Legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
Heard in the House Committee on Community Safety Monday afternoon, House Bill 1276 would create a new sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of stealing or possessing a high value of goods. 12 months would be added to the sentence of a person guilty of organized retail theft where the property is worth $20,000 or more. If the property has a value of $50,000 or more, 24 months would be added to the sentence. Continue reading at KXLY. (KXLY)
Washington sues to stop ban on funding for gender-affirming care
“This order will kill transgender children if it is not stopped,” she said at a Friday press conference in Seattle where Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Other plaintiffs are Oregon, Minnesota and three doctors who treat trans children. The doctors fear their patients and themselves could face physical retaliation, Brown said. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (M. Scott Brauer)
WA drug addiction treatment centers face strain of overhead costs
When Washingtonians addicted to drugs seek long-term care, they arrive at treatment facilities knowing that, on top of therapy and medication, they’ll also get food, a bed to sleep in and a roof over their heads. What they might not know: The meals, beds, chairs, shower facilities, pest control, building repairs and wages for cooks, janitors and groundskeepers aren’t covered by public insurance. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County mobile health team making the rounds
Capital Press
Washington bill seen as driver to fuel prices (Fitzgibbon)
Washington lawmakers mull methane minutiae (Parshley)
Scammers target USDA organic certifiers and operations
Agencies extend comment period for Columbia River review re-do
The Daily News
149 people helped by Longview weather shelter
Everett Herald
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider
Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Judge grants injunction in WA suit against unconstitutional birthright citizenship order
Kitsap Sun
Culvert replacements around Sinclair Inlet will affect traffic starting 2026
News Tribune
WA bill would limit police officers’ ability to make certain traffic stops. Here’s why (Street)
Group housing to be built inside historic Tacoma church. Neighbors are not pleased
This Pierce County hospital has one of the busiest ERs in the U.S. Meet its new president
Why isn’t anyone keeping track of the number of homeless people dying in Pierce County?
Look inside the modern new structure on the Capitol Campus: Irving R. Newhouse Building
Tacoma-based group sues Trump administration for suspending refugee-resettlement program
Opinion: Balancing power: The case for legislative control during emergencies in Washington
New York Times
Skilled Legal Workers Find They, Too, Are Targets of Trump Citizenship Order
Northwest Asian Weekly
Wing Luke Museum to hold special 100th birthday celebration in honor of Wing Luke and his lasting legacy
Olympian
WA bill would limit police officers’ ability to make certain traffic stops. Here’s why (Street)
Ticket-triggering speed cameras coming soon to Washington’s roadside construction zones
WA, 21 other states sue Trump administration for defunding medical, public health research
Puget Sound Business Journal
Why homes are sitting on the market longer
Early tariffs activity viewed as ‘tip of the iceberg’
Seattle Medium
Major Fire At Ballard Construction Site Forces Evacuations And Leaves One Injured
Egg Heist In West Seattle As Thieves Steal Over 500 Eggs And other Breakfast Foods
Seattle Times
Here’s what advocates are telling WA immigrants about ICE raids
WA drug addiction treatment centers face strain of overhead costs (Macri)
Farmers on the hook for millions after Trump freezes USDA funds
NOAA is told to make list of climate-related grants, setting off fears
WA students lag in reading and math, but some districts gain ground
Proposed NIH funding cuts leave WA research institutions fearing ‘fiscal chaos’
What to know about proposals to ban abortion pills and punish women who seek abortion
Editorial: Restricting sleeping in public won’t end homelessness
Spokesman Review
Patty Murray: RFK Jr. meeting was most troubling she’s had in 32 years
Spokane voices support for Washington’s sanctuary law in most crowded meeting in years
$71 million program for EV charging stations in Eastern Washington suspended after Federal memo
‘They are not other. They are us’: Community members at Spokane rally urge city support for immigrants
Judge temporarily halts slash in federal research spending that could force major cutbacks at WSU and UW
Washington Post
Trump announces round of tariffs on steel and aluminum
Trump’s NIH challenges the model that underlies U.S. scientific dominance
Pope Francis rebukes Trump over mass deportations, warns it ‘will end badly’
WA State Standard
Washington bill would set new limits on when police can stop drivers (Street)
Washington lawmakers consider bills to recognize two Muslim holidays (Trudeau, Salahuddin)
WA senator sparks fury with description of 40-year-old law limiting parental rights (Pedersen)
What happens to a school that refuses to obey the Trump ban on transgender athletes?
Wenatchee World
Health district warns of fentanyl contamination in methamphetamine supply
Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort reps to discuss expansion plans at public forum
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Man caught on camera pushing youth hockey refs at Kraken Community Iceplex
Bill: Police would not be able to stop drivers for broken headlights, recently expired tabs (Street)
‘We don’t want this fight’: Canadian official responds to President Trump’s tariff proposal
Foster mothers demand legislators address growing number of child deaths, near deaths under CPS supervision
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Slow down! Speed camera headed to highway projects in WA
‘They’re going back’: Trump’s renewed attack on refugees challenged in WA court
Seattle-area aid groups sue over Trump’s order suspending federal refugee program and funding
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New graffiti-battling drone deemed ‘very effective’ in WSDOT report
Work zone speed camera to rotate through Washington highway projects
Washington state joins lawsuit against Trump’s health research funding cuts
Parental Bill of Rights debate rages on as Democratic party chair comment goes viral (C. Wilson, Pedersen, Stonier)
New CARE team expands to north Seattle, easing pressure on police with crisis response
Voter confusion grows over Seattle’s social housing measure with dueling funding options
KUOW Public Radio
Who’s at risk of deportation in Washington state? 5 things to know
WA, UW join lawsuit over Trump order cutting funding for medical research
‘We can afford a tent’: Tenants pray for relief as housing industry pushes back on rent limits
KXLY (ABC)
Legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft (Leavitt)
New medical center near Lewis and Clark High School raises safety concerns for parents
Spokane City Council passes resolution in support of refugee and immigrant communities
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Here’s why Bellingham Technical College is seeing enrollment growth
Cascade PBS
WSU announces Elizabeth R. Cantwell as new president
Native nations lead salmon restoration efforts in Columbia Basin
Washington legislature considers strengthening youth labor laws (Fosse)
Washington sues to stop ban on funding for gender-affirming care (Jinkins, Pedersen)
Washington Observer
Local school politics shows the power of supermajority requirement for bonds (Stonier)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info