$1 billion shortfall in WA transportation budget imperils projects
Increasing construction costs and falling gas tax revenue have blown a billion dollar hole in the Washington state transportation budget, forcing lawmakers to put more money toward projects once promised as fully funded and warning that other projects may be left half built. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dean Rutz)
Bill would require drug tests at all bars
A new Washington State bill is aiming to require all bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks. Senate Bill 5330 was introduced in a legislative session Monday, which would require all businesses, licensed to sell alcohol, to sell drug tests for spiked drinks. This would include hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and taverns. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (KIRO 7)
Democrats rework plan for WA prosecutor on police use of deadly force
“We were without options,” said Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, the prime sponsor of past legislation to create the office. But now with a new administration in town, lawmakers plan to relaunch their push for the independent prosecutor, this time in the governor’s office. Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, filed a bill Tuesday to add a statewide prosecutor to an existing law enforcement oversight agency. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Washington State Legislative Support Service)
Aberdeen Daily World
US 12 rail separation project inches closer to reality
Axios
Washington joins lawsuit challenging federal funding freeze
Native American tribes say ICE harassing members amid raids
Bellingham Herald
Bellingham increases severe weather shelter funding to keep the facility operating
Sportsmen’s Alliance sues WA state Fish & Wildlife over delay in releasing public records
Whatcom County officials, nonprofits grapple with uncertainty amid federal funding freeze
Capital Press
Washington House bill eyes dairy, feedlot emissions (Parshley)
Trump’s broad deportation order fuels fear, speculation
Courier-Herald
A new Washington effort to help save local journalism (Liias)
The Daily News
‘Smoke taint’ a growing issue as WA wine grapes face wildfires
Everett Herald
Low, Paul seek funding solutions for rural county roads (Paul)
Local police policies prevent compliance with federal deportation efforts
Trump federal spending pause leaves officials scrambling in Snohomish County
Islands’ Weekly
Ferguson vows to reform government; Executive orders defend reproductive rights, tighten policies (Berg)
Kitsap Sun
SMMC launches doula program, as Kitsap sees an increase in OBGYNs
News Tribune
Tacoma police chief submits resignation to city manager, to step down Feb. 3
Pierce County eviction rate is rising. Did Tacoma ‘Tenant Bill of Rights’ make an impact?
What does a federal funding freeze mean for Pierce County, many programs that get aid?
Young public policy professional joins Gig Harbor council following a series of turnovers
Are Trump administration deportation flights using planes from Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
New York Times
Leaving the W.H.O. Could Hurt Americans on a Range of Health Matters
Olympian
Washington housing supply bill seeks to reform ‘archaic’ parking requirements (Bateman)
WA signs up for multi-state lawsuit over Trump’s federal financial-assistance freeze (Robinson)
Sportsmen’s Alliance sues WA state Fish & Wildlife over delay in releasing public records
Port Townsend Leader
Navy Growler noise is harmful to residents, study says
Puget Sound Business Journal
Battle lines drawn over Seattle’s social housing funding options
Seattle Medium
County Council Appoints De’Sean Quinn To Fill District 5 Seat
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore Announces Resignation, Effective February 3, 2025
Woodards Secures Grant For Workforce Development And Childcare Hub On Tacoma’s East Side
New Minimum Wage Standards Forcing Many Black Business Owners To Make Difficult Decisions
Seattle Times
$1 billion shortfall in WA transportation budget imperils projects (Fey, Liias)
Trump’s federal funding freeze order spurs panic and pushback in WA
WA clergy may be required to report child abuse disclosed in confession (Frame, Walen)
Trump order aims to end federal support for gender transitions for those under 19
Skagit Valley Herald
Commerce to give $1.1 million grant to Skagit Habitat for Humanity
South Whidbey Record
County housing project receives $3.7M grant
Spokesman Review
Washington joins 21 other states to block federal freeze that could disrupt $27 billion in funding
Judge delays Trump’s federal spending freeze after it prompts ‘chaos and confusion’ in the Northwest
Washington state hospitals lose nearly $400 million in first nine months of 2024, Providence loses $66 million in Spokane area
Washington Post
Senators grill RFK Jr. on vaccine claims
Trump signs executive order to restrict transgender care for youths
Students aren’t recovering from covid. Test scores are getting worse.
White House tells federal workers they can resign now, get paid through September
WA State Standard
Democrats rework plan for WA prosecutor on police use of deadly force (Stonier, Dhingra)
WA lawmakers want to limit parking requirements for new development (Bateman)
Trump’s attempted funding freeze stirs confusion and rebukes from WA leaders (Robinson)
Trump issues order prohibiting openly transgender service members in the military
Wenatchee World
Chelan County budget motions fail to gain support
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima area leaders react to federal funding freeze
Yakima County commissioners extend solar moratorium
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
How Starbucks CEO was awarded nearly $100 million in four months
An inside look at Olympia high school financial literacy class that could become statewide requirement
King County nonprofit worries Trump’s funding freeze would threaten safety of domestic violence survivors
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington bill aims to require bars to sell drug tests for spiked drinks (Dhingra)
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore resigns after 35 years in law enforcement
Social media, cyber experts weigh in on Microsoft potentially buying TikTok
Senator Murray, Senate Democrats to vote on a resolution condemning Trump’s pardons
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Major rehab work on Ship Canal Bridge postponed by budget gap
Burien enacts strict ordinance to clear city streets of tents, encampments
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore submits letter of resignation effective Feb. 3
Waste Watch: Did state lawmakers fumble budget surplus leading to funding gap? (Pedersen, Jinkins)
Immigration sweeps raise mental health concerns in Washington state after arrests
Inmate dragged backward across cell floor by a rope sues Washington state sheriff’s office
Trump’s federal spending freese puts WA domestic violence survivor services in jeopardy
KUOW Public Radio
New Trump order has trans Seattleites thinking about their IDs
Washington legislators look to crack down on environmental crime (Trudeau)
‘Sheer panic’: Washington officials rush to figure out federal funding freeze (Robinson)
KXLY (ABC)
SPD releases name of officer-involved shooting in domestic violence call
Uncertainty looms for Spokane nonprofit amid Trump Administration’s refugee policies
‘We are not toys’ Local nonprofits urge Spokane City Council to pass resolution protecting immigrant communities
NW Public Radio
Starbucks and its workers’ union still haven’t reached a collective bargaining agreement
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham makes largest land purchase yet in Lake Whatcom watershed
City’s new work group will review law enforcement policy on immigration
Cascade PBS
Franklin County PUD settles voting-rights lawsuit
Trump’s federal funding freeze iced by U.S. judge until Feb. 3
New Washington bill aims to end fees for child care providers (Wilson C.)
How CID’s new light-rail construction could impact Inscape Arts
MyNorthwest
WA eyeing overhauling elections with ranked choice voting
Washington aims to curb drunk driving with bold civil protection orders (Davis)