WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Monday, January 27

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Top gun control bills to watch in Washington’s Legislature
Washington state already has some of the nation’s strictest gun control laws. But some legislators want to make them even tougher, including by possibly requiring permits to buy firearms. Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)


Olivia Vanni / The Herald Former Everett Herald reporter Ta’Leah Van Sistine walks with former Gov. Jay Inslee while taking notes on Feb. 6, 2024, in Marysville. Everett Herald reporter Ta’Leah Van Sistine walks with Governor Jay Inslee and takes notes on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds lawmaker’s bill would pump $20 million into journalism statewide
A new bill introduced by Edmonds senator could pump up to $20 million into journalism organizations around the state. The bill follows similar legislation in other states and countries to protect legacy media. State Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, is the lead sponsor of the bill. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Olivia Vanni)


Irwin’s Neighborhood Bakery and Cafe in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. A bill under consideration by Washington lawmakers would allow cafes and minimarkets to operate in residential zones where they’re... (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times, 2024)
Want a cafe next to your house? WA may open residential neighborhoods
More espresso, snacks and groceries could be coming to a residential block in your Washington neighborhood, because a proposal that drew significant attention last year is back under consideration by state lawmakers. It’s making quick progress in the Legislature and there are signs the lobbying group that helped scuttle the idea in 2024 may be coming around. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dean Rutz)


Print

Axios
How Trump’s return-to-office order affects Washington state
Top gun control bills to watch in Washington’s Legislature (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon)

Bellingham Herald
Trump cancels hundreds of WA refugee flights. How this nonprofit plans to respond
‘Walking alongside them’: Bellingham Café offers addiction recovery support, community
Whatcom County sheriff, Bellingham officials issue statements on immigration enforcement
Bellingham home prices have increased by 127% over the last decade; median exceeds $650k

Capital Press
WSU to study if agrivoltaics could boost apple crop value
9th Circuit weighs kicking Klamath lawsuit to Oregon Supreme Court
Northwest Washington county opposes fast-tracking fish projects (Salomon)

Columbian
E-bike sales growing in Clark County with a rebate from the state coming in April

The Daily News
Council to bring pro, con ‘experts’ to debate fluoride in Longview water
Longview shelter can help those with protection orders get wallet-size versions
West Kelso project nears funding half-way point as council asks WA for another $1.5M

Everett Herald
Washington environmentalists respond to Trump’s rollbacks
Mother of former inmate sues Snohomish County over jail death
Edmonds lawmaker’s bill would pump $20 million into journalism statewide (Liias, Lovick)
Comment: American workers have lost their leverage
Comment: Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons fly ‘in the face of the facts’
Editorial: Rental cap balances needs of tenants, landlords (Alvarado)

The Inlander
A sanctioned homeless camp in Colville is closing, but there’s nowhere for residents to go. Does the city expect them to disappear?

Kitsap Sun
Pardoned by President Trump, Kitsap ‘J6ers’ reflect on vindication

News Tribune
WA state law doesn’t allow jails to help ICE. Tri-Cities leader wants to call the bluff
Tacoma’s main library reopens after 16 months of renovations. Here’s what’s inside
In a city in desperate need of child care, $20.9M center set to break ground in Tacoma
Developer to pay $1 for city property in downtown Puyallup. Here’s what it would become

New York Times
E.V. Owners Don’t Pay Gas Taxes. So, Many States Are Charging Them Fees.

Puget Sound Business Journal
Small-business reporting mandate remains in limbo
Seattle University’s merger with Cornish is a sign of the times

Seattle Medium
Pioneer Square Shooting Marks Seattle’s First Homicide Of 2025
Aurora Avenue Struggles with Gun Violence And Prostitution, Leading Longtime Business To Close

Seattle Times
How Tahlequah, her dead calf tell the story of climate change
What Trump’s executive order on gender means for passports
WA, Seattle brace for second round of fights over ‘sanctuary’ status
Thousands ring in Lunar New Year in Seattle, now an official WA holiday
Refugees approved to resettle in WA stranded after Trump cancels travel
Want a cafe next to your house? WA may open residential neighborhoods (Duerr)
Editorial: Who will pay for schools, the state or local taxpayers?

Skagit Valley Herald
Chief: Mount Vernon police will not assist in immigration enforcement
Skagit County extends time it will accept Guemes Island Ferry punch cards

Spokesman Review
WSU is liable in Sam Martinez hazing death, appellate judges rule
Over 300 people died of a drug overdose in Spokane County last year
Hundreds of volunteers comb Spokane County for annual homelessness count
Washington legislature considers new restrictions as gun shop owner worries about potential impact (Pedersen, Liias, Taylor)

Washington Post
China’s DeepSeek AI app sends U.S. tech stocks reeling
Democrats flip the script, eyeing debt limit to block Trump’s agenda
Ending birthright citizenship would impact all Americans, legal experts say
U.S., Colombia avert trade war as Bogotá agrees to accept deportation flights

WA State Standard
WA bill would ban use of traveling circus animals (Liias)
After arson, WA lawmakers advance bill to warn of ballot box tampering penalties
Washington lawmakers look for ways to build more housing in rural areas (Bateman)
House Democrats close their chamber doors to Washington governor’s staff (Fitzgibbon)
Reports of Navajo people detained in immigration sweeps sparks concern from tribal leaders

Wenatchee World
Spanish teacher joins Wenatchee City Council
Rep. Hunter Abell pushes to increase law enforcement officers in WA state
State law continues to limit police cooperation with ICE despite federal orders

Yakima Herald-Republic
Toppenish asks public for feedback on intersection safety
How Trump’s actions on immigration could play out in Central Washington
Two people detained by ICE in Sunnyside on Sunday; city plans news conference

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Over 60 cars broken into in Renton, at least 4 guns missing
In Session: Guns, police and rent cap bills highlight week two in Olympia
Seattle woman charged in the fatal shooting of a Border Patrol agent in Vermont to appear in federal court

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
‘Pretty offensive’ racist graffiti painted on Issaquah bike trail
Growing fear for immigrants in Seattle after new Trump orders
JBLM officers to join other US active duty troops in supporting southern border security
Three local pregnant women sue Trump administration over birthright citizenship order

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Where is the rain? Seattle on track for third-driest January on record
Food Lifeline faces tough start to 2025 amid high demand, dwindling donations
Western Washington firefighters return home after aiding California wildfire battle
Trump cancels travel for hundreds of refugees already cleared to come to Washington

KNKX Public Radio
PNW enters uncertain moment for I-5 bridge project as Trump takes office
Washington tribes, communities could have more say in wind, solar development

KUOW Public Radio
UW’s new mental health hospital can’t fill its beds

KXLY (ABC)
Teenager dies from overnight shooting in Spokane
Spokane Valley initiative funds capital entertainment projects with lodging tax revenue

NW Public Radio
How Washington’s small airports are getting their flights back
WA, local schools will not share student information with immigration enforcement

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Maple syrup producers face regulatory hurdles in budding NW industry

Cascade PBS
The Newsfeed: Gov. Ferguson’s vision for WA safety, budget & more

MyNorthwest
Racist graffiti found on East Lake Sammamish bike trail sparks outrage in Issaquah

The Urbanist
I-90 Ramps Will See Safety Upgrades Ahead of Judkins Park Station Opening

Washington Observer
A tasty public records dump from the Senate Ds (Frame)
Democrats’ gun (and bullet) control shots (Thai, Berry, Lovick, Doglio)
County-run passenger boats backfill state ferry service – with state money

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday info
FOLLOWUP: New information about combined-sewer overflow in Fauntleroy