Washington state dead last in U.S. police staffing
Washington state ranks last in law enforcement staffing for the 15th year in a row, according to FBI data analyzed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC). Why it matters: Low staffing levels stretch departments thin, impact officer safety, slow response times and, according to law enforcement leaders, create a cycle that pushes more officers out of the profession. Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)
WSP continues investigation into SCSO sergeant’s death; reminds drivers of road safety rules
As Washington State Patrol continues to investigate the death of a Spokane County Sheriff Sergeant who was hit and killed on the highway, the agency is reminding everyone of the road rules meant to keep us all safe. On Saturday, 59-year-old SCSO Sergeant Kenneth Salas died after being struck by a motorcycle while helping move a hay bale off I-90 near Four Lakes. The Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash. WSP said state law requires drivers to move over one lane or reduce speed to 10 miles below the posted speed limit when emergency vehicles, construction crews or vehicles providing roadside assistance block a traffic lane. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (KIRO 7)
Advances in AI cameras help catch wildfires faster
Summer is slowly fading, but it’s still hot. Especially in North Idaho. “ Our fire danger today is very high,” said Kane Steinbruecker, the chief fire warden of the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association. “We’re one step below extreme, so we’re still very much in fire season, and we want folks to understand that and to plan accordingly when they go to the woods.” The summer fire season in North Idaho is on track to be average, he said, not better or worse than normal. But firefighting is becoming a year-round activity. Continue reading at NWPB. (Lauren Paterson)
Aberdeen Daily World
Feedback sought on forest biomass for use as energy
Port holds $200M T4 Terminal expansion show and tell
Axios
Washington state dead last in U.S. police staffing
Tariffs may drive Washington car insurance rates higher
Bellevue Reporter
Free Discover Passes for state parks available at your local library
Bellingham Herald
Bellingham landlords modifying policies under city’s new rental fees laws
Capital Press
USDA announces extra purchase of apples, other commodities
No silver bullet, but researcher developing lots of ammo against invasive fly SWD
Courier-Herald
Washington’s food banks are on the brink
Buckley cuts ribbons on new city hall, trailhead
The Daily News
Toxic trade-off: WA air polluters are top Cowlitz County employers
PeaceHealth: ‘Administrative oversight’ creates over decade of Longview back taxes
Everett Herald
Lynnwood establishes its first Youth Council
WSDOT to pause I-5 repairs in Everett due to weather
SnoCo apartment companies push back on AG lawsuit
Public comment opens for cleanup plan at Paine Field site
Community Transit plan shows expanded service, electric buses coming soon
Islands’ Weekly
Multiple cougar sightings on San Juan
State issues million-dollar penalties to two refineries for dangerous waste violations
2025 Comp Plan: Transportation, utilities, housing needs, capital facilities inventory and maps
Kitsap Sun
Officials ask for information on suspect behind recent Tracyton fires
NY-based ship company fined $32K due to oil discharge in Manchester
Farmers’ Almanac winter forecast for Washington state is in. See 2025-26 seasonal outlook
Letter: A busy day for WSF, but we keep paying more
Opinion: WA House adds to list of government transparency assaults
New York Times
With Deep N.I.H. Cuts, Research Into Health Disparities Falters
Puget Sound Business Journal
Fishermen’s Terminal to get facelift as port OKs initial funds
A class-action lawsuit is a warning shot on AI risks for businesses
Seattle Medium
King County Adopts Caseload Limits For Public Defenders
Seattle Times
How much do you have to make to afford Seattle ‘out of whack’ rents?
Editorial: Do the math: Cutting education for foster kids doesn’t add up
South Whidbey Record
Highway speed limit reducing near Langley
Company offering high-speed internet to the underserved
Tri-City Herald
Labor dispute halts road construction project in south Richland
8 lawsuits filed against Providence and Kadlec over doctor’s alleged abuse
Sunnyside city manager threatens to sue city, claiming councilwoman targeted him
Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Kelp farm lease in default after equipment sinks
WA State Standard
Kratom faces rising scrutiny from states and the feds
Concealed carry licenses in Washington jump after approval of gun permit law
Plan to expand WA’s tugboat escort requirements for oil tankers stirs pushback
Venezuelan man sues Montana authorities after arrest, detention in Tacoma ICE facility
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Tacoma tests AI cameras to cut recycling mistakes
Northbound I-5 completely closed through downtown Seattle this weekend
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle median home prices rise to highest level in 5 years
Bear Gulch wildfire spreads, firefighters looking forward to cooler, wetter weather
Study finds these Pierce County areas are typically hotter than other spots in western WA
KNKX Public Radio
Rep. Randall pursues legislation to reinstate DEI policies at national parks
KUOW Public Radio
WA community and technical colleges wrestle with financial uncertainty
Washington state Sen. John Braun to seek Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s congressional seat
KXLY (ABC)
WSP continues investigation into SCSO sergeant’s death; reminds drivers of road safety rules
Central Valley School District launches new balanced calendar to improve student attendance and overall well-being
Spokane Regional Transportation Council seeking community feedback on new and existing projects
Strike halts work on North Spokane Corridor, other projects
NW Public Radio
New tiny home village opens in South Tacoma
Advances in AI cameras help catch wildfires faster
Web
MyNorthwest
Why your utility bill may be higher this year
WA gas prices rise by 5% year over year while nation’s prices fall by nearly 10%
The Urbanist
Shoreline Makes Good on Pledge to Stop Mandating Car Parking Citywide
Washington Observer
Rookie lawmakers in retrospect (Pedersen, Berg, Paul, Callan, Ramos, Berry, Simmons, Taylor, Mena)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch
ROAD WORK ALERT: SW Roxbury, 15th SW and 16th SW delays expected Wednesday night