The IMPACT

2023 state minimum wage increase and new per-mile pay guarantee, plus other job protections for Uber and Lyft drivers. Featuring Bryan Templeton, Program Manager for Employee Standards at the WA Dept. of Labor & Industries.

A review of big state policy stories from 2022 and issues to watch in the 2023 Legislative Session. Featuring Laurel Demkovich with the Spokesman-Review and Jerry Cornfield with the Everett Herald.

Is Washington winning the war against murder hornets? An update on the status of the invasive Northern Giant Hornet in the Pacific Northwest with Sven Spichiger, Managing Entomologist for the WA Dept of Agriculture.

Looking back on the ten years since Washington voters approved I-502 to legalize and regulate the production, sale, and possession of marijuana. Featuring an extended one-on-one interview with Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Chair David Postman.

An overview and discussion of the plan to convert Capitol Lake back into an estuary by removing a dam in the heart of downtown Olympia.

Voters in two counties and the City of Seattle will decide on whether to adopt an alternative voting system. The debate over ranked-choice and approval voting

A bipartisan panel of political consultants discuss key contests and trends to watch this election cycle. Guests include Sandeep Kaushik, a Partner at Sound View Strategies and Justin Matheson, NW Director at Axiom Strategies.

State political party leaders weigh in on November election predictions and priority contests. Interviews with Washington State Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski and Washington State Republican Party Chairman Caleb Heimlich.

The Impact: the debate over a proposed residential energy code change to mandate heat pumps instead of gas furnaces in new homes. Interviews: Dan Welch, M.Arch. CPHC, LEED AP, Bundle Design Studio Gordon Wheat, M.D., Olympia Physicians for Social Responsibility Andrea Smith, MPA, Building Industry Association of Washington

Recent changes to state law greatly expanded the number of people eligible for free or discounted hospital care. What will this mean for patients and hospitals? Guests include Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Washington State Hospital Association CEO Cassie Sauer.

Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy answers questions about the 1,083 page audit into state agency use of federal dollars during the pandemic and her office's new role auditing deadly force investigations.

Education committee leaders discuss K-12 funding, goals, and new programs. Guests include Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), Chair of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, and Rep. Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy), Ranking Member of the House Education Committee.

Host Mike McClanahan interviews State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal about proposed changes to school construction funding, dual-language education, school lunch programs, and standardized testing.

The Impact - a new report shows record wage growth in WA two years in a row. ESD State Economist Paul Turek breaks down the numbers with inflation and what to expect as interest rates rise.

The Impact: cougar statistics in Washington, recent attacks, and state protocol for sightings. Q&A with WDFW Wildlife Program Director Eric Gardner and Capt. Jeff Wickersham with the WDFW Law Enforcement Program.

The Impact: a discussion on new rules for outdoor workers and employers regarding summer heat and wildfire smoke. Guests include: Joel Sacks, Director of the Department of Labor and Industries

The Impact - June 2022 business climate marked by high gas prices and help needed signs. With limited beds and fewer nurses, hospitals urge COVID precautions everywhere else.

The Impact - a discussion of issues, options, and questions facing the state's long-term care program. Guests: Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) and Rep. Paul Harris (R-Vancouver)

The Impact: a discussion of proposed rules for juvenile defendants that would substitute initials for names in court records and mandate the records remain offline. Guests include: Larry Jefferson, Director of the Washington State Office of Public Defense and Russ Brown, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys

The Impact: Witness recounts Mt. Saint Helens eruption on 42nd Anniversary. State volcano expert runs through the likely scenarios for each of WA's five active volcanoes for Volcano Awareness Month. Guests: Andre Stepankowsky, Former Reporter/City Editor who covered Mount Saint Helens for The Daily News in Longview Brian Terbush, Earthquake/Volcano Program Coordinator for the Washington State Emer...

A look at the campaign to put drug decriminalization on the ballot this year and the implications of the new strain of bird flu detected in Washington. Guests: Sal Mungia, I-1922 Campaign Steering Committee; Dr. Amber Itle, State Veterinarian, WSDA

Why farmers are worried about the spread of colorful little beetles. The 2022 plan of attack for invasive giant hornets. Guests include Sven Spichiger, WSDA Entomologist.

Pensions, retirement, and inflation insight from the state Dept. of Retirement Systems’ Seth Miller. Plus, WA college affordability and enrollment initiatives with Michael Meotti, Exec. Director, WA Student Achievement Council.

The urban-rural digital divide in Washington. Broadband internet expansion needs, goals, and strategies. Guests include Mark Vasconi, Director of the Washington State Broadband Office.

A look at new legislation to overcome language barriers for ESL families in public schools. The new push for retail career path training and education.