The IMPACT

From chasing stories to leading change, The Impact interviews former investigative reporter Jesse Jones about his new role as director of Your Washington, the state government improvement unit. 

This is a special edition of The Impact taped on-location at the Washington Digital Government Summit in Tacoma, organized by GovTech magazine. The episode features a panel discussion with state, city, and county-level technology leaders answering questions about the use of artificial intelligence in government decision making, workforce displacement, and oversight. The panel also explored the pri...

From wolf conflicts to owl culls — inside Washington’s toughest wildlife decisions. Guest: Julia Smith, WDFW's endangered species recovery manager

Political writers wade into early returns from the fall election, and what that says for the direction of the legislature next year.   "We had a record package of tax increases in the legislature this year. The majority Democrats paid no price at the ballot box," said Paul Queary,  Washington Observer.  "I would look for this session for folks who have been hiding things in their back pocket that...

A new study points to major PNW earthquakes potentially triggering California earthquakes and vice-versa. DNR earthquakes expert Alex Steely breaks down the potential link between the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the San Andreas fault. Later, we cover "sonic boom" earthquakes, the Seattle fault nightmare scenario, and why so many Washington buildings are vulnerable to shaking.    Guest: Alex Steel...

Exploring political violence and the decline of civil discourse. Q&A with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck about his work on developing strategies to promote healthy debate in society.

Historic surface water restrictions hit the Yakima Basin as a monumental water rights lawsuit gets underway in Whatcom County. Department of Ecology Water Resources Program lead, Ria Berns talks through the rationale and what to expect. Then hear what local stakeholders, are saying about the adjudication.

Is your town ready for a ransomware attack? State Auditor Pat McCarthy and SAO cybersecurity lead Scott Ford weigh in on the job of promoting government accountability with IT safeguards and spotting mismanaged tax dollars.

For island residents, commuters, and students — there's a lot riding on reliable ferry service. Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey addresses current problems, the timeline for new vessels, and fall schedule changes that may restructure service on your route.  

Electric vehicle subsidies end this month. Will the policy shift in Washington D.C. derail WA state's electrification plans? One of the architects of Washington's clean transportation strategy joins us for an extended 1-on-1 discussion.  Guest: Steven Hershkowitz, Managing Director of the Clean Transportation Unit at the Washington State Department of Commerce.

The second half of an education discussion with Marguerite Roza (Georgetown Univ. Edunomics Lab) and Larry Delaney (Washington Education Association) covers special education funding changes and the new federal tax-credit scholarship program which could boost private school enrollment.

We explore school funding shifts could mean for classroom resource gaps and what to make of falling test scores, disciplinary shifts, and grappling with AI written homework. Guests: Marguerite Roza, Director of the Georgetown University Edunomics Lab and Larry Delaney, President of the Washington Education Association, and a high school math teacher in Snohomish County.

A spike in child fatalities and near-fatal injuries from early 2025 has reignited debate over a shift in policies that dictate when children are removed from a home. The head of Washington's independent child welfare system oversight body weighs in on the trend. The agency in charge of the system responds. Guests: Patrick Dowd, Director of the Office of Families and Children's Ombuds, & Alliso...

An in-depth look at new housing laws that cap annual rent increases and allow homeowners more freedom to build a second smaller dwelling on the same lot. Featuring Sen. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia) and Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia).

Sunsets, s’mores, and swimming. An overview of in-state summer getaways and what to know before you go. Features Q&A with Sarah Fronk of Washington State Parks.

 As lawmakers in D.C. and Olympia grapple with ways to reduce public healthcare spending, Washington hospitals warn of higher fees, longer wait times, and potential closures.

State earthquake/volcano program manager weighs in on survey of vulnerable buildings and what to make of the new magma chamber discovery. Q&A with Brian Terbush, Emergency Management Division

Faced with eroding beaches, coastal communities are teaming up in an effort to hold back the sea. Guest: John Shaw, chair of the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee.

A discussion with Michael Meotti, Executive Director of the Washington Student Achievement Council, on the state of higher education in Washington.

A look at the 2025 fire season outlook with Lead Wildfire Meteorologist Matt Dehr of the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

An inside look at the NextCycle Washington program, a pitch contest to promote circular economy startups. 

Political strategists dissect the 2025 Legislative Session, tracing the power dynamics behind big policy shakeups and the ripple effects for state voters. Guests: Sandeep Kaushik of Sound View Strategies and Justin Matheson of Axiom Strategies.

From farm to factory, an overview of food inspections in Washington. Q&A with Luisa Castro, Assistant Director of the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division at WSDA.

A look at the debate over legislation to lift the 1 percent property tax cap and allow annual adjustments for population and inflation. Guests include Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at the Washington Policy Center and Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties.

Panelists weigh in on the implications of the state's budget deficit and proposed tax increases for individuals and businesses in Washington. The panelists include Rachel Smith, President & CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Molly Gallagher, Policy Lead, Statewide Poverty Action Network.