RFK Jr., Trump target meds that 1 in 3 Seattle-area young women use
Are President Donald Trump and his administration going after the most commonly prescribed medications for depression and anxiety? A lot of people have expressed this concern after an executive order from the White House announced the creation of a “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump’s order included a directive to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of” drugs including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Kennedy has characterized SSRIs, a class of drugs often used to treat depression and anxiety, as highly addictive, potentially dangerous and overprescribed. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dean Rutz)
‘We are not going backward.’ Washington schools chief tells districts to maintain DEI programs despite Trump threat
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe race-based initiatives by the end of the month. In a statement Thursday, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said although diversity, equity, and inclusion have “unfortunately been weaponized,” the idea has long been a core component of the education system. Continue reading at KUOW. (KUOW)
Snohomish County becomes haven for green energy
Snohomish County has become a center for green energy companies. Among the big names are fusion nuclear power companies Zap Energy and Helion, electric aircraft maker Eviation, hydrogen-electric powered aircraft maker ZeroAvia, Swedish marine battery maker Echandia, and Bill Gates-backed, small-scale nuclear reactor company TerraPower. Continue reading at The Herald. (Olivia Vanni)
Aberdeen Daily World
Gas prices on the rise in Grays Harbor County
Trump’s job cuts lead to closed trails, staff shortages in WA
Auburn Reporter
OSPI superintendent responds to federal attempt to limit DEI programs
Axios
Is it safe to fly? NTSB data says yes
Tariff threats freeze automakers at critical moment
Gun violence dips in King County but concerns remain
Bainbridge Island Review
BI Japanese Americans speak out against Trump deportation
Bellingham Herald
Which federal agencies should be cut? Newly created DOGE is top choice, poll finds
Newly hired National Park staff ‘devastated’ after losing ‘dream job’ amid Trump cuts
Bellingham hospital’s ER is flooded with patients. Here’s where you can get help faster
Classic Pineapple Express expected to bring warm, wet, windy weather to Bellingham area
Capital Press
Trump brings new shift on bird flu tactics
Forest Service sued over Idaho mine plan
The Daily News
Cowlitz County sees 10 overdose deaths in first month of 2025
Everett Herald
Snohomish County becomes haven for green energy
Edmonds School District may revert to old sexual harassment policy
Eviation electric aircraft company reduces workforce at Arlington HQ
Comment: Infant deaths have risen with states’ abortion bans
Comment: Pending cuts to medical research would harm all in state
Islands’ Weekly
Working Families Tax Credit: Get money back this tax season
Kitsap Sun
Port Orchard wire theft part of trend that’s growing as copper prices rise
News Tribune
Tacoma hired an outside firm to investigate its ex-police chief. It cost the city $11K
Pierce County to pay $1M to ex-jail inmate who alleged negligence caused him to lose leg
Is Pierce County doing enough to help the homeless during cold weather? Providers say no
New York Times
Trump Claims Power to Fire Administrative Law Judges at Will
Environmentalists Sue to Block Trump’s Offshore Drilling Plans
Trump Administration Moves to Fast-Track Hundreds of Fossil Fuel Projects
Senate Passes G.O.P. Budget Plan After Democrats Force Long Night of Votes
Emergency Food, TB Tests and H.I.V. Drugs: Vital Health Aid Remains Frozen Despite Court Ruling
Northwest Asian Weekly
Washington State Legislature holds Day of Remembrance ceremonies
Olympian
Washington breweries sued to distribute beer in Idaho. Legislature is involved now
Can a manager collect tips, or is that wage theft? Here’s what Washington state law says
Washington is one of the ‘most educated’ states in the US. Here’s where it ranks and why
Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA’s mass firings could hurt disaster recovery, loan oversight
Bill aims to end abuse of landmarking process in Seattle, Tacoma (Duerr)
The National Observer: Real Estate: How Trump trade policy could affect port real estate markets
Seattle Medium
Washington State Lawmakers Propose Bill For Flag Redesign Committee (Peterson, Reed, Nance)
City of Seattle Awards $1.2 Million In Environmental Justice Fund Grants
Seattle Federal Workers Rally Against Workforce Cuts Amid Growing Concerns
Seattle Union Workers Launch Class Action Lawsuit Over Wage Theft Allegations
Seattle Times
Trump’s tariff threats stress WA’s Point Roberts
State bill aims to regulate WA cities’ homeless camping bans (Gregerson)
Japanese Americans protest Trump immigration policy in Seattle
WA Senate passes parking bill as one step to boost housing supply (Bateman, Chapman, Lovelett)
RFK Jr., Trump target meds that 1 in 3 Seattle-area young women use
Franklin County wants health district to stop offering COVID vaccines
Voters approved the Seattle Public Schools levies. What happens next?
WA superintendent tells schools to stand firm on ‘race-based’ programs
After ceding power of the purse, GOP lawmakers beg Trump team for funds
Federal judge allows Trump’s mass firings of federal workers to move forward
Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session
Spokesman Review
Ferguson cancels trip to Governors’ conference as budget work continues (Pedersen, Jinkins)
More people traveled through Spokane International Airport than ever in 2024
‘We need to fight’ Spokane NAACP, prominent Spokane figures respond to Trump’s DEI attacks
Opinion: State must invest in workforce for skilled nursing facilities
Opinion: The Legislature should support good jobs for all cannabis workers
Tri-City Herald
Not so fast. Richland railroad repairs must wait amid federal grant uncertainty
‘I have concerns.’ GOP Rep. Newhouse weighs in on job cuts at nuclear site and more
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Commentary: Lessons from WWII for our current immigration debate
Washington Post
With multiple tariffs looming, farmers who support Trump grow nervous
Trump expected to take control of USPS and fire postal board, officials say
WA State Standard
New walk-on ferry routes across Puget Sound readied to sail if funded (Fey, Liias, Reed, Nance)
National Park Service firings hit Mount Rainier, Olympic, North Cascades
Wenatchee World
Leavenworth pushes back on Tumwater Mountain cross as county awaits permit application
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Port Angeles embraces Canadians with heartfelt welcome amidst political tension
Western Washington universities respond to White House ultimatum on DEI programs
Proposed bill aims to require private, public insurance companies to cover biomarker testing
Jayapal: There will be ‘direct consequences’ to the country because of Trump administration layoffs
WA leaders say schools must choose between funding and helping vulnerable students under DEI executive order
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Doctor exchange could end as Idaho may dump UW over ‘Idaho values’ and abortion
KUOW Public Radio
Firings and bad vibes hit PNW’s federal workers
‘We are not going backward.’ Washington schools chief tells districts to maintain DEI programs despite Trump threat
KXLY (ABC)
Washington Senate panel advances age-based restrictions for social media platforms (Frame, Stanford)
New Spokane bond and levy plan could end decade-long dispute over sports complex
Washington schools maintain DEI programs despite U.S. Dept. of Education letter on discrimination
NW Public Radio
Snake River water, recreation studies look at the river’s future
Web
Cascadia Daily News
PeaceHealth emergency room overwhelmed this week
3K calls, 17K emails: WA’s congressional delegation inboxes flooded in 2 weeks
WA schools await legal guidance after letter threatens pulling federal funding over race
‘Things are off’: Once friendly neighbors, Canadians and Americans frustrated and angry
Cascade PBS
Poll: Majority of WA voters support bill limiting rent increases
Seattle scientists protest Trump’s NIH cuts to research funding
Appeals court upholds block on Trump’s birthright citizenship ban
MyNorthwest
State Senate’s New Parking Rules: Housing Crisis Impact (Bateman)
Washington Prison Reform Bill Passes Amid Safety Concerns (Wilson)
The Urbanist
Washington Senate Greenlights Elevator Reform Aimed at Boosting Midrise Homebuilding (Salomon, Valdez, Slatter, Orwall)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday info
FOLLOWUP: Here’s the mayor’s promised executive order, hoping to speed up West Seattle light rail