‘The feeling was of friendship’: Blaine border rallies meant to ease U.S.-Canada tensions
For the past few weeks, hundreds of Canadian and U.S. residents have participated in a weekly border rally in hopes of easing tensions from a trade war between the two governments, who have enjoyed friendship for decades as “children of a common mother,” according to a slogan etched on one side of the Peace Arch. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Jeffrey Smith)
Who’s stockpiling abortion pills amid bans
A growing number of people are requesting abortion medications before they’re pregnant, a shift driven in part by fears of future abortion bans, a study led by a University of Washington researcher suggests.Why it matters: The number of states enforcing near-total abortion bans since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 has varied, but as of this month, 41 states have either restrictions on abortions after a certain point in pregnancy or near total bans, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Continue reading at Axios. (Shoshana Gordon)
Vaccine clinics canceled, health jobs cut as feds rescind grants to Washington state
Federal cuts are beginning to be felt in Washington state clinics, hospitals, and public health departments. The Centers for Disease Control immediately ended $130 million in “pandemic-related” grants this week, terminating jobs for over 200 employees at the state Department of Health, and potentially more at local health authorities, tribal clinics and community organizations. It’s part of a plan by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to overhaul the federal health department and gut its spending to make it more efficient. Just on the federal level, some 10,000 jobs are on the chopping block – at the CDC, FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and more. Continue reading at KUOW. (Getty)
Axios
Who’s stockpiling abortion pills amid bans
Washington state seeks oversight of Tacoma ICE center
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County bracing for 30% population growth over 20 years; here’s each city’s outlook
Capital Press
Kotek stays out of fight over Oregon ag labor standards board
Columbian
Clark County Food Bank funding sources totaling $900K paused or canceled in USDA cuts
Vancouver fire officials fear for region’s readiness with hazmat trainings canceled in federal funding freeze
Everett Herald
Sound Transit picks Dow Constantine as new CEO
Everett mayor focuses on public safety in keynote address
Skimming devices reported in Everett at gas stations, ATMs
Editorial: The state of Everett amid the state of play
Comment: What’s most critical to ‘critical thinking’? History
Comment: State Senate Democrats’ tax plan built on fantasy
Comment: Here’s the good USAID did and what it won’t do now
Indian Country Today
Youth gun deaths in the US have surged 50 percent since 2019
Kitsap Sun
Bremerton School District reveals 3 superintendent finalists
Kitsap Sheriff’s Office replacing handguns recently banned for state training
Opinion: Affordable housing: A necessity for Kitsap’s essential workers
News Tribune
$40 million Pierce County bridge replacement project underway after 30-year wait
$42 million project promising nearly 100 units of affordable housing breaks ground
6 articles about the Rainier School’s history and the debate about closing the facility
These Pierce County schools vowed to teach more comprehensive Native American history
Opinion: It’s Transgender Day of Visibility. Tacoma will celebrate it in historic fashion
Olympian
‘The feeling was of friendship’: Blaine border rallies meant to ease U.S.-Canada tensions
Peninsula Daily News
2024 timber revenue shows Jefferson below average, Clallam on par
Puget Sound Business Journal
Dow Constantine named Sound Transit CEO at ‘success or failure moment’
Seattle Times
Seattle-area hospital loses 101 staffers after Medicaid payment pause
Seattle pilot program expands access to private substance use treatment
Push for WA jail oversight dies in Legislature, disappointing grieving families (Saldaña)
Opinion: Gov. Ferguson, stand up to legislative overreach
Opinion: The fate of the men sent to El Salvador means everything for your rights
Editorial: New Sound Transit CEO Constantine must prove board made right choice
South Whidbey Record
Future of AI bills uncertain (Shavers)
Spokesman Review
We the People: The Constitution spells out how the government works. Is it in crisis?
Two Spokane City Council members among city officials calling for state to adopt new revenue (Jinkins, Pedersen)
Spin Control: Bill to ban weapons in more public areas moves on without most of the many amendments suggested
Opinion: Board of Natural Resources needs to revisit Spokane land exchange
Washington Post
Americans are spending less as they brace for new tariffs
States rush to hire federal workers out of work after DOGE cuts
Trump says he ‘couldn’t care less’ if auto prices rise because of his tariffs
Tech companies are telling immigrant employees on visas not to leave U.S., out of concern for their return
WA State Standard
Domestic workers would gain new protections under Washington bill (Saldaña)
WA state Senate OKs gas tax hike and budget built on billions of new taxes (Liias, Chapman, Krishnadasan, Robinson)
WA families are using ‘Joel’s Law’ for involuntary commitments more than ever
Tribes, long shut out from their own health data, fight for access and sovereignty
Yakima Herald-Republic
Sales tax measure on April ballot would improve radio system for first responders
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Tesla drivers in King County are seeking other EV options
In Session: Washington state may charge car owners based on gas mileage (Fey)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
King County Metro fare enforcement goes into effect today
WA State Senate passes bill to hike gas tax by 6 cents per gallon (Liias)
Retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens passes away
Two dead, four injured in mass shooting outside Pierce County house party
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County Metro resumes public transit fare enforcement Monday
KUOW Public Radio
Remember when affordable housing used to just happen here?
Vaccine clinics canceled, health jobs cut as feds rescind grants to WA
Seattle lawyers sue DHS to stop deportation of detained immigrants to ‘third countries’
KXLY (ABC)
‘It’s getting unaffordable to have fun in this state;’ Washington senate passes bill to raise hunting, fishing licenses (Liias)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Nurses reject PeaceHealth contract
Mobile clinic tightens the gap in dental health care in East Whatcom
CDN town hall on immigration, border focuses on ways to help your neighbor
Opinion: Bellingham’s rules really do contribute to city housing crisis
Cascade PBS
King County Exec Dow Constantine picked as new Sound Transit CEO
MyNorthwest
Washington hospitals grappling with financial crisis, job cuts
‘It’s ridiculous’: Washington drivers frustrated gas taxes may be going up yet again (Liias)
Washington Republicans push back against gun bill AG Brown believes will save lives
Seattle lawmaker concerned over the ICE arrest of prominent farmworker labor rights advocate (Saldaña)
Proposed WA bill could allow police to hire non-U.S. citizens, Pierce County sheriff says he refuses (Lovick)
‘Violent’ transgender hate crime happens in Seattle, Mayor Harrell to strengthen LGBTQ+ protections
Washington Observer
Hospitals warn Senate Democrats’ recommended cuts would gut their bottom line (Robinson, Macri)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Last day of March
WEEK AHEAD: Hearing in Olympia on Monday for proposal to allow vehicle-noise enforcement cameras (Fitzgibbon, Alvarado)