Cost Transparency Board.

On this episode of Inside Olympia...We recap the legislative session with Lt. Governor Denny Heck. Plus we meet Megan Matthews, Director of Washington's Office of Equity. 

On this week's episode of Inside Olympia....It’s been more than half a century since Washington voters approved the Public Records Act. Now a new report from the Washington Coalition for Open Government warns the spirit and letter of that law are being undermined. We talk with the Mike Fancher, the nonprofit’s president about recommendations for strengthening it.

Host Austins Jenkins interviews WA's Long-Term Care Ombuds Patricia Hunter and Family and Children's Ombuds Director Patrick Dowd.

On this week's episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter.

Artificial Intelligence is the topic of discussion on Inside Olympia this week. Austin Jenkins sits down with state legislators and the Chief Technology and Chief Privacy Officers for Washington State.

On Inside Olympia...we take a lookback at the Boldt decision and how that helped secure the fishing rights for tribes in Washington State.

Host Austin Jenkins talks with local leaders working to promote civility in politics and public discourse: Snohomish Council Council members Jared Mead and Nate Nehring, and Sean O'Brien of the Tri-Cities Civility Caucus.

This week Austin Jenkins sits down with members of the House Housing Committee and discusses what can be down about Washington State's housing crisis.