New WA rules expand property tax relief for seniors, disabled, veterans
Property tax relief is on the way for more disabled Washington homeowners and seniors. The Washington Legislature passed a new law that will expand property tax exemptions to cover more seniors, people with disabilities and disabled veterans starting with 2027 property tax statements. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Bob Brawdy)
Highway preservation at center of new WA transportation budget
The largest share of new budget outlays is for preserving and maintaining highways and bridges. Ferguson has made this a focal point in his first term as governor.“I called on the Legislature to make a historic investment in our infrastructure and they delivered,” he said before signing Senate Bill 6005. “Our state needs to keep investing.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Courtesy of WSDOT)
WA decertifies about 47 cops accused of misconduct a year. Here’s how it works
The CJTC has decertified about 47 officers each year for the last four years, according to annual reports from the commission. For context, the commission opened 982 certification cases in 2024, and it closed just over half (511) instead of moving to revoke the subject officer’s certification. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Liesbeth Powers)
Axios
King County contract fight could lengthen jail stays
Seattle could rename former Chávez park for Dolores Huerta
Capital Press
USDA projects lowest wheat acreage since 1919
Blue states file motion to cut off USDA’s funding conditions
Oregon declares drought emergencies for Baker, Deschutes and Umatilla counties
Everett Herald
Washington adds safeguards for Flock cameras (Trudeau)
SnoCo officials call on Congress to fund clean transportation (Liias)
Sultan lawmaker will not seek reelection when her term ends
News Tribune
Health leader’s ‘harsh’ style left workers in tears, per report obtained by TNT
Chemical firm sued by Port of Tacoma says port bought polluted sites ‘AS IS’
Police calls doubled before violent attacks at Tacoma psychiatric hospital. Why?
WA decertifies about 47 cops accused of misconduct a year. Here’s how it works
Olympian
New WA rules expand property tax relief for seniors, disabled, veterans
WA had $37 million in ‘questionable payments’ for child care in 2025, audit says
Port Townsend Leader
Federal salmon ruling spawns power rate hike
Housing group pushes for affordability in comp plan appeal
Puget Sound Business Journal
WA commits more than $200M to affordable housing
Meta layoffs will hit offices in Bellevue, Seattle and Redmond
Seattle Times
Opinion: Attorneys: WA needs to reform discriminatory bail system
Editorial: Iran war shows why WA should lean into all-electric future
King County Executive Zahilay seeks 500 housing units, explores levy
Opinion: Bail agent: There are hidden costs to reforming WA bail system
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Federal loans available for residents impacted by flooding
South Seattle Emerald
Who’s Keeping an Eye on Seattle’s Surveillance Cameras?
Spokesman Review
Ferguson signs ‘historic’ income tax as efforts to stop it begin (Pedersen, Riccelli, Fitzgibbon)
Cities in Washington ban new ICE detention centers amid Trump push to expand
Ferguson signs AI protection bills as public increasingly embraces the technology
Washington ban of conversion therapy likely overturned by Supreme Court ruling
Overpass may be renamed in honor of Spokane County deputy killed while helping driver last summer
Spokane public defenders are at a ‘critical moment’ as homelessness crackdown stresses courts and caseloads
Working together for wildlands: Dishman Hills Conservancy and Inland Northwest Land Conservancy consider merger
Washington Post
Trump issues order attempting to change rules for mail-in voting
Retirees receive six times as much in federal dollars as young people
Markets rally, oil prices fall as Trump prepares to address nation on Iran war
WA State Standard
Audit questions $37M in child care payments in WA (Wilson)
Highway preservation at center of new WA transportation budget (Fey)
March decline in rents around US is largest since before pandemic
Trump signs order seeking to curb vote-by-mail in bid to control state election laws
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Low snowpack, potentially dry summer increase wildfire risk
Record fuel prices, tariffs have Washington farmers running on empty
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle City Council votes to pause CCTV program
Tech company Oracle announces nearly 500 layoffs in Seattle
T-Mobile cuts more jobs following 393 layoffs earlier this year
PSE proposes new rate increases. Here’s how much you could be paying
Washington doctors are sounding alarm on cannabis health effects, survey shows
‘500 new units of housing in 500 days’: King County executive signs order to combat homelessness
KNKX Public Radio
New agritourism rules are proposed in Skagit County
KUOW Public Radio
Inland Northwest farmers face rising fertilizer, diesel costs from Iran war
KXLY (ABC)
New Washington law expands property tax relief for seniors
City of Spokane plans neighborhood wildfire evacuation drill on April 25
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Skagit County to transition police radio scanners to encrypted frequency
Cascade PBS
WATCH: InvestigateWest tracks accused teachers skirting accountability
InvestigateWest
‘I lost it all’: Residents of Oregon homeless camp say Forest Service blew off calls, appointments to reclaim lost property
MyNorthwest
Pierce County sheriff shuts down Flock cameras after new WA law
Ferguson signs bill allowing college sports betting at tribal casinos (Cortes, A., Stearns)
Washington doctors are sounding alarm on cannabis health effects, survey shows
Washington Observer
A bet against online gambling
The real fight over the income tax begins (Pedersen)
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: First day of April