Thursday, October 15

WA leaders weigh state AI guardrails as Congress remains stuck
Early discussions are underway about bills for next year’s legislative session to set new guardrails around safety, privacy and liability for AI. But the lead lawmaker in the state Senate said there’s no consensus yet about what to prioritize. He also cautioned that related legislation to regulate data centers is expected to take up significant time in the session, which begins in January. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Andrew Burke-Stevenson)

ICE arrests man near Seattle elementary school during morning drop-off
Agents eventually smashed the driver-side window, unlocked the door and forcefully removed the man from his car, Norris said. They handcuffed the man against his car and then drove him away in an unmarked vehicle. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Courtesy of Lisa Norris)

How Murray and WA experts plan to ‘politics-proof’ public health
But a key focus will be on restoring trust in medical providers, public health systems and scientific experts, the Washington Democrat said. That overall confidence has suffered, Murray said, as Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have fired hundreds of CDC workers, slashed scientific grants, restructured a key vaccine advisory panel and continued to repeat disproved claims about childhood vaccinations. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

Wednesday, October 14

Immigration arrests linked to WA driver data ‘off the charts’
Immigration arrests linked to a search of Washington driver information have jumped at least fivefold since July, according to new data from the University of Washington’s Center for Human Rights … These numbers are “off the charts” and projected to increase, despite state policies to block federal agents from tapping private driver data, said Angelina Godoy, the center’s executive director. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

Reykdal opposes federal tax credit program, urges gov to reject
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal views the tax credit as a way to expand school choice options without closing funding gaps for public schools. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Aspen Ford)

Researchers point to community violence programs, pandemic recovery in historic homicide decline
The findings come amid a historic national decline in homicide. In 2025, the estimated U.S. murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate fell 18.1% compared with 2024, which equates to about 4 killings per 100,000 people. It tied the lowest rate recorded since national estimates began. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Scott Olson)

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Aberdeen Daily World
The Great ShakeOut warning test is Thursday

Axios
Inflation heats up as gas prices surge
Judge orders White House to reinstate press access
Punitive damages in door plug blowout possible for Boeing
Democrats fear “more October surprises” after Ilhan Omar raid

Capital Press
Court hears two wolf cases on expanding, rolling back federal protection

Everett Herald
Lynnwood mayor proposes 2027-28 budget, announces 14 layoffs
Lynnwood to allow commercial paid parking for another 6 months

Journal of the San Juan Islands
How recent ferry disruptions affected islanders

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap County sales tax hike approved to prevent public safety cuts

News Tribune
Do homebuyers have a right to know if a house is haunted? What WA law says

New York Times
Why Is It So Hard to Tax the Ultrarich?
Social Security Says Retirees Will Get a 3.6% Raise for 2027
California May Tax Its Billionaires. The Billionaires Are Fighting Back.
Trump’s Latest Effort to Fire a Fed Official Underscores Political Motives
Supreme Court Weighs Privacy Law From the Videotape Era of ‘Be Kind, Rewind’

Seattle Times
University of Washington rape lawsuit alleges negligence
Immigration arrests linked to WA driver data ‘off the charts’
Opinion: WA must return to its paramount duty: K-12 education
Social Security checks will go up by about $75 a month to offset inflation
Is ICE buying Tacoma detention center? WA Congress members want to know
CVS agrees to pay $315 million to settle Justice Department case over opioid prescriptions
US hits Bank of America with $1.2 billion fine, saying it violated money laundering, sanctions laws

Spokesman Review
Spokane Transit, truckers look to account for increased diesel costs
Aiming at a chronic women’s disease, WSU team develops a potential treatment for endometriosis
Baumgartner, Conroy both skeptical of Trump’s deal to buy Russian diesel as bipartisan opposition mounts
Two families from the Spokane area were profoundly changed by the Fort Hood mass shooting. Here’s what they say about the shooter’s execution

Washington Post
Democrats hold big edge on economy in key poll for first time since 2012
Treasury Department imposes $1.2 billion penalty against Bank of America
Does a video store privacy law apply online? The Supreme Court will decide.
Prices increased faster in September in last inflation report ahead of Election Day

WA State Standard
Reykdal opposes federal tax credit program, urges gov to reject
Researchers point to community violence programs, pandemic recovery in historic homicide decline

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
$49M settlement reached in starvation death of Vancouver teen
IRS to roll out program matching retirement plan contributions up to 50%
Washington Poison Center warns of opioid risks in counterfeit cat’s claw supplements
Daily Dose: Medicare-for-All support hits record high, weight-loss drugs show signs of slowing aging and dogs offer new clues to Alzheimer’s

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
65% say Seattle is losing World Cup public safety momentum
Edmonds Police Department warns of rise in sophisticated impersonation scams
Kroger to lay off 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years as it leans into artificial intelligence

KUOW Public Radio
Two million invasive green crabs captured along Washington state shorelines

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Public hearings set for Bellingham elementary school closures
Downtown shelter will be open nightly in Bellingham this winter

Geekwire
Microsoft’s wild ride: Stock hits new record after a year of ups and downs
Seattle voters view economy as weakening in survey that reveals short-lived World Cup euphoria

MyNorthwest
‘No sustained honeymoon’: 65% say Seattle is losing World Cup public safety momentum

The Urbanist
‘The Ave for All’ Transforms U District’s Main Thoroughfare

Washington Observer
More on the ferry labor/budget issues

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Wednesday info

Tuesday, October 13

After a sickout and cancellations, what’s next for WA State Ferries?
Washington state’s struggle to operate aging boats is well known to the public, but the nation’s largest ferry fleet, serving 20 million people a year, is also vulnerable if more than a few people cancel their shifts. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

These are the cities most vulnerable to AI automation
Topping the list is San Jose, California, with nearly 29% of its total workforce most vulnerable to AI automation. That metro area is followed by Washington, D.C., at 27.7%; Durham, North Carolina, at 26.7%; Seattle at 26.6%; and Austin at 25.4% to round out the top five. The cities that boast high concentrations of professional services and tech jobs are generally also the most vulnerable to AI automation, whereas the cities that cater more toward service or hospitality jobs are among the least vulnerable. Continue reading at Puget Sound Business Journal. (Malte Mueller)

Seattle ranks third among U.S. metros for young professionals, new study finds
The study looked at how much money entry-level workers have left after paying rent. According to JobLeads, Seattle’s median entry-level wage is about $49,000 a year, with nearly $28,000 remaining after rent. Seattle ranked behind Portland and San Jose. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Courtesy of ESBProfessional)

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Axios
Bremerton’s Navy shipyard is getting a $15B makeover

Capital Press
Attention horse owners: Pigeon fever on the rise in Oregon
Trial postponed for pair charged with threatening farmworkers

The Daily News
Opinion: Raising kids is getting more expensive, and Americans want help | Steven Kull

Everett Herald
Arlington approves new regulations for e-bikes
Stillaguamish River closes to fishing until Nov. 2
Local food providers talk increased demand from SNAP cuts
County reports first flu death of the fall, early start to flu season
Trade Up lets students experience a day in different careers in Edmonds

Kitsap Sun
PSE awarded $40.2M federal grant to launch grid upgrades
Bainbridge memorial adds center to preserve WWII survivors’ stories

News Tribune
Plan for highway delays near Tacoma this week as new SR 167 signs go in
Hour-long traffic delays expected during upcoming Tacoma Narrows Bridge repairs

New York Times
Opinion: How Is Child Marriage Still Legal in the U.S.?
How Climate Change Is Causing ‘the Gentrification of Seafood’
Editorial: A.I. Companies Say They Aren’t Responsible for Their Unpredictable Products. Don’t Believe Them.

Puget Sound Business Journal
These are the cities most vulnerable to AI automation
AI tool takes aim at career growth, workforce pipelines
Higher mortgage rates are messing with the housing market
Opinion: More pharmacists should be part of outpatient care teams

Seattle Times
Ferguson expands on proposed cellphone ban in K-12 schools
In pursuit of longevity? The WA outdoors could help with that
WA agency apologizes after racist interruption at virtual meeting
After a sickout and cancellations, what’s next for WA State Ferries?
Editorial: Homelessness agency must operate within public-records law
Number of homeless Native people in King County higher than reported

Spokesman Review
NTSB investigating after wreckage of small plane recovered near Tonasket
State schools chief opposes federal program Gov. Ferguson has yet to weigh in on
Spokane Tribe member’s new app turns running into a lesson on Indigenous lands
‘We are still here’: Indigenous Peoples Day event in Riverfront Park celebrates history and identity
Gonzaga University hopes to aid in national nursing shortage by pumping out graduates more regularly

Washington Post
Some who have taken hyped, unregulated peptides have regrets
Trump faces stiff bipartisan pushback to Russian diesel import deal
Ex-DOGE staffers are now profiting from knowledge of government
Rep. Omar calls search at D.C. home part of a Trump intimidation campaign

WA State Standard
Gov. Ferguson calls for salary survey after WA ferry sickout
Oregon retreats from enforcing landmark trans health care coverage mandate
US senators from both parties blast Trump order to import Russian diesel as illegal

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Metro bus machete attack suspect escapes home detention
Pierce County weighs crackdown on unpermitted food vendors, including jail time
Father sues MultiCare, alleging excessive force while trying to reach critically ill son
After ferry sick-out, questions remain about Washington State Ferries’ staffing pipeline

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Arlington approves new regulations for electric scooters and e-bikes
Pacific residents wait in fear without permanent fix to failed flood barrier
Amazon reportedly weighs $7B startup acquisition as AI spending accelerates
Nippon Dynawave employees return to work months after deadly paper mill implosion
Burien City Council unanimously approves resolution strengthening immigrant protections

KUOW Public Radio
7 Washingtonians share their views on Trump’s immigration policy
Seattle considers new RV Parking rules. Critics say it won’t help the people living in them

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Youths answer call of ancestors at Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Lummi Nation
Resigned to school closures, Carl Cozier parents focus anger on new attendance boundaries

MyNorthwest
Columbia Bank moving top executives to Arizona, citing Washington taxes
Seattle ranks third among U.S. metros for young professionals, new study finds

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
It’s Great Shakeout week! Here’s what to know about tsunami readiness too

Monday, October 12

Elwha River dam removal project nears capstone with land transfer to tribe
Twelve years ago, the last piece of two Elwha dams came down, in what was at the time the world’s largest dam removal project. It was hard-won by the tribe after generations of declining salmon runs and community health. Now, the so-called project lands, where the dams were blasted and a river freed, are slated to return to the tribe, marking the capstone of the federal project. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

Columbia City Will Be Home to Nation’s First Native-Owned Birth Center
In Washington State, Indigenous maternal mortality rates are more than seven times higher than rates for white mothers. The majority of these cases are preventable through better access to culturally responsive medical care and support services. Hummingbird offers culturally congruent support and care for Indigenous moms. Continue reading at South Seattle Emerald. (Courtesy Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services)

Election betting is booming as the midterms near. Do states have the power to curb it?
Prediction markets have emerged as a flashpoint in state and federal relations, as a host of states struggle with the Trump administration over who has authority to regulate the platforms and whether state laws restricting gambling apply to them. While much of the fight centers on the future of sports betting, a growing number of state officials fear the sites are opening the door to a new era of gambling on elections — a practice many states have long prohibited. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Katie Adkins)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Pump prices remain at record highs for autumn
Opinion: The dead beat remains journalism’s greatest challenge
Chehalis Tribe’s fishing permits more nuanced than WDFW’s recent description

Capital Press
WA water year sees floods, puny snowpack, irrigation cutbacks

The Daily News
Opinion: All hands on deck for a more civil America | Lynn Walker Gendusa

Everett Herald
SnoCo PUD proposes 2027 budget with no electric rate increase
Everett’s Walter E. Hall Park playground to get $1.25M overhaul

Kitsap Sun
Acting Navy chief tours Kitsap, recognizes service members
Will a film made in Bremerton answer a secret about Bigfoot?

News Tribune
Do child sex-abuse claims pose ‘existential’ threat to Pierce County budget? (Farivar)

Northwest Asian Weekly
Four-day pilgrimage brings awareness against ICE

Seattle Times
Elwha River dam removal project nears capstone with land transfer to tribe

South Seattle Emerald
What to Expect at Seattle’s People’s Tribunal on U.S. Complicity in Gaza
Seattle Budget Hearing Draws Calls for Shelter Expansion and Arts Funding
Columbia City Will Be Home to Nation’s First Native-Owned Birth Center: Q&A With Camie Goldhammer

Spokesman Review
Spokane to host fire rebuilding resource fairs, offer free asbestos surveys

WA State Standard
Washington among 4 states with highest rate of whale entanglements, report shows
Election betting is booming as the midterms near. Do states have the power to curb it?

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Flu season arrives early in western Washington, with 2 deaths reported this fall
State commission apologizes for racist remarks made during public comment session

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington commission apologizes after racist remarks disrupt PSE rate hearing
New visitor center to open at Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
Many GOP states have imposed new voting rules this year, some mirroring Trump’s midterm proposals

KUOW Public Radio
Microsoft workers stunned by federal accusations of visa fraud
The feds are using AI to deny care to WA seniors, Sen. Murray says
Scammers used AI to impersonate me, a KUOW reporter. Here’s how to avoid such traps

KXLY (ABC)
WSDOT search crews locate missing plane near Tonasket
Community Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Riverfront Park on Monday

Web

Geekwire
From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers
Microsoft makes ‘biggest bet yet’ on its own silicon, unveils new AI chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia

West Seattle Blog
WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Monday info with Avalon crash/fire, bridge truck backup

Friday, October 9

OpenAI fires 3 safety researchers in dispute over AI risks
OpenAI said on Friday that it fired three safety researchers for a “breach of trust,” defending the dismissals after the trio accused the company of putting its corporate interests before safety as the reason for removing them. The ChatGPT maker said in a post on X that it “parted ways” with the researchers after an investigation found “they violated clear policies on handling sensitive information.” Continue reading at KIRO 7. (Jeff Chiu)

Microsoft faces foreign worker crackdown as Vance blasts layoffs
The Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign workers landed squarely in Seattle’s backyard Thursday, with Microsoft, Adobe and six other firms targeted for suspension from a federal green card program.The big picture: Vice President JD Vance and Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the new restrictions Thursday. Continue reading at Axios. (Getty Images)

King County Holds Heartbreakingly Vast Funeral for People With Nobody to Bury Them
There are 626 people, the most King County has ever interred at one time through its indigent remains program, stacked neatly beneath a fresh marble grave marker, each with cremains in their own plastic urn within a weathertight concrete crypt. It’s also the biggest jump the county has seen from a previous ceremony to the next; the last one, held in June 2025, honored 405. The ceremonies are not annual—they occur whenever there are enough remains to bury. Continue reading at The Stranger. (Madison Kirkman)