What does Washington get for its education spending?
As spending increased, test scores in reading and math — the most visible measure of student performance — inched up then largely flatlined, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which tests students nationwide. Washington’s latest numbers from 2025 state assessments show 32% of the state’s fourth graders were not consistently reading at or above grade level. Nearly 30% of 8th graders weren’t hitting that benchmark either. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Andrew Burke-Stevenson)
WA wildfire home damage totals at least $188M, Ferguson says
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday asked President Donald Trump for tens of millions of dollars in federal aid to help communities recover from devastating wildfires this summer. Across the state, 649 primary residences were destroyed, mostly in Spokane County, according to the governor’s office. More than 2,500 more were damaged to some extent. The financial toll of this damage exceeds $188 million, Ferguson said. In all, the total damage is estimated to be hundreds of millions dollars more. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Courtesy of Spokane Valley Fire Department)
With copper theft surging, King County prosecutor wants lawmakers to make selling it harder
The high price of copper has made it more lucrative to steal, so public officials want to make stolen copper harder to sell. … But under the Prosecutor’s Office’s proposal, recyclers would have to take a photo of sellers, their copper, and their IDs. Continue reading at KUOW. (KUOW)
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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Tuesday notes