Ferguson poised to sign ‘millionaires tax’ into law in Washington
The proposal went through several iterations as lawmakers in the House and Senate debated amendments to the bill’s scope. Ferguson said earlier this month that he would sign the bill that passed the Legislature. Rep. April Berg, D-Everett, chair of the House Finance Committee, said revenue generated by the tax beginning in 2029 would fund schools, health care, higher education institutions, and public safety. Continue reading at KING 5. (Maddy Grassy)
WA income tax: A look at where the money will go
Pedersen said the tax cuts included in the bill are nothing to scoff at and will lower costs for millions of state residents every time they go shopping. Starting in 2029, the sales tax will be eliminated on purchases of over-the-counter drugs, diapers and hygiene products like toothpaste and shampoo. “Anything that you buy in a grocery store pretty much is going to be tax-free whether it’s Advil or Crest toothpaste, or Pampers or whatever,” Pedersen said. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)
Washington farmers feel the pain of Iran war
The ongoing Iran War is affecting consumers at the gas pump. But for farmers, it’s not just the price of fuel, but fertilizer, too. And that could affect what we all pay at the grocery store. Continue reading at KUOW. (Posey Gruener)
Aberdeen Daily World
In-custody death at Grays Harbor County Jail
Axios
GOP weighs health care cuts to pay for Iran war
Bellingham Herald
WSDOT has begun clearing North Cascades Highway; weather has helped so far
Bellingham adds voice to No Kings call with waterfront gathering, downtown march
Capital Press
Before spring, five Oregon counties declare drought
Everett Herald
Comment: A fair tax code is a health care issue. Here’s why.
Sound Transit approves overnight buses between Everett, Seattle
193 acres of Stanwood farmland to be protected from development
“No Kings” rally attracts thousands in Everett and Snohomish County
Kitsap Sun
Crowds rally across Kitsap for latest ‘No Kings’ day of protests
News Tribune
Pierce County will no longer probe fatal police encounters. Meet the staff who will
Olympian
Is it unusual for WA Supreme Court justices to lack bench experience?
Tumwater police finally are wearing body-worn cameras. What took so long?
$100 million? Olympia leaders aghast at price tag for new Public Works buildings
Puget Sound Business Journal
Sound Transit CEO looks ahead as cross-lake light rail opens
Visit Seattle cuts economic impact forecast for World Cup, with fewer foreign fans expected
Seattle Times
Number of people leaving WA jumps
WA income tax: A look at where the money will go (Pedersen)
How a Tacoma artist is honoring Gary Ridgway’s victims
WA’s e-bike rebate program again opens for applications
What’s drawing more WA students to community colleges?
New law limits when school staff can restrain or isolate students (Callan)
At third No Kings rally in Seattle, tens of thousands decry Trump
WA police oversight agency needs triple the investigators, ex-director says
Editorial: New youth treatment center poses risks, both moral and financial
South Seattle Emerald
Some Transit Changes Near Judkins Park Station Are Visible Now; Others Are Years Away
Spokesman Review
New WA law allows housing in most commercial areas (Alvarado)
Washington’s gender wage gap is widening, study finds
Two arrested outside ICE facility at downtown Spokane ‘No Kings’ rally
Washington AG alleges Kalshi is in ‘direct violation’ of state gambling laws in lawsuit
5 more arrested in Tri-Cities as part of Eastern Washington’s largest federal drug bust
Tri-City Herald
Fentanyl killed more people than ever in Tri-Cities last year
Innovative $300M+ insulation plant digging in near Tri-Cities
Washington Post
An insurer canceled a woman’s coverage over a nickel
How a top housing agency is carrying out the immigration crackdown
Trump officials cite white supremacists in bid to end birthright citizenship
A year after Trump’s tariff threats, trade deficits are down. So are factory jobs.
WA State Standard
Pharmaceutical giants sue WA over new drug pricing law
As Washington gets an income tax, the fight to overturn it begins
Third round of ‘No Kings’ protest draws thousands to Washington’s state capitol
New WA law drops barriers for homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing (Peterson, Alvarado)
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Ferguson poised to sign ‘millionaires tax’ into law in Washington (Berg)
New Seattle light rail connection draws steady crowds on second day
Gas prices rise again, national average hovers just below $4 per gallon
Seattle police estimate at least 75K ‘No Kings’ protesters marched through downtown Seattle
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection now open
Governor Ferguson signs bills aimed to improve housing conditions
Seattle officials plan to install barriers at Pike Place for World Cup, new renderings show
KUOW Public Radio
Washington farmers feel the pain of Iran war
KXLY (ABC)
16-year-old suspect arrested, victim identified from Sunday’s shooting in Spokane
Web
Cascadia Daily News
‘No Kings’ protest takes over downtown streets of Bellingham
Blaine schools to avoid deep cuts this year after years of layoffs
PeaceHealth to hold required community forum on April 2 in Bellingham
Still no repair timeline for northbound I-5 near Bellingham, closed due to landslide
Cascade PBS
WSU Murrow News Fellowship fights news deserts across Washington
MyNorthwest
1 Washington ZIP code ranks among America’s hottest moving destinations
The Urbanist
Huge Crowds Turn Out To Finally Ride Light Rail Across Lake Washington
Washington Observer
Nixing non-competes (Berry)
Tax relief for dying rich (Kauffman, Pedersen)
Loving paid leave to death
Sunlight for shady sales emails (Springer)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday info