Sophia Mattice-Aldous

Based in Newport, Sophia is a Murrow News Fellow covering rural issues for the Miner Newspaper and for RANGE. She has over 20 years experience as a reporter serving rural communities in Eastern WA and North ID. | sophia(at)rangemedia.co

Bill roundup: Here are some state laws taking effect

From your privacy to low-income energy assistance, here’s a glimpse at some Washington state laws going into effect this year

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 9 Jun 2026

Bill roundup: Here are some state laws taking effect

Pend Oreille County kids weekend food program is running out of funds

With pandemic funding ending and grants scarce, Youth Emergency Services needs more donors to sustain program.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 13 Apr 2026

Pend Oreille County kids weekend food program is running out of funds

Your county needs you

Spokane County’s volunteer boards and commissions help shape our community and there are 49 seats up for grabs.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 25 Mar 2026

Mini CIVICS for the Tri-Counties

Live in Pend Oreille, Stevens or Ferry County? Here’s when your local governments meet so you can know when and how to make your voice heard.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 17 Mar 2026

Millionaire Tax, immigrant work protections, voter privacy bills and more advance in WA legislative session

A quick rundown of some of the bills making their way to becoming law.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous, Daisy Zavala Magaña and Aaron Hedge

/ 27 Feb 2026

Millionaire Tax, immigrant work protections, voter privacy bills and more advance in WA legislative session

Writers for West Central remind us of love for community spaces

West Central Abbey is in need of crucial repairs, so they’re hosting a series of fundraisers that celebrate what makes the abbey and neighborhood special.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 25 Feb 2026

Writers for West Central remind us of love for community spaces

East WA rep wants private cemeteries, English as state language

Republican Hunter Abell shares what’s coming up in the state legislative session and what he’s working on for his region.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 14 Jan 2026

Most WA federal rulings found immigrant detentions flouted due process

Resolution 8201: Should the WA Cares Fund play the stock market?

If SJR 8201 passes, it amends Washington state's constitution to allow the state to invest money for long-term care in a variety of portfolios, including stocks

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 30 Oct 2025

WA state Republicans are trying to turn school districts red

Now in its second election cycle, the effort targets five Spokane-area districts among 51 statewide. It is part of a strategy to counter Democrats’ established power in larger races west of the mountains.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 29 Oct 2025

‘When you look at an addict, that’s someone’s child’

Losing a family member to fentanyl

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 4 Jun 2025

The new laws of the land in WA

Worker protections, hate crime clarification, oversight for private detention centers and more. Here are the deets on just a few of the bills WA Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed into law.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 3 Jun 2025

No sick time, no contracts, no breaks: domestic laborer protections fail in state legislature

Deleting LGBTQIA+ identity in North Idaho schools

West Bonner School District strikes gender identity, sexual orientation from non-discrimination policy.

By Sophia Mattice-Aldous

/ 2 May 2025

COLUMN: Why student-led organizing gives me hope