Washington to guarantee college tuition for low-income families
The FAFSA has long been a sticking point for students, with billions of dollars in federal aid going unclaimed because they simply give up on it, or don’t complete it correctly. An overhaul last year meant to simplify the process only made things worse, with technical problems that led to even lower completion rates and contributed to a decline of 7 percentage points in the proportion of high school seniors going directly to college, according to the National College Attainment Network, or NCAN. Now some states, including Washington, propose to work around the FAFSA altogether and find ways to automatically award financial aid to families that need it. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Camilla Forte)
Lawmakers return to Olympia for meetings ahead of 2025 session
Child care affordability, crime trends, environmental protections, access to addiction treatment and housing costs. These are some of the issues on Washington lawmakers’ agenda this week. Starting Monday, legislators convene in Olympia for their annual “committee days,” a chance to get up to speed on issues that may arise during next year’s session and to get situated with any committee changes. And with 20 new faces roaming the halls following last month’s election, it’s also an opportunity for lawmakers to meet their colleagues. Continue reading at The WA State Standard. (Bill Lucia)
How many species could go extinct from climate change? It depends on how hot it gets.
Researchers have conducted hundreds of studies projecting how different species might respond to different levels of climate change, finding varied results. In an analysis published Thursday in the journal Science, Urban sought to bring all those studies together. If countries meet the shared goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, 1.8% of species will be at risk of extinction by the end of the century, Urban reports. But if global warming gets out of hand, warming four or five degrees Celsius, as many as 30% of species could be at risk .In many instances, stopping biodiversity loss means preserving their natural habitats, through protected areas or national parks. Continue reading at KNKX. (Universal Images Group)
Axios
How much you need to make to be in Washington’s top 1%
New pedestrian improvements completed in Pioneer Square
Biden administration’s probes of police agencies in jeopardy
Capital Press
Sandison to stay as Washington agriculture director
Commentary: Next EPA administrator must clean house in Region 10
Everett Herald
Wallace Falls closed due to bomb cyclone damage
How will new Everett library hours affect its programs?
Wine woes not yet affecting Snohomish County glass recycling
What will Trump’s immigration policy mean for Snohomish County?
Comment: State should drop its lawsuit to block grocery merger
Comment: Ban on flavored tobacco can keep kids from addiction
Comment: Comment: HPV vaccine saving lives; RFK Jr. should see that
Editorial: Trump: State officials planning for ‘chaos’ of second Trump term
International Examiner
Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Seattle’s newest City Councilmember, speaks on CID stabbings, threats from the Trump administration, and setting a 20-year vision
Kitsap Sun
Medical centers facing health care demands of Kitsap’s aging population
News Tribune
Trump is threatening mass deportations. What would that mean for ICE lockup in Tacoma?
New York Times
E.P.A. Bans Cancer-Causing Chemicals Used in Dry Cleaning
Three-Quarters of Earth’s Land Got Drier in Recent Decades, U.N. Says
A $400 Billion Clean Energy Program Is Racing to Get Money Out the Door
Their Fertilizer Poisons Farmland. Now, They Want Protection From Lawsuits.
Spying on Student Devices, Schools Aim to Intercept Self-Harm Before It Happens
Olympian
After 2 years and $33.8 million, see inside the renovated Temple of Justice in Olympia
Puget Sound Business Journal
How safe are Washington hospitals for patients?
Under-the-radar workforce issues that could shape 2025
Seattle Times
Seattle schools must post list of union discrimination violations
Washington to guarantee college tuition for low-income families
Saving Boeing is the hardest job and biggest opportunity in business
Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson’s early approach to fix WA $10B budget deficit
Opinion: The GOP went all-in on taxes — and lost. It’s shaking up WA politics
Spokesman Review
University of Idaho closure of diversity offices up in the air
After nine months of research, a Washington State University sociologist concludes rural clinics aren’t ready for artificial intelligence
Washington Post
It’s almost winter, but much of the U.S. is still unusually dry
Biden urged to empty federal death row before Trump takes office
EPA bans two cancer-causing chemicals used in everyday products
Colleges scramble to shield programs amid growing hostility from GOP
LGBTQ+ Americans stockpile meds and make plans to move after Trump’s win
WA State Standard
Two new Washington state lawmakers are sworn in (Chapman, Bernbaum, Jinkins, Fitzgibbon)
Lawmakers return to Olympia for meetings ahead of 2025 session
WA Rep. DelBene tapped for another term leading House Democratic campaign effort
Wenatchee World
City council allots $4 million for Confluence Parkway project easements
Funding secured for Bridge Street improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
Wenatchee Convention Center receives $50,000 more due to ‘unforeseen conditions’ in renovation project
Whidbey News-Times
District discusses funding challenges with lawmakers (Shavers)
Yakima Herald-Republic
Wildfire this summer worsened risk to aging Yakima Tieton irrigation canal
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Boeing cancels employee surveillance pilot program
Hundreds more SPEEA employees at Boeing receive layoff notices
Here are some of the bills WA legislators will try to pass this session (Chapman)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Boeing lays off hundreds more SPEEA employees
CID businesses tired of lack of attention from city
Organic waste collection coming to Bellingham in 2025
Five shot in the Chinatown-International District in Seattle
Monroe High School closed Monday because of electrical fire
Parents search for answers after school bus kills daughter, drives away
Everett City Council approves new budget, cutting funds for libraries, parks
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Federal Way sees 11% drop in overall crime as drug arrests surge by more than 402%
KNKX Public Radio
San Juan County sees benefits from shortened work week
How many species could go extinct from climate change? It depends on how hot it gets.
KUOW Public Radio
Southern Resident orcas have been seen wearing salmon ‘hats.’ But it’s not all fun and games
KXLY (ABC)
Newman Lake residents face 45% rate hike for vital water resource
No timeline for 64 displaced downtown Spokane residents to return home
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Skagit school leaders say state underfunds districts by millions
Crosscut
Strickland takes Congressional Black Caucus leadership role
MyNorthwest
Boeing lays off hundreds more SPEEA workers
The Urbanist
WSDOT Secretary Millar Issues Departing Warning to Policymakers
Washington Observer
The Housing Finance Commission’s rent-a-problem (Pollet, Stearns)