Daily E-Clips

Monday, November 9

After 30 years, Democrats just cracked WA’s ‘Cascade curtain’
Outside of one district centered on Spokane, there have been zero other state or federal-level Democrats in the entire ruby-red expanse east of the Cascade Mountains since 2010. There hasn’t been a Democrat in the Yakima area since the last ones were washed out in the Republican “revolution” of 1994. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Evan Abell)

Feds ask for proposals for industrial use of Hanford land. Data centers possible
The Department of Energy issued a request for industry proposals Friday to use up to 3,700 acres of unneeded Hanford nuclear site land in Eastern Washington for industrial projects. The uses to be considered could include data centers or other computing capabilities, new energy generation, advanced manufacturing or development of critical materials. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Bob Brawdy)

Washington schools prepare to sue the state for failing to fund public education
School boards for the Lake Washington, Tacoma and Yakima districts contend the state’s failure to meet its constitutional obligations is forcing them to rely on local levy dollars to pay day-to-day expenses, echoing an argument made in the landmark McCleary ruling that forced the state to pump billions of additional dollars into education. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Dana DiFilippo)

Friday, November 6

Advocates rally after WA voters pass ban on trans girls in girls school sports
Washington’s reputation as a stronghold for LGBTQ+ rights dimmed Thursday, advocates said, as a ballot initiative aimed at barring transgender girls from competing in girls K-12 school sports secured enough “yes” votes to pass. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Andrew Burke-Stevenson)

As Washington state faces more lawsuits, legislators look to tackle payouts
When lawmakers return to Olympia, they’ll face a thorny question that’s threatening to swamp state and local budgets: what to do about ballooning lawsuit payouts…It’s an issue that goes way beyond dollars on a spreadsheet and gets to the heart of who should be held responsible when the public suffers harm? And how far should that responsibility go? Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

Washington state to regain $7.5 million in federal law enforcement funding
Washington state will regain access to $7.5 million in federal law enforcement grants after a judge ruled Wednesday that the federal government cannot withhold the money over immigration enforcement policies. Continue reading at KING 5. (KING 5)

Print

Axios
Seattle’s Jaelynn Scott set to become state’s 1st trans lawmaker

Bellingham Herald
Local airline will fly to Olympia airport for the first time in 22 year

Capital Press
USDA: Idaho cattle likely brought bird flu to Washington dairy herds

The Daily News
Twichell leads race to become Rainier’s first new mayor in 24 years
Cowlitz PUD gives 100 students a hands-on look at careers in the trades
Toutle Lake security guard accused of supplying vapes, intimidating students

Everett Herald
Edmonds City Council advances utility rate increases
Community Transit finalizes merger with Everett Transit

Kitsap Sun
KRL director resigns for position leading St. Louis Public Library
I-638 limits transgendered girls in sports, but legal challenges await
No-contact warning issued for Silverdale shoreline due to sewage spill

News Tribune
‘This is a problem.’ Ferry service cuts prompt outcry on Pierce County island
Major refugee aid group in Tacoma and Spokane is ending amid financial hits
Toxic algae threatens a PNW tradition. How WA razor clam season is shaping up

New York Times
U.S. Hiring Picks Up and Unemployment Falls
Not Even Tech’s Safest Jobs Look So Safe Anymore
Bird Flu Death in Washington State Renews Concern Over the Virus
U.S. Global Health Strategy Jeopardizes Prevention of Pandemics, Experts Warn

Puget Sound Business Journal
Ballard light rail receives long-delayed federal approval
‘Millionaires tax’ repeal rejected by WA voters, but legal battles loom

Seattle Times
WA ‘millionaires tax’ is upheld as Initiative 645 fails
Voters reject measure that would have ousted Pierce County sheriff
Opponents concede loss in WA ban on trans girls in girls school sports
Advocates rally after WA voters pass ban on trans girls in girls school sports
Editorial: In future elections, avoid October surprise with campaign finance rules
AI data centers took a beating in the midterm elections. A reckoning may be ahead for tech giants

Spokesman Review
Michael Baumgartner’s position strengthens after Thursday ballot drop
Opinion: The future of Washington agriculture depends on workforce reform
Nonprofit holds ceremony in Airway Heights to celebrate new round of affordable housing
Campaigns acknowledge passage of trans athlete initiative, defeats of ‘millionaire’s tax’ repeal and parental rights initiative

Tri-City Herald
New Kennewick VA clinic to expand Tri-Cities services
Election results: Dems flip Yakima Valley statehouse seats that cover part of Tri-Cities

Washington Post
For GOP, moving on from Trump is easier said than done
Open AI makes pledges on data center operation after midterm backlash
U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, showing surprising strength
Two more DOJ officials resign, including head of national security division
Corporate America courted Trump. Now a blitz of investigations is coming.
Stocks tumble, erasing post-midterm gains as markets weigh future of AI build-out

WA State Standard
Trans sports bans get voter approval in 4 states
Blue wave carries Democrats to supermajority in WA House
The Nature Conservancy opens new community forest in Cle Elum
Albertsons must pay $900M for role in WA opioid crisis, judge rules
WA governor meets with NBA commissioner amid expansion doubts
Feds can’t force WA to set aside alleged noncitizen ballots, judge rules

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Bird flu detected at Pierce County commercial poultry farm
Man critically injured in early morning Lakewood shooting
What could the midterm election results mean for the war in Iran?
Washington state to regain $7.5 million in federal law enforcement funding
Washington judge orders Albertsons to pay $900 million in opioid crisis case
Spokane-area man accused of sexually exploiting 15-year-old girl in King County
Defense seeks release for man convicted in 2006 Tacoma shooting when he was 17
California Gov. Newsom says he will commute all death sentences in state to life without parole
Transgender rights supporters rally in Seattle after passage of I-638 banning trans girls from girls’ sports

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Tumwater to launch four-day work week in 2027
Bird flu detected at commercial poultry facility in Pierce County
Everett Transit merger with Community Transit receives official approval
Albertsons faces $900 million penalty for failing to stop opioid misuse in WA
AP: WA voters approve verification of biological sex to play girls’ school sports
Atmospheric rivers line up as Western Washington enters an active weather pattern
Renton firefighter shot responding to call at Albertsons; police shoot and kill suspect
Seattle schools take steps to protect football athletes as studies show greater CTE risk
Gov. Bob Ferguson talks with NBA commissioner as expansion decision looms for Seattle
Charges dropped against man who was repeatedly punched on video by an Auburn PD officer

KNKX Public Radio
Lawsuits likely over Washington’s ban on trans girls in sports
Push to make sheriff appointed, create ombuds office failing in Pierce County
Gluesenkamp Perez reaffirms moderate, working class message with most decisive win yet

KUOW Public Radio
Effort to rename Hood Canal hits a fjordblock amid tribal opposition
WA millionaires tax supporters claim victory as repeal effort concedes
How the blue wave affects Microsoft and Amazon’s data center ambitions

As Washington state faces more lawsuits, legislators look to tackle payouts
Weekly papers in south King County are consolidating. History shows layoff may come next

KXLY (ABC)
WSP releases more details on Spokane County deputy shooting

Web

Cascadia Daily News
School district criticized for high admin pay. It’s also boosted teachers
New overpass at Bell Road’s railroad crossing will ease traffic jams, delays
Analysis: Swing district picks a side and sticks with it; other races follow suit (Shewmake)
Tribal members feel ‘in the dark’ after reporting missing, murdered loved ones
Did voters OK spending $43M on ‘Taj Mahal’ district office? Yes, but it’s complicated

Cascade PBS
How to track your ballot status in WA post-election

MyNorthwest
WA Democrats: Fight over transgender girls’ sports ban ‘just beginning’
Spokane County sheriff’s Facebook comments were turned off in 2024, not after deputy shooting

Thursday, November 5

4 takeaways from Washington’s election tsunami
Tuesday’s blue wave could remake the political landscape of Washington state…Over 2 million ballots have been counted. Hundreds of thousands remain to be tallied in the coming days. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)

WA relaxes energy requirements for homeowners rebuilding after fires
Council members initially pushed back. Stricter energy efficiency rules — thicker insulation, additional window panes and pushing gas heating systems to electric heat pumps — can reduce carbon emissions, and remain a core part of Washington’s climate goals. But Spokane tipped the balance between housing and climate. With entire neighborhoods leveled and some homeowners underinsured by hundreds of thousands of dollars, lowering housing construction costs took priority. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Nick Wagner)

Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy injured in Spangle shooting dies; another deputy not expected to survive
Three civilians were killed in the shooting. One of them was the suspect, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at a news conference Tuesday night. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (August Frank)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
The Moore Wright Group hotel placed in receivership

Axios
Seattle voters favor transit tax hike in early returns
Washington voters approve ban on trans girls in girls’ sports

Bellingham Herald
Why does WA still observe daylight saving time? Lawmakers are working to change it

Capital Press
U.S. increases farm exports to leading trading partners
Analysts ponder next ag steps as House, Senate flip to Democrat control

Everett Herald
Thursday marks 110th anniversary of Everett Massacre
Everett council votes to approve transit merger with CT

Kitsap Sun
What was Washington’s voter turnout in the 2026 midterms?
Senate’s 35th Dist. margin grows, but other races tighten in update (Simmons)
Development proposal near Enetai moves ahead, despite neighbor concerns

New York Times
Tech Stocks Plunge, Erasing Post-Election Rally
They Made History as ‘Firsts.’ That’s Not What They Ran On.
High-End Homes Keep Selling, Shrugging Off Pied-a-Terre Tax
In Victory, Democrats See Economic Mandate to Cut Costs and Curtail Trump

Northwest Asian Weekly
Democratic wave brings historic firsts as Washington election results roll in

Peninsula Daily News
Antisemitism at UW, and More Nuclear Weapons Are Bound for Our Shores

Puget Sound Business Journal
Voters overwhelmingly say no to data centers nationally
Some wealth taxes survived, others did not in sweeping elections

Seattle Times
More Amazon layoffs in WA, as 95 workers are cut
WA relaxes energy requirements for homeowners rebuilding after fires
Democrats face a choice on Trump come January: Confrontation or compromise
Editorial: Democrats in control of Congress must honor promises, redirect nation

South Seattle Emerald
Tsunami Warning Signs Could Be Coming to South Seattle in 2027
Chinatown-International District Business Owners File Claims Against Seattle City Light

Spokesman-Review
Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy injured in Spangle shooting dies; another deputy not expected to survive

Washington Post
Democrats face a stark choice on Trump
Party weighs its strategy for dealing with the president
Far from Washington, Democrats forge huge state-level gains
Some colleges reined in frats after rapes. Experts urge a bigger fix.
Trump’s favorite economic policy was among Tuesday’s biggest losers
GOP’s losses will put pressure on Alito, Thomas to retire from Supreme Court

WA State Standard
Washington voters uphold millionaires tax
4 takeaways from Washington’s election tsunami
Ferguson lays out wishlist for Congress after ‘breathtaking’ midterms
The election is over. What’s supposed to happen next for Congress?
Trump accepts the blue tsunami, despite months of election legal battles, threats
Deputy dies after shooting in Spokane County; second deputy ‘not expected to survive’
Seattle battery maker repeatedly cited for lead violations; L&I confirms workers became ill

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
ACA open enrollment underway: See WA’s approved 2027 insurance rate increases
Seattle parents press district to pause AI in classrooms as new screen time limits take shape
Insurer asks court if teen accused in Fall City killings should receive $500,000 in mother’s life insurance

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
City of Renton ends Flock camera contract
Parents call on Seattle Public Schools to pause AI use in classrooms
Seattle voters back transit tax increase aimed at expanding bus service
Everett City Council votes to approve merger with Community Transit
AWS emerges as buyer behind $264M West Richland data center land deal
Seattle Public Utilities prepares for street flooding as heavy rain approaches
GLP-1 poison calls double in Washington as weight-loss drugs surge in popularity
Deputy killed, another not expected to survive after deadly Spokane County shooting

KNKX Public Radio
Washington voters pass initiative to ban trans girls in girls’ sports

KUOW Public Radio
Amazon, Alaska Airlines cut jobs in Washington state

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane approves more money for inclement weather shelters
One Spokane deputy injured in shooting near Spangle dies, other not expected to survive
Investigators work to get details on south Spokane County shooting that resulted in 4 people dead; house taped off for more than 24 hours

Web

Cascadia Daily News
5 takeaways from Tuesday night’s election returns
Opinion: You voted. Great, but your job with who you’ve elected has only begun
Bellingham district met with intense opposition to school closures in public arena

Cascade PBS
WATCH: How to track your ballot status in WA post-election

MyNorthwest
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office disables Facebook comments after deadly shooting, citing threats and hate speech
Renton pulls plug on Flock camera contract amid privacy debate

The Stranger
Slog AM: Washington Bans Trans Girls from Girls Sports, the “World’s Largest Jew-Hater” Is Investigating

West Seattle Blog
WEATHER, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Thursday notes

Wednesday, November 4

Live results: 2026 Washington state midterm elections
Updated election results in Washington state will be available around 4 p.m. Continue reading at KUOW. (Ted S. Warren)

Washington voters embracing income tax on high earners
Voters on Tuesday were upholding Washington’s new income tax on households earning more than a million dollars a year, a threshold opponents argued would eventually be lowered to apply to everyone. Initiative 645 to repeal the high-earners tax was failing by an overwhelming margin, 58% to 42%. It lacked support in the state’s most populous counties on both sides of the state. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Ryan Berry)

Amazon plans its first data centers in Washington state as residents raise concerns
The expansion into Amazon’s home state comes amid nationwide pushback against the rapid deployment of new AI data centers. Tuesday’s election underscored the scrutiny facing data center developers, with voters in communities across several states backing limits on new projects. In Eastern Washington, the Amazon proposals have drawn calls for greater environmental oversight and a temporary halt to data center development. Continue reading at Geekwire. (Noah Berger)

Print

Axios
Seattle gas prices are dropping
The blue tsunami that broke MAGA
Democrats will face a health care stress test
Seattle voters favor transit tax hike in early returns
GOP’s redistricting firewall pummeled by blue wave
Washington income tax repeal trails in early returns
Washington’s parents’ rights initiative trails in first returns
Voters deliver “AI earthquake,” rebuking tech and billionaires
Measure to ban trans girls from girls’ sports leads in Washington

Capital Press
Voters approve tax hike to save Oregon’s Polk County fairgrounds
Voters support restoring rail-to-trail plan in Oregon’s Yamhill County

Columbian
Democrats ride blue wave in Clark County’s legislative races

Everett Herald
Incumbents likely to win reelection in 38th District
Incumbents leading in District 10 of the state House
Lovick, Donaghy, Berg leading in 44th Legislative District (Lovick, Donaghy, Berg)
Voters lean toward approval 3 of the 5 SnoCo Charter amendments
Ryu, Noble hold slight leads in 32nd LD, Davis likely to win reelection (Ryu, Noble)
Duerr, Kloba seem headed toward reelection in 1st Legislative District (Duer, Kloba)
Snohomish County Council recognizes Transgender Remembrance Day
UW report: Federal agents using WA driver data in immigration arrests
Democrat surprises Republican incumbent in District 12, Position 1 race
SnoCo voters show skepticism for bonds supporting new hospital, school replacements

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap voters reject KPUD electric authority Prop. 1
MacEwen trails Mejia narrowly in 35th District Senate race
South Kitsap School District capital levy facing likely defeat
Simmons leads close race between Democrats in 23rd District (Simmons, Nance)
Dems lead in 26th District races, looking to flip one seat in Olympia (Krishnadasan, Richards)
Bainbridge, state leaders urge delay of roundabout planned for Hwy 305
WA voters show support for income tax, transgender sports ban in statewide measures
Rep. Perez leads Braun in race for WA’s 3rd Congressional district after Dems retake House

News Tribune
Early results for WA ‘millionaires tax,’ transgender athletes initiatives are in
Early results of Sheriff Keith Swank’s possible removal, switch to appointment
Will Tacoma tenants win big with ‘Safe Homes for All?’ Early polling results out

New York Times
Stocks Rise as Democrats Flip Control of Congress
Black Candidates for Governor Break Barriers in Four States

Olympian
Early results for WA ‘millionaires tax,’ transgender athletes initiatives are in
Why does WA still observe daylight saving time? Lawmakers are working to change it

Peninsula Daily News
Voters rejecting repeal of millionaire’s tax
Five positions contested on state Supreme Court

Port Townsend Leader
City bets on $128-an-hour backup
Hoh and Quillayute watersheds closed

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon layoffs hit nearly 100 WA workers
‘Millionaires tax’ repeal trails in early ballots

Seattle Times
Renton ends Flock Safety contract, removes cameras
WA voters upholding ‘millionaires tax’ in Tuesday vote
WA Initiative 638 to ban trans girls in school sports leads
WA Initiative 001 to expand parent rights in schools trails
Seattle Prop 1 approved, increasing sales tax to fund public transit
How Sound Transit seeks to borrow more money, avoid more delays
Voters reject data centers across the country as the AI backlash grows
Opinion: Seattle schools are shortening recess. That’s the wrong move
Opinion: Large Navy investments in WA need scrutiny, not just celebration
Midterms launch wave of historic firsts for some states — and for the nation
Editorial: Seattle City Attorney Evans takes promising approach to public safety

Spokesman Review
Washington voters decide to keep income tax on millionaires
Spokane natives find electoral success in race for state Supreme Court
Opinion: We lost our homes on Aug. 1. Stop charging us extra to rebuild (Riccelli)
Opinion: Substance-exposed births in Spokane highlight need for funding (Riccelli)
Spokane, West Valley school district pass levies. Central Valley’s levy too close to call
‘Speechless’: Three dead, two deputies shot in Spangle after domestic violence shooting
Party status quo for Spokane-area state House of Representatives, election night results (Hill)
Baumgartner narrowly leads in too-close-to-call Eastern Washington congressional race

Washington Post
A historic blue wave
Republicans brace for a new Washington
GOP loses Congress as voters rebuke Trump
The voting groups that swung hardest to the left
Ten key factors behind Americans’ midterm votes
U.S. home prices are falling for the first time in 3 years
Trump says he’ll accept results, after priming voters to doubt them
Voters reject data centers across the country as the AI backlash grows
Musk threw a fortune at the midterms. Voters handed him a stunning defeat.

WA State Standard
Live 2026 midterm election coverage in Washington
Rough election night for Republicans in WA Legislature (Walen, Santos, Morgan, Salomon, Ryu, Pollet, Simmons)
Washington voters embracing income tax on high earners
Washington voters backing initiative to keep transgender girls out of girls’ sports
Gluesenkamp Perez cruising toward win over Braun in WA’s 3rd Congressional District
Democrat-backed WA Supreme Court candidates win elections, except for one close race

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
When will the new Congress be sworn in?
Amazon to lay off nearly 100 staff in Washington
King County voters overwhelmingly used drop boxes
3 dead, 2 Spokane County deputies critically injured in shooting
Man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Cowlitz County judicial candidate
Seattle mayor announces executive order on RVs following permit program veto
Map: Track results for Washington’s general election congressional races and statewide initiatives

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WA midterm election 2026: Statewide initiatives results
Mayor Wilson issues executive order on RVs following veto
3 people dead, 2 deputies critically injured in Spokane domestic violence shooting

KNKX Public Radio
Here are Washington’s key 2026 election results
Dems approaching supermajority in WA state Legislature

KUOW Public Radio
Live results: 2026 midterms in Washington state
UW international student enrollment falls to lowest level in a decade
Live updates: Voters may punish Dems who opposed the ‘millionaires tax’
Socially conservative, fiscally liberal? Election night takeaways in Washington state

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Skagit Valley College names new president
Skagit County general election returns 2026
Whatcom County general election returns 2026

Cascade PBS
A look into how elections are certified in Washington

Geekwire
Amazon plans its first data centers in Washington state as residents raise concerns
Filing: Amazon’s previously announced layoffs include 95 jobs in Washington state
Washington voters keep millionaires tax, splitting tech leaders over the state’s competitive edge

MyNorthwest
Initial results favor keeping Washington’s millionaires’ tax as I-645 trails
Parents’ bill of rights initiative I-001 trails by slim margin in early returns
I-638 narrowly leads in initial results, would bar transgender girls from girls’ school sports

The Stranger
What to Do If You See ICE
Last Month This Month: October (Scott)
In Ballard, Looking at the Greenland Deal
Meta Keeps Suspending Seattle Gay Bars and Clubs from Instagram
UW Gaza Protesters Declare Victory After Prosecutors Cut Deal to Dismiss Charges
Slog AM: Democrats Take Congress, Millionaires Tax Stays, Trans Sports Ban Could Pass

The Urbanist
Why a Seattle Electric Vehicle Charging Lot Is Taking Half a Decade to Build
Conservatives Take Their Swings as 2026 Election Trends Toward Progressives

West Seattle Blog
Councilmember Saka made ‘balancing package’ cut
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Post-election Wednesday
Another SDOT project for Highland Park Way: Traction improvement
ELECTION 2026: Results for Seattle Transit Measure, three statewide initiatives, State Supreme Court
ELECTION 2026: Local results for State House, County Council, U.S. House (candidate comments added) (Fitzgibbon)
FOLLOWUP: Alki package, Delridge art wall, veterans-shelter planning, and which other budget changes from

Tuesday, November 3

USPS delays could cause 20K more Washington ballot rejections
Changes to how the U.S. Postal Service processes mail could lead to an additional 20,000 Washington ballots being rejected for late postmarks this year, according to University of Washington researchers. Continue reading at Axios. (Jason Redmond)

Amazon will build up to 21 data centers on West Richland land it paid $264M for
Trammell Crow Co., a Dallas, Texas real estate firm with a data center development business, purchased nearly 1,000 acres from the estate of the late agriculture icon Frank Tiegs in July. Monday, AWS confirmed it is the actual buyer behind the $264 million deal in a phone call. It said that such arrangements are standard. Continue reading at Tri-City Herald. (Bob Brawdy)

More real estate listings tout data centers even as project opposition increases
The data reveals the bifurcated view of data centers. For example, one Compass listing showcases a 148-acre property in Taylor, Texas, that boasts of the presence of a transmission tower that makes the spot perfect for a data center. Another listing for property in nearby Burnet, Texas, meanwhile, has the seller of a ranch describing the beauty of the property with dark night skies, no windmills and no data centers nearby, according to Compass. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Yuichiro Chino)