Crosscut Reports’ live taping asks, ‘What Happened in Olympia?’

The Washington Legislature delivered a number of major headlines this past session, from new gun laws to protections for transgender youth and, of course, the state’s official dinosaur. Then there were the headlines for things that didn’t get done, including major housing legislation pushed hard by the governor and a drug-sentencing bill that is likely to get a second chance during a special session in the near future.

Lawmakers gave us a lot to discuss and explain, which is what the Crosscut Reports podcast is great at doing. For this year’s Crosscut Ideas Festival we have invited Crosscut politics reporter Joseph O’Sullivan and Axios Seattle reporter, and former Crosscutter, Melissa Santos to a live taping of the weekly podcast. Host Sara Bernard will be asking what these two longtime Olympia watchers saw at this year’s legislative session and how new laws are likely to impact the lives of Washingtonians and inform the national debate.

Here are five stories to help you get up to speed before the 11 a.m. session.

With assault weapons ban, Washington enters a new era of gun reform by Joseph O'Sullivan, Crosscut

WA Senate passes "missing middle" bill to increase housing density by Joseph O'Sullivan, Crosscut

Washington enacts abortion protections to counteract red state laws by Melissa Santos, Axios

WA transgender youth bill targeted in national culture war by Joseph O'Sulllivan

With Washington state set to decriminalize drugs, cities may step in by Melissa Santos, Axios