Standard Time Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

What Time Is It Here? That Question Could Surface In Border Towns Thanks To Idaho Legislature

By Tom Banse January 29, 2020

"What time is it here?" is a question few people feel the need to ask when crossing state lines in the Northwest. But a committee vote Wednesday in the Idaho Legislature raises the possibility that border cities in the Inland Northwest may observe time differently than their close neighbors as soon as next year.Read More

Clocks Change Again Sunday. But, Hey, Didn’t State Lawmakers Vote To Do Away With That?

By Tom Banse November 1, 2019

No more changing of clocks like this one in Seattle's Lake Union Park if Congress OKs Washington's permanent move to daylight saving time. CREDIT: GIL AEGERTER/KUOW

Earlier this year, the Washington and Oregon legislatures voted by wide margins to ditch the twice-yearly time switch. Oregon's move is contingent on California getting on board too, which won't happen until next year at the earliest.Read More

Washington Becomes First West Coast State Ready To Ditch Twice-Yearly Time Changes

By Tom Banse May 8, 2019

File photo. A loosely coordinated effort is gaining steam to get all West Coast states to synchronize their clocks to year-round daylight saving time. CREDIT: HENRIQUE SIMPLICIO / FLICKR PHOTO HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/F1JXBL

With the stroke of the governor's pen Wednesday, Washington officially became the first West Coast state to ditch the twice-yearly time switch. But the end of "spring forward-fall back" won't happen until Congress gives the green light to all of the states moving toward year-round daylight saving time.Read More

Sen. Patty Murray Says She’ll Push Washington State’s Bid For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time

By Tom Banse March 21, 2019

Sen. Patty Murray said she is committed to helping West Coast states get the congressional OK to adopt year-round daylight saving time. This comes as Oregon, Washington and California state legislators move toward nixing the twice yearly time change.Read More

Washington Lawmakers Vote For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time. But It’s Far From A Done Deal

By Tom Banse March 10, 2019

Seattle area sunset picture at the beach

The Washington House of Representatives voted 89 to 7 Saturday in favor of observing daylight saving time year-round. The state Senate is expected to vote in the coming days on the issue, which is gaining steam in statehouses across the West. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has not yet signaled where he stands on the measures.Read More

Yay Or Nay On Permanent Daylight Saving Time? You May Get To Vote On It

By Tom Banse January 30, 2019

Oregon and Washington voters could get a say at the next general election on whether to adopt daylight saving time year-round — and thereby abolish the twice-yearly clock changes.Read More

Dread The Dark? West Coast Lawmakers Say It’s Time To Stop The Clock ‘Fall Back’ Routine

By Tom Banse November 20, 2018

Changing the clock for the first Daylight Saving Time in 1918. CREDIT: U.S. SENATE HISTORICAL OFFICE

According to some Oregon and Washington legislators, it's high time to get rid of the twice-yearly ritual of changing clocks. This past month, 60 percent of California voters approved Proposition 7, a ballot proposition to make daylight saving time permanent. Read More