WA Superintendent Chris Reykdal seeks money to improve math scores
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal wants math to be a “key focus” in schools and will ask the Legislature for more funding to boost math learning statewide. Nearly a third of Washington students performed below grade level on state math assessments in 2025, Reykdal told reporters Wednesday. Nationally, 14 states outperform Washington eighth graders in math. Reykdal said he will ask for $10 million from the Washington Legislature for professional development, with a special focus on kindergarten through eighth-grade teachers, and software for students to use to learn math. Continue reading at the Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)
Northwest lawmakers denounce political violence, urge ‘a way back’ from the brink after Charlie Kirk assassination
The mood at the U.S. Capitol was grim and tense on Thursday, as lawmakers marked the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah. Members of both parties from the Northwest were quick to condemn Kirk’s killing and political violence in general on Wednesday, but by the time they returned to the Capitol the next morning, emotions were running high with the killer still at large. In an address from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump said “the radical left” is “directly responsible” for the death of the 31-year-old founder of the youth-oriented political group Turning Point USA. Continue reading at the Spokesman-Review. (Phill Magakoe)
Justice Mary Yu to step down from WA Supreme Court this year
Washington state Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu will retire from the bench at the end of this year. Yu, appointed in 2014, told fellow justices Thursday afternoon after informing Gov. Bob Ferguson in a letter last week. Ferguson will appoint a new justice, his first appointment to the state Supreme Court. An election will be held next year to complete the remainder of Yu’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2028. “It is not an easy decision to step away,” she wrote in the letter. “I have had the good fortune of serving the people of our great state as a judge for 25 years and have cherished every single moment of such service.” Yu highlighted the time she’s spent “mentoring and teaching those younger than me to embrace life, lead, and to make a difference.” Continue reading at the Washington State Standard. (Laura Anglin)
Axios
Seattle buyers search far and wide for affordable homes
Capital Press
Study: Oregon wildfires scorch farmland values
Groups ask judge to end pause on salmon litigation
Oregon water regulators fund Deschutes water bank study
As cap-and-trade tax rises, Washington’s gas prices tailgate California’s
Columbian
New preschool will help fill child care desert in east Vancouver with spots for 37 kids
Everett Herald
Everett unveils draft of Vision Zero plan
Construction to close parking spots at Lynnwood Link station
South County commemorates 24th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
Kitsap Sun
Stricter limits for lead in drinking water leading to upgrades at Kitsap schools
News Tribune
WA health insurance premiums soar due to federal fallout, rising costs
Infighting led to financial issues at this Pierce County city, state audit shows
Update: WA governor vows challenge to Hanford plant delay. Feds say it will start
Editorial: Rethink logging in protected federal forests
Commentary: One year after dams were torn down, an Indigenous writer sees a healing Klamath River
Olympian
New home building training program celebrates first graduating class
Trailblazing WA Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu announces retirement
Update: WA governor vows challenge to Hanford plant delay. Feds say it will start
Puget Sound Business Journal
Employer health-care costs poised for greatest increase in years
Boeing eyes FAA cap increase after steadying 737 Max production
Two factors will determine when housing costs might return to ‘normal’
Seattle Times
Pioneering WA Supreme Court justice to retire
Renting in Seattle area to get harder as supply of new apartments drops
WA Superintendent Chris Reykdal seeks money to improve math scores
Former WA state worker sentenced for embezzling $900K to fund gambling
Editorial: Protect WA voters’ information from federal overreach
Spokesman Review
State board allows beer and wine sales at WSU’s Martin Stadium
Spokane County leaders highlight successes, address challenges in annual meeting
Deer Park farmer says he won’t pay irrigation fines levied by Department of Ecology
Washington to pay $42 million for failing to protect former Spokane County girl from years of sexual abuse
Children of undocumented immigrants will continue to receive Head Start childcare services, federal court rules
Northwest lawmakers denounce political violence, urge ‘a way back’ from the brink after Charlie Kirk assassination
Washington Post
Why your health insurance may be about to cost a lot more
Housing costs squeeze owners and renters alike, outpacing inflation
WA State Standard
Justice Mary Yu to step down from WA Supreme Court this year
Former WA state worker sentenced for nearly $900K embezzlement
Lawsuits against federal government over Columbia Basin dams to resume
Washington’s K-12 standardized test scores still below pre-pandemic levels
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Sound Transit weighing options to tackle $30B shortfall
Suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing had become ‘more political,’ authorities say
Seattle’s housing crisis leads to conflict between living spaces and mature trees
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu to retire
King County Auditor corrects $900 million error in recent report
Appeals court allows Trump’s administration to block Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood
KNKX Public Radio
Asia Pacific Cultural Center opens new building in Tacoma
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Meet Washington’s robust voter registration system
Whatcom County to invest $6.6M in housing, infrastructure projects
Opinion: Trump investigation of WWU is political, with ‘antisemitism’ Trojan Horse
Cascade PBS
WA counties to join multistate election cybersecurity group
Wildland firefighters can wear masks after reports on smoke risks
The Urbanist
Redmond Celebrates Opening of Trail Connection to Eastrail Corridor
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday + weekend
REMINDER: Last major public hearing Friday on rezoning, Comprehensive Plan to shape West Seattle (and the rest of the city) for 20 years