People in WA prisons get access to 988 mental health crisis hotline
Incarcerated people make up about 1% of the state’s suicides, but many of these deaths are preventable: State data shows that 39% of incarcerated Washingtonians who die by suicide had a known mental health concern. Overdoses and suicides are also leading causes of unexpected deaths in Washington prisons, officials said…Washington was one of the first states to roll out the three-digit line, which is funded by a combination of state and federal dollars. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)
Hopes of World Cup tourist boom feeling shaky in Seattle
Last year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino likened this year’s World Cup to “104 Super Bowls.” With the soccer tournament a month away, that’s feeling like a stretch. In Seattle, which will host six matches, bullish expectations for the local tourism economy have dampened. Many other cities are in the same boat. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Steph Chambers)
‘Burning longer, moving faster.’ WA prepares for what could be bad wildfire year
May is wildfire awareness month, and agencies are preparing for what could be one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history. On May 1, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) released its 2026 season outlook, which highlighted dim projections across the Northwest. The report stated that drought conditions have persisted in Western Washington throughout most of the year, with April having above-normal temperatures across the state and precipitation patterns leaning dry. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Washington DNR)
Axios
Most Washington police officers lag on required training
Amazon pushes Alexa+ deeper into AI-powered shopping
Capital Press
BLM rescinds Public Lands Rule
NAWG watching U.S.-China meeting
Trump administration chews over lowering beef tariffs
Oregon declares drought for three more counties across state
Everett Herald
Court dismisses push for clear access to Stanwood shoreline
Lynnwood approves streamlined permitting process for food trucks
Comment: Stolen Wages in WA: What Immigrant workers should know
Northshore to end school resource officer program at Bothell High School
Letter: Wise investment supports essential transportation connections by maintaining Snohomish County infrastructure
International Examiner
Here’s what you need to know about the new investments coming to the CID
Afghan immigrants, refugees grapple with changes in social services, federal policies
News Tribune
Tacoma port workers sound alarm over efforts to automate jobs
Opinion: Backdoor to religious instruction in WA schools being exploited
Pierce County pays $3B to Sound Transit with rail expansion still years away
Parks Tacoma has a new interim executive director, third leader in last month
Puyallup Tribe, Kenmore Air’s seaplane venture adding new flights this summer
‘Burning longer, moving faster.’ WA prepares for what could be bad wildfire year
Former Pierce County drug unit’s lawsuit zeros in on actions of 2 ex-prosecutors
New York Times
What You Need to Know About the Federal Gas Tax
Why U.S. Test Scores Are in a ‘Generation-Long Decline’
Opinion: The Iran War Worsens America’s Democratic Erosion
A Texas City Bet Big on Industry. Now It’s Running Out of Water.
With a Friend in Trump, the Tobacco Industry Secures a Lucrative Win
Top Kennedy Spokesman Resigns in Protest of Move to Allow Flavored Vapes
Northwest Asian Weekly
Southern California mayor resigns, will plead guilty to acting as agent for Chinese government
Olympian
Where will Billy Frank Jr. statue be at WA Capitol? There’s a debate (Heck)
Port Townsend Leader
County takes on prisoners for profit
School cuts staff, moves funds to pre-K
Hospital projects multimillion dollar loss in Medicaid funds
Puget Sound Business Journal
Everett maps out site plan for downtown stadium
Study ranks Lumen Field, World Cup venues on heat risk
Seattle Times
Foes of WA high-earners income tax launch repeal initiative
People in WA prisons get access to 988 mental health crisis hotline
3 King County residents possibly exposed to hantavirus linked to cruise
South Seattle Emerald
Opinion: Why the Columbia City Farmers Market Feels Like a South End Third Space
Spokesman Review
Public defenders sue Spokane County over work standards
‘A great place to grow old’: Forbes ranks Spokane in top 25 places to retire
Spokane congressional candidate who paid a rival for help drops out days after filing
Spokane police chief apologizes for not notifying businesses before removing viaduct parking
With initial goal met, The Spokesman-Review starts ownership shift from Cowles to nonprofit
Spokane County leaders enact new code on private camping to combat nuisance properties, ‘human waste, trash or drug paraphernalia’
Washington Post
Why the U.S. job market is so hard, especially for recent college graduates
WA State Standard
Hopes of World Cup tourist boom feeling shaky in Seattle
Fundraising effort saves patch of state-managed forest in western WA from logging
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle mayor signs $4 billion Skagit River dams settlement
Twelve leaders in Thurston County ask to freeze salary through 2027
3 King County residents potentially exposed to hantavirus linked to cruise outbreak
Seattle Mountain Rescue deploys exoskeletons as second team in U.S. to use the tech
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle-area inflation hits 4.9%, outpacing nation as energy costs soar
Seattle Mayor budget deficit nears half-billion dollars, raising threat of taxes and layoffs
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle could ban big new data centers for one year
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane library hosts free ID replacement event for homeless, low-income residents
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Why Bellingham is buying up land around Lake Whatcom
Whatcom County Council approves justice project resolution
Port of Bellingham approves hiring of new executive director
ACA coverage drops in Whatcom, Skagit by nearly 2,000 enrollees
Property rights, preserving housing at odds in Bellingham’s short-term rental law
‘Trades are back’: Mount Baker schools plan construction program, woodshop expansion
Cascade PBS
Girmay Zahilay pushes for progress on King County’s major issues
WATCH: Zahilay explains King County staffing, work in-office changes
InvestigateWest
A girl caught in a custody battle said she was raped. The court-appointed investigator didn’t believe her.
The Urbanist
Maple Valley Pulls Plug on Housing Incentive Program in Face of Backlash
West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Wednesday info, plus Bike Everywhere Day
FOLLOWUP: Two-bridge-closure weekend still on