Inside Olympia

We discuss the state of the state's K-12 public schools with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Plus, the view from inside the classroom with Pamella Johnson, an academic and behavioral intervention specialist at Rochester High School.

This week: Homelessness among school-aged youth and young adults in Washington -- the scope of the problem, and what state government and one private organization are doing to address the problem. Host Austin Jenkins interviews Kim Justice, executive director of the state's Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection, and Julie Patino, executive director of A Way Home Washington.

Pam MacEwan is retiring as CEO of Washington's Health Benefit Exchange, after a career spent focused on expanding access to health care. We'll hear her thoughts on health care in our state. Representative Pat Sullivan is stepping down from the State House after nearly two decades in office, much of it as Democratic Majority Leader. He's played a key role in budget negotiations, education funding with the McCleary decision, and more.

After a long downward trend, there's a recent uptick in COVID cases. Should we be concerned? We ask State Epidemiologist Scott Lindquist. Plus, he worked on the issue in Washington D.C., and now he's made housing affordability and availability one of his signature issues in this Washington. We talk housing, the 2022 legislative session and more with Washington State Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.

Will Washington's new capital gain's tax survive the courts? We debate that question with two University of Washington law professors. And we check in with the chair of the Liquor and Cannabis Board on the State of Washington's cannabis industry.

In-depth interviews with State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, and retiring State Rep. Jesse Johnson. The State Treasurer is pressing Congress to pass new banking laws that would help prevent robberies at cannabis stores. And, he wants the state to provide "baby bonds" to children from low-income and marginalized communities. Rep. Jesse Johnson is stepping down for family reasons after three years in the state House of Representatives, years in which he played a key role in enacting changes to policing laws. He discusses his decision to step down, and possible future plans.

The Evergreen State College is 50 years old. But recently it has struggled with declining enrollment. So how is the school celebrating its past and planning for its future? Austin Jenkins sits down with the college's Interim President John Carmichael and Executive VP Dexter Gordon.

In honor of Sunshine Week, host Austin Jenkins sits down for the full-hour with recently retired, long-time KIRO 7 Senior Political Reporter Essex Porter. His thoughts on the importance of covering politics and government, the future of local news, and more.

From housing and homelessness help to small business assistance, the WA Department of Commerce has played a key role in the state's response to the COVID pandemic. Host Austin Jenkins talks with Commerce Director Lisa Brown.

Behavioral health is again a top issue in the Legislature -- we discuss with State Sens. David Frockt and Keith Wagoner. Plus, we interview State Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who is stepping down after a legislative career marked by involvement in issues like climate change, data privacy, abolishing the death penalty, and foster care.