Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget
Washington is grappling with a significant budget shortfall — ranging from $6 billion to $14 billion, depending on which lawmaker you ask. The partisan arguments over how to fix the deficit have been predictable: Democrats argue that more tax revenue is needed to save critical programs, while Republicans push for reduced spending. House Democrats have launched a website aimed at illustrating what a zero-revenue budget for the next two years could look like and the cuts that could follow. The site is based on what’s known as a “Book One” budget, created by outgoing Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Continue reading at KIRO. (Karen Ducey)
Washington state may pause creation of specialized license plates
In a year when 10 new commemorative license plates have been proposed, another bill would pause the state’s implementation of specialty plates in the future. House Bill 1952 would establish a task force to re-examine the qualification process for new plates to be considered by legislators. The bill would prohibit the creation of any new specialty plates for four years. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)
Forest Service layoffs dire for WA recreational lands
The Trump administration’s recent decision to cut thousands of staff from the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will have severe impacts on our public lands in Washington. The termination of about 3,400 Forest Service employees leaves our public lands less safe and under-resourced at a time when outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Marcus Yam)
Axios
Universities feel ripple effects of DOGE cuts to health
College-educated Americans are still flocking to Seattle
Report: Historical redlining still impacts young cancer patients
Washington lawmakers debate changes to “parents’ bill of rights” (Wilson)
Bellingham Herald
Can ICE target employers? Legal experts weigh in after bakery owners arrested in Texas
Are border crossings in WA down amid US-Canada tensions? Early data shows sharp decline
Columbian
Forest Service cuts in Gifford Pinchot: ‘The impact is going to be huge’ to Southwest Washington
The Daily News
Longview installs 87 pedestrian signals
Longview schools revert Title IX changes after federal court case
Everett Herald
Letter: Congress’ tax legislation should help families, workers
Comment: No, Musk hasn’t uncovered fraud at Social Security
Comment: Welch: Local government needs rational leaders, not activists
Islands’ Weekly
Community Water Taxi sends letter to legislators
News Tribune
Tacoma’s crime plan has ended after nearly 3 years. Here’s what the data tells us
200+ new homes planned for JBLM. How will it impact the surrounding housing market?
Opinion: How excessive rent increases harm the physical and mental health of Washingtonians
Olympian
From housing to school safety, here are some high-profile WA bills that made first session cutoff (Alvarado, Berry, Gregerson, Saldaña, Bateman)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Online travel giant lays off more employees
Sounders bet on free tickets to grow fan base
SBA to overhaul operations under new leadership
Seattle Medium
Judge Delays Decision in Seattle Black Fire Fighters’ Property Battle
More Than A Museum: Delbert Richardson Brings Black History To Life
Seattle City Council Approves Bill For Police Use Of Less Lethal Weapons
Nick Brown: Making History As Washington’s First Black Attorney General
From William Grose To Alice Ball: Seattle’s Parks Tell A Story Of Black Excellence
Mayor Harrell Launches Executive Order To Accelerate Light Rail Expansion In Seattle
Washington Superintendent Defies Federal Directive On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs
Seattle Times
Opinion: Forest Service layoffs dire for WA recreational lands
Editorial: King County’s hype on crisis care centers is premature
South Whidbey Record
Opinion: From Point No Point to Deception Pass: Decisions by Trump administration have local impacts
Spokesman Review
Democrats release details of what ‘all cuts’ budget could look like in Washington (Ormsby)
Plan to provide free lunch for all Washington students is falling out of favor amid budget shortfall
Schools have until Friday to cut race-conscious programming, per the federal government. The state says to disregard directive
Washington Post
Her claim of anti-straight bias could upend discrimination law
EPA tells White House to strike down landmark climate finding
House passes budget framework, setting up talks with Senate on how to enact Trump’s agenda
High-level power struggle between Musk and Trump-appointed Cabinet secretaries intensifies
WA State Standard
Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s refugee ban
Washington legislators debate bills to boost recycling
Are Washington lawmakers about to tax storage unit rentals? (Peterson)
Federal judge blocks Trump funding freeze, saying it produced a ‘nationwide crisis’
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Snohomish County’s first crisis center faces financial hurdles
Seattle set for growth and global spotlight in 2025, leaders say
Washington state may pause creation of specialized license plates (Donaghy)
Seattle judge temporarily blocks Trump’s refugee executive order
Popular police gun permanently banned at Washington training academy
Kitsap County grapples with significant power outages following fierce windstorm
Hours after transit safety measure passes, man is shot at Renton Metro Transit Center
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph (Alvarado)
Rep. Adam Smith: ‘Trump is moving in a fascist direction and we need to stop him’
A federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s effort to halt the refugee admissions system
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Grant to ‘climate action organization’ from Jeff Bezos-founded charity expires
Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s effort to halt refugee admissions system
Seattle scientists protest Trump’s medical funding freeze, warn of research impacts
Bill to overhaul initiative system would make signature gatherers subject to jail, fine (Valdez)
King County leaders, transit union work to form safety task force after Metro bus violence
KNKX Public Radio
What climate change means for bird flu — and the soaring price of eggs
KUOW Public Radio
Does the Washington flag need a facelift? (Peterson)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Employees: Forest Service cuts will hurt trails, threaten public safety
Blaine considers merging primary, elementary schools due to financial squeeze
MyNorthwest
State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph (Alvarado)
Washington Senate approves memorial for trooper killed by burglary suspect
Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget (Jinkins)