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Washington state population hits 8 million

And about 1.8 million more people are expected to move here by 2050.

News

Seattle office demand is lowest among 7 major U.S. cities

Empty offices can take a toll on downtowns that relied on worker traffic to remain vibrant.

Western gray squirrel listed as endangered in Washington state

The animals have lost an estimated 20% of their habitat near the Cascade Mountains since 1993.

How Seattle's democracy vouchers are working

Some still worry about the influence of third-party super PAC spending.

Politics

New "infertility" definition could help boost coverage in Washington

The change may bolster state efforts to require insurers to cover infertility treatments.

Health

A new, more expansive definition of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="infertility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/03/global-infertility-report-who" data-vars-content-id="07d22fe1-3395-41ae-a67f-98ba8d651073" data-vars-headline="New &quot;infertility&quot; definition could help boost coverage in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/03/global-infertility-report-who" target="_self">infertility</a>&quot; could lead to more help for hopeful LGBTQ+ or single parents in Washington state.Why it matters: The broader definition could bolster efforts in Washington&#x27;s Legislature to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pass a law" data-vars-click-url="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1151&amp;Year=2023" data-vars-content-id="07d22fe1-3395-41ae-a67f-98ba8d651073" data-vars-headline="New &quot;infertility&quot; definition could help boost coverage in Washington" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1151&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank">pass a law</a> requiring many large insurance plans to cover infertility treatments, including for same-sex couples, state Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver) told Axios.

A map showing states where insurers must cover some or all in-vitro fertilization services. About a half dozen states have expansive coverage while others, including Washington, do not.

Washington's birth rate has fallen 22% since 2007

Washington state&#x27;s birth rate fell dramatically between 2007 and 2022, mirroring a national trend.Driving the news: The state&#x27;s rate dropped from 13.77 births per 1,000 people to 10.70 — a decline of more than 22%.

A line chart showing the national birth rate and the Washington state birthrate declining at a similar pace since 2007, hitting 11.1 per 1,000 people nationally and 10.7 per 1,000 people statewide in 2022.

School vaccine exemptions are declining in Washington state

The drop in Washington comes as many states are seeing their exemption rates tick upward.

Education

A smaller percentage of Washington kindergartners are receiving exemptions from required vaccines than a decade ago, public health data shows.<ul><li>The decline in Washington comes as many states are seeing their exemption rates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tick upward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" data-vars-content-id="188bedfe-53c6-498e-9773-728030e828e1" data-vars-headline="School vaccine exemptions are declining in Washington state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" target="_self">tick upward</a>.</li></ul>

A line chart showing the rate of vaccine exemptions among kindergartners in Washington state declining sharply after 2019, while the national rate went up from 2012-2022.

Telehealth abortions are up in Washington state

The rise in virtual abortion appointments is likely tied to a rise in out-of-state patients.

A larger share of abortions in Washington have been delivered by telemedicine since the U.S. Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" data-vars-content-id="bbdd9730-c735-4ed5-a169-122c37b0fea5" data-vars-headline="Telehealth abortions are up in Washington state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/24/roe-wade-decision-abortion" target="_self">struck down</a> federal abortion protections last year, recent data shows.Why it matters: The shift in how abortions are performed in Washington, a state where the procedure remains legal, reflects how local clinics have changed their practices in response to other states <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="criminalizing or restricting it" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/25/abortion-illegal-7-states-more-bans-coming" data-vars-content-id="bbdd9730-c735-4ed5-a169-122c37b0fea5" data-vars-headline="Telehealth abortions are up in Washington state" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/25/abortion-illegal-7-states-more-bans-coming" target="_self">criminalizing or restricting it</a>.

A green line on a chart shows telehealth abortions increasing in Washington state between April 2022 and March 2023, from 8% of all abortions to 11.7% of abortions. Nationally, another line shows telemedicine only abortions increased from about 5% to 7.4% over the same period.

What to know about latest COVID strain

A late summer uptick in COVID cases could be coming to Seattle area as new variant emerges, researcher says

While <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/01/20/covid-anniversary-seattle-variant" data-vars-content-id="c289506c-e22a-4463-9fa2-513237a9fc1f" data-vars-headline="What to know about latest COVID strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/01/20/covid-anniversary-seattle-variant" target="_self">COVID-19 cases</a> remain low in Seattle and Washington state, some researchers expect to see increased infections from a new strain that was named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a variant of concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/09082023eg.5_ire_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2aa2daee_1" data-vars-content-id="c289506c-e22a-4463-9fa2-513237a9fc1f" data-vars-headline="What to know about latest COVID strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/09082023eg.5_ire_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2aa2daee_1" target="_blank">a variant of concern</a> by the World Health Organization this week.Driving the news: EG.5, a descendant of Omicron that&#x27;s unofficially been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nicknamed Eris" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66461727" data-vars-content-id="c289506c-e22a-4463-9fa2-513237a9fc1f" data-vars-headline="What to know about latest COVID strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66461727" target="_blank">nicknamed Eris</a> on social media, was responsible for an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated 17.3% of COVID-19" data-vars-click-url="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" data-vars-content-id="c289506c-e22a-4463-9fa2-513237a9fc1f" data-vars-headline="What to know about latest COVID strain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions" target="_blank">estimated 17.3% of COVID-19</a> cases nationwide as of Aug. 5, up from 7.5% through the first week of July, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Illustration of a COVID virus cell being overshadowed by a significantly larger COVID virus cell. 

State reports second case of tick-borne anaplasmosis

Washington has four species of ticks known to transmit diseases to humans. Here's what to do if you find one on your body.

While Washington state is still far from being the tick haven found in other parts of the country, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/04/climate-change-ticks-poison-ivy-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="c27bb976-9485-4504-b787-4b9a808825fb" data-vars-headline="State reports second case of tick-borne anaplasmosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/07/04/climate-change-ticks-poison-ivy-pandemic" target="_self">climate change</a> and warmer temperatures are expected to bring the blood-sucking parasites <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer to home" data-vars-click-url="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/prevention/tick-borne-disease-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="c27bb976-9485-4504-b787-4b9a808825fb" data-vars-headline="State reports second case of tick-borne anaplasmosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/prevention/tick-borne-disease-pacific-northwest" target="_blank">closer to home</a>.Driving the news: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpchd.org/Home/Components/News/News/360/286" data-vars-content-id="c27bb976-9485-4504-b787-4b9a808825fb" data-vars-headline="State reports second case of tick-borne anaplasmosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpchd.org/Home/Components/News/News/360/286" target="_blank">second case</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anaplasmosis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/index.html" data-vars-content-id="c27bb976-9485-4504-b787-4b9a808825fb" data-vars-headline="State reports second case of tick-borne anaplasmosis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/anaplasmosis/index.html" target="_blank">anaplasmosis</a>, a tick-borne disease, last month. It was diagnosed in a woman who had spent time in wooded areas of Puyallup and Eatonville.

Seattle's new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained

The City Council previously rejected a plan to let the city attorney prosecute such cases.

For the second time in three months, Seattle is considering a proposal to let the city attorney prosecute low-level <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drug crimes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/16/washington-state-drug-decrminalization" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/05/16/washington-state-drug-decrminalization" target="_self">drug crimes</a>.Driving the news: Unlike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an earlier plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/seattle-city-council-vote-public-drug-use-legislation/281-3ac83e07-dd6d-4b15-8f10-0f4a69366da5" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/seattle-city-council-vote-public-drug-use-legislation/281-3ac83e07-dd6d-4b15-8f10-0f4a69366da5" target="_blank">an earlier plan</a> that stalled, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/2023-7-31-Fentanyl-Ordinance-FINAL-1.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" data-vars-content-id="1e341d47-b8cf-4eea-a313-8d1ce1cd1cde" data-vars-headline="Seattle&#x27;s new plan for prosecuting drug use, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://harrell.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/07/2023-7-31-Fentanyl-Ordinance-FINAL-1.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">new proposal</a> includes money for treatment, plus a firmer commitment to divert people away from the criminal justice system.

Illustration of a jail cell door forming the shape of a red cross.

Walking in Seattle is way down from 2019

Some of the decline could be attributed to remote work.

There&#x27;s been a significant decline in the number of trips Seattle residents take by foot since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/16/covid-sports-outdoor-boomed-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="a386afac-6f61-40fc-bd0e-da4ee75b252d" data-vars-headline="Walking in Seattle is way down from 2019" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/16/covid-sports-outdoor-boomed-pandemic" target="_self">the pandemic</a>, a new report shows.Why it matters: Walking is good for us.

A solitary person walks in front of the Public Market sign in downtown Seattle. 

'Shrooms go mainstream with Washington state medical trial

"We are desperate for new solutions," said addiction expert Nathan Sackett, who will oversee the trial.

Two states have legalized medical uses of psychedelic mushrooms, but Washington state lawmakers want more information on the benefits before following suit.Driving the news: In early May, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 5263" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate*20Passed*20Legislature/5263-S2.PL.pdf?q=20230515153213__;JSU!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nwgyU_4J7EtMoxom5Pxwee5G4AxAG1VoWWlTmj9xek4I8vuQfIHJrHVtz68M5DGvyBsOQvowVDEKjsvyG9BIPzLSmA$" data-vars-content-id="26120102-877e-413a-8f31-25066509a3f2" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Shrooms go mainstream with Washington state medical trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Senate*20Passed*20Legislature/5263-S2.PL.pdf?q=20230515153213__;JSU!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!nwgyU_4J7EtMoxom5Pxwee5G4AxAG1VoWWlTmj9xek4I8vuQfIHJrHVtz68M5DGvyBsOQvowVDEKjsvyG9BIPzLSmA$" target="_blank">Senate Bill 5263</a>, which creates a task force to explore the issue and authorizes the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Washington School of Medicine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uwmedicine.org/school-of-medicine" data-vars-content-id="26120102-877e-413a-8f31-25066509a3f2" data-vars-headline="&#x27;Shrooms go mainstream with Washington state medical trial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uwmedicine.org/school-of-medicine" target="_blank">University of Washington School of Medicine</a> to study the potential therapeutic value of the psychedelic compound found in mushrooms.

Illustration of a mushroom with the top made from a human brain

Inexpensive antibiotic poised to become STI morning-after pill

Doxycycline taken as a morning-after pill has been shown to reduce the risk of contracting some STIs.

Amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dramatic rise in sexually transmitted infections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/12/syphilis-cases-hit-70-year-high-during-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="ce8279d8-ed0a-44dc-9206-b7e53a2411de" data-vars-headline="Inexpensive antibiotic poised to become STI morning-after pill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/12/syphilis-cases-hit-70-year-high-during-pandemic" target="_self">dramatic rise in sexually transmitted infections</a>, a common antibiotic is poised to become a &quot;morning-after&quot; infection prevention pill, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention preliminarily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recommending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/02/2023-21725/guidelines-for-the-use-of-doxycycline-post-exposure-prophylaxis-for-bacterial-sexually-transmitted" data-vars-content-id="ce8279d8-ed0a-44dc-9206-b7e53a2411de" data-vars-headline="Inexpensive antibiotic poised to become STI morning-after pill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/02/2023-21725/guidelines-for-the-use-of-doxycycline-post-exposure-prophylaxis-for-bacterial-sexually-transmitted" target="_blank">recommending</a> its use among some groups.Why it matters: Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis infections have been increasing over the last seven years, reaching epidemic proportions among some populations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="including heterosexual women" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/18/syphilis-rates-rise-seattle" data-vars-content-id="ce8279d8-ed0a-44dc-9206-b7e53a2411de" data-vars-headline="Inexpensive antibiotic poised to become STI morning-after pill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/04/18/syphilis-rates-rise-seattle" target="_self">including heterosexual women</a>.

Seattle parks among nation's best, report finds

Residents of cities with the best parks are less likely to report poor mental health, study finds.

Seattle has the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eighth-best public park system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore/rankings" data-vars-content-id="ac63b28a-8239-44b5-8a5d-9c61b0ffab86" data-vars-headline="Seattle parks among nation&#x27;s best, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parkscore/rankings" target="_blank">eighth-best public park system</a> in the nation, according to the latest rankings from the pro-parks nonprofit Trust for Public Land (TPL), <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/public-parks-cities" data-vars-content-id="ac63b28a-8239-44b5-8a5d-9c61b0ffab86" data-vars-headline="Seattle parks among nation&#x27;s best, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/public-parks-cities" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj</a> report.Why it matters: Cities with the highest ParkScore rankings are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="healthier places to live" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/parks-promote-health-report" data-vars-content-id="ac63b28a-8239-44b5-8a5d-9c61b0ffab86" data-vars-headline="Seattle parks among nation&#x27;s best, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/parks-promote-health-report" target="_blank">healthier places to live</a> as parks confer a wealth of health benefits, like spaces for physical activity and a reprieve from noise and air pollution, TPL says in its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="ac63b28a-8239-44b5-8a5d-9c61b0ffab86" data-vars-headline="Seattle parks among nation&#x27;s best, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Power-of-Parks-to-Promote-Health-A-Trust-for-Public-Land-Special-Report.pdf" target="_blank">latest annual report</a>.

A photo taken at Gas Works Park in Seattle with the Space Needle in the distance. 

ADHD prescriptions skyrocket in Washington and nationwide

More adults and women are getting treated for the disorder.

Prescriptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have skyrocketed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/15/adderall-shortage-adhd-diagnosis-prescriptions" data-vars-content-id="e87855f6-ac9f-4c14-9ccc-be408a7f805f" data-vars-headline="ADHD prescriptions skyrocket in Washington and nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/15/adderall-shortage-adhd-diagnosis-prescriptions" target="_self">have skyrocketed</a> in Washington state and nationwide, driven largely by more adults and women seeking treatment.Why it matters: Greater recognition of how symptoms show up differently in women and girls is shifting who receives treatment for ADHD, which has historically been diagnosed more often in boys, said Douglas Russell, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Seattle Children&#x27;s Hospital.

A column chart showing a rising annual number of prescriptions for medications used to treat ADHD in Washington state, from just over 1 million annually in 2012 to more than 2 million annually in 2022. 

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