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³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio Analyst

Matt Markovich

Matt Markovich brings 30+ years worth of reporting experience to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio. He was originally brought to Seattle by ³ÉÈËXÕ¾-TV in 1991. After three years, he moved over to KOMO-TV and was there until the fall of 2021. After that, he did some fill-in talk show work here at ³ÉÈËXÕ¾-FM before moving over to FOX 13 as their political reporter. He’s a winner of 14 Northwest Emmy Awards. Matt began his broadcast career at KMET-FM in Los Angeles as a surf reporter while was going to college at UC Santa Barbara (his hometown) and making Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax. If you know what it is, you know why Matt was hired as a surf reporter. KMET brought him on full-time as a 19 year old radio producer/reporter at one of the largest rock ‘n roll stations in the country. He later finished up college at San Diego State University. He races Hobie Catamarans competitively, loves to ski, now ‘surfs’ the world wide web and shares travel secrets. He’s been married to his wife Carlissa for 26 years, has a son Josh, 23 and daughter Jessie 21 plus two labs Mekah and Georgia.

Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget

Washington State is grappling with a significant budget shortfall.
2 months ago

State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph

The state Senate passed a bill granting local lawmakers the ability to lower speed limits on designated "shared streets" to just 10 miles per hour.
2 months ago

Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia

A proposed bill in Olympia aims to let employer shuttles use transit lanes, igniting discussion among business and transit leaders.
2 months ago

Round 2: Washington lawmakers reignite gun permit fight after failing last year

Lawmakers are once again trying to push a bill for more stringent requirements on firearm purchases, transfers and concealed carry licenses.
2 months ago

Washington legislature’s first deadline claims hundreds of bills — But are they really dead?

The Washington State Legislature hit its first "do-or-die" deadline for policy bills on Friday.
2 months ago

Proposed tobacco and vapor tax hike would make small dent in $14 billion deficit

The democratically sponsored bill targets three key areas: cigarettes, tobacco products and vapor products.
2 months ago

Public health and political power: Democratic bill says ‘best science’ must be followed

House Bill 1531 is a new piece of legislation that was advanced on Friday in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee with an 11-7 vote, split strictly along party lines.
2 months ago

Truckers say ‘no way’ to EVs: Push back against California-style emission rules

Washington’s trucking industry sounded the alarm during a State Senate hearing on Friday, warning that the state's alignment with California's emission standards will cripple the region’s long-haul trucking sector.
2 months ago

Revised bill overhauling governor’s emergency powers weakened by Democrats, say republicans

A Senate committee voted Friday to advance a revised bill aimed at limiting the governor’s emergency powers.
2 months ago

Prison reform bill passes state senate: Critics warn early releases threaten public safety

A bill designed to reshape how Washington’s prison system handles the release of incarcerated individuals passed the state Senate on Thursday, though critics argue it risks releasing criminals too soon.
2 months ago

State Senate redraws parking rules: Will it fix the housing crisis or create a parking nightmare?

The Washington State Senate made a big move on Thursday that could change how cities handle parking, but not everyone is thrilled about it.
2 months ago

Washington senate moves rent cap bill forward, but not without a fight

The Washington Senate's rent control discussions ignite debate on housing affordability and tenant rights across the state.
2 months ago

State Senate considers controversial bill to ban diet pills and muscle supplements for minors

State Senate holds a hearing on a controversial proposal to restrict diet pills and supplements for those under 18.
2 months ago

Statewide ban on flavored tobacco, nicotine and vape moves forward, expect no passage this year

The Washington State House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business narrowly advanced House Bill 1203 (HB 1203) by an 8-7 vote Tuesday, setting the stage for further legislative debate on a proposal to ban flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products statewide. The bill now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration, […]
2 months ago

Washington’s road usage charge is running out of gas – for now

Washington's road usage charge faces uncertainty, jeopardizing critical funding for infrastructure projects amid legislative challenges.
2 months ago

Local law enforcement can’t use dogs to find bad bears, wolves, cougars under new bill

A new bill before the Washington State Legislature has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, wildlife advocates and local law enforcement.
2 months ago

Second chances with strings attached: DUI record vacation bill clears key hurdle in Washington

Washington residents convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Actual Physical Control While Under the Influence (PC) could soon petition to have their criminal records vacated.
2 months ago

Washington State Lawmakers want to crack down on bounty hunters acting as immigration agents

Democratic lawmakers are seeking to limit bounty hunters acting as "immigration agents," impacting deportation efforts in Washington.
2 months ago

Statewide ban on flavored tobacco, nicotine and vape moves forward

A statewide ban on flavored tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products is moving forward in the Washington legislature.
2 months ago

Washington considers taking over grizzly bear management — But not everyone’s on board

A new bill making its way through Washington’s legislature aims to take back control over the state's most infamous apex predator: the grizzly bear.
2 months ago

Washington State’s wood-burning stoves: Still legal, but with stricter emissions rules

A bill that some feared would lead to a ban on wood-burning stoves in Washington passed a Senate committee on Friday—but without the harsh restrictions that many had worried about. The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee gave Senate Bill 5174 a “do pass” recommendation, meaning it could soon go to a vote before the […]
2 months ago

Democratic lawmakers rally for bigger budget to fight gender-based violence

On Valentine's Day, several democratic Washington state lawmakers gathered to shed light on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and pushed for crucial funding to support survivors.
2 months ago

Stalled reform: Bill to toughen juvenile gun laws faces uncertain fate

A bill introduced three weeks ago that would overhaul how the legal system handles juveniles caught with firearms appears to have stalled. House Bill 1536 is supposed to be heard by the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee. It’s an unusual move by the Democrat-led House of Representatives leadership, as most bills involving juvenile […]
2 months ago

Student Safety vs. Classroom Control: Washington lawmakers debate limits on restraint and isolation

Washington state lawmakers are once again debating a bill that would further restrict the use of restraint and isolation in schools.
2 months ago