Max Wasserman, Author at Northwest Public Broadcasting

Free Play Space In Yakima Helps Families In Crisis Relax, Settle, Smile

By Max Wasserman May 1, 2019

Maria Vasquez stands in the free child care space she oversees in a Department of Social and Health Services office in Yakima. The room has transformed over the past two years into a place where families waiting for state services can take a breather. CREDIT: MAX WASSERMAN/N3

The only thing unique about this twice-weekly child play space, buried deep in a state Department of Social and Health Services office in Yakima, are its customers: families in crisis. "When they come into this room and are here for a while you see the shoulders drop," Maria Vasquez said. "They relax. They settle. They smile."Read More

As 2020 Race Heats Up, Jay Inslee Proposes Cutting Senate Filibuster To Boost His Climate Pitch

By Max Wasserman March 21, 2019

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has started soliciting contributions for a federal political action committee that could allow him to test the waters for a possible run for president in 2020. CREDIT: PARKER MILES BLOHM / KNKX

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has a well-worn set of speaking points when it comes to his 2020 presidential campaign: clean energy, clean jobs, a clean economy that works for everyone, and ending fossil fuel subsidies. Inslee calls these goals the four pillars of his climate change agenda. As of last week, he’s added a fifth: gutting the filibuster.Read More

After Years In The Thick Of Trouble, Washington Inmate Finds Hope For A Second Chance

By Max Wasserman March 12, 2019

Prenters Broughton argues for early release before the state clemency board in Olympia on Thursday, March 7. The board is one of the only ways for long-time inmates to have their sentences reduced or thrown out. CREDIT: MAX WASSERMAN / NORTHWEST NEWS NETWORK

Imagine taking someone’s entire life story and compressing it into a span of a few hours to determine whether they’ve changed for the better. That’s the clemency process in a nutshell. Read More

Washington Lawmakers Seek Smoother Path To Redemption For Formerly Incarcerated Residents

By Max Wasserman March 5, 2019

Carolina Landa hugs her son, Zach, in their living room before he leaves for school on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. The two have been living together in the same home in Olympia since 2015. CREDIT: SHAUNA SOWERSBY / THE TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE

The stain of a criminal record complicates life’s basics when people are released back into their communities: from finding a place to live to buying insurance. Thousands in Washington state continue to face barriers even after they’ve turned their lives around. Some can tap into a process to clear their records, giving them a fresh start. But the process is complicated, Read More

#MeToo Lessons Spur Mandatory Sex-Education Proposal In Washington

By Max Wasserman February 15, 2019

Planned parenthood advocates listen as students speak in favor of legislation mandating consent-based sex education in Washington state, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. CREDIT: MAX WASSERMAN/N3

Issues of sexual harassment raised in the #MeToo era have trickled their way through just about every part of Washington state — from business, to government, and now possibly schools as state lawmakers flag consent as the cornerstone of a mandatory sex-education proposal.Read More

As 2020 Race Heats Up, Jay Inslee Proposes Cutting Senate Filibuster To Boost His Climate Pitch

After Years In The Thick Of Trouble, Washington Inmate Finds Hope For A Second Chance

Washington Lawmakers Seek Smoother Path To Redemption For Formerly Incarcerated Residents

#MeToo Lessons Spur Mandatory Sex-Education Proposal In Washington

Washington State Lawmakers Want You To Save For College — And They’re Willing To Help

New Code Of Conduct To Shift How Washington Legislature Deals With Sexual Harassment

Washington State Lawmakers Want To Save Seat At Budget Table For Free College

Recent Posts

Community rallies for immigrant justice amid rising tensions and calls for unity

“Sunset Road:” New rom-com feature focuses the lens on Washington’s Red Mountain wine country

Galardonado actor Adam Beach visita Toppenish

Award-winning actor Adam Beach visits Toppenish

Tacoma City Council moves forward with zoning changes

Nursing union at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center votes to ratify updated contract after months of bargaining