Daily E-Clips

Friday, November 13

Washington AG hires outside firm to defend ban on trans girls in girls’ school sports
Brown said his decision was in response to potential conflicts of interest and would allow his office to continue its focus on equal protection for transgender people. Continue reading at KUOW. (Noel Gasca)

‘Water for life, not data’: Amazon data center plan draws Eastern Washington protests
The meeting highlighted continued resistance to data centers from communities concerned about higher electricity bills, depleted freshwater supplies and other environmental and social repercussions. Continue reading at Geekwire. (Noah Berger)

LGBTQ+ youth crisis hotline is live again
A national suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth is up and running again following a Trump administration decision to close down the service more than a year ago. Youths and young adults who call or text 988, the mental health crisis line, can again access the “Press 3” option, which routes them to counselors who are trained to offer specialized support and resources. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

Thursday, November 12

Quincy data center growth faces power limits, eminent domain fight over new transmission line
In the national debate over the rapid expansion of data centers, Microsoft has pointed to Quincy, Washington, as an example of how the industry can benefit a community. However, the utility serving the city has restricted more development until more electricity can be brought to the community. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (KIRO 7)

Upthegrove, local officials implore Legislature for wildfire funding on heels of historic wildfire season
Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove told reporters Tuesday at a 2026 state wildfire recap news conference that more than 1,500 fires burned nearly 1 million acres across the state this year. Cindy Marchand, chairwoman of the Colville Confederated Tribes, said almost 200,000 acres burned this year on her reservation, highlighted by the Modrite and Kaiser Canyon fires. About 1 million acres have burned on the 1.4-million-acre reservation since 2014. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (August Frank)

Will Cascadia High-Speed Rail stop in Olympia, Tacoma and Bellingham?
A Washington high-speed rail system could transport between 1.7 million and 3.1 million riders per year and generate between $160 million and $250 million in annual revenue after opening, according to WSDOT…WSDOT’s website also cites 2017 estimates that up-front construction costs could range between $24 billion and $42 billion. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Courtesy WSDOT)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean Shores declares citywide state of emergency
Quinault Indian Nation among Recreation and Conservation Office grant awardees

Axios
Democrats unite against corporate health care
Help choose colors for Washington’s new ferries
Seattle moves forward with more police cameras
Jensen Huang’s ouster triggers an AI earthquake
Court fight begins over Washington’s trans girls sports ban

Bellingham Herald
Will Cascadia High-Speed Rail stop in Olympia, Tacoma and Bellingham?
How will El Niño impact winter weather, drought in Washington state? See forecasts

Capital Press
Judge rejects union bid to reset piece-rates for farm work

The Daily News
Longview port lands tentative deal for massive fertilizer export terminal

Everett Herald
Mill Creek honors veterans with ceremony, parade
Marysville City Council approves $470 million biennial budget
Monroe bird flu: Two fish and wildlife workers exposed to infected birds
Are Washington’s rules for bail unfair? WA Supreme Court hears arguments

Kitsap Sun
National vision program makes a stop to help Bremerton students
Poulsbo Historical Society secures new home for growing archives
Kitsap Transit cancels Bremerton-Annapolis ferry after battery failure
Updated returns flip 35th District Senate back to Republican incumbent
Social Security payments will come early for some WA residents this month
Lawsuit filed against Washington over ban on transgender girls from girls school sports

News Tribune
Superintendent churn comes with a cost for students
Just four votes separate candidates in East Pierce County state House race
Pierce County city wants a new tax on warehouses. Will more cities follow?

Northwest Asian Weekly
Seattle mayor authorizes three new camera areas after audit findings
“Uncle Bob would be rolling in his grave”: Community members vocally oppose McDonald’s in the CID

Port Townsend Leader
Trans athlete ban passes
Century-old water system faces winter test
City plugs budget hole, leaves pool exposed
Hazardous emergency at mill would require specialized responders

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon-backed housing project breaks grounds in Lynnwood

Seattle Medium
King County Offers Free Help As Health Insurance Open Enrollment Begins Amid Rising Costs, New Federal Rules

Seattle Times
Seattle/King County free medical clinic prepares to shut down
Washington unlocks new tax credit with sustainable aviation fuel
Opinion: WA doesn’t have the money, expertise for high-speed rail
Proposed Amazon data center near Tri-Cities gets pushback from residents

Spokesman Review
1978 or 1992? What Eastern Washington’s close congressional race may (or may not) portend
Airway Heights High? Cheney Public Schools pursuing purchase of land adjacent to rec center
Voters backed school taxes across Spokane County. These maps show where support was strongest
Upthegrove, local officials implore Legislature for wildfire funding on heels of historic wildfire season

Washington Post
Is climate back on the agenda after Democrats won big?
Trump reverts to an old theme, warns of immigrant caravans
What 165 days of record ocean temperatures will mean for extreme winter weather

WA State Standard
O’Donnell declares victory in tight WA Supreme Court race
States are counting on battery farms. Some towns don’t want them.
Are Washington’s rules for bail unfair? WA Supreme Court hears arguments
Newly elected, WA’s first openly transgender legislator ready to ‘stand on business’
Boise City Council approves 6-month moratorium on large data center construction

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Ocean Shores declares emergency after storm erodes shoreline, threatens homes
Seattle City Council to vote on overriding Mayor Katie Wilson’s RV legislation veto
Bird flu in Washington dairy cows: Union warns of undetected cases after worker’s death

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington leaders meet for wildfire resiliency summit
Pierce County legislative race tightens as Jacobsen holds narrow lead
Lumen Field could host a semifinal match for the 2031 Women’s World Cup
San Juan County declares emergency over Orcas Island ferry terminal damage
King County officials push for increased courthouse security after rise in violent incidents
Quincy data center growth faces power limits, eminent domain fight over new transmission line

KNKX Public Radio
Seattle mayor authorizes police surveillance camera expansion
Vancouver gets a factory for floating wave-energy data centers

KUOW Public Radio
Sen. Murray on a potential December government shutdown over the war in Iran
Washington state senator begins probe into deportation system after GOP loses Congress
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane City Council passes Chronic Nuisance Properties ordinance
Spokane residents push back on Mayor Brown’s two-year budget proposal
Colfax considers cutting downtown Main Street to one lane in each direction
Spokane’s public libraries might have three fewer days to stay open for families next year

Web

Cascadia Daily News
As flooding season returns, here’s how to prepare
After tax vote failure, Lynden must make do with less
Demolition starts on 118-year-old Bellingham school building
Medicaid cuts are already hurting Whatcom County residents, experts say
Opinion: Closure protests’ angry tone, unrelated issue steers focus from students’ interests

Geekwire
Seattle’s Allen Institute helps create a ‘Rosetta Stone’ for brain cells to unlock clues to disease
‘We’re still here’: Technology Access Foundation keeps opening doors for students of color, 30 years later

MyNorthwest
Seattle could get another shot at hosting the FIFA World Cup — this time the women take center stage

The Stranger
As Funds Dried Up, Nonprofit Immigration Group Hired Anti-Labor Law Firm to Crush Union
Seattle Mayor Expands Police Camera Surveillance Today, With No Privacy Safeguards in 2026

The Urbanist
Wilson Greenlights Expansion of Surveillance in Seattle

Washington Observer
An early challenger for Ferguson? (Santos, Stonier)

Tuesday, November 10

WA sued over Initiative 638 ban on trans girls in girls school sports
The lawsuit says school sports are an essential part of public education in Washington, including for transgender students. It argues that I-638 discriminates against all girls and infringes on their privacy by requiring them to verify their sex before they can play school sports. It also argues that the initiative discriminates against transgender girls by excluding them from girls sports. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Andrew Burke-Stevenson)

Data center developers brace for new reality as election backlash sinks in
A renewed effort to regulate data centers is expected in January in Washington state — home to the headquarters of Sabey, Microsoft and Amazon. Continue reading at Geekwire. (Lisa Stiffler)

How far does the minimum wage stretch in Washington state? See new ranking
At No. 4, Washington state had a minimum wage sufficiency of 64%, with a minimum wage salary of $35,630 and a living wage of $55,307. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Anton Smirnov)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
2026 General Election results inching closer to certification
Opinion: Fellow Republicans, Trump’s era is over. We need a new direction

Axios
Seattle’s forest restoration work earns UN honor
Washington Democrats eye largest state House share since 1939
Washington children’s health care accounting errors could cost $654M (Robinson)

Bellingham Herald
How far does the minimum wage stretch in Washington state? See new ranking
Washington county weighs parking ban near trails used by over 40,000 people a year
Democratic lawmakers in Washington state say healthcare funding should be priority for Congress (Riccelli)

Capital Press
State ag directors press USDA for bird flu vaccine for cattle
Upper Snake reservoir system Oct. 31 volume avoids ’03 low

The Daily News
$30M flood protection project enters final phase in Lexington
Longview auctions 50 tiny homes from former HOPE Village site

Everett Herald
Mountlake Terrace continues 2027-28 budget process
WSDOT unveils preferred design for US 2 trestle replacement
Monroe bird flu: Two fish and wildlife workers exposed to infected birds
Comment: Governor must put politics aside and let Washington’s kids benefit from federal education tax credit program

Kitsap Sun
More apartments planned for Port Orchard’s Bethel Road corridor

News Tribune
State regulators receive complaints about deadly Puyallup rail crossing
Olympia childcare workers unionize at center downtown. ‘We’re losing teachers.’

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing to cut commercial airplane workforce by 5%
Everett to tap transit merger windfall for stadium project
Thousands of SBA borrowers will feel the squeeze of rising rates
Opinion: How labor peace helped put Seattle on the global stage

Seattle Medium
Seattle School Board Authorizes Potential Legal Action Over Girls’ Sports Initiative

Seattle Times
WA sued over Initiative 683 ban on trans girls in girls school sports
Seattle School Board approves legal fight against ban on trans athletes

South Seattle Emerald
Community Leaders Seek Black Cultural Corridor to Sustain Yesler Way Legacy

Spokesman Review
Longview mill shuttered after deadly spill plans December restart
State school superintendent will not seek re-election, considering bid for state or federal office

WA State Standard
WA state schools chief won’t seek re-election in 2028
Is the honeymoon over for data centers in Washington?
Parents, groups sue over transgender student athletes initiative
Trump’s DOJ ends California suit over suspected noncitizen voters after midterm losses

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Why 3 cities want to hit pause on SEA Airport expansion
3 Seattle hotel employers to pay $133K in worker settlement
What a supermajority means for House Democrats in Olympia (Doglio)
Audit finds ‘shortcomings’ in Seattle’s crime surveillance program
Boeing slows production plans, announces 5% reduction in workforce
Seattle Public Schools authorizes legal action against I-638, banning trans girls in sports
Large vehicles restricted at Orcas Island ferry terminal after cracks discovered in support beams
Former inmate who says transgender cellmate assaulted her wins federal case against WA prisons

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
3 WA school districts prepare to sue state over funding
Audit identifies gaps in safeguards for Seattle’s Real-Time Crime Center
Washington state selects Jimi Hendrix for 2029 U.S. Mint coin program
Boeing to cut 5% of commercial airplane workforce as production ramp slows
‘Needs to be improved’: Report targets gaps in WA’s involuntary treatment system
Chris Reykdal won’t seek reelection as state superintendent, weighs run for another office
Seattle School Board authorizes potential legal action over I-638 regarding sex-based sports
King County mental health crisis center renovation estimate more than doubles to $35 million

KNKX Public Radio
Washington Democrats nab supermajority in state House

KUOW Public Radio
Boeing to lay off 5% of commercial airplane workforce
Seattle schools poised to sue over trans sports ban initiative
Boeing announces pending layoffs. Why now and what’s next?
‘It’s a really tough market.’ 11 Washingtonians weigh in on the jobs outlook
The Democratic Party gained power across the country in the midterms. Now what?
Surveillance audit ordered by Seattle mayor calls for more ‘guardrails’ for technology
Hoping to get a green card for a family member in the Seattle area? It could take years
Faced with influx, prosecutor in Washington says he lacks resources to defend immigration cases

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Parks brings back Longevity Fit for adults 55 and older
Reykdal won’t seek a fourth term as state superintendent in 2028
School districts consider energy drink bans due to teen health risks

Web

Cascade PBS
WATCH: How medicaid cuts will affect Washington’s apple health

Geekwire
Data center developers brace for new reality as election backlash sinks in (Doglio)
Microsoft awards $20K grants to 25 Seattle-area nonprofits amid state budget crunch and tax debate

InvestigateWest
Audit finds Washington agency failed to respond in time to vulnerable adult safety concerns (Rule)
Idaho judge orders release of police employment records to InvestigateWest, Invisible Institute

The Stranger
Black Women Saved Our Empire
Slog AM: Washington Latinos Flip Legislative Seats for the Dems…

The Urbanist
WSDOT Seeks Feedback in I-5 High Speed Rail Survey

West Seattle Blog
ELECTION 2026: Seattle Public Schools might sue over I-638

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)

Print

Axios
Seattle schools dial back tech
Seattle’s high-speed rail dream needs your input

Capital Press
Oregon declares end to record-breaking fire season
Chatbots gain influence over farm policy, expert says
Bird flu hits 47,000 chickens in Western Washington
Number of farmers, ranchers in Congress drops from 33 to at least 23

The Daily News
Nippon president retires as Longview mill works toward restart
Opinion: Can we please end these gerrymandering wars now?

Everett Herald
Boeing’s 737 backlog grows after record order
SnoCo first responders practice water rescues ahead of flood season
Everett plans to use $33M of transit merger funds for stadium project

Kitsap Sun
‘Second chances’ program at Kitsap County hits milestone
What should Washington’s new ferries look like? You can help choose
Opinion: In Kitsap Homes of Compassion’s wake, here’s an idea to help
Kitsap Veterans Day events include parade, ceremonies and free breakfast

News Tribune
Major Puyallup intersection is closing for up to six weeks for construction
Changes to Tacoma Liquefied Natural Gas facility permit proposed by PSE
How do you get ‘tire buster’ potholes fixed in Tacoma? Repair crews have a list

New York Times
Mysterious Request Scrambles Major Supreme Court Gun Case
Senator Tells Google to Let Schools Disable A.I. Features in Search
Congress Returns to a Reordered Washington With a Hazy Agenda
Why Colorado Is at the Epicenter of So Many Supreme Court Clashes
Bipartisan Support for Israel Erodes as Both Sides Push for New Limits
Trump Administration Steps Into Planned Parenthood Lawsuit in Texas
In Elevating Stephen Miller, Trump Doubles Down on Hard-Line Agenda
Immigrants Are Being Systematically Returned Home Despite Court Orders
With Hopes Low and Temperatures High, Climate Summit Opens in Turkey
U.S. Global Health Strategy Jeopardizes Prevention of Pandemics, Experts Warn
Unfazed by Midterm Rebuke, Miller Is Poised to Push the Limits of Trump’s Power

Northwest Asian Weekly
Racist signs disrupt Seattle Center Diwali celebration
AAPIs played substantial role in 2026 midterms — and will continue to do so in future elections

Puget Sound Business Journal
Amazon eyes more data centers in WA
WA governor meets with NBA commissioner as league weighs Seattle expansion

Seattle Times
Why blue WA voted to ban trans athletes from girls sports
After 30 years, Democrats just cracked WA’s ‘Cascade curtain’
Stephen Miller’s promotion angers industries reeling from immigration enforcement
States are forcing hospitals to offer more people financial aid. In Oregon, it’s working

Spokesman Review
Feds ask for proposals for industrial use of Hanford land. Data centers possible
Democratic lawmakers in Washington state say healthcare funding should be priority for Congress (Riccelli)
Inland Northwest universities feel the pinch of competition as enrollment trends downward nationwide

WA State Standard
In WA, voters keep a controversial county sheriff in the saddle
Feds can’t force WA to set aside alleged noncitizen ballots, judge rules
Air taxi to Legislature: Spokane-Olympia direct flights to launch in 2027
Oregon, three other state AGs sue over Trump’s Medicaid work requirements
Washington schools prepare to sue the state for failing to fund public education
Democrats romped in state elections. What will they do with their newfound power?

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Defense company agrees to buy Kirkland startup in deal valued at $5.3B
Seattle schools want Google AI gone; company says Search could go with it
Proposal to build apartments on site of Ballard Goodwill moves forward, neighbors push back

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Diwali celebrations continue despite disruption at Seattle Center (Dhingra)
Mayor Wilson expects to select Seattle’s next police chief in coming months
Seattle Public Schools expands screen-time limits, blocks YouTube for elementary students

KXLY (ABC)
Northbound lane closures on Highway 395 in north Spokane beginning Monday

Web

Cascade PBS
What Medicaid and ACA cuts mean for Washington
WATCH: How federal changes impact Washington health coverage

Geekwire
New tax incentives give Washington’s sustainable aviation fuel industry a boost

MyNorthwest
Spokane–Olympia flights to begin in January as scheduled service returns after two decades – MyNorthwest.com

The Urbanist
‘The Forge District’: Kirkland Gives NE 85th Station Area a Rebrand

Washington Observer
Winners and losers in Washington’s 2026 election (Pedersen, Santos)

West Seattle Blog
TRANSIT, WEATHER, TRAFFIC: Monday info

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)