Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education
Washington lawmakers are on the cusp of eliminating a special education funding cap, which critics said was straining school finances, hurting students, and putting the state at risk of a major lawsuit. On a 97-0 vote, the House amended, then passed Senate Bill 5263 on Wednesday to put Washington, for the first time, on a course to fully fund special education in its public schools. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Maskot)
After years of growth, wolf numbers fall in Washington state
Washington’s gray wolves saw their first population drop since the species returned nearly two decades ago. Why it matters: Gray wolves have been on the state’s endangered species list since 1980, and their previous track of recovery marked a milestone in restoring a native species to the wilds of Washington. Continue reading at Axios. (WDFW)
Battling a deadline, Washington Dems propose a new $12B tax plan
Legislative Democrats have released a new tax proposal to fill an estimated $15 billion budget gap after Gov. Bob Ferguson said earlier this month he would not support their first plan. The plan does not include a “wealth tax” on the state’s highest earners, which Ferguson said he would veto. Instead, the updated package includes expanded taxes on businesses, properties, stocks and bonds. It would raise about $12 billion over the next four years. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (M. Scott Brauer)
Auburn Reporter
Permit requirement for gun purchases clears state Senate
Democrats in Washington Legislature reveal sweeping new tax plan (Fitzgibbon, Scott)
Axios
After years of growth, wolf numbers fall in Washington state (Liias)
Bainbridge Island Review
State Senate approves $7.3 billion capital budget (Trudeau)
Bellingham Herald
‘This shelf is empty’: Federal funding cuts hit Bellingham Food Bank supply
Point Roberts business closing after 24 years as trade war decimates customer base
Capital Press
Trump says USA will ‘protect our farmers’
National Farmers Union supports Congress oversight on tariffs
The Daily News
Rising inflation, loss of COVID relief leaves Longview schools with projected funding gap
Everett Herald
Edmonds school board discusses staff cuts, state legislation
Snohomish County Council member offers new proposal for habitat ordinance
High Country News
The subversive power of Spanish-language radio
Kitsap Sun
Project to expand Illahee dock, renovate former store gets underway
Suspects in Bremerton identity theft scheme now face federal charges
News Tribune
Replacing this major Pierce County bridge could cost more than $250 million
What’s to become of closed Tacoma paper mill? First, a long, complex cleanup
Pierce County announces $6 million eviction prevention program. Is it enough?
Federal cuts force Head Start program with +400 kids, 70 jobs to close in Eastern WA
Opinion: Washington hospitals in trouble, and new taxes won’t help
New York Times
Google Is a Monopolist in Online Advertising Tech, Judge Says
White House Eyes Overhaul of Federal Housing Aid to the Poor
A Legal Battle Over Trump’s Threats to Public School Funding Has Begun
Olympian
Hundreds plead with lawmakers for ‘no more taxes’ during rally at state Capitol
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office gets OK to buy more grappler nets to use in pursuits
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam awards funds to address homelessness
Puget Sound Business Journal
Tariffs can mean scramble or pause for CRE industry
Seattle metro property tax bills among nation’s highest
Cantwell, Washington business leaders sound alarm on tariff impacts
‘Shades of 2020’: Tariff upheaval reminiscent of Covid economic impact
Seattle Medium
Seattle City Light Report Uncovers Widespread Misconduct Among Employees
Netflix Sets to Establish First Office In Seattle, Signaling Expansion Into Tech Hub
Mary Mahoney Organization To Honor Eleven Nursing Students With Scholarships
City Of Seattle Tightens Regulations On After-Hours Lounges In Wake Of Gun Violence
Comcast Launches $3 Million Grant Initiative To Support Small Businesses In King County
The Breakfast Group Held Its 43th Annual Tie-One-On Luncheon, Honoring Seattle’s Young Black Men
Seattle Times
Seattle crosswalk signals hacked to imitate Jeff Bezos’ voice
WA officials urge people to get REAL ID, with deadline 3 weeks away
Nearly 900,000 fewer people came to the U.S. from Canada last month
McNeil Island bill signed by governor expands AG’s investigative power (Leavitt)
Boise is still flying Pride flag. Citing new law, Idaho AG sends warning letter
International students in WA sue Trump administration for revoking legal status
Federal judge will hear arguments as groups try to block Trump’s executive order on elections
Opinion: DOGE quashes a Klamath River Basin comeback
Editorial: Balance state budget responsibly, not ideologically
Spokesman Review
Democratic congresswoman, state party chair to hold Spokane townhall
AG Nick Brown responds to Judiciary Committee investigation into Keep Washington Working Act
Spokane leaders announce ban on right turns on red lights at some downtown intersections and other safety initiatives
The government is terminating Washington State University students’ records that allow them to reside in U.S. legally, school says
Opinion: Proposed state taxes and cuts to health care would put Spokane hospitals in intensive care
Tri-City Herald
What’s that ‘funky’ stench drifting over the Tri-Cities? Here’s what we found out
Washington Post
Trump brushes aside courts’ attempts to limit his power
Trump blasts Fed chair Powell and looks forward to his ‘termination’
Internal budget document reveals extent of Trump’s proposed health cuts
Administration’s freeze on $2.2B to Harvard provided no proof of wrongdoing
WA State Standard
Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education (Pollet, Berg)
Washington AG defends state’s ‘sanctuary’ policy amid congressional scrutiny
Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders (Lovick, Leavitt)
Wenatchee World
Confluence Health seeks an end to COVID-19 vaccination suit
‘Press’ing Questions | Private schools and Indigenous heritage
Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority boosts Pangborn’s runway project by $1.6M
‘Play with a purpose’ at child development, adult instructions TEAMS Learning Center
Chelan County PUD expects to finish Wenatchee Riverfront Park splash pad for summer
Yakima Herald-Republic
WA food banks bracing for potential impacts from federal cuts and tariffs
Yakima school board approves plan to cut 48 positions in second year of belt-tightening
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington Gov. Ferguson reviewing last tax proposals (Frame)
Washington’s first work zone speed camera to be moved around daily
‘Please don’t tax the rich’: Seattle crosswalk buttons hacked to sound like Jeff Bezos
More than 20 bills were signed into Washington law Wednesday. Here’s what they are
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
More speed cameras could be coming to Seattle
Washington business leaders discuss tariff impacts
Puyallup man paralyzed after ‘low-risk surgery’ at UW Harborview files claim
‘This crosswalk is sponsored by Amazon Prime:’ Seattle scrambles to fix tampered crosswalk buttons
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Judge to rule on evidence in crash that killed WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd
Seattle businesses protect tariffs, cite severe impact on operations and export sales (Frame)
Head Start funding lags by nearly $1 billion this year, causing some preschool closures
Edmonds face backlash over proposal to sell park, community center amid budget crisis
KUOW Public Radio
WA Legislature races toward deadline to hammer out a budget
‘Please don’t tax the rich.’ Seattle crosswalks hacked with audio deepfake of Jeff Bezos
KXLY (ABC)
Mayor Lisa Brown and Spokane City Council announce new initiatives to improve traffic safety
NW Public Radio
Study in the works on effects of Tacoma’s Landlord Fairness Code
Kennewick finds ‘forever chemicals’ in its drinking water for the second spring in a row
Web
Cascadia Daily News
PeaceHealth nurses announce picket
Plantation Rifle Range lead cleanup now priced at $13.8M
Cascade PBS
WA lawmakers propose closing schools for people with disabilities
Battling a deadline, Washington Dems propose a new $12B tax plan (Frame)
InvestigateWest
Washington Legislature passes bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse (Frame)
MyNorthwest
Hackers alter audio messages at Seattle crosswalks
Budget squeeze has Washington eyeing new route for sales tax dollars (Liias)
Rules? What rules? WA Senate Democrats drop 24-hour hold in last minute push to pass tax bills (Pedersen)
The Urbanist
State Senate Greenlights Sweeping Transit-Oriented Housing Bill (Reed, Bateman, Trudeau)
Washington Observer
House waters down Senate’s big spending proposal for basic education (Pedersen, Nobles, Gregerson, Berg, Pollet)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday info