Jim Brunner | The Seattle Times

Friday, January 17, 2019. Rep. Matt Shea addressing the annual gun-rights rally on the steps of the capitol in Olympia. 212712

January 17, 2020 at 11:36 am

At gun-rights rally, state Rep. Matt Shea gives fiery defense, talks of nation's 'real enemies' VIEW

Matt Shea's appearance comes as House Democrats consider whether to hold hearings to expel him from the Legislature. Also, the State Patrol said it was...

Earlier this decade, Washington had the third-highest rate in the nation of adults with a mental illness, and the second-highest rate for those whose illness interfered with major life activities. At the same time, a government survey ranked Washington’s inpatient psychiatric bed capacity almost last in the nation.This gap between need and specialized care has led to more patients waiting in facilities that aren’t equipped to treat them, and left nearly a quarter of adults with mental illness unable to get the help they needed.Yet one source of mental-health care has expanded rapidly: private psychiatric hospitals.State payments to five private psychiatric hospitals nearly tripled over five years, totaling almost $67 million in 2018.Seven such hospitals have been built or expanded in Washington since 2012. And when three more come online, they will have added more than 850 inpatient beds. All but one of the facilities are for-profit.Until 2012, state regulators hadn’t approved a new psychiatric hospital in years. What changed?As legal pressure mounted on Washington state to add psychiatric treatment beds, the expansion of Medicaid coverage and mental-health benefits created a potentially lucrative opportunity for health care companies.When all the approved psychiatric hospitals open, there will be almost three times as many beds in such facilities as there are in the psychiatric wings of medical hospitals.On paper, this expansion looks like a salve for Washington’s mental-health crisis.

January 17, 2020 at 7:00 am

Investigative reporter Daniel Gilbert uncovers problems at private psychiatric hospitals

On Episode 120 of The Overcast podcast, reporter Daniel Gilbert explains what his reporting over the course of the past year uncovered — and what...

During the AP Legislative Preview at the Capitol in Olympia, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee answers a question from a member of the media Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, . 212585

January 16, 2020 at 10:11 am

State Supreme Court limits Gov. Inslee’s rule cutting greenhouse-gas emissions

By ruling that the Inslee administration doesn't currently have the power to regulate indirect emissions, the state Supreme Court diminished the impact of Inslee's effort...

January 9, 2020 at 9:47 am

‘I misspoke’: Rep. Adam Smith of Bellevue backtracks after split with Nancy Pelosi on impeachment strategy

Rep. Adam Smith briefly broke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a delay in sending articles of impeachment to the Senate. But within hours, he...

January 7, 2020 at 11:12 am

Bernie Sanders announces Washington campaign hires, including former Seattle council candidate Shaun Scott

Among the 13 Democrats slated to appear on Washington's March 10 presidential primary ballot, only Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have announced local campaign hires

January 6, 2020 at 4:31 pm

Thirteen Democrats qualify for Washington presidential primary, Trump sole choice for Republicans

The primary lineups were announced by the state Democratic and Republican parties on Monday, ahead of a deadline to submit candidate lists to the Secretary...

Monday, December 30, 2019. Fund for the Needy. Big Brother James (JD) Aylward helping 9-year-old Xavier Crow on the basketball court at the Pro Club in Bellevue where Aylward works. 212526

January 4, 2020 at 6:00 am

The life-changing gift of a ‘bonus brother’ is unfolding in Bellevue

Xavier Crow is 9, and has been through a lot. J.D. Aylward is 31, and remembers when he needed some extra support, too. Month by...

Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. Bob Grubbs, lead coordinator for the P-Patch on a garage rooftop that’s being evictied to make room for more parking for hockey fans. He’s next to the Jimi Hendrix inspired 67’ Ford Galazy that’s now a giant planter in the P-Patch. 211973

December 31, 2019 at 3:29 pm

Seattle to let P-Patch remain atop Mercer Street Garage, won’t replace it with parking spots

The P-Patch reprieve was announced at a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Seattle City Councilmember Andrew Lewis, who was elected last month to represent District 7,...

Local News

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a Democratic candidate for president, speaks at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in Memphis, Tenn., where he unveiled his new health care policy detailing his proposed reforms, on Dec. 19, 2019. Bloomberg’s health policy proposal would create a government-run health insurance plan but not provide universal guaranteed coverage, aligning himself with the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party in the 2020 presidential primary. (Andrea Morales/The New York Times) XNYT67 XNYT67

December 28, 2019 at 6:00 am

Billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg blankets Washington with millions of dollars in TV ads

Michael Bloomberg's TV ad-heavy strategy is a contrast with rivals including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have so far concentrated on building volunteer and...

FILE – In this April 22, 2019 file photo, Washington State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, adjusts his laptop computer on the floor of the House, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. An investigative report prepared for the state Legislature and released Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 said that Shea took part in “domestic terrorism” against the United States during a 2016 standoff at a wildlife refuge in Oregon and traveled throughout the West meeting with far-right extremist groups. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) WATW204 WATW204

December 26, 2019 at 6:00 am

‘Bundyville’ podcaster Leah Sottile explains Rep. Matt Shea’s theocratic views

Journalist Leah Sottile says Rep. Matt Shea's actions — including his push for Eastern Washington to split off into a 51st state — can all...