New WA law increases penalties for litter, delays plastic bag requirements
Washington residents will soon face heftier fines for littering and higher prices for plastic grocery bags. A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday toughens the punishment for littering and delays requirements for retailers to offer thicker bags for sale from Jan. 1, 2026 until 2028. The Legislature will use the two years to review the state’s reusable bag policies, Ferguson said. Retailers who sell thicker bags before the mandate is in effect will be penalized four cents a bag, under the new law. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)
Washington’s AG calls 10-year ban on US states regulating AI ‘dangerous’
Not allowing states to regulate artificial intelligence would be “dangerous,” Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown said Thursday. House Republicans surprised tech industry watchers and outraged state governments when they added a clause to Republicans’ signature “big, beautiful” tax bill that would ban states and localities from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (Fole)
Transgender students’ struggles shared during emotional protest at Lynden School Board
Devin Luna, one of the main organizers of a transgender student support rally at the Lynden School District on Thursday, May 15, came out to a school counselor when she was a student at Lynden High School. But the 2022 graduate told the school board, she quickly “took it back,” because she said Lynden is “hostile” to transgender people like her. She told the school board that their actions are about more than sports: They have the potential to make students feel unsafe expressing their identities. Continue reading at Cascadia Daily News. (Santiago Ochoa)
Aberdeen Daily World
National, state, local library systems at risk
Axios
Seattle gains nearly 17,000 residents in a year
Bainbridge Island Review
Whooping cough cases continue to rise in Kitsap County
Capital Press
Yakima basin water supply drops to 48% of normal
House Democrats urge court to repeal Trump’s tariffs
Environmental group sues feds over logging expansion plan
Klamath irrigators applaud new guidance on Endangered Species Act
Washington fines farm labor contractor $1.25 million for paperwork violations
Columbian
Tolling delay on I-5 bridge could mean higher rates for Washington and Oregon drivers.
The Daily News
Businesses on way to Mount St. Helens say road closure signs hurting traffic
Libraries are cutting back on staff and services after Trump’s order to dismantle small agency
Everett Herald
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost (Liias)
Comment: Cuts to Medicaid will make fentanyl fight harder
Kitsap Sun
Peninsula Alliance adds affordable housing for clients in Bremerton
News Tribune
Rules of the Road: Are passengers required to provide ID during traffic stops?
Opinion: Trump’s zeal to remove undocumented immigrants is already threatening the economy
Northwest Asian Weekly
Seattle mayor unveils $1 million initiative to boost safety, economic vitality in Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon
Seattle Medium
Major US Cities, Including Seattle, Face Sinking Threat
Seattle Tourism Surged With 40 Million Visitors In 2024
Catholic Church Warns Of Excommunication Over WA Child Abuse Reporting Law
Seattle Times
Nonstop flights from Sea-Tac to Switzerland, Denmark coming soon
Raises for one union not funded in WA budget, leading to finger-pointing
Supreme Court allows Trump to strip protections from some Venezuelans; deportations could follow
Spokesman Review
As lease deadline approaches, Seattle homeless camp may have nowhere to go
Hunting advocates petition for removal of four Washington Fish and Wildlife commissioners
After 2023 failure, Spokane County jurisdictions working on a more collaborative jail tax proposal for 2026
‘It’s necessary for a community to thrive’: Rural newspapers refocus their publications as news deserts grow
New Washington law keeps identifying information of whistleblowers private following investigation into Spokane Valley councilman
Washington Post
Trump calls on Walmart to absorb tariffs rather than raise prices
After key vote, White House urges Republicans to back budget bill
Trump orders the government to stop enforcing rules he doesn’t like
Deportation fears trigger decline in tax filings in immigrant communities
WA State Standard
Washington will offer special education to students longer under new law (Cortes)
New WA law increases penalties for litter, delays plastic bag requirements
Rural-focused organization launches effort to address infrastructure needs in rural WA
Tolling delay on I-5 bridge could mean higher rates for Washington and Oregon drivers
Comment: Fear and defiance are this Washington’s response to Trump’s education funding threats
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Tacoma schools reveal how many staff members will be impacted by budget cuts
Students with Seattle Student Union push back on possible return of resource officers
Restaurant owner shaken after mass shooting in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood
New late-night venue regulations take effect in Seattle after mass shooting in Pioneer Square
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Planes clip wings at SEA, passengers deplane
3 killed, 1 critically hurt in Pioneer Square shooting
Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting in Whatcom County
KIRO 7 Investigates: The 3-strike law and the case of Jahmed Haynes
Washington’s AG calls 10-year ban on US states regulating AI ‘dangerous’
Palm Springs clinic bombing suspect could have a connection Pierce County murder case
KNKX Public Radio
A grassroots movement trying to keep the Washington coast clean
Despite headwinds, Washington is forging ahead with clean trucking
KXLY (ABC)
Governor Ferguson signs Recycling Reform Act into law
After court setback, Spokane City Council considers revised approach to unauthorized camping
NW Public Radio
Inside a ‘life changing’ class at the Washington State Penitentiary
New sensors could show your wildfire smoke exposure immediately
Federal funding cut a program that would place mental health professionals in rural schools
Nearly two-year Gorge shooting investigations now to prosecutors, suspected shooter trial set for July 23
Web
Cascadia Daily News
PeaceHealth nurses to vote on new proposed contract
Grassroots-formed Salish Sea Deaf School will hit 10 years this fall
Border Patrol conducting more frequent car searches at WA crossing to Canada
Transgender students’ struggles shared during emotional protest at Lynden School Board
Cascade PBS
Shoreline’s answer to offset carbon emissions? Free e-bikes
The Urbanist
Governor Signs Washington’s First-in-the-Nation Shared Streets Law (Alvarado, Timmons)
Washington Observer
Tax targets clamor for veto relief
A bill-signing tribute to Sen. Bill Ramos
A dearth of sunshine on state government (Liias)
Is the BPA where clean energy projects go to die?
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Monday info