Washington in Focus

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Washington from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

Washington in Focus is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 537 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 89. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Washington in Focus, a news show with 537 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #542

  Brandi Kruse & Let’s Go Washington Face Investigation + King County Overdose Deaths Hit Record High

  Aug 16, 202628 min

  A Washington Public Disclosure Commission investigation involving Let’s Go Washington and podcaster Brandi Kruse is moving forward, raising questions about where political commentary ends and campaign advertising begins. Kruse and Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood deny any payment arrangement and argue the complaint threatens protected political speech. Meanwhile, a nearly decade-long water-rights battle between a Grant County family farm and the Washington Department of Ecology is heading to the Washington Supreme Court. Ron and Robin Foti say the fight has devastated their farming operation, while the National Federation of Independent Business is backing their case over concerns about government regulation and small businesses. Plus, King County recorded 19 drug-related deaths over a five-day period — the highest weekly number since The Center Square began tracking the data in May — including the death of a 15-year-old girl. The numbers are renewing debate over Washington's approach to addiction, drug enforcement and taxpayer-funded programs. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for continuing coverage of Washington politics, government accountability, public safety, taxes, agriculture and the 2026 election. #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #BrandiKruse #LetsGoWashington #PDC #FreeSpeech #Election2026 #WashingtonElection #WaterRights #WashingtonFarmers #WAEcology #WashingtonSupremeCourt #Agriculture #SmallBusiness #KingCounty #Seattle #DrugCrisis #OverdoseCrisis #PublicSafety #GovernmentAccountability #WApolitics #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #540

  Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Faces Recall Challenge + Ferguson Accused Of Playing Partisan Games

  Aug 13, 202626 min

  Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing a recall challenge as questions continue to mount over public safety, the deadly Bite of Seattle shooting and the resignation of former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Two Seattle residents filed recall charges accusing Wilson of failing to fulfill her responsibilities on public safety. The mayor's office says the effort does not appear to have merit and that Wilson remains focused on making Seattle safer and more affordable. Also, scrutiny of Seattle's LEAD crime diversion program continues following a Washington Policy Center analysis challenging claims about the program's results. We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez shares her criticism of LEAD and describes what she says she's witnessed firsthand on Seattle's streets. Finally, Washington State Rep. Jenny Graham speaks out after losing her home in the devastating Spokane fires. Graham is questioning election rules she says prevent her from reaching out to constituents during the emergency and is calling for a special legislative session as questions grow about Washington's handling of the accused arsonist. We're breaking down the latest developments from Seattle, Spokane and across Washington state on Washington in Focus Daily. #Seattle #SeattleNews #KatieWilson #SeattleMayor #SeattleRecall #SeattlePolitics #SeattlePolice #PublicSafety #LEAD #SeattleCrime #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Spokane #SpokaneFires #JennyGraham #BobFerguson #WashingtonState #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #537

  Business Leaders Rally Behind Income Tax Repeal + Seattle Program Faces Questions Over Results

  Aug 11, 202622 min

  A new analysis is raising questions about the effectiveness of Seattle’s LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program, a model that has been replicated across Washington, the country and beyond. Washington Policy Center’s Eric Zimmerman argues that some widely cited claims involving recidivism, arrests, employment and other outcomes may not be supported by the underlying research. We also turn to Washington’s growing income tax repeal fight. At a Let's Go Washington campaign event, Olympia Master Builders President Gina Carlson explained why she believes the state’s new 9.9% tax on income above $1 million could affect business owners, retirement planning and generational wealth. The episode also revisits concerns that future lawmakers could expand the tax to additional income levels. Finally, the race for Washington’s 4th Congressional District moves toward November following the crowded August primary. Republican Amanda McKinney and her Democratic opponent discuss their competing visions for the heavily Republican Central Washington district as the general-election campaign begins. Washington in Focus Daily brings you the latest on Washington politics, public safety, taxes, elections and government accountability. #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Seattle #SeattleCrime #LEADProgram #PublicSafety #IncomeTax #IncomeTaxRepeal #WashingtonTaxes #I645 #WA04 #WashingtonElections #Election2026 #AmandaMcKinney #CenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #538

  Income Tax Repeal Faces Major Supreme Court Appeal + Washington Unemployment Fund Faces New Pressure

  Aug 9, 202623 min

  Washington's income tax repeal initiative is now headed toward the Washington Supreme Court after a Thurston County judge upheld the ballot's Public Investment Impact Disclosure (PIID). Supporters of Initiative 645 argue the ballot language is politically biased and factually inaccurate as the appeal moves forward. Also in today's episode, Let's Go Washington officially launches its statewide campaign supporting three November ballot initiatives: repealing the new income tax, restoring parental rights in schools, and protecting girls' sports. Finally, new data shows Washington has already paid more than $565,000 in unemployment benefits to striking workers under the state's new law, with concerns growing over the long-term impact on the unemployment insurance fund. Stories in this episode: Income Tax Initiative 645 appeal Washington Supreme Court challenge Ballot language controversy Let's Go Washington campaign kickoff Parents' Rights Initiative Protect Girls' Sports Initiative Washington unemployment benefits Striking workers Labor disputes Washington state politics Hashtags #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #LetsGoWashington #ParentsRights #GirlsSports #WashingtonPolitics #Unemployment #LaborUnion #GovernmentAccountability #Election2026 #CenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #536

  Spokane Wildfire Arson Suspect Arrested + Jay Inslee Faces Pushback Over Spokane Wildfire Comments

  Aug 4, 202624 min

  A suspect has been arrested on a first-degree arson charge in connection with Spokane County’s devastating Old Trails Fire. Authorities say alert citizens, body-camera footage and fire investigators helped detectives identify the suspect and build the case. The arrest is also fueling political fallout over the causes of the Spokane wildfires, as a law firm challenges former Gov. Jay Inslee’s argument that climate change contributed to the disaster. Finally, Washington voters head to the polls for the August 4 primary election, with major congressional, legislative and Washington Supreme Court races being narrowed to the top two candidates for November. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest coverage of the Spokane wildfires, Washington politics, elections and government accountability. #SpokaneWildfires #ArsonArrest #JayInslee #WashingtonPrimary #ElectionDay #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #Wildfire #ClimateChange #Spokane #WashingtonSupremeCourt #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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