Austin Jenkins
Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network.
Since 2004, Austin has covered Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington state Legislature. He also host of TVW's Emmy-nominated public affairs program, Inside Olympia. Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise.
Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Austin is a graduate of Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.
Latest Stories
‘OPB Politics Now’: What Washington voters need to know about the Aug. 2 primary
Washington voters will decide primary races for U.S. House, the state Legislature and secretary of state. On a special election preview episode, OPB reporters Troy Brynelson and Austin Jenkins break down the big races.
Washington state Republican could be a top choice for Biden administration post
The West Coast’s only Republican statewide office holder may be headed to a post with the Biden administration. CNN is reporting that Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman is likely to be named to a top election security role in the Department of Homeland Security.
Washington state fire marshal joins lawsuit against vaccine mandate
The list of public employees suing to overturn Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandate has grown to about 600 people, and now includes the state’s fire marshal, Charles LeBlanc.
Stuck in jail, waiting for a psychiatric bed. COVID-19 made an old problem worse.
Like many others, Bill Ward’s grandson is jammed in Washington state’s criminal justice system for people who cannot assist in their own defense. While Washington’s system has been strained for years state officials and disability rights advocates say it effectively ground to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘OPB Politics Now’: A tale of two legislatures, the sequel
While Oregon is still in the dramatic throes of a legislative session, our neighbors to the north are all finished with their work. In this episode, we talk through some of the highlights of Washington’s most memorable legislative session in years. And we’ll check in on Oregon’s session, where progress has been halting.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signs capital gains tax into law even as legal challenges loom
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed into law a new tax on capital gains aimed at the state’s wealthiest residents.
‘OPB Politics Now’: A tale of 2 legislatures
In this episode, we examine why the Oregon state Legislature seems to be in a state of perpetual dysfunction, while Washington’s Legislature, by comparison, has somehow managed to look like a model of respectful bipartisanship.
While Oregon’s Legislature feuds, Washington finds a way to work
The two states are both led by strong Democratic majorities and face similar issues. Only one of them is successfully passing legislation.
Protesters on the left and right clash in Olympia, 1 person is shot
For the second Saturday in a row, a gun was fired as groups of protesters from opposing ends of the political spectrum clashed in Olympia.
In Washington, the revolving door between government service and lobbying is well-greased
A state official on Friday, a lobbyist on Monday. Washington is one of a few states that don’t require a cooling-off period to slow the revolving door.