GOP lawmaker barred from House Chamber for rest of session after outburst
Tensions soared in the state House of Representatives Thursday after a Republican lawmaker disrupted proceedings and was barred from returning to the floor. Now state Rep. Jeremie Dufault, a Selah Republican, won’t be allowed back into the House chamber for the rest of session. But he can still participate virtually, Democratic leadership confirmed in an email, adding that this wasn’t Dufault’s first floor disturbance. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Tony Overman)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases
Washington Democrats have landed on a new proposed limit on residential rent increases after negotiations in the Legislature. Under the version House and Senate Democrats announced late Thursday, annual rent hikes statewide would be capped at 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower in a given year. The latest bill would also nix a proposed carveout for some single-family homes and shorten the time that new construction would be exempt from the cap. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jason Finn)
Education Department cuts threaten to deepen local schools’ woes
The Trump administration wants to empower local schools by dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The catch: Local school districts nationwide already are struggling with teacher shortages, falling test scores and rising turnover in leadership. Why it matters: Those measures of instability — along with ongoing debates over what should be taught, and how — are just a few of the problems local systems are facing as the White House signals that less help could be coming. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)
Axios
Education Department cuts threaten to deepen local schools’ woes
Columbian
Vancouver working on citywide plan to support electric vehicles
‘Essential components of our mission’: Many large employers in Clark County remain committed to DEI
The Daily News
The Daily News Students in Need scholarship fund drive nears $17K
Toutle Lake School Board hosts meeting on state-mandated gender inclusivity policy
Everett Herald
Democrats in Washington Legislature wrap up budget negotiations (Robinson, Tharinger)
Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit
Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last
Kitsap Sun
WA ‘marine forest’ is official, with help from Bainbridge student
News Tribune
GOP lawmaker barred from House Chamber for rest of session after outburst (Simmons, Jinkins)
WA Republicans walk out in protest after bill closing Rainier School advances
UW report finds ‘patterns of neglect’ in Tacoma police responses to immigration lockup
Opinion: To boost education in Washington, find better administrators
Olympian
WA lawmakers strike deal on rent-cap bill: ‘We need affordability relief now’ (Alvarado, Bateman)
GOP lawmaker barred from House Chamber for rest of session after outburst (Simmons, Jinkins)
Seattle Medium
Washington Enacts Law To Regulate Entry Of Out-of-State Military Forces (Mena)
Transgender Athlete Restrictions Rejected By WIAA, Girls Flag Football Approved
Seattle Faces Significant Decline In Parking Meter Revenue By 2026 Amidst Changing Demand And Rates
Seattle Times
WA lawmaker barred from House floor after outburst
WA Legislature considers new tax aimed at Elon Musk’s Tesla
Opinion: Public charter schools are in the fight for WA kids
Skagit Valley Herald
‘We’re not criminals’: Farmworkers urge Sen. Patty Murray to act amid ICE detainments
Spokesman Review
Conservation group sues governor over Wildlife Commission appointment
Opinion: Cutting maternal health care isn’t just misguided – it’s dangerous
Washington Post
RFK Jr.’s absurd statistic on the spike in chronic diseases in the U.S.
Trump’s immigration ratings turn negative, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
WA State Standard
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases (Macri, Peterson)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature (Santos, Ortiz-Self, Simmons, Stonier)
Washington Legislature approves hiking Discover Pass price to $45
Wenatchee World
Wenatchee Valley advocates celebrate ban on use of traveling circus animals
Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima officials debate best way to address hard-to-solve homeless issues
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Report: Tacoma police’s response lacking to ICE detention center
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed 7 bills into state law on Thursday. Here’s what they do
Snohomish County Sheriffs under scrutiny by autism advocates over handling of missing man case
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
King County Health Official: ‘Measles is having a field day’
Seattle mayor proposes legislation to help with housing development
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Massive free health care clinic returns to Seattle for 10th year
World Cup Seattle security chief talks staging, safety at planned 2026 event
Former Tacoma resident indicted for attacking 6 power substations in Washington
Seattle Pride seeks community support amid $350K funding shortfall, Pride Parade risk
Man who used ‘ghost gun’ in Pioneer Square carjacking will spend 5 years to life in prison
KUOW Public Radio
Is your ID enhanced? Air travelers scramble to meet May 7 deadline
What bills are graduating this legislative session, and what’s flunking out?
Changes to WA ‘parents rights’ law headed to governor after tense final vote (Stonier, Simmons)
Seattleite killed by Israeli sniper commemorated in legislation amid push for independent investigation
KXLY (ABC)
WSU instructor fired for allegedly attacking student for wearing pro-Trump hat
Tax bill threatens to stretch Spokane emergency room wait times and access to care
NW Public Radio
Unpacked: Washington state’s budget deficit
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Skagit farmworker leaders implore Sen. Murray to help hold ICE accountable
Nonprofit staff struggling to monitor at-risk youth after Skagit facility closure
WWU president signs letter decrying ‘unprecedented government overreach’ by Trump administration
MyNorthwest
Tensions rise over school funding, property tax hearings in Olympia (Bergquist)
The Urbanist
Ferguson’s Continued Focus on Austerity Places King County in Jeopardy (Scott, Bergquist)