New analysis shows more US consumers are falling behind on their utility bills
More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep on the lights and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data — a warning sign for the U.S. economy and another political headache for President Donald Trump. Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Allison Robbert)
Two Decades Later, a Federal Native Homeownership Program in Washington Has Yet to Convert a Single Home to Ownership
The audit determined that 135 homes were eligible for ownership by 2023 through LIHTC Eventual Tenant Ownership. According to documents obtained by Underscore + ICT, the actual number of homes was 160 and none had been conveyed or transferred and sold.
As of this year, there are now 301 eligible homes for ownership. Continue reading at Underscore. (Kyra Antone)
In 2021 an ambulance ride in Spokane was $975. Next year it will be more than 5 times higher
The price for ailing Spokane County residents to ride in an ambulance to the hospital has skyrocketed in the past five years. American Medical Response, the company responsible for 95% of all medical transports in the county, will charge more than $5,000 in most of Spokane County starting next year, a rise of several hundred dollars from this year and thousands of dollars from just a few years ago. Patients who used an ambulance in the city of Spokane, for instance, will pay a base fee of $5,275 starting June 1 plus $52.49 per mile. That compares to $975 for a ride plus $23.45 per mile they paid in 2021. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jonathan Brunt)
Aberdeen Daily World
Westport moving forward with tsunami tower
Bellingham Herald
As La Niña winter nears, Whatcom County readies its severe weather shelter
Billy Frank Jr. statue foundry chosen, possible WA Capitol locations discussed
Capital Press
WSU researchers examine spring wheat planting window
Suit claims Washington Ecology slow to tally greenhouse gases
Washington range-rider gets $200,000; Fish and Wildlife wonders how
The Daily News
Sole applicant to run Longview cold weather shelter
Everett Herald
WSDOT to begin work on $145M Highway 9 widening
Snohomish County adopts its first Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Snohomish County judge hears arguments on petition over access to the shoreline
Comment: Shutdown raises profile of childcare as an issue
Kitsap Sun
WA Legislature already prepping for 2026 tax battles
Sunken tug will be dismantled underwater in Bremerton; Kingston marina avoids big spill
ACA subsidy loss would cause thousands on West Sound to face health insurance cost hike
News Tribune
What Medicare Part B price hike means for your 2026 Social Security
This area of Pierce County will get transit for first time since 2012, for free
Tacoma council greenlights tax hike for emergency services. Here’s how much
Will Pierce County councilors get more pay if they approve sheriff, exec raises?
Puget Sound Business Journal
FAA to end flight restrictions at major airports
Seattle Medium
Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson Stands with Starbucks Union Members In Labor Contract Rally
Seattle Times
Seattle’s homelessness response in peril as Trump aims at ‘Housing First’
New analysis shows more US consumers are falling behind on their utility bills
Supreme Court will review an old policy used to turn away asylum seekers at the US border
Opinion: An ambitious new Seattle mayor confronts the same challenges
Comment: For Seattle progressives, a time of celebration — and self-examination
Spokesman Review
Yakima Valley drought forces WA farmers to rip out apple trees
In 2021 an ambulance ride in Spokane was $975. Next year it will be more than 5 times higher (Riccelli)
Getting there: This year, state workers won’t have to use a Howitzer to control avalanches at Snoqualmie Pass avalanche control
Washington Post
Federal cuts upended clinical trials. A new study reveals the toll.
WA State Standard
WA Legislature’s ‘Revenue Queen’ readies for 2026 tax battles (Frame)
Residents in northwest WA town fear closure of ‘lifeline’ post office
WA’s new ban on medical debt in credit reports at risk of federal override
Feds appeal ruling permanently blocking Trump Guard deployment to Portland
Trump administration’s FAA chief clears normal operations in the skies post-shutdown
Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Hidden homeowner costs climb to nearly $16K a year, new analysis finds
SEA Airport opens new security checkpoint in time for holiday travel rush
NW Public Radio
Tales of modern farming: baby goats and yoga
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Pedestrian and scooter rider, hit by cars last winter, sue drivers and Bellingham
‘Underrecognized’ bus drivers get students to school safely, with a fist bump and a smile
Cascade PBS
Seattle elects Katie Wilson as its next mayor
The Newsfeed: Seattle VA whistleblower fired, plans appeal
InvestigateWest
Oregon homeless service groups say Trump’s overhaul of key housing program will exclude them from funding
Underscore
Two Decades Later, a Federal Native Homeownership Program in Washington Has Yet to Convert a Single Home to Ownership (Pollet, Stearns)
The Urbanist
Escalating Costs Could Push Sound Transit to Reconsider Two Infill Stations
Op-Ed: Making Seattle Neighborhoods More Accessible by Design
Washington Observer
AG rewrites the rulebook on making public records public
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday info