WA union marches into state Capitol as budget bargaining boils over
Escalating tensions around cuts for Washington’s budget and potential furloughs boiled over Wednesday afternoon as hundreds of workers stormed into the state Capitol building to pick a fight. The group is at loggerheads with Gov. Bob Ferguson, who had pledged to honor general wage increases of 5% over the next two years but is now proposing 24 unpaid furlough days over the next two years instead to help close the state’s $16 billion budget shortfall. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Washington state industries feel the sting of new tariffs
Seattle and the state are beginning to feel the heat from President Trump’s tariffs — including a 125% levy on Chinese imports. China is Washington’s largest trade partner. The state’s economy is also among the most trade-dependent in the nation, with more than 40% of jobs tied to international commerce, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said in a statement. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)
Washington lawmakers are considering rent stabilization again. Would it solve renters’ problems?
On April 3, advocates…hosted a tiny press conference at the Hive, a branch of the Spokane Public Library, to show their support for statewide rent stabilization. Lawmakers in Olympia are currently considering the idea — again — via House Bill 1217 and its companion Senate Bill 5222. About 40% of Washingtonians currently rent their homes, and they have “zero protections right now about how high their rent can go,” says state Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-West Seattle, one of the main sponsors of the bill. Continue reading at The Inlander. (Young Kwak)
Axios
Washington state industries feel the sting of new tariffs
U.S. starts monitoring immigrants’ social media for antisemitism
Bellingham Herald
‘Global race for AI dominance’ could start at Eastern WA nuclear site
US, China in back-and-forth trade war. How tariffs impact Washington state
Jury finds city of Bellingham responsible for damages in handling of former officer’s abuse
Capital Press
Trump takes aim at states’ climate change laws
U.S. strawberry exports hit record levels in 2024
Trump raises tariffs on China, pauses tariffs on the rest
Oregon wildfire map may be swapped for voluntary incentives
Columbian
Seasonal water releases for young salmon start at Bonneville Dam amid national political turbulence
The Daily News
WA draft transgender athlete rules move to nonbinding, as schools in Cowlitz County, more vote
Everett Herald
Lynnwood invites public to Community Open House
Everett releases complete draft of comprehensive plan update
Snohomish County Health Department unveils new mobile health van
Drought advisory issued for Snohomish County and six other counties
Highway 529 NB to close for paving Friday night through Monday morning
Opinion: Trade war will make us hotter, dirtier and poorer
Editorial: Little park at Martha Lake an example of success
Indian Country Today
Get ready for dirty toilets, closed facilities and fewer firefighters
The Inlander
Washington lawmakers are considering rent stabilization again. Would it solve renters’ problems? (Alvarado)
News Tribune
Has a Tacoma wastewater plant threatened this endangered species?
Federal jury awards $25M to man who lost his leg after Pierce County jail stay
Controversial homeless village near Spanaway Lake clears another legal challenge
Opinion: Washington’s supported living caregivers desperately need raises from the legislature
New York Times
A rural WA sheriff fights the state’s immigration law
House Passes G.O.P. Budget After Conservative Revolt Collapses
House Votes to Curb National Injunctions, Targeting Judges Who Thwart Trump
Olympian
WA libraries sound alarm after feds cancel $4M grant: ‘Downright cruel’
US, China in back-and-forth trade war. How tariffs impact Washington state
Puget Sound Business Journal
Microsoft reportedly looks to lay off middle managers
How Boeing’s deliveries in Q1 shaped up after a rough 2024
Trump announces 90-day tariff pause. Here’s what it means.
Seattle Medium
Port of Seattle Alerts Individuals Affected By August 2024 Cyberattack
Seattle Joined Nationwide ‘Hands Off’ Protests Against Government Overreach
Seattle Times
Federal funding pulled from WA state libraries
Meta faces FTC trial with Instagram, WhatsApp breakup at risk
Hospitals warn WA budget plans would deal them a financial hit (Fitzgibbon)
WA union marches into state Capitol as budget bargaining boils over (Scott, Morgan, Parshley)
Trump’s tariffs could hit Seattle-area costly home remodeling projects
Software company inflated rents across Washington, new lawsuit alleges
Editorial: Religious freedom must be maintained during protests (Salomon)
Opinion: Federal SAVE Act is the latest attempt to erode voting rights
Skagit Valley Herald
Update given on man’s ICE detainment
Spokesman Review
Federal cuts endanger ‘critical’ safety programs for Alaska’s commercial fishermen
Traffic cameras on I-90 near Idaho state line will mail speeding notices instead of tickets
Adams County sheriff opposes Washington’s ‘sanctuary’ law in heated congressional hearing
Harvest Hills wind project will seek approval from the state rather than wait for Whitman County ordinance
A WSU student’s international visa was revoked in what’s likely the latest regional fallout from Trump’s crackdown on campus protests
Tri-City Herald
WA Legislature targets $134M for 2nd CBC dorm, arts center + other Tri-City projects
Washington Post
Tariffs pushed U.S. uncomfortably close to a financial crisis
Trump eased one trade war, but another may just be getting started
House GOP expected to move ahead on Trump’s tax, immigration bill
WA State Standard
New Washington law recognizes two Islamic holidays (Trudeau, Salahuddin)
Hunters, anglers and tribes see win in Ferguson’s Fish and Wildlife Commission picks
Protest erupts at WA Capitol, as outraged state workers slam Ferguson over furlough plan (Thomas, Jinkins)
Opinion: Expanding a Washington tax credit could be a prescription to help lower-income patients
Wenatchee World
Chelan County grapples with $4M deficit
Court blocks legal aid cuts – but uncertainty remains for nonprofits
Douglas County PUD receives $1.5 million grant for 3-mile distribution line
Yakima Herald-Republic
State, federal cuts leave unanswered questions for wildfire season
Yakima plans two town hall meetings to get feedback on city budget
Broadcast
FOX 13 (FOX)
WA budget kickback? Ex-Gov. Inslee advisor tied to $500k allocation
KING 5 TV (NBC)
State employees make their concerns heard in Capitol (Pedersen)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WA Superintendent Reykdal resists federal DEI order
Some fire-prone communities in WA are getting more help
Dozens enter Washington State Capitol, protesting budget cuts
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Harrell to unveil makeover of iconic intersection at Pike Place Market
Tariff uncertainty rattles Seattle auto repair shops: ‘Wait and see’
Detained youth to no longer face prison riot charges in new Washington bill
WSDOT tests speed cameras on I-5, I-90 to curb collisions and improve safety
KUOW Public Radio
Washington schools chief says no to Trump, yes to DEI
KXLY (ABC)
Washington lawmakers debate increasing property taxes to bring in more money (Pedersen)
Domestic violence investigation leads Spokane Police to uncover hundreds of child porn materials on man’s phone
NW Public Radio
Washington’s state library just lost federal funding — here’s what that means
‘A humanitarian crisis’: Legal aid for unaccompanied minors slashed in Washington state
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Skagit, Whatcom home sales up overall in Q1
How to help the families impacted by the ICE raid at Mt. Baker Roofing Company
MyNorthwest
Dozens enter Washington State Capitol, protesting budget cuts
Swiping left or right on a dating app could soon cost money with new tax (Davis)
Frustration grows as lawmakers feud over Washington’s property tax cap (Pedersen)
Washington Democrats ditch wealth tax, promise ‘tools’ instead—But what are they? (Pedersen, Stonier, Fitzgibbon)
Delaying Seattle World Cup games? State senator fears immigration policies could affect dates (Dhingra)
Washington Observer
Interesting tweaks at the fiscal deadline (Lovelett, Berg, Entenman, Frame, Dhingra, Salomon, Ramos. Chapman, Shewmake, Slatter)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday info