Inside Olympia, with host Austin Jenkins, sits down with Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with the Washington State's chief economist, Dave Reich and goes over the latest revenue and budget numbers. Plus we talk with Capitol Press Corps members and get their take on the budget challenges ahead.
On this week's Inside Olympia: We continue our focus on education -- Austin sits down with the new Executive Director of the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, Nate Humphrey.
Washington Superintendent Chris Reykdal is asking lawmakers for $10 million in 2026 to fund statewide AI tutoring pilots and teacher training, arguing scale is key to equity. The request comes as state test scores inch upward but reveal persistent gaps, with higher-poverty students improving more slowly. Reykdal cautioned against overreliance on high-stakes tests and urged lawmakers not to cut education in a tight budget year. He said AI is “in the middle of everything” and must be integrated responsibly. Teachers Cassondra Smith and Adam Aguilera described AI as a powerful tool to boost access, streamline planning and support multilingual students, but warned of inequities, privacy risks and the need for training.
On the season premiere of Inside Olympia, Austin Jenkins interviews Ed Lazowska, the Bill and Melinda Gates Chair Emeritus in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington Paul G. Allen School, about his five-decade career and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Lazowska reflects on Washington’s ascent as a global software hub, driven by Microsoft, Amazon, and close ties between UW and industry. He contrasts the internet’s arrival in the 1990s with AI’s surprising breakthroughs, noting the unprecedented pace of change. Emphasizing optimism, he urges using AI to augment human capabilities. For education, Lazowska stresses three tiers of preparation: innovators, advanced users, and broad AI fluency for all students, coupled with informed skepticism to navigate an AI-driven world.
This week on Inside Olympia.....Austin Jenkins sits down with the career newspaperman and State Chief Historian John C. Hughes.
We talk traffic safety with Shelly Baldwin, acting director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
What's driving higher health care costs? We talk with WA Health Benefit Exchange CEO Ingrid Ulrey. Plus, Director Ben Veghte on WA's long-term care insurance program.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins takes a look at the reasons behind the decline in news sources in Washington State with Dr. Jennifer Henrichsen, Assistant Professor with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU.
This week on Inside Olympia....we sit down with legislative leaders. On the program, House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and Senate Republican Leader John Braun.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkkins sits down with WA State Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with the head of the WA State Department of Corrections, Tim Lang.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins finds out the latest happenings at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) with the head of the agency, Julie Meredith.
On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with members of the Capital Press Corps and recaps the 2025 legislative session. Plus, Austin interviews two Murrow News Fellows based here in Olympia for this session.
Water is an increasingly precious commodity. How is Washington State managing water resources in areas like the Columbia River Basin where demand outstrips supply? And as drought becomes more common, how is the state preparing for current and future dry spells? On the program, Tom Tebb, the recently retired Director of the Office of Columbia River at the Department of Ecology and Caroline Mellor, the statewide drought lead at Ecology.
Austin Jenkins sits downs and discusses tariffs, agriculture and energy with Washington State's Director of Commerce Joe Nguyen.
Inside Olympia, with host Austin Jenkins, sits down with State Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens.
This week on Inside Olympia....Austin Jenkins sits down with first-term State Representatives Natasha Hill of Spokane and Brian Burnett of Wenatchee.
We discuss the state budget with House Democratic Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and Rep. Travis Couture, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. Plus, Capital Press journalist Don Jenkins on covering agriculture- and farming-related news.
This week on Inside Olympia....we sit down with top legislative leaders. On the program, Speaker of the House Rep. Laurie Jinkins and Senate Republican Leader John Braun.