A new car vs. health insurance? Average family job-based coverage hits $27K
With the federal shutdown entering its fourth week, spurred by a stalemate over the cost of health insurance for 22 million Americans on Affordable Care Act plans, a new report shows that over 154 million people with coverage through an employer also face steep price hikes — and that the situation is likely to get worse. Premiums for job-based health insurance rose 6% in 2025 to an average of $26,993 a year for family coverage, according to an annual survey of employers released Oct. 22 by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Continue reading at WSS. (Jacob Wackerhausen)
Trump administration announces requirements to pass US citizenship test have increased
Part of the test to become a naturalized United States citizen is now more difficult after President Donald Trump’s administration announced changes Monday. The oral test, issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, is now double its previous versions. The Naturalization Civics Test previously had 10 questions with a requirement of getting six correct answers. Continue reading at K5. (Susan Walsh)
Many Washington counties aren’t verifying if accused domestic abusers are turning over their guns
In July 2024, Joseph Leitz walked into a red brick sheriff’s office building in the small Western Washington city of Shelton and turned in two handguns. A court commissioner had ordered Leitz to do so after his then wife, Lauryn Berg, secured a domestic violence protection order, alleging he had beaten and raped her, threatened to take their kids, and held an unloaded gun to his head, pulling the trigger three times. Leitz denies the allegations. Continue reading at InvestigateWest. (Mike Kane)
Axios
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A new car vs. health insurance? Average family job-based coverage hits $27K
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Broadcast
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Trump administration announces requirements to pass US citizenship test have increased
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KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
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Web
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Many Washington counties aren’t verifying if accused domestic abusers are turning over their guns
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TRAFFIC CAMS, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday notes