Evictions in WA skyrocket, overwhelming legal aid program for low-income renters
Evictions in Washington have been steadily increasing over the last few years, with no signs of slowing. The spike stems from rising rents coupled with stagnant wages, lack of affordable housing and the expiration of pandemic-era eviction protections such as increased rental assistance. Filings statewide reached an all-time high in 2024, having increased by 53% since 2019. And fiscal year 2025 is on pace to surpass those numbers. Continue reading at InvestigateWest. (Lindsey Wasson)
Speed-limiting tech coming for high-risk drivers in Washington
Washington is the second U.S. state to approve the use of speed-restricting devices for drivers who have a history of going too fast, though it will be more than three years before the law is enforced. Why it matters: Last year, 34% of the 731 traffic fatalities in the state involved speeding drivers, according to data from the state Traffic Safety Commission. Continue reading at Axios. (Aïda Amer)
Thousands in WA at risk of losing food benefits under GOP bill in Congress
Tens of thousands of low-income Washingtonians could lose federal food assistance if Republicans move ahead with plans in a bill the U.S. House passed last month. That’s according to estimates from the state and researchers at a left-leaning think tank. The cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, stem from a tax cut and spending package Republicans call their “big, beautiful bill.” This legislation passed the U.S. House on May 22 and still needs approval from the Senate before it can reach President Donald Trump’s desk. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Getty)
Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen’s latest homeless survey results released
Axios
New COVID subvariant cases detected in Washington
Speed-limiting tech coming for high-risk drivers in Washington (Leavitt)
Gates pledges most of his wealth to health and education services in Africa
Bellingham Herald
Trump targets WA state with ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ list, and wants to withhold funds
Capital Press
Juniper clear cut bill designed to conserve groundwater
Logging, grazing benefit from Supreme Court limiting NEPA review
The Daily News
Independent firm will help Port of Longview oversee $44M rail project, but Rotschy will be in charge of safety
Everett Herald
Kaiser Permanente to welcome patients to new Everett facility
Editorial: Latest ballpark figures drive hope for new stadium
News Tribune
TPS cuts to be ‘indefinite’ unless state changes school funding model, district says
Puget Sound Business Journal
Gen Z workers face an entry-level jobs crisis
Microsoft lays off hundreds more Washington employees
Alaska Air delays delivery of 2 imported planes, cancels flights
Seattle Medium
Trump Administration Designates Washington As ‘Sanctuary State,’ Sparking Controversy
Seattle Times
White House unveils a new, darker Trump presidential portrait
Bodycam footage shows Seattle police officer firing at man in Belltown
WA district reeling after superintendent and student die off Long Beach
Summer Running Start classes give WA students bigger jump on college
UW Medicine and Aetna fail to reach contract; thousands of patients notified
Opinion: Why public lands should stay public and protected
Opinion: WA lawmakers, it’s not hard to work in the sunlight
Editorial: Add this to the list for improving education: teacher training
Spokesman Review
Democratic attorneys general outline response to federal government during Seattle town hall
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear case threatening ballots mailed by Election Day, but received later
Tri-City Herald
2 Benton County fires blacken 1,000 acres, damage equipment, vineyard
New ‘sanctuary’ list puts Tri-Cities in middle of fight between WA and feds
Update: Trump administration’s proposed Hanford ’26 budget too low to meet deadlines
Washington Post
The latest GOP push to cut waste and spending: Work requirements
Ernst’s ‘we all are going to die’ quip underscores GOP’s Medicaid challenge
Many coastal communities are flooding more than we thought, researchers find
WA State Standard
Thousands in WA at risk of losing food benefits under GOP bill in Congress
Homeland Security’s list of ‘sanctuary cities’ pulled down after sheriffs object
Washington’s attorney general sees no signs of legal battles with Trump letting up
Silence on E. Coli outbreak highlights how Trump team’s changes undermine food safety
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Cathy Moore to step down from Seattle City Council
More WA businesses frustrated over Google ‘suspending’ business profiles
All police in Washington must now report use-of-force data to public database
Washington DNR warns of challenging wildfire season following NOAA and NWS layoffs
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Microsoft laying off 305 Redmond employees
Seattle Councilmember Cathy Moore to step down July 7, citing health issues
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District gets its own public safety ambassadors
Homeland Security removes list of ‘sanctuary’ cities after pushback; most WA counties listed
Lumen Field to receive upgrades for upcoming World Cup, including first-time ever real grass
Armed teens who broke into Enumclaw High School may have been conducting ‘dry run’, FBI now involved
KUOW Public Radio
New Covid variant found in Washington state
Washington launches statewide database tracking police use-of-force (Lovick)
We have laws to improve WA’s involuntary commitment. They’re barely used
Bishops sue to overturn new Washington law requiring clergy to report child abuse
KXLY (ABC)
Three missing sisters found dead, father wanted for murders
DNR braces for challenges as state lawmakers slash millions from fire prevention
Washington State Patrol arrests person for shooting at passing cars in Stevens County
Spokane Valley using public safety funds to cover lawsuit against Councilmember Al Merkel
Spokane City Council approves construction of new affordable housing units in East Central
NW Public Radio
Washington State Library laying off some staff, changing services due to budget cuts
What’s coming out of the stack? Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant must pass emissions muster
Wildfire communication gaps persist for Spanish speakers in Washington. These groups are working to close them
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Student strike paused at Western Washington University
Meridian’s elementary students grow reading skills thanks to new teaching approach
Cascade PBS
Cathy Moore to resign from Seattle City Council
WA mobile homeowners, advocates react to new rent stabilization law
InvestigateWest
Evictions in WA skyrocket, overwhelming legal aid program for low-income renters
MyNorthwest
WA announces rent increase cap for 2025
Tariffs blamed for Port of Seattle traffic trouble
Microsoft layoffs: 305 jobs cut in Redmond, Washington
Washington child care prices among highest in the nation
Lumen Field to receive upgrades for upcoming World Cup, including first-time ever real grass
The Urbanist
King County Floats Sales Tax Bump to Fund Metro, Roads
Sound Transit CEO Preps Agency-wide Realignment to Keep Expansion on Track
Washington Observer
The new ceiling for rent hikes (Alvarado)
The fuzzy math of tracing dark weed
West Seattle Blog
More Seattle City Council turnover: Councilmember Cathy Moore resigning
TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday notes, with eastbound West Seattle Bridge crash
FOLLOWUP: Is added Alki Avenue parking a done deal? What does ‘additional outreach’ mean? Here’s how SDOT replied