Washington’s first battery ferry to enter service next week
Washington’s first plug-in ferry will begin shuttling cars and passengers across Puget Sound by the end of next week. Gov. Bob Ferguson made the announcement Thursday during a celebratory demonstration lap around Elliott Bay on the ferry Wenatchee, concluding a challenging conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion over the past 22 months. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Tom Banse)
Obamacare is most affordable in these 6 states. Is Washington one of them?
Washington is one of the most affordable states for buying health insurance through marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” according to a new analysis. The personal finance company WalletHub found that the average Washington household spends about 5% of its income on these types of health insurance premiums. That’s among the best rates in the United States. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Wallet Hub)
Washington state law to shield rescuers saving kids, pets in cars
A new Washington state law will shield people from lawsuits if they break into a car to rescue a child or animal in danger. Why it matters: Good Samaritans who act to save someone from a hot or freezing vehicle in Washington generally won’t be liable for property damage, such as broken windows, once the law takes effect July 27. Continue reading at Axios. (Jonas Walzberg)
Axios
Father still at large 1 month after daughters’ deaths (Walen)
Seattle’s trash pickups stay on track as strike hits suburbs
Governors accuse Trump admin of stalling disaster recovery
Washington state law to shield rescuers saving kids, pets in cars (Leavitt)
Bellingham Herald
WA Congress members demand feds release $137M in school funds: ‘Unacceptable’
Capital Press
USDA forecasts California almond crop to be second largest ever
Oregon’s fourth conflagration declared for Klamath County fire
Border closed again as New World screwworm advances north
Columbian
Columbia Basin’s salmon are in hot water, literally, says report from Save Our Wild Salmon
Everett Herald
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget
State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment
Comment: About that Social Security email sent to retirees
Opinion: Schwab: Yes, your Medicaid’s gone but you can gloat over gators
The Inlander
Spokane updates its anti-camping rules, Mayor Brown proposes further changes to help build affordable housing
Kitsap Sun
Obamacare is most affordable in these 6 states. Is Washington one of them?
East Bremerton growth could continue with 270 new apartments proposed along Highway 303
Olympian
WA Congress members demand feds release $137M in school funds: ‘Unacceptable’
Puget Sound Business Journal
Justice Department clears T-Mobile’s $4.4 billion deal with US Cellular
Washington hospitals face mounting financial pressure, forcing widespread cuts
Seattle Times
WA’s first electrified ferry sails, with 2 governors on board
Tri-City Herald
Trump review halts $11M in Tri-City school funds. These are the biggest impacts
Opinion: WA Supreme Court hides the ball on state employee union negotiations
WA State Standard
Washington’s first battery ferry to enter service next week
Should WA Cares funds be invested in the stock market? Ferguson says yes
Trump emergency tariffs violate Constitution, Democrats argue in court case
US Senate Dems from Western states blast Trump budget for cutting federal aid
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gun violence drops 50% in South King County
Major closures planned along I-405, I-5 this weekend
New hybrid-electric ferry transforms Puget Sound travel
Trump cuts could silence beloved community radio station in Skagit Valley
Washington sheriff proposes $1,000 fine for reckless hikers amid surge in rescues
Microsoft president talks $4B AI investment amid sweeping layoffs: ‘We have to prioritize’
Jam-packed bins line city streets as strike delays trash pickup in King, Snohomish counties
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle family sues Big Oil over 2021 heat dome death
Republic trash collector strike: When will it end and what can you do?
Washington State Ferries launches largest hybrid-electric ferry in North America
‘How many more of these do we have to write?’ Another WSDOT crew member hit on the job
KNKX Public Radio
Small Washington hospitals brace for ‘severe’ effects of Medicaid cuts
KUOW Public Radio
Microsoft launches $4 billion AI reskilling institute
Federal judge to pause Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Fears of ICE arrests cause tension at Seattle immigration court
Snohomish planners reflect on flood safety in wake of Texas tragedy
New Washington hotline to report hate crimes launches in 3 counties
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion
Web
Cascade PBS
Bellingham passes new laws to limit ‘junk fees’ for renters
MyNorthwest
Washington to receive $16 million from opioid settlements
Washington State Ferries launches largest hybrid-electric ferry in North America
WA to fund Medicaid gap for Planned Parenthood after ‘big, beautiful bill’ passage
As SPD relies on borrowed tech, King County prosecutor warns of legal and privacy tradeoffs
The Urbanist
Rinck Backs Capitol Hill Crisis Center, Other Seattle Officials Coy
West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: SDOT says it won’t add more parallel parking on Alki Avenue after all
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: West Seattle Summer Fest Friday + more