WA budget woes dominate as Ferguson, lawmakers begin 2026 session
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s first year in office has been shaped by a state budget crisis that was years in the making, and yet somehow arrived abruptly. He and majority Democrats last year grappled with an estimated $16 billion gap between state tax collections and planned spending. In response, they made cuts but raised taxes to the tune of roughly $9 billion over four years. As they prepare for the 2026 legislative session, which starts Monday, Ferguson and lawmakers are already staring at another shortfall, estimated at $2 billion. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
Washington state considers sweeping new AI regulations
Regulating artificial intelligence — especially how it affects children and teens — has become a key issue as Washington’s Legislature begins its new session Monday. Why it matters: As AI use rapidly expands, some lawmakers say tech companies haven’t put adequate safeguards in place to protect people from harm — particularly minors, who may be more easily swayed by long conversations with AI chatbots. Continue reading at Axios. (Lindsey Bailey)
A Seattle fourth-grader and his family self-deport to Guatemala
A Seattle elementary school student left for Guatemala late Wednesday night. His family is self-deporting to avoid federal immigration police. Teachers in Seattle are calling on the school district to better protect students like him. Continue reading at KUOW. (Casey Martin
Aberdeen Daily World
Public comment period opens for Cosmo Specialty Fibers cleanup
Residents and officials weigh in on flow-through dam proposal for Chehalis River
Axios
Why Washington state is in a big budget hole — again (Pedersen)
Washington state considers sweeping new AI regulations (Fitzgibbon, Wellman)
Washington state Democrats push for tax on millionaires (Jinkins)
Bellingham Herald
Another string of storms brings new threat of flooding to Whatcom County
Can climate funds be used to fix WA’s aging bridges? Lawmakers are debating it (Fey, Liias)
Capital Press
Yakima reservoirs look good, but snowpack doesn’t
GOP leaders say Washington fruit company workers filed fraudulent claims
Courier-Herald
WSDOT begins on preliminary design and environmental review of Carbon River bridge proposals
The Daily News
Cowlitz County scraps plan to take over gun range, extends nonprofit contract
Everett Herald
Comment: Calls for restraint amid screams of rage
‘A full-circle moment’: A Marysville mother’s addiction journey
Comment: It’s long past time for lawmakers to reform state taxes
Editorial: No new taxes, but maybe ‘pay as we go’ on some needs (Robinson, Davis)
Comment: Adding recycling laws could be drag on recent successes
In Snohomish County, new year brings changes to health insurance
‘A stable resource’: Community leaders cut ribbon on Lynnwood Neighborhood Center
Kitsap Sun
WA gets $181 million to support rural health care
Ceremony in Poulsbo affirms city’s relationship with Suquamish Tribe
Underground tanks, contaminated soils removed at brownfield site in downtown Port Orchard
News Tribune
Opinion: Two sheriffs respond to a tragedy, one of them decently
Statues from Nisqually Tribe vandalized at entrance to new state park
Lakewood police unions call for Chief Smith’s removal after no-confidence vote
Olympian
Can climate funds be used to fix WA’s aging bridges? Lawmakers are debating it (Fey, Liias)
Puget Sound Business Journal
Why more WA workers can earn overtime pay this year
Another high-stakes insurance crisis is looming for businesses
Playbook for 2026: Opportunity Zones program faces major changes
Washington launches accelerator to boost production of green jet fuel
Seattle Medium
Seattle Residents Rally Against U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela
Washington Housing Market Remains Competitive Amid National Slowdown
Seattle Times
Who will pay to clean up WA’s largest abandoned tire pile?
WA fines Kaiser $300K for mental health insurance violations
Seattle’s appetite for new property taxes approaching its legal limit
Opinion: Preserve forests; demand the ‘Roadless Rule’ remains intact
WA budget woes dominate as Ferguson, lawmakers begin 2026 session (Pedersen)
Editorial: WA lawmakers, make this the year to draw a line on spending (Pedersen, Robinson)
Editorial: Stop dodging and face facts: More kids are dying on DCYF’s watch
Spokesman Review
Spin Control: Skip the trip, follow the drama of the 2026 Legislature from home
Kaiser Permanente fined $300,000 by state for inadequate behavioral health coverage
North Spokane Corridor on track to be completed on time, state Senate transportation leader
Budget, voter initiatives and artificial intelligence: Lawmakers ready for upcoming legislative session (Ormsby, Robinson, Jinkins, Pedersen)
Jeff Lambert spent 30 years crusading for conservation, to the benefit of all corners of Spokane County
Proposal to gerrymander Washington congressional maps has little chance in upcoming legislative session (Fitzgibbon, Jinkins)
In a familiar tune, state superintendent calls for more public education funding ahead of Legislative session
Tri-City Herald
Hundreds protest in Tri-Cities after deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Who will pay +$1M to clean up WA’s largest abandoned tire pile in Richland?
Washington Post
Justice Department opens a criminal investigation of Fed chair
Trump is trying to change how midterm elections are conducted
They say they’re monitoring ICE arrests. Feds say they’re breaking the law.
WA State Standard
Washington State Ferries to test public Wi-Fi service this summer
Federal judge blocks Trump election order, siding with Oregon, Washington
Ferguson may have broken WA ethics laws allowing ex-adviser to fly on state plane
WA’s 2026 legislative session is getting underway. Will anyone be smiling when it’s over?
Landmark cases on transgender athletes at the US Supreme Court put trans rights on the line
Broadcast
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
U.S. 2 fully reopened after emergency repairs at Stevens Pass
UW study reveals effects of long-term smartphone use on teens
WSDOT plans for Carbon River Bridge expected to take two more years to complete
KNKX Public Radio
A new push to ban plastic bags could be in store for Washington
KUOW Public Radio
A Seattle fourth-grader and his family self-deport to Guatemala
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson calls for regulations on AI chatbot companions (Wellman)
‘Enough is enough.’ WA congresswoman pushes to impeach Kristi Noem
KXLY (ABC)
Washington lawmakers to debate new sheriff, police chief requirements
NW Public Radio
Washington state’s climate-fighting claim is hot air, officials admit
Unpacked: Bellingham employee used AI in awarding city contract
Could artificial intelligence help prevent wolf-livestock conflicts in Washington?
Web
Cascadia Daily News
WWU research vessel funded in new federal spending bill
One year in, Lighthouse Mission’s new shelter model a success
Opinion: If the national divorce gets uglier, let’s push Washington to be ‘autonomous’
MyNorthwest
No hearings planned for Let’s Go Washington initiatives
WA rep. pushes to change Keeping Families Together Act
Thurston County sheriff’s advice for drivers stopped by ICE
New bill would regulate Flock license plate cameras across WA (Trudeau)
The Urbanist
Op-Ed: It’s Time to Uproot ICE Penal Colonies Like Tacoma’s GEO
The Pacific Northwest’s Biggest Highway Project Could be Cooked
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Monday begins!