What it’s like as a freshman state lawmaker in Olympia
This year, over 20 freshman state lawmakers arrived in Olympia, some elected and others appointed to fill vacancies.They’re diving into a 105-day stretch of budget-writing and lawmaking. It’s a big year to be a rookie, with a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, major policy bills under consideration in areas like housing and education, and a new governor in the mix. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)
Abortion rights rally at WA Capitol Wednesday marks 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Reproductive rights advocates took to the steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia Wednesday afternoon to rally for abortion access. Jan. 22 marked the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that enshrined abortion as a federal constitutional right. In June 2022, the high court reversed the 1973 ruling. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Steve Bloom)
Washington bill targets National Guard role in deportation plans
Washington state lawmakers are considering a measure that would restrict other states’ National Guard units from entering Washington without permission, unless President Trump mobilizes them. The proposal is intended to stop states from preemptively sending National Guard troops to help carry out Trump’s mass deportation plans, the bill’s lead sponsor, state Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), told Axios last week. Continue reading at Axios. (David Peinado)
Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean Shores building a better berm
Axios
Trump’s DEI order raises fears of anti-diversity “witch hunt”
Washington sues to block Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Washington bill targets National Guard role in deportation plans (Mena)
What to know about the equal employment opportunity executive order Trump revoked
Bellingham Herald
Gun-safety advocates push for new, ‘common-sense’ restrictions in the WA Legislature (Doglio)
Governor, House Speaker say WA is preparing to respond to Trump’s deportation plans
Nearly 90% Hispanic Eastern WA city assures residents ‘no immigration raids’ occurring (Jinkins)
State Supreme Court rejects immediate challenge to Whatcom County ballot measure ruling
Capital Press
Foreign investment in U.S. ag land increased in 2023
Debate kicks off over proposed Oregon land use restrictions
Washington bill on cannabis farmworkers sparks broader debate (Ortiz-Self)
The Daily News
Southwest Washington aging agency to meet Friday
Everett Herald
Council leadership changes across the county
Edgewater Bridge to receive more federal funding
Everett to host ‘Fan Zone’ during 2026 World Cup
Marysville district makes its decision on school closures
Some wary of Providence home health joint venture with for-profit company
Kitsap Sun
Rhino Investments acquires Kitsap Mall, looks forward to stability
News Tribune
Do you qualify for a Pierce County property tax exemption? Applications open soon
Lose home insurance in Pierce County? Some areas are seeing a ‘higher level of scrutiny’
Northwest Asian Weekly
Sarey’s foster mother asks for back-to-back prison sentences for officer who killed him
Olympian
Governor, House Speaker say WA is preparing to respond to Trump’s deportation plans (Jinkins)
Abortion rights rally at WA Capitol Wednesday marks 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade (Stonier, Dhingra, Jinkins)
Puget Sound Business Journal
An AI avalanche is causing chaos in the hiring market
Workers challenge employers to update training programs to include AI
Seattle Medium
City of Seattle, King County Announce Major Housing Investments
Gov. Bob Ferguson Appoints Jesse Jones To Lead Results Washington
Court Delays Leave Future of Historic Black Firefighters’ Property in Limbo
Thousands Gather In Seattle For The 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Rally And March
Seattle Nonprofit Hosts Melanin And Medicine Event To Inspire BIPOC Youth In Healthcare
Seattle Times
What Trump’s climate policy rollbacks may mean for WA
Group sues WA over late reporting on greenhouse gas emissions
Relatives of people who’ve died in WA jails press for state oversight
Gov. Ferguson appoints ex-KIRO reporter Jesse Jones to lead WA agency
King County Council picks replacement for resigning WA state lawmakers
Abortion rights rally urges WA lawmakers to push back on Trump agenda
Editorial: Pass bill to fix backlog of DUI cases (Hackney)
Opinion: 4 ways the Legislature can strengthen WA Cares
Opinion: A new Washington effort to help save local journalism
South Whidbey Record
Whidbey Island ferries see jump in walk-ons
Rep. Paul to chair the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee (Paul, Shavers)
Spokesman Review
Abortion rights advocates rally as concerns grow over federal restrictions (Dhingra)
Rent stabilization bill moves through first committee as Senate begins consideration (Pedersen, Trudeau)
Memorial targeting same-sex marriage in Idaho heads to House floor after passing committee
The United States is leaving the World Health Organization. What could that mean for Spokane?
‘Daunting’: Uncertainty in Spokane as Trump threatens local officials who don’t aid deportations, but state law is clear for schools, hospitals and police
Washington Post
In first days, Trump deals ‘death blow’ to DEI and affirmative action
WA State Standard
What it’s like as a freshman state lawmaker in Olympia (Krishnadasan, Salahuddin, Pollet)
Should Washington’s Fish and Wildlife Commission be dissolved? (Fitzgibbon)
WA chief justice reflects on pandemic’s lasting imprint on state courts
First abortion-related bill pushed in GOP-led Congress blocked by Senate Democrats
Congress clears immigrant detention bill for Trump’s signature on his 3rd day in office
Trump puts DEI staff on paid leave, guts environmental justice offices across government
Wenatchee World
Chelan County ranks 4th for family living in Washington
Construction approaches for next Confluence Parkway projects
From Crypto Bust to Business Boom: New Trades District revitalizes East Wenatchee with small business incubator
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Ferries become frontline in human trafficking prevention efforts
Pro-choice advocates rally in Washington, push for reproductive rights bill
Auburn police officer Jeffrey Nelson to be sentenced for murder of Jesse Sarey
Microsoft’s ‘AI for Good’ program offers $5 million in grants for Washington innovators
Seattle nonprofit working to ease refugee concerns following President Trump’s executive orders
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
A bid to block Trump’s cancellation of birthright citizenship is in federal court
Migrants in Western Washington fear uncertainty due to Trump’s immigration orders
Families rally at Washington State Capitol to urge lawmakers to address childcare crisis
Sentencing in former Auburn Police officer charged with murder after shooting a homeless man in 2019
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Starbucks’ policy change flushes out a debate over public restroom access
Mural depicting Seattle’s Japanese-American history cleaned up after being vandalized
King County prosecutor calls for earlier intervention to curb surge in juvenile gun crimes
Seattle voters face key decision on affordable social housing in upcoming special election
Parents urge Seattle Public Schools to expand open enrollment to keep families in district
KNKX Public Radio
Reporting on — and for — young Washingtonians
UW study aims to spot the next pandemic before it spreads
King County passes ‘Youth Bill of Rights’ in effort to lift young voices
KUOW Public Radio
Why medical debt hits Indigenous Washingtonians especially hard
Olympia got Jesse: Gov. Ferguson appoints former journalist to lead Results Washington
Washington farmworkers call for better work conditions amid Trump deportation threats
KXLY (ABC)
Washington Policy Center suing state over missing CO2 emissions data
Community Colleges of Spokane launches rebrand as Spokane Colleges
Washington lawmakers slated to weigh ban on flavored nicotine products (Reeves)
Man falsely accused of planning mass shooting at the Gorge now suing sheriff’s office
NW Public Radio
Workers at PeaceHealth feel their access to health care is limited with new insurer
This bill could give Washington tribes, communities more say in wind, solar development
Web
Cascade PBS
King County passes ‘Youth Bill of Rights’
Native drivers 5x more likely to be searched by WA State Patrol (Goodman)
My Northwest
New bill targets unsecured loads: Will big rigs finally be required to cover their cargo? (Shewmake)
The Stranger
In Trump’s America, Washington Demands Bold Action, Not Timidity
Slog AM: Capitol Rioters Set Free, ICE Raids Underway, Warming Centers Ready to Go
The Urbanist
Could Seattle’s 20-Year Growth Plan Get Derailed by Predatory Appeal?
Washington Observer
Recommended reading: Interesting appointments to the Legislature (Alvarado, Thomas, Zahn)
High-poverty schools may finally get more cash—if the state is willing to pay (Nobles)
Delta Dental says they care about your teeth—the dentists’ association says that’s all veneers (Thai)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday begins