Taxes, furloughs, funding for cops: WA Democrats tee up budget negotiations
Democrats in the Washington Legislature have laid their plans to close the state’s historic budget gap. On Monday, budget leaders for both the Senate and House Democrats unveiled their full budget proposals, which include a combination of new cuts, taxes, and spending. Though there is some overlap between both plans, there are clear differences for lawmakers to sort out in the coming weeks. Continue reading at KUOW. (AP)
Lawmakers condemn protest at home of Democratic WA legislator
Lawmakers have sprung to the defense of a Washington state lawmaker who faced a protest at her home over the weekend. Rep. Tarra Simmons estimated 20-25 protesters showed up at her Bremerton home on Saturday. The Democratic lawmaker held two town hall events that day in her district and was planning to stop at home after the first, but said she got calls from neighbors about the demonstration, so stayed away. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (LSS)
Singing the Songs of Gratitude for Frank Chopp
I was three songs into a night of karaoke with the family when I got the news alert that State Representative Frank Chopp had passed away. It was startling. I paused to take it in and feel the loss. His impact has been immense. Frank had a powerful steadfastness in his commitment to creating change for his community. He found ways forward even when it seemed impossible to serve the most vulnerable. He was a constant presence—unrelenting, always vigilant—reminding us that when one suffers, we all suffer. He mentored us in the ways of justice and urged us to embrace “good trouble.” Continue reading at The Stranger. (The Stranger Archives)
Aberdeen Daily World
Conservation District conducts tour of key sites
Axios
Vaccines urged as whooping cough cases rise
Bellingham Herald
Gov. Bob Ferguson blocks release of WA man convicted of killing 3 in SeaTac tavern
Protest emerges at Ferndale facility after ICE reportedly detains Whatcom County activist
Columbian
Camas Woods: Vancouver developer wants to build nearly 300 housing units near Camas High School
Islands’ Weekly
Latino Legislative Day draws a crowd (Jinkins, Saldaña, Ortiz-Self)
Senate votes to shield medical debt from credit reports (Riccelli)
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Living conditions in federal detention facilities questioned; Legislation would allow inspections by state (Ortiz-Self)
Kitsap Sun
Poulsbo to crack down on downtown parking enforcement, delays paid parking to 2026
Project funding for Bremerton’s West Sound Tech in jeopardy as state budget cuts loom
News Tribune
WA Republican state representative asks President Trump to rethink Medicaid cuts
Gov. Bob Ferguson blocks release of WA man convicted of killing 3 in SeaTac tavern
Hawaii state rep speaks about Pierce County resident detained in Tacoma ICE facility
With no state money in the offing, fate of 300 homeless-shelter beds in Tacoma unclear
She’s been in US for 50 years. Now Pierce County woman with green card detained by ICE
Pierce County preschool says it’s weeks away from opening infant room in child care desert
As Trump orders DOE breakup, here’s how much federal money flows to Pierce County schools
Opinion: Wood is key to building. Importing it is worse than responsible Washington logging
New York Times
Supreme Court Upholds Biden Administration’s Limits on ‘Ghost Guns’
Northwest Asian Weekly
Longtime UW employee held by ICE after trip to Philippines
Olympian
WA Republican state representative asks President Trump to rethink Medicaid cuts
Protest emerges at Ferndale facility after ICE reportedly detains Whatcom County activist
Opinion: Wood is key to building. Importing it is worse than responsible Washington logging
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County gets Legislative update
Opinions differ on cultural tax funds
Seattle Times
ICE arrests WA farmworker activist in Sedro-Woolley
Ferguson’s ‘impossible’ choice as state worker raises clash with budget (Ormsby, Scott)
Long waits, waves of calls, web crashes: Social Security is breaking down
Trump signs order seeking to overhaul US elections, including requiring proof of citizenship
Editorial: WA needs more Ralph Munros
Opinion: Mayors to WA lawmakers: Lift the local property tax cap
South Whidbey Record
Nationwide rise in measles cases has county officials worried
Impact of loss of Department of Education unclear on Whidbey
Spokesman Review
Spokane Councilwoman Lili Navarrete will not run for re-election
State attorney general responds to Trump’s order forcing major changes to Washington’s elections
Who are the real killjoys in Olympia? Democrats for taxing fun or Republicans for cutting programs that spread joy? (Berg, Liias, Pedersen)
Mead School Board proposal suggest it would follow Trump orders that conflict with state law on transgender policy
Opinion: Legislature should remove barriers to education, especially for low-income students
Tri-City Herald
Deal for 300 homes at Vista Field is biggest in 110-year history of Eastern WA port
WSU Tri-Cities research caught in crossfire of Trump education cuts. Is financial aid next?
‘We need to fight.’ Hundreds of incensed Tri-Citians push back on Trump, DOGE and Musk
Othello business owner reunited with teen son after bond release from Northwest ICE Processing Center
Washington Post
Here’s where Americans are increasingly at risk for wildfires
U.S. could hit borrowing limit as soon as May, budget office warns
Vaccine skeptic hired to head federal study of immunizations and autism
Supreme Court allows Biden-era requirement for ghost gun registrations and background checks
WA State Standard
Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder
Trump signs broad elections order requiring proof of citizenship
Lawmakers condemn protest at home of Democratic WA legislator (Simmons, Fitzgibbon, Nance)
Federal cuts squeeze already-struggling food banks, school lunch programs
U.S. Supreme Court in 7-2 ruling upholds Biden administration regulation on ghost guns
Wenatchee World
Spencer Taylor hired as permanent Eastmont superintendent
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Farmworker activist Alfredo Juarez detained by ICE
Proposal to drain rainy day fund ‘dangerous,’ treasurer says (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon)
Victims’ daughter relieved after WA governor halts killer’s release
Push to save Rainier School in Buckley intensifies after state budget writers consider closure (Fitzgibbon)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Proposed changes to Parents Bill of Rights sparks ire (Santos, Wilson)
WSU researchers abuzz over declining honeybee population
Senate transportation plan proposes first state gas tax hike since 2016 (Liias)
50-year resident and green card holder being held in ICE detention in Tacoma
‘This is catastrophic’: Seattle payroll tax revenues $47M short as jobs leave city
‘Big Brother’ in Stanwood? Police Chief responds to concerns over license plate cameras
House and Senate propose substantial gas tax hikes to close budget gap, community weighs in
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New housing facility in Kirkland sets draft rules, but enforcement remains uncertain
New Seattle ordinance mandates security measures for after-hours lounges to curb violence
King County assessor slams Constantine Sound Transit CEO appointment: ‘Too many insiders’
KNKX Public Radio
Point Roberts is forced to grapple with Trump’s trade war with Canada
With no state money in the offing, fate of 300 homeless shelter beds in Tacoma unclear
KUOW Public Radio
Late Washington state powerbroker Frank Chopp left a lasting legacy
Taxes, furloughs, funding for cops: WA Democrats tee up budget negotiations (Robinson, Ormsby)
KXLY (ABC)
Reactions come in over budget proposals from legislative Democrats (Ormsby)
Thousands of ECEAP spots could be eliminated in latest budget proposals (Robinson)
U.S. Marshals launch manhunt for two suspects in murder of Moses Lake teen
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Two Skagit school boards approve staff cuts
Prominent Bellingham immigration activist detained by ICE
My landlord, a city councilor, failed to protect my health, then retaliated
MyNorthwest
Gas tax hikes and sneaky fees: Comparing Washington plans to fund road repairs (Fey)
Democrats, Republicans agree on proposed 6-cent gas tax increase to address $1B shortfall (Liias)
Washington Senate unveils nearly $80B budget with tax hikes for the wealthy and big corporations (Robinson)
GOP leaders condemn protest at democratic representative’s Bremerton home, urge civility in politics (Simmons)
Washington Democrats divided on budget: How House and Senate plans differ on taxes, cuts, spending (Berg, Ormsby, Robinson, Frame)
The Stranger
Singing the Songs of Gratitude for Frank Chopp
The Urbanist
State Budget Proposals Focus on Highway Expansion in Both Chambers (Liias, Pederson, Fey)