With more state financial stress on horizon, Ferguson signs WA budget
Most of the new spending is to address increasing demand for public services, the state’s growing lawsuit payouts for government misconduct, and the cost of complying with major federal changes to safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)
As Washington lawmakers punt on school cellphone ban, some want more action
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, a Democrat from South Seattle, has been chair of the House Education Committee for more than a decade. She argued that the data on the effectiveness of blanket phone restrictions is more nuanced — and that phone policies are best left to individual districts. “I think it’s an overly-broad response to really the wrong target,” Santos said, adding that classroom distraction and students’ emotional and social wellbeing are distinct problems that need more targeted interventions. “It really depends on: What is the problem that you’ve identified that you’re trying to solve?” Santos said. Continue reading at KNKX. (Rick Bowmer)
WA traffic deaths are declining. What’s changing?
The number of people killed on Washington’s roads went down by nearly 12% in 2025, continuing a reversal of the fatalities that had erupted during the first years of the pandemic. Last year’s downward direction of road deaths in Washington — when an estimated 644 people were killed in traffic, from 730 the year before — mirrors national trends, according to numbers released Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)
Aberdeen Daily World
A Washington housing investor reform bill for Natives died in committee
Axios
Why Seattle gas could hit $10 a gallon
Washington conversion therapy ban in doubt after SCOTUS ruling (Liias)
Supreme Court casts doubt on Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Bellingham Herald
‘Alternatives to Incarceration’ forum to address Whatcom County jail project
The Daily News
Cowlitz County sees 4 infant deaths in 2025
The Bright Side: Kelso students promote inclusive sports teams
Humane society: Local commitment remains despite Cowlitz County, Kelso contract losses
News Tribune
Opinion: Sheriff Swank seeks to intimidate reporter with 70 emails
What will Sound Transit’s $34B shortfall mean for Tacoma’s light-rail extension?
Tacoma has a new city manager. His pay will be more than that of WA’s governor
New York Times
The ‘God Squad’ Waives Environmental Rules for Offshore Drilling
Olympian
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson blasts federal government at budget signing
Governor vetoes $500K meant to fight ‘dangerous’ organized retail crime (Leavitt)
Thurston, Pierce sheriffs say law unseating decertified sheriffs is an overreach (Lovick)
Peninsula Daily News
State senator intervenes in alleged assault (Chapman)
Puget Sound Business Journal
The HOA effect on the housing market is growing
FIFA scales back Seattle hotel reservations as World Cup nears
New college graduates have a different outlook on job priorities
Seattle Medium
Movies And TV shows casting In Washington
Historic ‘People’s Wall’ In Seattle’s Central District Considered For Landmark Status
Seattle Times
Rick Steves weighs in on WA ‘millionaires tax’
WA traffic deaths are declining. What’s changing?
Millions in WA child care provider payments in question
WA sees historic surge of immigrants challenging their detention
Opinion: Ruling on Columbia, Snake dams was a lifeline for salmon
Column: The party of the rich just taxed the rich in WA. Can that hold? (Pollet, Slatter, Pedersen)
Chair of WA House’s powerful budget committee won’t seek reelection (Ormsby, Gregerson, Macri, Hill)
South Seattle Emerald
Seattle City Council Passes Bills Limiting Immigration Inquiries, Surveillance Use
Spokesman Review
Spokane lawmaker Timm Ormsby, a mason by trade, will not seek re-election (Ormsby, Riccelli)
Despite ‘some reservations,’ Ferguson signs bill establishing new standards for sheriffs (Lovick)
With Trump in attendance, Supreme Court justices voice skepticism of his attempt to end birthright citizenship
Tri-City Herald
Police suspend using Tri-City Flock cameras because of new WA law
Governor vetoes $500K meant to fight ‘dangerous’ organized retail crime (Leavitt)
Washington Post
Trump endorses Republican plan to end DHS shutdown
Supreme Court appears skeptical of effort to end birthright citizenship
Judges are increasingly using AI to draft rulings and prepare for hearings
Higher social media use linked to lower support for democracy, poll shows
Oil prices jump, markets slide after Trump leaves reopening Hormuz to allies
WA State Standard
Ferguson signs controversial law tightening standards for WA sheriffs (Lovick, Goodman)
With more state financial stress on horizon, Ferguson signs WA budget (Leavitt)
Immigrants in WA to be notified of federal workplace inspections under new law
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gas prices shoot back up above $4 Thursday after Trump’s primetime Iran speech
Clark County inmate with pending violent charges escapes Western State Hospital
Court denies City of Seattle’s request for new trial in CHOP case; city plans to appeal
Birthright citizenship debate raises concerns about newborn health coverage, doctors say
Sound Transit could break ground in 2026 on West Seattle light rail extension, mayor says
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
King County Sheriff takes over North Bend Police services
Amazon settles Oregon nitrate pollution lawsuit for $20.5M
City of Tacoma urges Sound Transit to prioritize investments in South Sound
Judge denies city of Seattle’s appeal of $30.5M ruling in deadly CHOP shooting
Surge in ICE arrests among farmworkers alarms WA farmers ahead of harvest season
Woman dies 2 weeks after being attacked by another patient at Tacoma psychiatric hospital
KNKX Public Radio
As Washington lawmakers punt on school cellphone ban, some want more action (Liias, Santos)
KUOW Public Radio
Policies meant to limit air pollution allow toxic dumping in Salish Sea
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane senior center gets boost in funding to stay open
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office disables license plate readers due to new state law
Spokane moving forward with park bathroom renovations paid for through Together Spokane initiative
NW Public Radio
Immigrants in WA to be notified of federal workplace inspections under new law
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Skagit Valley College seeks input on presidential search
No elementary schools will close before 2027, Bellingham superintendent says
Hearing Examiner scolds Whatcom County for AltaGas permitting process, orders redo
Cascade PBS
WSU Murrow News Fellowship fights news deserts across Washington
MyNorthwest
PSE wants to add around $51 a month to your electric bill by 2029
Public Health warns of measles exposure in Seattle, Kirkland, and Bellevue
Surge in ICE arrests among farmworkers alarms WA farmers ahead of harvest season
The Stranger
UW Librarians and University Press Staff Walk Out (Scott)
The Urbanist
Library Levy Amendments Would Expand Mayor’s $410 Million Proposal
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday watch