Democrats weigh options as Gov. Ferguson rejects WA wealth tax
Washington Senate and House budget leaders say they are weighing several options as they prepare for a “major pivot” after Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday that neither version of the operating budget proposals by Democratic lawmakers are close to ones he would sign. At the heart of the debate: a wealth tax sought by both House and Senate Democrats. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
ICE arrests 37 in workplace raid at Bellingham roofing company
In an early morning raid Wednesday at Mt. Baker Roofing Company in Bellingham, immigration officials confirm they arrested 37 people who fraudulently represented their immigration status. A spokesperson for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said its agents, along with Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, executed a federal search warrant at the company “based on an ongoing criminal investigation into the unlawful employment of aliens without legal work authorization.” Continue reading at KUOW. (Damian Dovarganes)
WA House passes $15B transportation budget backed by gas tax hike
Lawmakers in the Washington House and Senate will have plenty of negotiating to do as they try to reconcile competing transportation budget proposals, which both depend on gas tax hikes. The state House approved its $15.2 billion plan Wednesday, setting the stage for the talks. The legislation differs from the Senate version in significant ways. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)
Aberdeen Daily World
Westport approves lease agreement with SEALink
$5B plan to fund culvert removals unveiled by WA senators (Liias, Trudeau)
WDFW proposes $1.7M acquisition of 655 acres above North Willapa Bay
Auburn Reporter
New catalytic converter law aimed at deterring theft in WA
Axios
Seattle rainfall grows more intense with climate change
How Washington state is suing Trump in his second term
Bellingham Herald
ICE agents detain nearly 40 employees during morning raid at Whatcom County business
Here’s how the gutting of a federal agency will affect Whatcom County’s libraries, museums
Couple establishes food pantry at Bellingham apartment complex to assist low-income seniors
Capital Press
Trump sets tariffs, says farmers have been ‘brutalized’
The Daily News
Longview tables fluoride vote proposal. But will it return?
Cowlitz River smelt season starts then ends without prized fish
Longview to meet with schools, nonprofits, businesses, more to strategize
The Inlander
Olympia once again raises a cannabis question it is not ready to answer
A voter-approved natural gas initiative, ruled unconstitutional, could be headed to the Washington Supreme Court
International Examiner
Know your rights training in the Chinatown-ID teaches people how to stay safe from ICE
Kitsap Sun
Bremerton school board selects Slade McSheehy as new superintendent
Kitsap groups joining national protest movement Saturday against Trump administration
News Tribune
Tacoma Pride festival will move to new, bigger location this year. Details here
WA co-leads lawsuit against DHHS, RFK Jr. to reverse cuts to public-health grants
Lakewood police’s second in command out on leave pending internal investigation
‘Unfit for human habitation.’ Pierce County city sues mobile home park as nuisance
WA lawmakers unveil capital budget ideas. Here’s some of the major project proposals (Trudeau)
Opinion: Republicans are fighting fentanyl in Washington. Democrats won’t advance our bills
New York Times
Entire staff fired at office that helps poor Americans pay for heating
Republicans Plan to Skirt Senate Rules to Push Through More Tax Cuts
Trump Administration Live Updates: States Told to Drop D.E.I. Programs at Public Schools or Lose Funding
Northwest Asian Weekly
ACRS loses federal grant, impacting services for green card holders
Ferguson appoints Santos to fill vacancy on King County Superior Court
Amazon’s last-minute bid for TikTok comes as a US ban on the platform is set to take effect Saturday
Olympian
ICE agents detain nearly 40 employees during morning raid at Whatcom County business
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam letter details Trump administration impacts
Seattle Medium
Verity Credit Union Launches 2025 Microgrant Program
Seattle Times
Outside a Social Security office, fear, lines and misinformation
Democrats weigh options as Gov. Ferguson rejects WA wealth tax (Robinson, Berg, Jinkins, Thai, Scott)
Immigration officials raid Bellingham roofing company, arresting 37
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha could be recognized as WA state holidays (Salahuddin)
Laid off by Trump, student loan workers leave hundreds of cases behind
Tariff-weary WA businesses brace for another round of Trump trade tactics
The Latest: Markets plunge as Trump tariffs deliver shock waves to world economy
Editorial: Seattle is weary of gun violence. City auditor’s report is a lifeline
Skagit Valley Herald
Commerce selects three local groups for clean building grants
Spokesman Review
Gov. Ferguson noncommittal on gas tax increase, Speaker of the House says (Jinkins)
Trump announces 10% tariffs on all imports, additional taxes for some 60 countries
Spokane Valley passes ‘not a sanctuary city’ resolution meant to show allegiance to Trump
As the needs of Spokane’s vulnerable grow, so does Spokane Fire Department’s community assistance team
‘We are in a trade war’: Washington leaders, business sectors largely express confusion and concern at Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement (Heck)
Washington Post
Stocks fall, businesses recoil after Trump imposes tariffs
EPA cuts could leave small rural towns choking in smoke
WA State Standard
WA House passes $15B transportation budget backed by gas tax hike (Fey)
Push for social media safeguards to protect children derails in Washington House (Frame, Walen, Dhingra)
Wenatchee World
City of Wenatchee files lawsuit against Chelan County over breach of jail contract
Yakima Herald-Republic
Federal cuts raise serious concerns for recreation on Washington’s Forest Service lands
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
HHS Seattle office closes, Head Start staff placed on leave
ICE arrests 37 people at Mount Baker Roofing in Bellingham
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival tiptoeing through Trump’s trade war
‘This place is your home’: Tacoma’s Thrive Center offers services to refugees, immigrants
Microsoft president discusses $80 billion investment in AI, how it will reshape the future
Seattle U. professor warns U.S. companies will likely take advantage of tariffs by raising prices
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
37 arrested in Bellingham ICE raid
Local Head Start employees locked out, let go due to federal program cuts
Social Security Administration planned job cuts leave many seniors in Puget Sound alarmed
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Sea-Tac Airport expects a jump in spring break travelers
Washington consumers, lawmakers react to new Trump tariffs
Boeing CEO defends safety improvements to Senate while admitting ‘serious missteps’
Washington food banks targeted by federal cuts, putting hundreds of thousands at risk
Anti-hazing advocates report majority of Washington colleges are failing to report hazing
KNKX Public Radio
Mass layoffs rattle Head Start leaders already on edge over funding problems
KUOW Public Radio
How budget woes might affect your summer on public land
ICE arrests 37 in workplace raid at Bellingham roofing company
WA Senate rolls out plan to cover $1 billion transportation budget gap (Liias)
Victim of alleged transgender hate crime ‘distraught’ at news of second attack
KXLY (ABC)
Closure of regional Head Start office leaves programs across INW in limbo
Spokane research facility laying off all employees, shutting doors completely by end of June
Web
Cascadia Daily News
37 workers arrested at Mt. Baker Roofing in ICE raid Wednesday
37 trabajadores son detenidos en redada de ICE el miércoles en Mt. Baker Roofing
Opinion: Threats to public health at every angle
Cascade PBS
Central and Eastern Washington brace for possible Medicaid cuts
MyNorthwest
Bill to ban flavored tobacco products introduced in WA
Major corporations oppose Washington wealth and payroll taxes
WIAA says vote on member amendments banning transgender athletes violates state law
Immigration officials raid Washington state roofing company and arrest over 3 dozen people
The Stranger
Could the LA Fires Happen Here?
“Chinga La Migra” Unions and Migrant Advocates Protested Outside of the Northwest Detention Center Last Weekend
Slog AM: Cory Booker Is a Badass, Trump Calls Today “Liberation Day,” and Bob Ferguson Shoots Down a Wealth Tax
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday info