In-car speed limiters considered as option to tackle rise in WA traffic deaths
“This intentional behavior weaponizes vehicles, turning them into missiles, more dangerous than bullets,” Smith Hudson’s father, Ted Smith, told the state House Transportation Committee on Thursday. “We need stiff consequences for these thrill seekers, and we must use any tools available to detect and stop this from happening again.”A bill the committee heard Thursday aims to do that. House Bill 1596, tentatively named the Andrea Smith Hudson Act, would allow drivers with a suspended license to still be able to drive despite a history of street racing or excessive speeding, defined as 20 mph over the speed limit. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Thurston County Sheriff Office)
Washington House committee advances controversial firearm bills amid heated debate
The Washington State House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a crucial executive session on Friday, where lawmakers debated and voted on three major firearm-related bills. These proposals address firearm purchase permits, ammunition sales restrictions and measures to curb firearm theft from vehicles. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Rod Waddington)
Make selection of state university presidents transparent
Sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, the bill would require universities to make the job finalists available to the public in an open forum. The meeting would allow questions from the public, including students and faculty. An expert in hiring of college presidents said campus visits before hiring ultimately are best for the university. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Lawrence Kreisman)
Aberdeen Daily World
SW Washington cities consider removing fluoride from drinking water
Axios
What Trump’s tariffs mean for your wallet
Flu high in Washington as “quad-demic” hits the U.S.
Trump, Sheinbaum agree to pause U.S.-Mexico tariffs for a month
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County schools closed after weekend snow, icy chill
Amtrak Cascades ridership nearly reached 1 million passengers in 2024 — a 41% increase
Port of Bellingham pushes ahead with 2025 upgrades to airport and waterfront properties
Pasco nonprofit sues WA Attorney General over unvaccinated workers fired during pandemic
Capital Press
Grant County farmers protest Washington transmission line
The Daily News
Teen lost legs in 2023 work accident. Now that company will oversee $44M Longview rail work.
Everett Herald
ORCA transfers help save money
More Everett students say ‘Hola!’ to another language
Developers challenge Snohomish River Watershed legal rights
Snohomish County officials offer students up-close look at civics in action
Paine Field readies for bigger, better office move
Comment: Health science on trial at Senate hearing
Comment: Using civic muscles behind bars to rebuild lives
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support
High Country News
The climate fight endures
Islands’ Weekly
Rent stabilization met with pushback by property owners (Alvarado)
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Joint statement from Attorney General Brown, 12 other attorneys general: State and local law enforcement cannot be commandeered for federal immigration enforcement
News Tribune
Why does WA have no income tax? That’s shaped class and the economy of Evergreen state
New York Times
One Response to Trump’s Tariffs: Trade That Excludes the U.S.
E.P.A. Tells More Than 1,000 They Could Be Fired ‘Immediately’
Trump’s Trade Move Could Increase Costs for Many Online Goods
Trump’s Halt on Climate Spending Freezes Jobs and Stalls Projects
From Groceries to Cars, Tariffs Could Raise Prices for U.S. Consumers
Olympian
ADU popularity is growing in Thurston County. But is it really affordable housing?
WA bill would ban flavored nicotine and tobacco to combat ‘epidemic’ of youth vaping (Reeves)
Pasco nonprofit sues WA Attorney General over unvaccinated workers fired during pandemic
Renton Reporter
REA fights for more education funding, system changes
Seattle Times
WA hospitals issue guidance on what to do if ICE arrives
Burien, WA cities keep tightening homeless camping bans
WA businesses fear higher costs, tougher exports due to Trump tariffs
Trump administration’s push for a federal funding freeze is back in court
Trump administration’s halt of CDC’s weekly scientific report stalls bird flu studies
Editorial: Make selection of state university presidents transparent (Pollet)
Skagit Valley Herald
City of Mount Vernon appoints assistant fire chief
South Whidbey Record
Federal grant freeze effort causes chaos, concern
Spokesman Review
WSU announces grass strain that doesn’t need burning
Website offers education on one side of the state budget problem
Quietly, slowly, Spokane has begun planning for removal of Monaghan statue
Trump tests the limits of presidential power with little resistance from Congress
Can I see your ID? How Idaho libraries are responding to law on ‘materials harmful to minors’
The library system in Kootenai County pulled 140 books from its shelves to review for its adults-only room
Opinion: Supporting democracy by supporting local journalism (Liias)
Tri-City Herald
40 miles of canal banks would expand Tri-Cities network of walking & biking trails
‘Changing face of housing.’ 40 proposed subdivisions hint at Tri-Cities future neighborhoods
Washington Post
Tariffs rattle markets; Dow slides 500 points
Trump halts tariffs on Mexico as it rushes troops to border
Trump, Musk wage two-front war as donor does president’s ‘dirty work’
It’s not just federal workers. Strict work culture is trending nationwide.
WA State Standard
Washington lawmakers confront juvenile detention overcrowding crisis (Frame, Goodman)
In-car speed limiters considered as option to tackle rise in WA traffic deaths (Leavitt)
Washington lawmakers hear public testimony on bill to define the role of sheriff’s ‘posses’ (Goodman)
Opinion: Budget reset: Stop the cycle of overspending — show voters the results
Wenatchee World
Protests against ICE raids draws hundreds in Wenatchee
The River Academy to build new $7M, 61,711-square-foot school
Chelan County Commissioners agree to short-term rental code changes
Hundreds rally for immigrant, refugee rights, urge lawmakers to expand healthcare and wage protections
Yakima Herald-Republic
Hundreds rally in downtown Yakima against Trump’s immigration raids
Yakima City Council to discuss pool funding and proposed developments
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘We don’t want to end up like California’: Washington races to prevent LA-scale wildfire
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico, but import taxes still in place for Canada and China
KNKX Public Radio
The ripple effects of tariffs for Washington state
Washington State Parks pass could get more expensive
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane City Council to vote on new ordinances restricting alcohol sales downtown
Washington legislation could put speed limiting devices on cars of habitual speeders (Leavitt)
NW Public Radio
Yakama Power looks to alternative energy storage projects
Decades-long Highway 12 expansion sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’
Web
Cascadia Daily News
January DUI arrests are up 58% in Bellingham compared to 2024
This collection service in Bellingham is redefining what is recyclable — it’s gained a fanbase
Trump puts tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, spurring trade war as North American allies respond
Opinion: Bipartisan bill to boost local journalism also boosts democracy (Liias)
Cascade PBS
Lawmakers mull limit on out-of-state National Guard access in WA (Mena, Jinkins)
MyNorthwest
Speed demons on a leash: Bill would require limiter device for reckless drivers (Leavitt)
Washington House committee advances controversial firearm bills amid heated debate (Farivar)
Washington Observer
Because cow flatulence is just funny (Parshley)
Lawmakers pick a knife fight with Tesla (Saldaña, Chapman, Stanford, Liaas)
Big spending for K-12 heads to Senate Ways & Means (Wellman)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: February’s first weekday