Most children charged as adults in Washington are youth of color
In 2018, Washington passed a law to limit the number of children charged as adults. Supporters of the law argued the legislation was necessary to prevent needlessly harsh sentences, noting that kids of color were more likely to be charged as adults than white children. Within five years, the number of kids charged as adults in 2023 had dropped by more than half, state data shows, representing more than an 80% reduction in transfers to adult court. Continue reading at Investigate West. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ban on police face coverings pitched ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session
California in September became the first state to ban law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings, in response to immigration raids where federal agents wore masks. The U.S. Department of Justice sued the state over the prohibition last month. Democratic lawmakers here in Washington are now planning similar legislation. Washington’s proposal, spearheaded by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, and Rep. Julio Cortes, D-Everett, resembles California’s law. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
As Ferguson says he’s focused on cuts over tax hikes, some Democrats say cuts would be too deep
About five weeks before lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2026 session, the state’s budget deficit remains top of mind. State Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, chair of the House Appropriations committee, said in an interview Friday that “it’s not immediately clear” how big of a gap legislators need to account for. While he anticipates getting a better picture of the state’s financial outlook as the session nears, Ormsby estimates the deficit is around $4 billion to keep the state at maintenance -level spending. “And I think that’s a little bit on the low end,” Ormsby said. “And that’s to keep current programs and services.”But while lawmakers agree work must be done, they differ when it comes to solutions. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jim Camden/For The Spokesman-Review)
Bellingham Herald
As WA ranks No. 1 in U.S. for retail theft, lawmaker pushes for reform (Leavitt, Goodman)
Amtrak ridership poised to keep trains chugging ahead through Bellingham
Capital Press
Washington farm: Cheaper to pay up than fight AG
Ferguson OKs solar project opposed by Yakama Nation
Beekeepers call for testing, certification to fight honey adulteration
The Daily News
Report of people pretending to be police prompts Longview officers to ICE arrest
Everett Herald
Mountlake Terrace cancels Flock Safety contract
Snohomish County Public Works provides winter weather reminders
Bloomberg Opinion: Relaxing fuel-efficiency won’t be much help to consumers
News Tribune
Prepare to pay more to use Parks Tacoma community centers in 2026
Here come the power outages: Wind, rain in forecast for Tacoma, Olympia areas
Peninsula Daily News
Tsunami study provides advice
US Rep. Randall speaks on House floor about insurance
Seattle Medium
Cold Weather Shelters Prepare to Assist Vulnerable Populations In Seattle, Western Washington
Spokesman Review
Large-scale solar farm in central WA gets green light from governor
As WA’s coal ban looms, Montana wind fills only some of the energy gap
As Ferguson says he’s focused on cuts over tax hikes, some Democrats say cuts would be too deep (Ormsby, Scott, Hill)
Washington Post
Trump to announce $12 billion in tariff relief for farmers
Trump has pardoned, commuted nearly 100 people for drug crimes
How the new H-1B visa fee is upending health care in rural America
WA State Standard
Bills begin streaming in ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session (Scott, Riccelli, Stanford, Reed)
Ban on police face coverings pitched ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session (Valdez, Cortes)
Trump order ending birthright citizenship to be argued at US Supreme Court
Republicans left tribes out of their $50B rural health fund. Now it’s up to states to share
With homelessness rising, new federal rules could benefit states that take tougher approaches
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Falling tree kills woman on SR 203 ahead of atmospheric river
Activists confront airline at SEA Airport to halt deportation of medically fragile immigrant
Flood watch issued for western Washington as atmospheric river brings heavy rain Monday
KUOW Public Radio
‘All the walls are falling.’ Shoreline Community College plans layoffs
Washington, other West Coast states, go against CDC, recommend hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns
Some colleges scrap diversity questions from admissions essays. Will it change how students talk about themselves?
KXLY (ABC)
Owner says Afghan restaurant struggling in both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene after D.C. National Guard shooting
Washington lawmakers could try again to ban studded tires
NW Public Radio
US Energy Secretary touts Northwest dams, innovation at PNNL
New vending machine to give donations makes a stop in the Tri-Cities
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Flood watch active for Whatcom, Skagit through Friday afternoon
New law criminalizes disclosure of AI-generated sexual images, videos (Orwall)
InvestigateWest
Most children charged as adults in Washington are youth of color
MyNorthwest
WA legislature will consider a new law that aims to protect immigrants (Ortiz-Self, Saldaña)
The Stranger
Senator Murray Calls for the Release of Man Mauled by ICE Dog
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday begins