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This week, we explore state and national discussions surrounding AI regulation. The episode covers recent legislation and reported AI-testing incidents that put safety concerns in the spotlight. The segment features an interview with Aaron Scher of the California-based Machine Intelligence Research Institute.

A notorious pest has arrived in Washington which threatens to decimate the state's population of ash trees. We look at the response to the emerald ash borer invasion and explore how Washington monitors invasive species more broadly.

Could state-owned land help solve Washington's affordable housing shortage? A bipartisan group of lawmakers met with homebuilders in the Tri-Cities earlier this month to look at that question and debate how environmental rules and growth boundaries factor into production challenges and costs.Lt. Gov. Denny Heck joins us to discuss the tour and the takeaways.

his week we dive into the debate over Initiative 645. It’s an effort to repeal Washington’s new 9.9% state income tax on household income above $1 million.Featured interviews:  I-645 supporter - Jamie Herrera Beutler, Former U.S. CongresswomanI-645 opponent - April Sims, Washington State Labor Council President

Fifteen years ago, lawmakers endorsed a new model of higher ed for working adults that measures competence, not credit hours. The result was Washington's first state-endorsed nonprofit online university.With 50,000 degrees awarded to state residents since then, what does the future hold for WGU Washington? Guest: Tonya Drake, Regional Vice President, Western Governors University

As the state’s long term care program enters the benefits phase, we’ll look at what families need to know about qualifying for help and how the WA Cares rollout stacks up to earlier safety-net program debuts. That segment features a panel discussion with DSHS Assistant Secretary Bea Rector and ESD’s director of insurance services, JR Richards. In other news, we'll highlight the latest tsunami scenario to watch and tell you which beach town is building a new escape tower.

Washington is taking on prediction-market operator Kalshi. State regulators say the event contracts offered on the platform clash with state gambling restrictions, but the company argues it's a federally regulated financial exchange.  Federal appeals courts have taken conflicting positions on the issue in different circuits. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown weighs on the legal battles playing out here and across the country.

The Washington State Patrol is pushing to work through a severe backlog of drug and alcohol blood test evidence at state toxicology labs that could jeopardize DUI prosecutions in Washington.  Assistant Division Commander Brian Capron joins us to discuss the backlog and the path forward.

State audits highlight alleged misuse of public funding that nearly drained one small town's bank account. From municipal cash withdrawals to missing equipment -- how can improper personal use of public resources sometimes go unnoticed for years?  Brandi Pritchard, director of the new Special Investigations Division of the Washington State Auditor’s Office, breaks down recent cases of alleged fraud, the oversight gaps that make them possible, and the mindset involved in crossing the line.

State lawmakers have taken a harder line on highway safety following a spike in roadway fatalities a few years ago. New laws target serial speeders and allow increased surveillance in high-intensity crash zones. Lawmakers also debated lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit to .05%.Shelly Baldwin, director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, joins The Impact to talk about policy changes and bills to watch in the future.

What will new state laws mean in your city? Director of government relations for the Association of Washington Cities, Candice Bock, joins us to weigh in on notable changes in 2026. Later we'll highlight a new podcast series exploring some of the most interesting features of Washington history.

A comprehensive look at two very different real estate market dynamics impacting Washington: a surplus of vacant office space available and an ongoing shortage of housing stock. Featuring Q&A with real estate economist Matthew Gardner.

A post-session, pre-primary look at some of the hottest topics in state government. Features panel interview with Sarah Mizes-Tan from KUOW/KNKX and Jerry Cornfield from the Washington State Standard.

The entire Washington state House and roughly half of the state Senate will be on the ballot this fall, along with five of nine Washington Supreme Court positions, and all ten Congressional seats. We'll highlight battleground districts and competitive races drawing big money this year, as well as the state implications of a national redistricting debate. Panelists: WA Democrats Communications Director Stephen Reed and Washington State GOP Chair Jim Walsh.

What can we expect from the 2026 wildfire season? DNR’s Wildland Fire Division manager explains the implications of different environmental conditions, strategies for various situations, and evolving challenges for the wildland-urban interface. He also shares a personal perspective on the devastating losses from the 2023 Gray Fire in Spokane County.