Obamacare enrollment declines in 49 states
In 49 states, the number of people enrolled in Obamacare plans has declined since Congress made coverage more expensive by allowing federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. The lone exception was New Mexico, the only state that has used its own money to fully replace the expired aid, according to a new analysis by KFF, a health policy research group. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Joe Raedle)
One-third of fast ferry routes between Bremerton-Seattle going away in September
Legislators boosted the service with state funding in 2022 after Washington State Ferries faced staffing shortages in the COVID-19 pandemic. That funding was always intended to be temporary, but was extended through the World Cup before running dry, forcing riders to adjust their routines by September. Continue reading at KING 5. (KING 5)
WA home insurance rates skyrocket
The U.S. as a whole saw insurance rates rise nearly 47%, with every state experiencing a rise. LendingTree’s report attributes the nationwide increase to the heightened risk of natural disasters amid climate change and post pandemic supply chain disruptions that made rebuilding homes more expensive. Between 2020 and 2024, the U.S. experienced around 23 natural disasters per year that caused at least $1 billion in damage each, according to LendingTree home insurance expert Lindsay Bishop. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)
Capital Press
Washington Ecology baffles engineers with new twist on old rule
Everett Herald
Edmonds extends temporary 20% utility tax through 2028
Everett approves $1.9 million loan, property purchase for stadium
Edmonds College students return to Japanese Gulch to uncover local history
Kitsap Sun
Heat dome likely to bring high temps, wildfire risk to Washington
News Tribune
‘Failed to act.’ Investigations preceded Pierce County court leader resignation
New York Times
Trump Administration Is Repurposing Federal Land for A.I. Data Centers
Uninsured Patients Rise Sharply, Hospitals Report, Citing Obamacare Cuts
Bipartisan Anger Grows at Pentagon’s Delayed ‘Forever Chemicals’ Cleanups
Puget Sound Business Journal
Microsoft’s WA workforce takes brunt of cutbacks
Opinion: Seattle’s rising rents require more housing solutions
Seattle Times
WA home insurance rates skyrocket
Seattle City Council limits residents’ ability to challenge new zoning
South Seattle Emerald
Column: Gun Violence Didn’t Move to Seattle Center. Our Attention Did.
Spokesman Review
Spokane council approves ‘right to cooling’ for tenants
Spokane Haitians on edge after officially losing their temporary protected status
WSU can be held liable for Sam Martinez hazing death, state Supreme Court rules
Washington Post
How utilities are adapting to the data center boom
More Americans are buying groceries on credit. That’s a problem.
A divided Fed holds interest rates steady despite stubborn inflation
OpenAI, Anthropic ask U.S. government to consider slowing down AI
Economic growth falls short of experts’ expectations, but inflation improves
Trump’s claims of election interference in doubt after release of declassified intelligence
WA State Standard
Obamacare enrollment declines in 49 states
Rise in US preteen suicide rate alarms mental health experts
Washington asking feds for $76M for flood damage to highways
With 2030 deadline to cut emissions approaching, WA has a long way to go
TSA shares passengers’ personal information with immigration enforcement, documents show
Idaho Gov. Little declares wildfire disaster emergency, authorizes Guard to help along Oregon border
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
KING 5 source: Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes out
15-year-old suspect charged in connection to mass shooting at Seattle Center
One-third of fast ferry routes between Bremerton-Seattle going away in September (Nance, Liias)
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
SPD Chief Shon Barnes is out, sources confirm to KIRO 7
Exclusive: Video shows ICE arrest during Seattle Center mass shooting investigation
KNKX Public Radio
Police recovered a ghost gun from Seattle Center shooting
KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Police Chief Barnes defends travel schedule as shooting investigation intensifies
Fired or resigned? Seattle Police Chief Barnes supporters rally amid reports he’s been ousted
Bullets from 15-year-old’s gun did not kill 2 Seattle Center victims, according to early findings
KXLY (ABC)
Scammers calling Washington residents pretending to be from Dept. of Health
Spokane City Council voted to approve ordinance requiring adequate cooling in rental units
Web
Cascadia Daily News
Cyanotoxin detected at unsafe levels in Lake Samish
Skagit journalists clash with management over wages, AI use
WWU names leader for programs on Olympic, Kitsap peninsulas
Whatcom County’s 20-year growth plan adopted after painstaking process
Turnover is high at Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office. What’s happening?
ACLU to file $15M lawsuit after asylum-seeking family held at Blaine border for nearly a month
Cascade PBS
WATCH: KCHRA resets amid HUD policy shift
MyNorthwest
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes fired by Mayor Katie Wilson
Exclusive: Video shows ICE arrest during Seattle Center mass shooting investigation
Black community organizations rally at Seattle City Hall, urge Mayor Katie Wilson to reinstate Chief Shon Barnes
West Seattle Blog
UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge’s 2-hour closure for ‘mechanical issues’
UPDATE: Tree trouble = power outage for 4,400+ homes/businesses in West Seattle; half restored in an hour, then lose power again