How COVID-19 changed Washington’s housing market
The pandemic upended America’s housing market, delivering wins for homeowners and roadblocks for those still dreaming. Why it matters: Sky-high home prices, elevated mortgage rates and a shortage of houses for sale are pushing homeownership out of reach for many. Zoom in: This week marks the five-year anniversary of when former Gov. Jay Inslee announced orders closing schools across Washington, which were followed by additional stay-home orders. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)
Bill capping annual rent increases at 7% clears WA House: ‘We must give people stability’
House Bill 1217, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Nicole Macri of Seattle, cleared the chamber 53-42, with another three members excused. Five Democrats broke with their caucus colleagues by voting against the bill; no Republican voted in favor of the legislation. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Steve Bloom)
Student privacy vs. safety: The AI surveillance dilemma in WA schools
Vancouver and many other districts around the country have turned to technology to monitor school-issued devices 24/7 for any signs of danger as they grapple with a student mental health crisis and the threat of shootings. The goal is to keep children safe, but these tools raise serious questions about privacy and security — as proven when Seattle Times and Associated Press reporters inadvertently received access to almost 3,500 sensitive, unredacted student documents through a records request about the district’s surveillance technology. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Gabriel Campanario)
Aberdeen Daily World
Senate passes Wilson bill to redevelop commercial properties for housing
Axios
How COVID-19 changed Washington’s housing market
UW warned it could lose funding over alleged antisemitism
Chaos will delay unemployment for federal workers, states say
Education secretary says mass layoffs first step toward shutting down DoE
Bellingham Herald
WWU student’s award-winning food-heating invention saves space and uses less energy
Columbian
Trump administration halts $1 billion program that keeps affordable housing, including Smith Tower
The Daily News
Trump reverses course on federal worker firings, opening the door for rehiring in SW WA
Everett Herald
Everett locations absorbed most of Boeing’s cuts this winter
Kitsap Sun
Washington House approves bill that would limit rent increases (Alvarado)
PCHS may scale back clinics, behavioral health pending state budget cuts
Housing authority buys apartment building to serve families with Bremerton students
News Tribune
British tourist is detained at Tacoma’s ICE facility. What’s delaying her return home?
1,000-plus rally-goers attend Latino Legislative Day at Capitol: ‘Attacked on every front’ (Ortiz-Self, Saldaña)
‘Where does it stop?’ Workers speak out about cuts to VA services in Puget Sound region
If you live in Washington, how much is a middle class income? New study reveals the range
New York Times
E.P.A. Plans to Close All Environmental Justice Offices
Olympian
Bill capping annual rent increases at 7% clears WA House: ‘We must give people stability’ (Macri, Bronoske, Leavitt, Richards, Santos, Walen, Ramel)
Port Townsend Leader
General Fund expenses growing faster than revenues — and inflation
Seattle Medium
Senate Passes Bill To Protect Child Witnesses Of Violent Crimes (Nobles)
Mayor Harrell Proposes 10-Year Renewal Of Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program
Seattle Times
Thousands of highly trained WA teachers could have their pay cut (Robinson)
Trump’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect
Gov. Ferguson pledges to limit his emergency powers after bill stalls
Student privacy vs. safety: The AI surveillance dilemma in WA schools
University of Washington braces for Trump budget cuts, starts hiring freeze
Under Trump, Social Security resumes what it once called ‘clawback cruelty’
Opinion: WA public schools need money. Our wealthiest residents should help
Westneat: Democrats might be having some second thoughts about WA’s new governor
Spokesman Review
Education Department fires 1,300 workers, gutting its staff
Senate Republicans unveil budget proposal they say is a ‘third way’ (Robinson)
Lawmakers want Idaho ‘undesirable’ for undocumented immigrants, target health care
Could doctors refuse to give vaccines? Idaho bill would allow denial over ‘moral’ beliefs
Tri-City Herald
Trump Education Department probes antisemitism claims at 4 WA colleges
Hanford nuclear site subcontractor, owner to pay $1.1M for COVID loan fraud
Bill capping annual rent increases at 7% clears WA House: ‘We must give people stability’
Washington Post
E.U. retaliates against Trump’s tariffs as trade war escalates
Richest Americans, big businesses might welcome IRS cuts, officials say
Senate Democrats divided on whether to shut down government or vote with GOP
Trump crackdown on sanctuary cities harms other public safety efforts, critics say
WA State Standard
$100M plan for police hiring gets greenlight from Washington House (Entenman)
More law enforcement agencies reconsider use of popular Sig Sauer P320 handgun
Washington governor says he will limit his own emergency powers if lawmakers don’t
Wenatchee World
Smith: Land swap negotiations underway for Tumwater Mountain cross project
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
US suspends free COVID test program
Proposed food bank cuts would be ‘significant’ for communities
University of Washington implements hiring freeze, other budget-cutting measures amid federal, state uncertainty
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Tacoma activist working to get $20 minimum wage on city ballot
28-year-old British backpacker arrested by ICE, held in Tacoma detention center
Education Department cuts half its staff as Trump vows to wind the agency down
Seattle Starbucks baristas walk out as part of nationwide strike over labor practices
Concern over food insecurity rises as the USDA cuts two COVID-era food assistance programs
WA couple sues Delta, Japan Airlines following injuries from minor ground collision at SEA Airport
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bill capping annual rent increases at 7% passes Washington state House
‘It’s worse than COVID’: Point Roberts seeks state aid amid US-Canada tariff crisis
Kirkland community meeting erupts over safety concerns for planned homeless facility
KUOW Public Radio
VA layoffs hit Seattle. Here’s one veteran’s story
Bill to allow more housing near bus stops and rail stations progresses in Olympia (Reed)
British tourist arrested and detained at Tacoma ICE center after exchanging housework for lodging
WA AG sues Adams County for cooperating with immigration enforcement beyond what state laws allow
KXLY (ABC)
Mead High School principal resigns, acting athletic director named replacement
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plan prescribed burns near Spokane and Colville
Washington Senate Republicans release budget proposal to close budget gap without new taxes
Mead School District calls for federal investigation over clash with Washington’s transgender policies
“This could kill a child”: Spokane County Sheriff advocates for harsher punishment for parents who expose kids to fentanyl
NW Public Radio
Dozens in Yakima rally to support science for national protest
Wenatchee Valley 101 to help new residents connect with community
Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten rural healthcare in Washington, experts warn
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Trump halts doubling of tariffs on Canadian metals after Ontario suspends electricity price hikes
MyNorthwest
Excessive speeding bill passes Washington House
Paid family leave on small businesses in WA will be costly (Berry, Doglio)
Washington House passes divisive bill to ease misdemeanor dismissals (Goodman)
WA House pushes through controversial public health bill after heated late-night debate (Bronoske)
It may soon cost more to enjoy Washington state parks following contentious Senate vote (Stanford)
Snitching on schools: Senate passes bill to tattletale on schools not following state education laws (Wilson)
Washington Observer
The state hired the teachers’ union to train special ed teachers (Ortiz-Self)