Martin Luther King Jr.’s hopes for U.S. echo still
King, who said “there comes a time when silence is betrayal,” would likely encourage all corners of society to speak out for positive change and against things that negatively impact the poor or disadvantaged. And he would likely use his own platform to amplify the voices of those who for centuries have been forced to whisper. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (M. Ryder)
Will kimchi get its own day in Washington?
Democratic state Rep. Cindy Ryu of Shoreline authored legislation to designate Nov. 22 as Kimchi Day in Washington to coincide with the annual celebration of National Kimchi Day in South Korea. Ryu’s bill cleared the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Friday. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Elena Noviello)
Legislature considers amendment to WA constitution to ease bond passage for schools
It’s a relevant issue for schools across the state and locally. In Spokane County, only Cheney Public Schools had success getting 60% of its voter base to approve a bond issue in the last year. School districts Spokane, West Valley, Deer Park, Riverside and Orchard Prairie each had one or more failed bonds on ballots in 2024 elections. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jesse Tinsley)
Bellingham Herald
2nd bill filed to limit WA governor’s authority to approve locally opposed wind farms
New WA board needed to ‘build trust’ in nuclear as electric demand grows, says lawmaker
Bellingham’s unhoused student population is rising. Here’s how the district supports them
Capital Press
Washington considers banning English, Atlantic ivy
Washington’s new lands commissioner pauses logging
Washington Supreme Court upholds immunity for forestland owners
Washington cannabis farmworkers seek collective-bargaining rights (Ortiz-Self)
The Daily News
Cowlitz County businesses account for nearly half of state’s latest pollution fines
WA state releases tentative smelt dipping days ahead of 1st season with license requirement
Everett Herald
Everett homeless service faces uncertain future
Firefighters attend state’s first behavioral health training
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024
South County Fire, UW to lead behavioral health training for firefighters
Stanwood student’s online threats under investigation from sheriff’s office
Comment: Comment: Defining King’s ‘beloved community’
Editorial: What would MLK Jr. do? What, now, will we do?
Comment: Eco-nomics: A brief history of how the climate crisis unfolded
Kitsap Sun
State commission suspends Bremerton judge, recommends removal over conduct
News Tribune
Shelters on alert as coldest weather yet for some areas this year takes hold
A section of SR 99 in Fife will close next week while crews remove old bridge
Why Puppyland will pay nearly $4M after WA alleged illegal sales, advertising practices
Opinion: Joe Biden hypocritically warns America in his farewell about Trump’s abuses of power
Opinion: Washington’s struggle: How far-too-slow salmon recovery impacts Orcas like Tahlequah
New York Times
Big Banks Quit Climate Change Groups Ahead of Trump’s Term
Northwest Asian Weekly
AAPI adults prioritize immigration, but split on mass deportations: AP-NORC/AAPI Data poll
Olympian
New PSE rate changes approved by state regulators. Here’s how much you can expect to pay
Puget Sound Business Journal
How the new administration in Washington could affect your business
Will Covid-era SBA loans be forgiven under Trump administration?
Seattle Medium
The Y’s Commitment To Fostering A Community Of Belonging For All
Seattle Times
WA lawmakers consider flavored tobacco ban
WA’s new lands chief hits pause on controversial timber sales
Trump orders reflect his promises to roll back transgender protections and end DEI programs
Editorial: Martin Luther King Jr.’s hopes for U.S. echo still
Opinion: Seattle innovation hub will help get climate tech off the ground
Spokesman Review
Ferguson orders flags to be temporarily raised for presidential inauguration
Legislature considers amendment to WA constitution to ease bond passage for schools (Wellman, Cortes)
Rep. Michael Baumgartner wants to keep college football from turning into ‘a second NFL’
‘Our entire sheltering system would be in trouble’: Rising insurance costs strains Spokane-area dog shelters
‘Our communities are truly at risk’: Washington advocacy groups urge state leaders to defy federal deportation policies following surprise immigration raids in California (Saldaña)
Opinion: State Supreme Court wrestles with ban on large-capacity magazines
Tri-City Herald
With TikTok ban looming, Washington is more concerned than any other state, study finds
Washington Post
Trump executive order will attempt to end birthright citizenship
Trump readies massive shift in U.S. economy on eve of inauguration
California isn’t the only place where insurers are dropping homeowners
WA State Standard
Will kimchi get its own day in Washington? (Ryu, Stearns)
Former staff at Spokane youth psychiatric unit blame Providence for closure
WA’s new ‘Hope Cards’ offer alternative to carrying thick protection orders (Davis)
Washington lawmakers look at making packaging producers pay for recycling (Berry, Fey)
Wenatchee World
Leavenworth council, PUD approve land study
Wenatchee YMCA receives $158,000 donation from Ballmer Group
Fear of deportation a daily reality for many undocumented families
Wenatchee School District considers moving Valley Academy into Columbia Elementary
Yakima Herald-Republic
New WA lands commissioner orders pause on logging sales for some older forests
Yakima City Council to discuss fund for city pools, community service program for courts
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
How a second Trump presidency could impact Washington state
Washington Gov. Ferguson orders flags to be flown at full-staff Jan. 20
Trump returning to power after unprecedented comeback, emboldened to reshape American institutions
In Session: New governor inaugurated, renewed effort to pass previously failed bills mark first week (Fitzgibbon)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
DNR pauses timber harvesting in efforts to conserve older forests
Thurston County shelters open as cold weather moves into the South Sound
Hundreds rally in Seattle for justice, equality, human right at People’s March
Washington State launches E-bike rebate program to make them more affordable
Biden pardons Fauci and Milley in an effort to guard against potential ‘revenge’ by Trump
Application submitted for sculpture memorializing the legacy of Billy Frank Jr. at the US Capitol
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Gov. Ferguson orders flags at full staff for Inauguration Day
Protests planned in Puget Sound as Trump takes helm as president
Renton police warn residents to stay alert after spike in home burglaries
Pierce Transit offers free rides to warming centers amid Puget Sound cold snap
Mount Rainier monitored closely as scientists keep watch for signs of volcanic activity
KNKX Public Radio
WA state, federal agencies finalize agreement for tank waste cleanup at Hanford
KUOW Public Radio
Western Washington groups scramble to admit refugees before Trump’s inauguration
Tacoma ICE center ordered to pay detainee workers Washington’s minimum wage, $23 million in arrears
KXLY (ABC)
Average price of gas rises in Spokane this week
Colville homeless camp faces closure, residents concerned about limited housing options
NW Public Radio
Labor shortages and deportation fears threaten Washington agriculture
Child care subsidies in Washington could be impacted as state faces budget gap
Two bills could make it easier for people in Washington state custody to vote, politically organize (Simmons, Farivar)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Some farmers await water right approval based on an undocumented promise
Cascade PBS
Washington youth homelessness organizations face upheaval
New WA bill would expand private detention center inspections (Ortiz-Self)
The Newsfeed: Former Gov. Jay Inslee on his tenure and his future
The Urbanist
Facing Budget Crisis, Washington’s Leaders Downplay Focus on Highway Expansion (Liias, Fey)
Washington Observer
Not in my state, you don’t (Mena)
A flurry of special education bills hit Olympia (Wellman, Pedersen, Pollet)
Hey Congress, forget that constitutional convention (Krishnadasan, Pedersen)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday, MLK Day and Inauguration Day