State helps hundreds of homebuyers cross a racial barrier
A state program addressing the historic harms of racially restrictive real estate covenants has helped hundreds of Washington residents become homeowners since last summer. Why it matters: For decades, many deeds contained language barring the homes from being sold to Black, Asian, Native and Hispanic Washingtonians, fueling segregation and disparities in homeownership rates that persist to this day. Continue reading at Axios. (Maura Losch)
Trump and Musk take aim at the rural West
Trump’s erratic freezing of Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction acts funds is rippling across the region as well, in ways that reveal the arbitrary nature of the cuts. Western states each lost as much as $156 million that was earmarked to bring rooftop and community solar to their residents, though some of that funding was later restored, while elsewhere it remains in limbo. Continue reading at High Country News. (High Country News)
USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Going further after moment as a pioneer for LGBTQ rights
A decade ago her name was in the national news, the face of a trail-blazing decision by her tribal government to recognize same-sex marriage at a time when the federal government, states and other tribal authorities did not. But Heather Purser learned from the spotlight, one that she tends to shy away from now, and put the lessons of advocacy learned then – when the Suquamish Tribe’s General Council affirmed same-sex marriages after her request in 2012 – to work in different ways today for her family and community. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Meegan M. Reid)
Aberdeen Daily World
Foot ferry envisioned from Ocean Shores to Westport (Nance, Fey, Liias)
Possible cougar attack on livestock reported in South Bend
Bill would direct commercial fishing taxes to the city of Westport (Tharinger)
Axios
Global democracy score hits historic low: report
State helps hundreds of homebuyers cross a racial barrier (Taylor, Scott)
Bellingham Herald
At least 2 domestic cats confirmed to be infected with bird flu in Washington state
Newhouse backs US House GOP budget that could lead to Medicaid cuts for WA constituents
Capital Press
Farm group seeks clarity on Trump’s deportation
WSU study tracks CRP impact on dryland wheat farming
Trump official denies ordering mass firing of USDA scientists, others
The Daily News
Opinion: WA parents’ rights movement ignores guardians with ill intent
Everett Herald
“Purpose”: Lynnwood mayor delivers State of the City address
Letter: Cuts to Medicaid would endanger those we love
Letter: Legislation seeks health care that’s fair, affordable (Fosse, Cortes, Parshley, Hasegawa)
Editorial: A chance to balance interests of homeless, cities (Gregerson)
High Country News
Trump and Musk take aim at the rural West
The Inlander
Rural revitalization is happening across Eastern Washington. Will federal funding freezes kill the momentum?
Kitsap Sun
USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Going further after moment as a pioneer for LGBTQ rights
News Tribune
This $9 million foot bridge will help residents evacuate if Mount Rainier erupts
Jamika Scott gives honest assessment on the limitations of city council resolutions
New York Times
Mass Federal Firings May Imperil Crops, Cattle and Pets
EPA tells White House to strike down landmark climate finding
What Can House Republicans Cut Instead of Medicaid? Not Much.
Trump Said E.P.A. Would Lose 65 Percent of Staff. Then, a Correction.
Trump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs Will Go Into Effect Next Week
Trump’s Plan to Repeal Climate Policy Could Upend Shift to Electric Cars
U.S. Economy Shows Signs of Strain From Trump’s Tariffs and Spending Cuts
She Lobbied for a Carcinogen. Now She’s at the E.P.A., Approving New Chemicals.
As Trump’s deadline to eliminate DEI nears, few schools openly rush to make changes
Olympian
Gov. Bob Ferguson to discuss budget proposals to address WA’s multibillion-dollar deficit
What is the future of housing in Olympia? City updates to middle housing code will help decide
Puget Sound Business Journal
Companies cautiously navigate DEI landscape
Seattle shifting from ‘doom loop’ to ‘bloom loop,’ civic leader says
Renton Reporter
Letter: Support excluded undocumented workers receiving unemployment benefits
Seattle Medium
Washington State Sees Spike in Unemployment Applications Amid Federal Firings
House Bill 2015 Advances, Shifting Public Safety Investments Toward Accountability and Community Well-Being (Entenman)
Seattle Times
Second wave of seasonal flu hits WA hospitals, fills ERs
IRS to close more than 110 offices with taxpayer assistance centers
FDA cancels meeting of vaccine experts scheduled to advise on flu shots
Burien sues to halt adoption of voter-approved minimum wage initiative
In a reversal, plans for U.S. natural gas power grow, complicating progress on climate
DOGE access to US intelligence secrets poses a national security threat, Democrats say
Immigration officials say everyone living in the US illegally must register. What does that mean?
Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China
Spokesman Review
Bipartisan secretaries of state object to election bill Republicans dub ‘initiative killer’ (Valdez)
Medicaid could be on chopping block after Northwest Republicans help pass House budget measure
‘Nothing new about backlash’: MLK Jr. scholar tells Whitworth students King’s legacy still relevant today
Spokane police chief tells Senate committee to invest in more technology to catch fentanyl being smuggled over the border
Despite strong performance reviews, Grand Coulee Dam workers fired in DOGE cuts told they ‘failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications’
Opinion: State must boost Medicaid funding for assisted living
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Is a new mosquito fleet in the cards? (Nance, Fitzgibbon, Thomas)
Washington Post
This federal worker hoped Trump’s victory would change her life, but not like this
WA State Standard
The true cost of the huckleberry industry
Two Washington cats infected with bird flu
Washington could exempt medical debt from credit reports (Riccelli)
Fate of proposed free school meals expansion is in doubt in Washington Legislature (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon, Dhingra)
Wenatchee World
Warmer weather and rainfall leads to runoff and debris across Chelan County
Washington public schools struggle with student achievement despite increased funding
Goehner’s housing bill to expand middle housing in Washington advances with unanimous Senate support
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Successful Washington program reintegrating felons into society faces cuts
As Gov. Ferguson prepares suggested budget cuts, taxes remain ‘last resort’
Seattle man arrested for violent hate crime after punching, attacking woman
Washington veteran family says nationwide VA layoffs have already hurt their quality of care
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Violence on King County busses prompt calls for safety training
WA bill putting limits on rent increases advances in state Senate (Alvarado)
King County budget deficit solution may include cuts to public safety
Governor Ferguson to hold press conference on $4 billion budget savings plan
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘A devastating impact’: King County Sheriff’s office could face $30M budget cut
Child dies in measles outbreak in Texas as Washington officials urge vaccinations
WSDA warns pet owners after avian flu found in cats linked to contaminated raw food
New bill pushes for transparency in courtrooms, requiring judges to justify bail releases (Davis)
KUOW Public Radio
Successful dropout prevention program in Washington state faces uncertain future
KXLY (ABC)
Former WSU coach Rolovich appealing judge’s ruling on his dismissal
A look at what’s moving along, and what’s not, in the Washington legislature (Fitzgibbon)
Spokane Police Chief testifies before U.S. Senate for technology to help detect fentanyl smuggling
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom superintendents oppose proposed limits to Transition to Kindergarten program (Rule, Timmons, Shewmake, Santos)
Cramped classes, dwindling options: Mount Baker students implore Legislature to address funding crisis (Shewmake, Ramel, Timmons)
Cascade PBS
Two cats in King, Snohomish counties test positive for bird flu
Experts, WA reps question rationale for BPA and Hanford layoffs
MyNorthwest
Fired federal workers in Washington struggling to get unemployment, Sen. Murray says
Washington Medicaid funding on the chopping block: Federal cuts could worsen state deficit (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Dhingra)
The Urbanist
Op-Ed: SoDo Is for Industry, Seattle Should Reject Rushed Housing Push
Washington Observer
A high-octane road war with auto insurers (Peterson, Stanford)
House advances bill allowing higher property taxes for schools (Bergquist)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday toplines
FOLLOWUP: Restroom report reviewed by City Council committee
FOLLOWUP: What’s next for Admiral Way Bridge project, plus photos
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Next milestone delayed again, on eve of another ‘early acquisition’ vote