Gov. Ferguson addresses plans for WA’s budget shortfalls; proposes state employee furloughs
New Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) held a press conference on his 43rd day in office to address the state’s budget shortfalls. Ferguson’s office said the state is facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are working to address ways to close the gap. Continue reading at OutletName. (KIRO 7)
Editorial: A chance to balance interests of homeless, cities
Following a reversal eight months ago by the U.S. Supreme Court that overturned its own past rulings on issues related to “camping” by homeless individuals in public places, cities and counties across the nation — and in Washington state — have responded with ordinances that strengthen anti-camping bans and in some cases make being homeless a crime. Continue reading at OutletName. (Ryan Berry)
WA bill would help coroners, correctional officers get PTSD coverage
After fatal car crashes, fires or other emergencies, coroners and medical examiners are among the first to respond. But unlike police, firefighters and other first responders, they’re limited in the types of workers’ compensation claims they can file when their mental health is affected. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Luke Johnson)
Auburn Reporter
Measles detected in King County infant
Capital Press
Honey bee colony losses reach ‘crisis’ levels this year
Oregon considers independent fire-fighting action on federal land
Judge orders Trump personnel director to take back memos on probationary employees
Courier-Herald
USAID update: Confusion reigns, but there are reasons to hope
The Daily News
Amtrak Cascades aims to create faster routes with more tracks in Kelso (Valdez)
Everett Herald
Support state legislation for fair hospital pricing (Robinson)
Everett mayor to deliver state of the city address
Edmonds school board reverts to former Title IX policy
Everett staff share comprehensive plan info at open house
Editorial: A chance to balance interests of homeless, cities (Gregerson)
Letter: How would per-mile charge count out-of-state driving?
High Country News
How DOGE threatens the Forest Service and public lands
Kitsap Sun
Former Washington State Ferry vessel sign finds new home at Klahowya
News Tribune
Construction underway for Orting’s evacuation bridge
King County confirms measles case; public warned of possible exposure
Will telemedicine for seniors survive federal budget battle? Here’s what we’ve learned
Trump supports possibility of $5K stimulus checks. Will that money really come to WA?
This Tacoma-based group is fighting Trump Administration’s halt of refugee admissions
City of Tacoma affirms support for immigrants, LGBTQ+ people. Are resolutions enough?
New York Times
When It Comes to Tariffs, Trump Can’t Have It All
Far From Washington, Some Small Wins in the Fight to Protect Nature
Mass Layoffs Begin at NOAA, With Hundreds Said to Be Fired in One Day
More Than 70 Million Americans Are on Medicaid. This Is Where They Live.
U.S. Terminates Funding for Polio, H.I.V., Malaria and Nutrition Programs Around the World
Olympian
Gov. Bob Ferguson reveals plan to save $4 billion amid multibillion-dollar budget gap (Robinson, Fitzgibbon)
Opinion: Northwest Indigenous leaders recommit to alliance to bolster salmon recovery
Opinion: Washington has too few police officers. This proposal could help cut the crime rate
Puget Sound Business Journal
Starbucks corporate layoffs hit hundreds of Seattle workers
Boeing reportedly explores sale of WA drone subsidiary as part of streamlining efforts
Seattle Times
Federal NOAA cuts hit Seattle offices
Murray: Trump, Musk have made child care crisis worse
Medicaid spending is under scrutiny. Here’s what that means for WA
WA bill would help coroners, correctional officers get PTSD coverage (Dhingra)
Ferguson proposes $4B in cuts, furloughs in face of WA budget shortfall (Fitzgibbon)
WA Democratic lawmakers propose moving state reserves to general fund (Robinson, Pedersen)
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County committed to electric Guemes Island Ferry
Mount Vernon officials face backlash over councilmember’s remarks
Skagit County to consider Anacortes’ request to expand urban growth area
The Skanner
A Federal Judge in Seattle Blocks Trump’s Effort to Halt the Refugee Admissions System
Spokesman Review
Ferguson unveils budget cuts plan as lawmakers look to address deficit (Robinson, Fitzgibbon)
Washington AG files support in effort to block federal ban on transgender military service
Washington Post
Trump fires hundreds at NOAA, National Weather Service
Farmers sue USDA after agency deletes climate change data
Judge blocks Trump administration’s mass firings of federal workers
Five former defense secretaries denounce Trump’s ‘reckless’ Pentagon firings
WA State Standard
Ferguson proposes $4B in cuts to Washington state budget (Robinson, Fitzgibbon, Pedersen)
Infant in King County identified as first Washington measles case of the year
As bird flu spreads, feds might undercut states by firing scientists, removing data
Wenatchee World
Helion announces plans for world’s first fusion power facility in Malaga
Eastmont School District to reduce $2.6 million to maintain financial stability
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima County plans community forum on homelessness Monday
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
New affordable housing community in Bellevue’s Spring District breaks ground
Safety concerns for Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood fuel well-attended meetings
First case of measles in WA this year identified, officials warn of King County exposure locations
Aquaculture nonprofit sues Washington Department of Natural Resources over ban on net pen fish farming
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Burien battles over minimum wage
Starbucks corporate lays off over 600 Seattle employees
Semi-automatic pistol banned from WA police training group for safety reasons
WA Senate approves measure to remove medical debt from credit score reporting (Riccelli)
Gov. Ferguson addresses plans for WA’s budget shortfalls; proposes state employee furloughs
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Seattle park restrooms fail cleanliness audit, city pledges improvements
Gov. Ferguson proposes plan to save $4 billion amid historic budget shortfall
How to protect yourself from, measles as vaccination rates decline across the nation
King County infant diagnosed with measles; multiple public exposure sites identified
WSDOT efforts to clear 50K pounds of dog food from road face challenges, delays persist
Washington leaders unite against proposed Medicaid cuts, warning of dire health impacts
KNKX Public Radio
Seattle Lunar New Year celebration reveals the CID’s resilience
KUOW Public Radio
The governor’s honeymoon is over with Democrats (Reeves)
No new taxes, for now: WA Gov. Ferguson details plans for budget cuts (Robinson)
KXLY (ABC)
King County infant becomes first Washington state case of measles in 2025
SPS proposes four-year trades high school as part of ‘Together Spokane’ $200M school bond
NW Public Radio
Plans to produce sustainable aviation fuel at Wallula Gap get $1.5M boost
Many USDA researchers working in the Northwest are fired, worked on everything from hops to potatoes
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham aims for more ‘middle housing’ to increase supply
WWU: Governor’s proposed 3% cut would ‘significantly worsen’ institution’s financial woes
Cascade PBS
What’s next for Seattle’s social housing after big tax win? (Reed,
Friday deadline looms for WA’s free-school-meals-for-all bill (Berg)
Governor Ferguson recommends $4B in cuts to Washington budget (Robinson, Pedersen, Fitzgibbon)
MyNorthwest
Ferguson proposes furlough days as way to cut $4B from state budget
WA Republicans accuse Democrats of inflating budget deficit to justify more taxes (Pedersen)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Friday info