WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Tuesday, September 23

President Donald Trump signs an executive order on Sept. 19, 2025, introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas that allows foreign nationals permanent residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Trump’s $100K fee for H-1B visas sends shockwaves through tech sector
A proclamation signed by President Donald Trump last week seeking to restrict entry of non-immigrant workers to the U.S. and apply a $100,000 fee to H-1B visa applications created confusion and concern within the tech industry over the weekend. Immediately after Friday’s announcement, companies of all sizes, including tech giants Microsoft and Amazon and smaller startups, began calling any workers with H-1B visas who were traveling outside the U.S. to return to the country by the proclamation’s deadline of midnight Sunday. Continue reading at WSS. (Andrew Harnik)


Cherry blossoms bloom in the Quad earlier this year at the University of Washington. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings
The University of Washington has climbed four spots in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, which were released Tuesday. Zoom in: Among more than 400 national universities evaluated, the UW tied for 42nd place this year. Last year, the Seattle institution ranked 46th. Continue reading at Axios. (Melissa Santos)


Cascad PBS Chart
Cascade PBS lays off staff, will end longform written journalism after federal cuts
Cascade Public Broadcasting announced staff layoffs and the end of long-form written journalism on Monday due to federal funding cuts to public media. Cascade PBS, which includes KCTS 9 and what was formerly known as Crosscut, will cut 16 positions in its marketing, creative and editorial departments. Overall, staff will be reduced 12%. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (PBS)


Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay estuaries create abundance
Op-Ed: You can trust Washington state’s elections’ integrity
Op-Ed: Washington’s recreational areas are not an unlimited resource

Axios
University of Washington rises in U.S. News college rankings

Bellevue Reporter

Whatcom County is rolling out its next five-year plan for homelessness
Five universities in Washington are among best in the US, new ranking shows

Capital Press
Hops inventory decline points to industry stabilization
Regulators revisit eliminating Central Oregon canola ban

Columbian
‘Water can sometimes be taken for granted’: Vancouver homeless rely on outreach workers, public drinking fountains

Everett Herald
Snohomish PUD cuts ribbon on new Sultan River side channel
DNR transfers land to Stillaguamish Tribe for salmon restoration
Somers appoints new director for Snohomish County Health Department

High Country News
Washington moves to conserve its state forests

Kitsap Sun
1 sinking boat at Sinclair Inlet salvaged, temporarily staged at Kitsap Marina

News Tribune
This Pierce County city has a new police chief for the first time in a decade
From sanctuary status to street protests, two Washingtons face off in 2025

New York Times
Trump Appointees Roll Back Enforcement of Fair Housing Laws
Trump’s $100,000 Visa Fee Puts Many Tech Start-Ups in a Bind

Olympian
Five universities in Washington are among best in the US, new ranking shows

Seattle Times
WA lawmakers cut spots for free preschool program
Cops who may lose badges have long wait for WA state review
Editorial: Justice Mary Yu’s career left mark on court, state, Seattle community

Spokesman Review
On Tylenol causing autism: a mother’s concern
Spokane officials warn fire response will be delayed, lives put at risk after ‘chaos’ of SREC divorce

Washington Post
Trump’s escalating attacks on vaccines shock public health leaders
At U.N., Trump urges world leaders to reject policies combating climate change

WA State Standard
Trump’s $100K fee for H-1B visas sends shockwaves through tech sector
WA governor wants to boost state’s low rate of federal student aid applications
Rural hospitals often scrap labor and delivery services after mergers, study finds


Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Skagit County senior centers face funding crisis as costs soar
ICE targets Seattle Police in controversial ads to ramp up recruiting efforts
Cascade PBS lays off staff, will end longform written journalism after federal cuts

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
A jury will look at whether Amazon tricked customers into joining Prime — and made it hard to leave
What to know about the H-1B visa Trump has targeted with $100,000 fees, generating confusion, fear

KNKX Public Radio
Army identifies 4 soldiers killed in military helicopter crash in Washington state

KUOW Public Radio
How the H-1B visa fee spike will affect WA companies

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane makes it easier for daycares to open in residential neighborhoods
New Washington retail sales taxes to impact small businesses starting next month


Web

MyNorthwest
Say goodbye to Washington’s electric vehicle tax credit
Washington pushes back against national forest development plan

The Urbanist
Seattle School Board Considers Returning Police to Garfield High

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday, first full day of fall