WA school districts explore AI with Microsoft grant
Amid questions about artificial intelligence’s role in K-12 schools, 10 Washington districts are diving into an 18-month Microsoft-funded program to work on AI initiatives…The $75,000-per-district grants, announced in February, are part of the Microsoft Elevate Washington initiative to expand AI access and related skills statewide. Districts can also get up to $25,000 to work with a Microsoft-certified consultant. The other grantees are Bellevue, Federal Way, Kennewick, Highline, Puyallup, Quincy and Walla Walla school districts. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ellen M. Banner)
Washington Gov. Ferguson limits press access, breaking precedent
Since taking office, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has held more Seahawks flag-raising ceremonies than press conferences dedicated to taking wide-ranging questions from reporters. Why it matters: Ferguson has departed from his predecessors’ practice of holding regular, open-ended press availabilities — limiting public scrutiny of his administration. Continue reading at Axios. (Oliver McKenna)
Washington coalition attempts universal health care as Medicaid enrollment declines
At the same time, Washington’s existing coverage system is showing signs of strain. New data from the exchange’s upcoming spring 2026 report shows about 40,000 fewer Washingtonians are enrolled when compared with the same time last year, officials said. Roughly one in four Washington residents currently receive coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. Continue reading at KING 5. (David A. Lieb)
Aberdeen Daily World
Opinion: GGHI director talks business banquet, unemployment numbers
Axios
Washington Gov. Ferguson limits press access, breaking precedent
Bellingham Herald
Fire department will end emergency response in some remote Whatcom County areas
Capital Press
Oregon’s Douglas County issues emergency drought order
Washington farm couple to fight Ecology”s $876,000 bloody water fine
Yakima irrigators with senior rights push Ecology to curtail junior rights
The Daily News
Prostitution arrest at West Longview massage parlor
Everett Herald
Sound Transit to introduce free parking permits for carpoolers
Column: Washington does not need a new Department of Housing
Snohomish County high school students showcase their construction skills
Judge issues injunction against Everett district in favor of off-campus Bible program
Journal of the San Juan Islands
Gov. Ferguson, Attorney General Brown seek court order to permit health inspections at Northwest ICE Processing Center
Kitsap Sun
Hood Canal Bridge overnight closures coming in May
News Tribune
Rules of the Road: Washington’s bike lanes aren’t two-way streets
Resigning Parks Tacoma director to receive a half million dollar payout
Is Tacoma’s ambitious ‘missing middle’ housing plan working one year in?
New Pierce Co. park with trails and campsites will be 139 acres. $950,000 raised
Northwest Asian Weekly
Protesters call out ICE presence in their community
Olympian
New affordable housing complex coming to east Olympia. Here’s what to know
Puget Sound Business Journal
A pandemic-era mainstay for home sellers is fading
Seattle Medium
Zahilay Highlights Early Progress On Financial Oversight And Accountability Reforms
Seattle Council Proposes Moratorium On New Data Centers Amid Environmental And Cost Concerns
Seattle Times
WA school districts explore AI with Microsoft grant
Opinion: Let 16-year-olds vote in WA; they’re ready
WA mulls controversial mental health standard for lawyers
Opinion: What science loses when immigrants lose access to the U.S.
WA nonprofits worry that homelessness agency wind-down could worsen woes
Spokesman Review
Teen charged in Tacoma high school stabbing attack; bail set at $750k
Winter damage will keep North Cascades Highway closed longer than expected
Washington Post
Supreme Court restores access to abortion pill by mail for now
Microplastics are likely helping to heat up the planet, study finds
How the GOP veered from a ‘war on drugs’ to embracing psychedelics
President’s disapproval rating reaches new high, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds
An unprecedented look at how ICE detainees are being treated under the Trump administration
WA State Standard
Immigration street sweeps led to more ‘collateral’ arrests of noncriminals
No timeline yet for reopening damaged stretch of North Cascades Highway
Trump’s new conditions on DEI, immigration could cut off states’ wildfire funding
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
6 states have gas prices over $5 a gallon as fuel costs continue to rise nationwide
Washington coalition attempts universal health care as Medicaid enrollment declines
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane man arrested for threats against Florida retirement community and Mar-a-Lago
‘I’m showing people that we do recover,’ Racer bear-crawls Bloomsday to raise awareness on addiction recovery
NW Public Radio
At tribal health clinics, patients are finding success managing diabetes
Part of an old aluminum smelter along the Columbia River could soon get cleaned up. An energy project is helping fast-track the work
Web
Cascadia Daily News
WA develops honey bee spill plan in response to Whatcom County accident
Opinion: When the jail is Whatcom County’s largest mental health provider
South Whatcom Fire Authority will no longer respond to some recreation areas
Bellingham families struggle with child care costs as expenses skyrocket for providers
InvestigateWest
An Everett teacher resigned over a relationship with a student. Shoreline Community College hired him months later.
The Urbanist
Bellevue’s Transportation Director Wants to Ramp Up Spending on Cars
Washington Observer
Saving human services?
Smaller sideboards for data centers
Communications controller in chief
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: May’s first Monday