ICE windfall from Trump megabill fuels surveillance juggernaut
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is on a surveillance spending spree: The agency is using much of its windfall from this summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act to fund a major expansion of biometric identification, cellphone tracking and other electronic capabilities. Why it matters: The megabill’s $75 billion cash infusion for ICE was sold by Congress as a way to speed up hiring new agents and adding detention space. But ICE is also going big on surveillance. Continue reading at Axios. (Getty Images)
WA cities face unprecedented water cuts amid drought
In a severe drought year, like this one, some farmers and ranchers in the Yakima River Basin come to expect a letter from the state cutting off one of their main water sources, and they plan accordingly. But this year’s drought was so bad, the state had to cut deeper than ever before. With only a single exception, every person, farm, ranch, irrigation ditch and company drawing water from rivers, streams and reservoirs within the basin had to stop. Entire cities couldn’t be spared. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)
Were school Covid closures worth it? Not really, UW study finds
Covid-era school closures caused the U.S. significant economic and educational loss while being less effective than other transmission interventions, according to new research. The University of Washington and Oxford University study found that closing schools created $2 trillion in future economic losses — a conservative estimate — while reducing Covid spread by just 8%. Mask mandates, on the other hand, lessened transmission by nearly 20% and cost relatively little, researchers concluded. Continue reading at KUOW. (Megan Farmer)
Aberdeen Daily World
Return of the salmon discussion comes to Schafer State Park
Axios
ICE windfall from Trump megabill fuels surveillance juggernaut
Bellingham Herald
‘Biggest achievement’: Whatcom County celebrates 10 years of Mental Health Court
Capital Press
Washington water year cut into irrigation allotments
Columbian
More affordable housing planned for Heights District
Legacy Health to close Clark County clinics due to increased costs, reduced revenue
Everett Herald
Kids at play: Lake Stevens middle-schoolers craft electric guitars
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Kitsap Sun
Olympic College wraps remodel at Poulsbo Campus, debuting 3 new programs this fall
News Tribune
Gig Harbor City Council discusses growth, city zoning map
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Opinion: Lies are being used to attack Tacoma’s Landlord Fairness Code
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New York Times
Do Heat Pumps Work When It Gets Really Cold?
Shutdown With No Clear End Poses New Economic Threat
From Industry to E.P.A.: Lobbyist Now Oversees Pesticide Rules
No Education Department? No Problem, Trump’s Education Secretary Says.
North Carolina State Senate Approves New Congressional Map in Effort to Add a Seat
Puget Sound Business Journal
A booming industry has a big staffing challenge
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Seattle Times
WA cities face unprecedented water cuts amid drought
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Spokesman Review
FAFSA applications lag in WA, and it worries the governor
Nuclear weapons safety oversight in decline with Trump, Biden inaction
WA lawmakers confront reality of cuts coming from One Big Beautiful Bill
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Chewelah gets grant to build an ‘adventure park,’ hoping to provide recreation opportunities for the rural town’s youth
Tri-City Herald
ICE is jailing, deporting victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse, suit says
Washington Post
CNN’s future at stake as owner Warner Bros. Discovery seeks sale
Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter arrested over threat to kill Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
Eating meat is worse for the planet in some cities than in others. Look up yours.
Part of White House demolished for ballroom, contradicting Trump’s past statements
WA State Standard
State halts rebates to farmers hit with fuel fees under WA climate law
Shutdown leaves gaps in states’ health data, possibly endangering lives
WA state patrol chief says agency will up protection efforts for lawmakers
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Divided appeals court allows Trump to deploy Guard to Portland, state seeks immediate review
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Residents at odds with Skagit County over pothole-filled road
Legal expert lays out what 9th Circuit ruling means for National Guard in Portland
Federal immigration authorities accessed Washington state license plate readers, KING 5 finds
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WA congressman demands review of deadly boat strikes
Seattle’s ‘No Kings’ rally stays peaceful with zero property damage reported
Trump admin. fires Seattle immigration judge Susana Reyes amid large caseload
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City of Auburn condemns U.S. Border Patrol’s unauthorized use of Flock camera system
KUOW Public Radio
9th Circuit rules that National Guard can deploy to Portland
Were school Covid closures worth it? Not really, UW study finds
Web
Cascadia Daily News
How are K-12 schools funded? A guide to levies and bonds
Federal funding eliminated for WWU Center for Canadian-American Studies
Lake Whatcom partners craft emergency plan in case of invasive mussel detection
MyNorthwest
COVID-19 school closures will cost U.S. economy $2 trillion, study finds
Trump admin. fires Seattle immigration judge Susana Reyes amid large caseload
9th Circuit rules Trump admin. can send National Guard to Portland, reversing block
City of Auburn condemns U.S. Border Patrol’s unauthorized use of Flock camera system
The Stranger
This Is Why the Mariners Keep Losing in the Playoffs
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
FOLLOWUP: Here’s how many speed bumps SDOT is about to add to Alki cross-streets