Austin Jenkins
knkx public radio
Olympia, WA, United States
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Past articles by Austin:
It’s not just police officers. 911 dispatchers also in short supply
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. → Read More
New gun restrictions take effect July 1 in Washington
New restrictions on gun magazines and so-called "ghost guns" take effect in Washington on July 1. → Read More
See ya! Washington police say drivers aren’t stopping for them; cite pursuit restrictions
Since January of this year, more than 900 drivers have failed to stop for a Washington State Patrol trooper trying to pull them over. The patrol and other police agencies around the state say they’ve never seen such blatant disregard for their lights and sirens. The change in driver behavior comes after state lawmakers passed strict new rules on when police can engage in pursuits. → Read More
Washington lawmakers of color announce departures, one calls the work environment ‘toxic’
In recent years, Washington’s Legislature has grown more diverse. And majority Democrats have emphasized diversity and equity as core values. But now three members of color, out of nearly 30, are stepping down from the Legislature after serving just one full term. One of them describes the legislative work environment as toxic. → Read More
Washington lawmakers of color announce departures, one calls the work environment ‘toxic’
In recent years, Washington’s Legislature has grown more diverse. And majority Democrats have emphasized diversity and equity as core values. But now three members of color, out of nearly 30, are stepping down from the Legislature after serving just one full term. One of them describes the legislative work environment as toxic. → Read More
Washington’s longtime insurance commissioner accused of mistreating staff
Mike Kreidler, Washington’s longtime insurance commissioner, is facing allegations that he verbally mistreats staff. Current and former employees say it’s part of a pattern that’s gotten worse in recent months and is contributing to high turnover in the office. Kreidler says he has high standards for his staff, but said he will work to be more careful in how he deals with people. → Read More
Inslee announces Washington’s mask mandate will lift ahead of schedule, on March 12
With COVID cases and hospitalizations dropping fast, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Monday that the state’s indoor mask mandate will lift on Saturday, March 12, 10 days earlier than previously announced. → Read More
What's in a budget? WA Democrats want to increase spending by about $6 billion
The state’s revenue picture just keeps getting rosier and rosier. That means state lawmakers have billions more to spend, save or return to taxpayers; Democrats are opting to spend more. → Read More
Washington governor says announcement on state indoor mask mandate coming next week
As states from Oregon to New York announce plans to end mask mandates, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced that he’s lifting outdoor masking requirements and plans to announce next week a date when the mask mandate for public indoor spaces and schools will be lifted. → Read More
Five things to know about Washington’s 2022 legislative session
The Washington Legislature convenes on Monday for a short, 60-day session. Top issues include delaying and making fixes to the state's long-term care insurance program, clarifying some of last year's police reforms and deciding how to spend $1.3 billion in leftover federal COVID-19 relief money the state received. → Read More
As omicron soars, Inslee announces expanded testing and mask distribution to keep schools open
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the state is racing to expand access to testing, masks and vaccines, but has no immediate plans to impose new rollbacks, mandates or restrictions in the face of an unprecedented wave of new COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant. → Read More
As omicron soars, Inslee announces expanded testing and mask distribution to keep schools open
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says the state is racing to expand access to testing, masks and vaccines, but has no immediate plans to impose new rollbacks, mandates or restrictions in the face of an unprecedented wave of new COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant. → Read More
Voter redistricting maps by commission can go forth, WA Supreme Court says
In a surprise order Friday morning, the Washington Supreme Court declined to take on the job of drafting new congressional and legislative maps. Instead, the court declared that the state's Redistricting Commission had finished its work on time last month. → Read More
Inslee offers support for temporary delay in new payroll tax for long-term care program
Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he would support a short-term delay in the implementation of a new payroll tax on workers. That tax is scheduled to take effect in January. It will fund a first-in-the-nation long-term care insurance program called WA Cares. Concerns have been raised about details of how the program will work. → Read More
Washington’s COVID state of emergency now over 630 days old. When will Gov. Jay Inslee end it?
For months, minority Republicans in the Washington Legislature have called for limits on the governor’s emergency powers. But now even some Democrats are expressing concerns about the open-endedness of the COVID-19 state of emergency and the limited role of state lawmakers. → Read More
More than 630 days and counting. When will Inslee’s state of emergency end?
For months, minority Republicans in the Washington Legislature have called for limits on the governor’s emergency powers. But now even some Democrats are expressing concerns about the open-endedness of the COVID-19 state of emergency and the limited role of state lawmakers. → Read More
Inslee orders proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test at large events
Starting next month, if you’re 12 and older you’ll have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend large events in Washington. Governor Jay Inslee announced the requirement at a news conference Thursday. → Read More
Hit hard by COVID 5th wave, Washington veterans homes now brace for staffing shortages
It was a challenging summer at Washington’s state-run homes for veterans. Two of the four homes experienced widespread COVID-19 outbreaks. Four veterans died. Now the homes are bracing for another challenge: the potential for a staffing shortage as the governor’s vaccine mandate kicks in. → Read More
Washington State Patrol’s hiring is under fire. The agency has failed to diversify for decades
The Washington State Patrol turned 100 this year. To this day, it’s still a mostly white, male organization. Over the years it’s struggled to diversify. But now one part of the hiring process is getting fresh scrutiny: the psychological review. → Read More
Desperate times for pet owners and vets as clinics, hospitals are overwhelmed
It’s a problem nationally and in the Northwest. Pet owners are having trouble getting access to veterinary services. It’s another example of the fallout from the ongoing pandemic. → Read More