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Monday, November 17

New analysis shows more US consumers are falling behind on their utility bills
More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep on the lights and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data — a warning sign for the U.S. economy and another political headache for President Donald Trump. Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period. Continue reading at The Associated Press. (Allison Robbert)

Two Decades Later, a Federal Native Homeownership Program in Washington Has Yet to Convert a Single Home to Ownership
The audit determined that 135 homes were eligible for ownership by 2023 through LIHTC Eventual Tenant Ownership. According to documents obtained by Underscore + ICT, the actual number of homes was 160 and none had been conveyed or transferred and sold.
As of this year, there are now 301 eligible homes for ownership. Continue reading at Underscore. (Kyra Antone)

In 2021 an ambulance ride in Spokane was $975. Next year it will be more than 5 times higher
The price for ailing Spokane County residents to ride in an ambulance to the hospital has skyrocketed in the past five years. American Medical Response, the company responsible for 95% of all medical transports in the county, will charge more than $5,000 in most of Spokane County starting next year, a rise of several hundred dollars from this year and thousands of dollars from just a few years ago. Patients who used an ambulance in the city of Spokane, for instance, will pay a base fee of $5,275 starting June 1 plus $52.49 per mile. That compares to $975 for a ride plus $23.45 per mile they paid in 2021. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jonathan Brunt)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Westport moving forward with tsunami tower

Bellingham Herald
As La Niña winter nears, Whatcom County readies its severe weather shelter
Billy Frank Jr. statue foundry chosen, possible WA Capitol locations discussed

Capital Press
WSU researchers examine spring wheat planting window
Suit claims Washington Ecology slow to tally greenhouse gases
Washington range-rider gets $200,000; Fish and Wildlife wonders how

The Daily News
Sole applicant to run Longview cold weather shelter

Everett Herald
WSDOT to begin work on $145M Highway 9 widening
Snohomish County adopts its first Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Snohomish County judge hears arguments on petition over access to the shoreline
Comment: Shutdown raises profile of childcare as an issue

Kitsap Sun
WA Legislature already prepping for 2026 tax battles
Sunken tug will be dismantled underwater in Bremerton; Kingston marina avoids big spill
ACA subsidy loss would cause thousands on West Sound to face health insurance cost hike

News Tribune
What Medicare Part B price hike means for your 2026 Social Security
This area of Pierce County will get transit for first time since 2012, for free
Tacoma council greenlights tax hike for emergency services. Here’s how much
Will Pierce County councilors get more pay if they approve sheriff, exec raises?

Puget Sound Business Journal
FAA to end flight restrictions at major airports

Seattle Medium
Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson Stands with Starbucks Union Members In Labor Contract Rally

Seattle Times
Seattle’s homelessness response in peril as Trump aims at ‘Housing First’
New analysis shows more US consumers are falling behind on their utility bills
Supreme Court will review an old policy used to turn away asylum seekers at the US border
Opinion: An ambitious new Seattle mayor confronts the same challenges
Comment: For Seattle progressives, a time of celebration — and self-examination

Spokesman Review
Yakima Valley drought forces WA farmers to rip out apple trees
In 2021 an ambulance ride in Spokane was $975. Next year it will be more than 5 times higher (Riccelli)
Getting there: This year, state workers won’t have to use a Howitzer to control avalanches at Snoqualmie Pass avalanche control

Washington Post
Federal cuts upended clinical trials. A new study reveals the toll.

WA State Standard
WA Legislature’s ‘Revenue Queen’ readies for 2026 tax battles (Frame)
Residents in northwest WA town fear closure of ‘lifeline’ post office
WA’s new ban on medical debt in credit reports at risk of federal override
Feds appeal ruling permanently blocking Trump Guard deployment to Portland
Trump administration’s FAA chief clears normal operations in the skies post-shutdown
Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Hidden homeowner costs climb to nearly $16K a year, new analysis finds
SEA Airport opens new security checkpoint in time for holiday travel rush

NW Public Radio
Tales of modern farming: baby goats and yoga

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Pedestrian and scooter rider, hit by cars last winter, sue drivers and Bellingham
‘Underrecognized’ bus drivers get students to school safely, with a fist bump and a smile

Cascade PBS
Seattle elects Katie Wilson as its next mayor
The Newsfeed: Seattle VA whistleblower fired, plans appeal

InvestigateWest
Oregon homeless service groups say Trump’s overhaul of key housing program will exclude them from funding

Underscore
Two Decades Later, a Federal Native Homeownership Program in Washington Has Yet to Convert a Single Home to Ownership (Pollet, Stearns)

The Urbanist
Escalating Costs Could Push Sound Transit to Reconsider Two Infill Stations
Op-Ed: Making Seattle Neighborhoods More Accessible by Design

Washington Observer
AG rewrites the rulebook on making public records public

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday info

Friday, November 14

Air travel, SNAP benefits, back pay at issue as federal government slowly reopens
The record 43-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night scrambled air travel, interrupted food assistance and forced federal workers to go without a paycheck for weeks. It also cost the U.S. economy about $15 billion per week, White House Council of Economic Advisers Director Kevin Hassett told reporters Thursday. As the government began to reopen Thursday, officials were working to untangle those issues and others. But in some areas, the processes for getting things back to normal after such a lengthy shutdown will also take time. Continue reading at WSS. (Spencer Platt)

Family files lawsuit against telehealth company they say contributed to WSU student’s suicide
The family of a Washington State University freshman who died by suicide nearly three years ago has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a telehealth company he used to receive a prescription for the anti-depressants they say contributed to his death. The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court on Wednesday, alleges that 19-year-old Luke Tyler received a prescription for an anti-depressant medication from a provider on the platform Him and Hers without proper consultation and despite Luke’s disclosed history of undiagnosed depression. The lawsuit alleges the company’s “dangerous, profit-driven scheme resulted in Luke’s death” and alleges the company, and its providers, acted negligently. Continue reading at Spokesman-Review. (Spokesman)

Seattle Starbucks Workers on the Picket Kick Off Nationwide Strike
At 9 a.m. Thursday morning, at what’s usually a busy time of day for a coffee shop, the U-District Starbucks was locked up. Lights out, chairs on tables, and empty inside. Outside, about 25 union baristas and their supporters lined the sidewalk. The same scene was playing out in Queen Anne (1144 Elliott Ave W), Portland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York City, and others. Thousands of employees at 40 stores nationwide are on strike after Starbucks went six months without offering new bargaining proposals, and more than 18 months after national contract bargaining began. Continue reading at The Stranger. (Micah Yip)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Taholah School District to break ground on earthquake-safe K–12 school
Grays Harbor County resident tests preliminarily positive for avian influenza

Capital Press
Washington forest board takes 200,000 acres out of production
Orchardist seeks at least $1 million for alleged pesticide substitution
Farmers welcome reopening of federal government, urge work on new farm bill

Everett Herald
Everett law adds additional consequences for domestic violence
Opinion: A state income tax is fair and can fund our needs

Kitsap Sun
Bainbridge Island city manager announces retirement

News Tribune
This Tacoma-area trail is getting a $1M facelift. Take a look
Shooter in Pierce County murder case wins resentencing. Here’s what we know

New York Times
Katie Wilson, a Political Newcomer, Is Elected Mayor in Seattle

Puget Sound Business Journal
Lumen Field embarks on branding makeover ahead of 2026 World Cup
SBA loan backlog awaits as shutdown ends. Here’s what businesses need to know.
Companies are requiring more time in the office. Here’s how it’s affecting Seattle commutes.

Seattle Times
Editorial: Philanthropy done right for the benefit of WA kids
Opinion: Future of clean energy and salmon depends on collaboration, not courts

Spokesman Review
Family files lawsuit against telehealth company they say contributed to WSU student’s suicide
Opinion: Cutting programs like SNAP risks our kids’ stability – potentially well after the shutdown

Washington Post
Raising kids is too expensive, most Americans say in new survey
Trump faces heat from MAGA base on ‘America first’ agenda, Epstein

WA State Standard
With progressive council wins, Spokane swings left
4-ton Marcus Whitman statue at WA Capitol still in need of new home
Air travel, SNAP benefits, back pay at issue as federal government slowly reopens
2021 heat dome left Rhode Island-sized damage in Oregon and Washington forests
As health costs spike, a sour and divided Congress escapes one shutdown to face another

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Rural food bank struggles to meet surging demand
When will SNAP benefits return now that the shutdown is over?
Tacoma police will not be implementing ‘ShotSpotter’ technology
Emergency repairs to damaged I-90 overpass near Cle Elum set to begin this month
Starbucks workers picket on Red Cup Day as nationwide strike disrupts Seattle locations
Mayor-elect Katie Wilson vows to rebuild trust in City Hall in first major post-election speech

KXLY (ABC)
Moses Lake Education Association authorizes strike in lack of agreement with school district

Web

Cascadia Daily News
State narrowly approves new stream buffer rule for logging
Is an old law helping PeaceHealth maintain its local monopoly?
Open letter to WWU administration criticizes layoffs in student affairs

The Stranger
Seattle Starbucks Workers on the Picket Kick Off Nationwide Strike
Op-Ed: Are We Watching the Death of Centrism in American Politics?

The Urbanist
Harrell Concedes to Wilson, Ushering in a New Era in Seattle

West Seattle Blog
VIDEO: Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson promises ‘to be a mayor for everyone’
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Friday notes, including Delridge onramp flooding and other trouble

Thursday, November 13

Why apprenticeship programs are seeing growth in WA
In Washington, more people are getting paid to learn new careers than ever before. The number of apprentices has soared more than 70% in the past decade, according to a report from the Washington Student Achievement Council, a state agency focused on increasing postsecondary education rates. The report attributes the surge to growing support across the state and country for these programs, making them more accessible and expanding them beyond construction trades and into industries like health care and education. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Jennifer Buchanan)

End of shutdown ignites new round of sparring among WA’s congressional lawmakers
The shutdown is over. But jousting continues among Republicans and Democrats — including those from Washington state — over who’s to blame for the longest ever shuttering of the federal government. The 43-day political meltdown jeopardized families’ food benefits, snarled air travel and left some federal employees working without pay. Wednesday evening, the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the resolution 222-209 to fund parts of the federal government through the end of January and other parts through next fall. The Senate acted on Monday. President Donald Trump signed the legislation Wednesday night. Continue reading at WSS. (Jennifer Shutt)

Philanthropy grant to add 10,000 preschool slots in WA to backfill budget cuts
Like Lemke, many Washington parents say the social and emotional learning gleaned from ECEAP has been crucial for their child’s development. But in the 2025 session, the state Legislature, facing a deep budget deficit, made cuts leading to fewer ECEAP slots statewide. About $60 million was reportedly drained from ECEAP, with roughly 2,000 fewer spots compared with the previous year. The early ECEAP program that serves kids from birth to age 3 was defunded. ECEAP entitlement for all qualifying low-income families was again delayed, getting punted from the 2026-27 school year to the 2030-31 school year. Continue reading at TNT. (Steve Bloom)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Public Health offers free diabetes workshops
Wildfire risk is making timberland less valuable

Capital Press
Dispute over ‘Pink Lady’ apple trademark resolved
More pears, more problems: Industry explores program to tear out trees

Everett Herald
Franklin wins reelection as Everett mayor
Snohomish County offers resources to help residents to prepare for flood season
Comment: Pennies’ end brings necessary change to change

The Inlander
After a series of conflicting court orders, some receive SNAP benefits, but uncertainty remains
As Americans experience a “vibecession,” Inland Northwest economists predict businesses will remain wary and housing costs will continue to spike

Kitsap Sun
Nonprofit using AI to address family homelessness, with plans to launch in Kitsap
Housing Kitsap buys former daycare on Bainbridge Island to develop affordable housing

News Tribune
Wilkeson Advances $1.4M Recreation Project for Economic Growth
Pierce County Sheriff’s office employee fired after filing of criminal charges
Lakewood police chief ‘ignoring’ misconduct complaints, union attorney says
New 139-acre park near Mount Rainier will have trails and possibly campsites
‘Let’s Go WA’ rally coming to Pierce County school. Did the district approve it?
Philanthropy grant to add 10,000 preschool slots in WA to backfill budget cuts (Wilson, Bergquist)

New York Times
Trump Administration Expected to Drastically Cut Housing Grants

Port Townsend Leader
Service clubs unite to support food aid amidst shutdown
Voters approve tax increase to support county road improvements

Puget Sound Business Journal
Health care’s heavyweight showdown
The government shutdown is over, but some big questions remain
BlackRock leads $500 million investment in tax software firm Avalara
Landowners are going all out to ride the multibillion-dollar data-center wave

Seattle Times
Why apprenticeship programs are seeing growth in WA
WA to add thousands of free preschool slots with Ballmer Group funding
Opinion: WA leaders, remember to focus on issues in this Washington, too
Editorial: Democrats, keep affordability focus as Americans’ costs rise under Trump

Spokesman Review
Ballmer group to donate up to $170 million per year for free preschool program
Washington Democrats split as House votes to end longest-ever government shutdown
Spokane County Commission votes to expedite filters for PFAS-contaminated well users
PFAS cleanup delay at Fairchild ‘unacceptable,’ writes Sen. Patty Murray in letter to Defense Department
The 24-day countdown begins for Adams Elementary staff and students to vacate the school for the final time

Washington Post
When flights, SNAP benefits, museums will return to normal
Congress tightens THC restrictions on hemp, closing farm bill loophole
When it comes to the Epstein files, some MAGA supporters are willing to work with Democrats

WA State Standard
Federal defense contractor backs out of potential Oregon Coast ICE facility
Government reopens after 43 days: Trump signs bill ending record shutdown
End of shutdown ignites new round of sparring among WA’s congressional lawmakers
Former Microsoft CEO’s philanthropy will donate up to $170M a year for free preschool in WA

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
State board strikes down Seattle’s SODO housing plan
Kirkland declares emergency to combat food insecurity crisis
JBLM janitorial workers remain unpaid weeks after furlough
Bruce Harrell to deliver address following Katie Wilson’s win in race for Seattle mayor

KNKX Public Radio
Katie Wilson all but certain to become Seattle’s next mayor
Everett barista claims Starbucks violated city’s new labor law

KXLY (ABC)
Baumgartner welcomes end to government shutdown
City emails reveal years of problems with taxpayer-funded sculpture in Spokane’s Riverfront Park

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Glacier residents fear closure of ‘lifeline’ post office
Blaine voters approve rare de-annexation of Grandis Pond
Cold water corals in Salish Sea unlock new insights into ocean health

MyNorthwest
Child deaths under state supervision trending toward WA record
‘Red Cup Rebellion’: Starbucks workers plan nationwide strike on Red Cup Day
Ballmer Group pledges $170 million annually to expand free preschool in Washington

The Stranger
Starbucks Union Announces Nationwide Strike

The Urbanist
Washington Cities Question Use of License Plate Readers Citing Federal Overreach

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday notes
ELECTION RESULTS: Wilson maintains lead over Harrell in Seattle mayor’s race

Wednesday, November 12

Here’s where WA ranks for second-generation Americans
While much of the conversation around immigration focuses on the foreign-born population, second-generation Americans are also central to understanding the story of immigration. And new data shows in Washington, there were nearly as many residents who are second-generation residents as there were immigrants. If you were born in the U.S., but one or both of your parents were born in another country, you’re a second-generation American, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

Security company drops lawsuit over new WA tax
A security company has dropped its lawsuit over Washington’s new sales tax on services weeks after filing it. It’s unclear why. The development came after Security Services Northwest brought a suit against the state at the end of September. The voluntary dismissal, signed by a Thurston County Superior Court judge Nov. 4, was without prejudice, meaning the company could refile its lawsuit. The Sequim-based firm and its lawyer didn’t respond to requests for comment. The state’s Department of Revenue and attorney general’s office weren’t sure why the company backed down. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)

Water tensions rise on both sides of the Cascades
“We saw historical conditions where the reservoirs in Yakima ran dry. We haven’t seen that before at this scale,” Ria Burns, the water resources program manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, said during an interview on TVW’s The Impact. “The last time we saw this was about 30 years ago.” Yakima was the center of a landmark compromise between tribes and farmers connected to a water rights adjudication that spanned four decades. Adjudication is the legal sorting and ranking of all water claims in a specified area. Continue reading at ICT. (U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County general election vote count updated

Bellingham Herald
WA residents lost $55 million to these scams in 2024. How to protect yourself
Will state auditor investigate Pierce County bridge closure? Here’s what we know

Capital Press
Public Lands Rule proposed rescission draws comment
U.S. Wheat: 2025 crop has ‘great quality, abundant supplies’
Three more Chinese nationals held for smuggling biological material
OSU study: Wildfire risk may tank timberland value, lead to early harvests

Everett Herald
Bui wins race for Court of Appeals position
Snohomish City Council member Hetherington resigns
Snohomish County Council votes to approve planned 2% tax increase
Port of Everett looks to finalize ‘conservative’ budget, amid revenue uncertainty

Indian Country Today
Water tensions rise on both sides of the Cascades

International Examiner
In Little Saigon’s future, a resurgence of housing and services for Indigenous people

Islands’ Weekly
Federal shutdown update: Food access planning underway
Federal shutdown update: Supporting food access during the shutdown

Kitsap Sun
New roundabout proposed for Highway 303 near Central Valley Road overpass

News Tribune
Free Pierce County classes prep kids for jobs as pilots, air traffic controllers
Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier concedes heated race for state Senate
Tacoma council member sues purported business partner in real estate project
Will state auditor investigate Pierce County bridge closure? Here’s what we know
Should affordable-housing providers be exempt from Tacoma eviction protections?

New York Times
By Not Funding Food Stamps, Trump Risks Lasting Damage to Safety Net

Northwest Asian Weekly
Thai restaurant fire in Seattle determined to be arson, owners say
Under new leadership, CIDBIA prepares for World Cup, launches new initiatives to serve CID business community

Olympian
Washington delivering full SNAP benefits to families amid legal tumult

Puget Sound Business Journal
Zillow faces class-action lawsuit over mortgage referrals
Workforce expo highlights pathways to high-wage production line jobs
Unemployment for recent grads is up as employers change hiring priorities
Most private jets barred from 12 major airports under new FAA restrictions
Long-term care providers grapple with LPN shortage as senior population grows
Rad Power Bikes facing shutdown, looking for ‘viable options’ to continue operations
Opinion: WA public-private scholarships can direct more students to health care careers

Seattle Times
Here’s where WA ranks for second-generation Americans
NOAA cuts back on seismic data used for West Coast tsunami alerts
Washington on track to deliver full SNAP benefits; $115M paid so far
House returns for vote to end the government shutdown after nearly 2 months away
Editorial: Study links proximity of cannabis shops to harm. What now, lawmakers?

South Whidbey Record
Take a Breath: District 10 legislator stays professional in partisan climate

Spokesman Review
Ritzville hospital to lay off more than 100 employees, at risk of closure
Former state Supreme Court Justice Richard Guy, a Gonzaga graduate, dies
Spokane City Council modifies, passes Mayor’s emergency homeless resources
What would a Miami-Dade judge know about Spokane’s homelessness crisis? A lot, local leaders believe
Washington Democrats oppose deal to end government shutdown without addressing health care costs
University of Washington Provost visits Spokane for unveiling of new dental hub eyed as game-changer for region

Tri-City Herald
Failing levy means $1M more expected cuts for small Ki-Be schools

Washington Post
House to vote on reopening government after 7-week recess
We analyzed 47,000 ChatGPT conversations. Here’s what people asked.
Newly released Epstein email claims that Trump ‘spent hours’ with victim

WA State Standard
Security company drops lawsuit over new WA tax
The shutdown tug-of-war over SNAP benefits: a timeline
States hope to use rural health money to keep doctors, combat chronic disease
Hemp growers, retailers targeted in section of government shutdown legislation
Comment: Child care can be free and universal

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Video of ICE arrest in Olympia sparks concern over police data access
SEA Airport opens food pantry for unpaid federal workers as shutdown disrupts travel
Holiday Meals for Military program feeds 350 Kitsap County families, with more waiting
Katie Wilson poised to become Seattle’s next mayor after pulling further ahead of Bruce Harrell

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Government shutdown: House to vote on Senate-passed bill
Some tsunami warnings for Washington coast may be delayed
Study: College graduates facing highest unemployment levels in decades
WSDOT projects bring weekday disruptions to Kent, Monroe, and Seattle

KUOW Public Radio
UW loses federal funding for migrant students
Need for speed: Plan to unclog WA public records system gets mixed reviews
Washington state low-income energy aid continues despite federal shutdown
‘An IOU doesn’t pay my mortgage.’ Bremerton suffers as shipworkers go unpaid
Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane man battling rare disease struggles to afford $22,000 monthly medication cost

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Skagit County implements public safety sales tax
Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan open for public review
Sedro-Woolley School Board passes civility policy to cool down heated public comment

InvestigateWest
Pregnant Oregonians need more addiction and mental health support — but the state’s network is fragile
MyNorthwest
Study finds Washington dining costs soar under government mandates
Study: College graduates facing highest unemployment levels in decades

The Urbanist
Bothell Advances Citywide 20 MPH Residential Speed Limit

Washington Observer
A tax on short-term rentals redux (Lovelett)
It’s starting to look like a socialist is going to Seattle City Hall

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Post-holiday Wednesday
ELECTION RESULTS: One week after vote-counting began, Wilson widens lead in Seattle mayor’s race

Friday, November 7

Dave Upthegrove on land sales, federal funding cuts and wildfire immigration raids
The Trump administration has proposed significantly shifting management of the nation’s public lands toward producing more revenue. These proposals especially affect Western states, where 90% of federal lands are located. In Washington state, nearly 30% of land is owned by the federal government. Stateline reporter Alex Brown recently interviewed Dave Upthegrove, Washington’s public lands commissioner, to ask how these proposals and other federal changes are playing out on the ground. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Ryan Berry)

Sea-Tac hit by FAA flight cuts during government shutdown
Flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will be cut in the coming days amid air traffic controller shortages linked to the longest-ever government shutdown, airport officials confirmed Thursday. The unusual measure comes as air traffic controllers go unpaid and staffing shortages plague FAA facilities nationwide, triggering slowdowns at airports coast to coast. Continue reading at Axios. (Kent Nishimura)

Construction of new WA psychiatric hospital ‘on scope, on schedule, on budget’
The construction of the new $947 million Western State Hospital facility is charging ahead and on track for completion, officials announced Thursday. Sean Murphy, deputy assistant secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, spoke about the new 350-bed forensic hospital serving criminal court system patients who need mental health restoration treatment. Continue reading at News Tribune.