Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era
Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill to establish a committee overseeing the redesign of the Washington state flag. House Bill 1938, sponsored by Representatives Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Julia Reed (D-Seattle) and Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), aims to create a flag that the lawmakers believe better reflects Washington’s unique identity and diverse population. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (KIRO 7)
Lawmakers look at small-scale solar to spare Washington farmland
A House bill proposes electric utilities get more power from small solar projects, likely increasing electric rates, but preserving farmland. House Bill 1847 would require utilities to acquire 10% of their renewable energy from small, customer-owned projects, known as distributed energy resources. Continue reading at Capitol Press. (Capital Press)
Grieving father pushes to change state law after deadly crash involving speeding driver
The proposed law, House Bill 1596, is currently under consideration in the Washington state legislature. If passed, it would allow courts to mandate speed governors, devices that control a vehicle’s speed, for drivers with suspended licenses due to excessive speeding or reckless driving. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)
Aberdeen Daily World
Letters to the Editor
Ocean Shores declares erosion emergency
Port of Grays Harbor delivers annual report
Bainbridge Island Review
Federal funds, SIDS concerns for KPHD
Bellingham Herald
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s message to President Trump: ‘We will stand up to you’
WA joins lawsuit decrying DOGE and Elon Musk’s role in government as ‘unconstitutional’
Capital Press
Lawmakers look at small-scale solar to spare Washington farmland (Doglio)
Economists: Oregon overtime laws reduce profitability, worker earnings
Exempting Washington farmers from cap-and-trade taxes popular, bewildering
WSU: Climate change poses big apple challenges, particularly for Yakima orchards
The Daily News
Kelso School District predicts $2M budget shortfall next school year
Everett Herald
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag
Comment: Birthright citizenship has helped make America great
Journal of the San Juan Islands
State of Washington joins lawsuit against Trump Administration for defunding medical and public health innovation research
Kitsap Sun
A former petroleum engineer is fighting to curb emissions, and starting in Bremerton
News Tribune
Trump administration’s reduction of federal workforce could hit hard in South Sound
WA Secretary of State warns that federal gutting of cybersecurity agency puts elections at risk
New York Times
FEMA Quietly Eases Rules Meant to Protect Buildings in Flood Zones
How Trump’s Medical Research Cuts Would Hit Colleges and Hospitals in Every State
Olympian
WA Secretary of State warns that federal gutting of cybersecurity agency puts elections at risk
Puget Sound Business Journal
Business leaders face more stress amid economic uncertainty
Seattle Medium
Seattle Judge Issues Indefinite Block On Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
Seattle Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Connection With Border Patrol Agent’s Fatal Shooting
Seattle Times
Should WA test human waste fertilizer for PFAS?
Seattle voters embrace new tax to fund workforce housing
WA leaders tell Trump to ‘follow the damn law,’ vow to shield state
Grocery self-checkout rules would change under WA lawmaker’s plan (Fosse)
WA to speed up sex-designation changes in pushback on Trump orders
Boise couple contends with Idaho lawmakers’ effort to undo same-sex marriage
Spokesman Review
Government offices, libraries to close for Presidents Day
Spokane Police Department names officer who shot suspect outside East Central apartment
Ferguson vows to work federal government when possible despite ‘chaotic start’ to Trump administration
Opinion: Medicaid expansion saves lives, boosts economies in rural Idaho
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Editorial: Eyes on Olympia (Nance, Alvarado)
Washington Post
This data may vanish under Trump, so we charted it
Scientists have a new explanation for the last two years of record heat
Park Service deletes trans references on Stonewall Inn monument page
Trump administration directs agency heads to fire most probationary staff
WA State Standard
‘Follow the damn law’: Washington leaders have terse words for Trump
What is WA’s parental ‘bill of rights’? And how are Democrats seeking to change it?
Western Washington’s top federal prosecutor removed from post amid Trump purge
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee superintendent fined for 2023 election interference
Humblebee Collective offers holistic approach to healthcare, healing in NCW
Solarity Credit Union employees donate 1,255 volunteer hours, $10,965 to NCW nonprofits
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington craft breweries brace for higher costs as aluminum tariffs loom
Washington lawmakers introduce bill that would charge drivers for every mile driven (Fey)
Grieving father pushes to change state law after deadly crash involving speeding driver (Leavitt)
Gov. Ferguson says state is prepared to fight Trump’s policies to protect Washingtonians
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
King County sees first decline in gun violence since 2018, report shows
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington election observer charged with felony over mask policy dispute
Washington state leaders tell Trump to ‘follow the damn law’ on federal funding
Washington florists fear Trump tariff impacts on fresh flower prices, wedding pre-orders
KUOW Public Radio
Gov. Ferguson concerned Trump cuts will worsen WA budget woes
Washington lawmakers consider bill to prevent abuse in youth sports (Rule)
Washington state drivers could be charged per mile under proposed bill (Fey, Liias, Dhingra)
KXLY (ABC)
Washington leaders criticize Trump actions, detail the state’s response
NW Public Radio
Northwest federal workers are demoralized, but many are determined to keep their jobs
Web
Cascade PBS
Federal funding freeze could cost WA billions amid budget crisis (Fitzgibbon, Pedersen, Dhingra, Robinson)
MyNorthwest
Willl Washington juvenile gun laws be strengthened?
Road Usage Charge hit with overwhelming opposition
Gov. Bob Ferguson criticizes Donald Trump, but open to working together
State advances bill to expand voter registration services on a party-line vote (Valdez)
Scanning for safety: Clerks pushing WA bill to end chaos at the self-checkout line (Fosse)
Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era (Peterson, Reed, Nance)
Washington AG going to court today over Trump’s order on gender-affirming care
WA bill letting homeless sue cities for not allowing camping, lying in parks is still alive (Gregerson)
Student Safety vs. Classroom Control: Washington lawmakers debate limits on restraint and isolation (Wilson)
The Urbanist
Walkability Isn’t Just Good Urban Planning: It’s a Public Health Intervention
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday watch
Didn’t get your recycling picked up this week?