Ferguson calls Democrats’ $12B tax plan ‘too risky’; offers no fix
Gov. Bob Ferguson on Thursday criticized a four-year, $12 billion tax proposal from legislative Democrats as “too risky,” arguing it would set the state on an unsustainable fiscal path ahead of looming federal cuts from the Trump administration. But Ferguson offered no details or alternative plans in a public statement issued more than a day after Democratic lawmakers unveiled the latest tax package, which dropped a wealth tax he previously criticized. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Lindsey Wasson)
Bainbridge Island couple revives WWII Norwegian movement to protest Trump
Among Kitsap residents gathered at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park in Poulsbo every Sunday, Ollie and Janice Pedersen can be spotted with signs that stand out: “WEAR A PAPERCLIP.” The Bainbridge Island couple also hands out paperclips at rallies protesting the Trump administration, and another sign they hold — created after learning about a movement that repurposed the office supply staple as its symbol over 80 years ago — adds more clarity to the message: “NORWEGIAN WWII RESISTANCE,” complete with the Norwegian flag. Continue reading at the Kitsap Sun. (Meegan M. Reid)
Housing advocates rallying to restore lower cap on rent increases
Renters and housing advocates will rally on the state Capitol steps in Olympia Friday. They’re pushing lawmakers to restore key protections in a bill limiting rent increases. The rally is expected to be a big one. Protesters are calling on lawmakers to fix a rent cap bill they say is now in limbo after some big changes in the Senate. Continue reading at KOMO. (KOMO)
Bellingham Herald
WA Democrats bring back wealth tax idea with ‘limited dollar amount’ (Jinkins, Frame, Pedersen)
Capital Press
Washington Senate passes farm fuel bill
Trump administration proposes pulling back reach of ESA
WSU scientists help develop ‘Power Bars’ to help honey bees survive, thrive
Everett Herald
Edmonds City Council may reconsider selling city parks, buildings
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects
Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education (Pollet, Berg, Pedersen)
Everett council approves budget amendment for staffing, stadium funding
Washington AG defends state’s ‘sanctuary’ policy amid congressional scrutiny
Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders (Lovick, Leavitt)
Letter: Trump logging policy isn’t solution to wildfires
Letter: Ask yourself who’s next for El Salvador prison
Letter: Don’t cut vital spending on health from state budget
The Inlander
Why the Department of Natural Resources is trading a Spokane forest for a Bellingham grocery store
International Examiner
How loss of federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will harm marginalized communities in the Northwest
Kitsap Sun
Bainbridge Island couple revives WWII Norwegian movement to protest Trump
Mount Rainier National Park bridge closure cuts off access to part of park: What to know
News Tribune
Trump wants more logging in national forests. Here’s what that could mean for WA
Opinion: Public deserves to be heard on Washington transit projects
Olympian
Iconic Tacoma candymaker hit hard by tariffs, losing China business, CEO says
Gov. Bob Ferguson calls Dems’ new tax plan ‘too risky’ amid federal uncertainty (Jinkins)
Peninsula Daily News
Forum to speak about local news
Revenue proposals undecided for state (Chapman, Bernbaum, Tharinger)
Seattle Times
WA’s recycling system may finally get an overhaul (Lovelett)
WA Supreme Court strikes down Spokane homeless initiative
Ferguson calls Democrats’ $12B tax plan ‘too risky’; offers no fix
Trump administration pulls funds for WA communities at risk for floods
WA programs helping legal immigrants become citizens lose federal funds
Supreme Court to review WA challenge to Trump birthright citizenship order
Skagit Valley Herald
U.S. Rep. Larsen discusses health care concerns
Maintenance work continues on Guemes Island Ferry
Spokesman Review
Homeless camping ban struck down by state Supreme Court
‘They’re not worried about accuracy’: Lawyers, people across Washington state receive a letter telling them they have 7 days to leave
Opinion: Congress is trying to limit which citizens can vote
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Commentary: A call to action on our local news crisis
Washington Post
Google holds an illegal monopoly in ad sales, court rules
DOGE begins to freeze health-care payments for extra review
Travel to the U.S. from almost everywhere is falling sharply since Trump’s return to office
WA State Standard
Ferguson criticizes Democrats’ $12B tax plan as ‘too risky’ (Fitzgibbon, Jinkins)
Democratic AGs warn U.S. is on ‘precipice’ of constitutional crisis
Yakima Herald-Republic
City approves ‘exciting first step’ for Yakima airport improvements
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington’s newest police training academy opens in Arlington
State prison libraries could lose staffing, resources under federal cuts
Uncovering a Pierce County lawyer’s ties to ‘corrupt’ treatment clinics
Federal judge orders U.S. government to reinstate visa for UW graduate student
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Housing advocates rallying to restore lower cap on rent increases
Early signs of shoppers stockpiling good as tariff threats loom on foreign-made products
KNKX Public Radio
Tension over new taxes mounts in Olympia, as Ferguson slams latest pitch from Democrats (Jinkins, Frame)
KUOW Public Radio
Could Washington state be on the brink of fully funding special education?
Police hiring bill advances in Washington, requiring mix of state and local funds (Dhingra, Entenman, Lovick)
Tension over taxes mounts in Olympia, as Ferguson slams latest pitch from Democrats (Jinkins, Frame)
KXLY (ABC)
Preschool access in question: Washington lawmakers could limit TK programs (Santos)
Debate over police hiring grant continues as Washington legislative session nears close (Dhingra)
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Petrogas West settlement goes toward energy projects in Bellingham
Lynden School District to take legal action against state over gender policies
Halfway through, it’s slow progress for Whatcom County Charter Review Commission
Cascade PBS
Bill to fully fund special ed progresses through WA legislature (Pollet, Pedersen)
Seattle can continue housing plan after legal challenges dismissed (Fitzgibbon)
InvestigateWest
As in D.C., a fight breaks out in Washington state over who gets access to lawmakers
MyNorthwest
Number of UW students’ visas revoked increases to 23
Beer gardens optional? New booze law sets stage for World Cup street sipping
Booze biz hit with 50% fee hike as WA Senate passes controversial bill by one vote
The Stranger
Seattle Children’s Has Again Stopped Providing Gender-Affirming Surgery For Trans People Under 19
The Urbanist
Auditor Criticizes Seattle’s Approach to Gun Violence, Deputy Mayor Fires Back
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Friday notes
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Milestone for state bill enabling more relocation compensation (Fitzgibbon)