Daily E-Clips

Thursday, October 22

Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in 9 states
The injunction bars operations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin until polls close on Election Day, though the administration may appeal in the coming days. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Ross Williams)

As kratom proliferates in legal gray area, WA lawmakers eye drug ban
Washington lawmakers will look at regulating the herbal drug kratom and its synthetic versions, after some cities in the state have moved to ban sales. It’s the latest dance in the spotlight for an unregulated substance that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration tried to broadly restrict a decade ago, before reversing course after outcry from its proponents. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

People aren’t drinking like they used to. Can WA beer, wine industries adapt?
Washington’s wine and beer industries are staring down a sobering reality. Drinking culture is changing, tariffs and inflation are squeezing businesses and consumers, and local producers are making more booze than the market demands. That’s forcing two of Washington’s most iconic industries to adapt to a new era of imbibing. Continue reading at KUOW. (Monica Nickelsburg)

Wednesday, October 21

WA parents and businesses lose billions due to lack of childcare
While childcare costs continue to increase nationwide, families are hit particularly hard in Washington, where childcare can cost nearly twice as much as in-state college tuition. Families here pay an average of $21,000 a year for their children to attend licensed childcare facilities, according to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families. Those costs are among the highest in the country. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts
Around 200,000 Washingtonians are expected to lose coverage by the end of next year due to the cuts. Many could meet newly enacted work requirements but won’t be able to surpass constant new paperwork barriers to maintain their insurance, officials expect. About 600,000 enrollees are expected to be subject to these requirements. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jake Goldstein-Street)

AI is getting better at hacking power, water systems
Critical infrastructure operators are running out of time. Top-tier frontier models are dangerously adept at mapping out attacks, new research from cybersecurity company Frenos shows, and it’s only a matter of time before freely available AI models make such hacks easier to execute. Continue reading at Axios. (Sarah Grillo)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Quinault Indian Nation’s new Taholah School taking shape

Axios
AI is getting better at hacking power, water systems

Everett Herald
FAA certifies Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 Tuesday
Everett adds two new “no sit, no lie” buffer zones, removes another

Kitsap Sun
Outdoor dining cleared in Bremerton, but owners question city’s plan

News Tribune
Families reach $23M settlement in lawsuit against Pierce Co. school district
Visiting these WA geological wonders is mystical — if you can stand the gunfire
Meat sold in Washington subject to nationwide recall. 1.5 million pounds at risk

New York Times
Supreme Court to Hear New Case on Race and School Admissions
U.S. Is an Outlier Among Rich Nations in Slowing Climate Progress, U.N. Data Says
A Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal.

Port Townsend Leader
More leaks draw new fire on mill
County takes a hard look at what’s left to cut
Concerned citizens share their thoughts on mill controversy

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing secures long-awaited FAA approval for 737 Max 10
Aviation robotics startup with $1 billion valuation to open Seattle-area office
Seattle company Carbon Robotics cuts jobs, citing ‘broader economic conditions’

Seattle Medium
Washington Attorney General Fights To Protect Medicaid Coverage For Vulnerable Residents
King County Launches New Effort To Break Cycle of Addiction, Incarceration And Homelessness

Seattle Times
WA parents and businesses lose billions due to lack of childcare
Opinion: How King County can make law enforcement oversight better
WA hospitals could lose $6 billion from HR 1 cuts, Cantwell report says
Seattle City Council approves RV permit program, stricter parking rules
Supreme Court rebuffs Trump administration restrictions on medical care for transgender inmates

Spokesman Review
Travelers can expect big changes at Spokane International Airport main terminal
State regulators step closer to backing most of Avista’s proposed electricity rate boost

Washington Post
Most Americans want to halt all data center construction
Why a West Coast storm may be the start of something much bigger
Jane Doe wrote to Cornell faculty as it considers vote of no confidence
‘There are no people’: Springfield, Ohio, faces loss of Haitian residents
Kagan says Supreme Court has damaged democracy with recent rulings
Democrats press for more information about newly revealed ballroom donors
Cops left the force. They kept tracking people with a powerful camera network.

WA State Standard
WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts
Utah sues Kalshi for ‘brazen pattern’ of violating state’s gambling ban
Umatilla declares emergency over lost revenue from Gov. Kotek’s data center permit pause
Colorado activists call for transparency measures as they attempt to track ICE flights out of Denver

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
New male orca calf born to Southern Resident J35
WSP seeks witnesses to police impersonator in Skagit Valley
Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Recology in death of Seattle elementary school teacher
Steilacoom mother pleads not guilty after court finds her competent in attempted murder case

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines add nonstop flights to Osaka, Papeete
State Patrol seeks information on police impersonator in Skagit Valley
Medical experts warn now is the time to get vaccinated as flu season kicks off early
Seattle City Council passes restrictions on overnight parking for RVs and motorhomes

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Finalists announced for Skagit Valley College presidency
Afraid to cross border for medical help, Canadian living in Point Roberts dies
Ferndale council kills mayor’s darling — a sewer project essential to city growth

Tuesday, October 20

WA counties desperate to fix rising lawsuit costs
The shared insurance pool that covers nearly two-thirds of Washington counties ended 2025 without being sure it had enough money to pay the counties’ estimated cost of lawsuits, forcing them to tap their general funds intended for basic functions. … Counties are preparing to ask the Legislature for help, seeking to roll back laws and court decisions they say are driving the crisis. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Fiona Martin)

Washington panel eyes ways to ease hurdles to rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfires
Earlier this month, the governor asked the council to adopt an emergency rule allowing owners of homes built before 2015 to rebuild in line with less restrictive residential energy codes adopted in 2015. For homes constructed after 2015, the governor is pushing for owners to be able to rebuild to the energy code that was in effect when their residence was first constructed. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Mario Tama)

People leaving King County jail need ‘a lifeline.’ Now Medicaid will pay for one
Most people in jail are low-income and qualify for Medicaid health coverage, but historically the program has excluded health care provided within jails and prisons. But now 22 states including Washington have qualified for a waiver; it allows Medicaid reimbursement for certain transition-related expenses in the 90 days before someone is released. Continue reading at KUOW. (Amy Radill)

Print

Axios
Seattle homebuyers hit the brakes
Want a curbside EV charger on your Seattle block? Apply now

Everett Herald
Index celebrates new ADA accessible Erinswood Trail
Mill Creek celebrates Veterans Monument improvements (Donaghy, Lovick)
Woman dies while in custody at Lynnwood jail on Sunday

News Tribune
Lane closures on this Pierce County bridge for ‘life and safety’ survey
Opinion: Tacoma’s universities are key to South Sound’s economic success
$50 million ‘world-class cancer center’ planned in Tacoma. Filings reveal design

New York Times
When Idaho Banned Abortion, OB-GYNs Fled. The Doctors Who Stayed Are Cracking.

Olympian
WA state removes 2,000 tires offshore of Thurston Co. park

Seattle Times
WA counties desperate to fix rising lawsuit costs
Why police drones are flying in Seattle despite surveillance policy
Seattle protesters call on WA to ditch pension investments in Palantir
Federal judge orders release of man arrested by ICE on Oregon tribal land
Opinion: Competitive pay for engineers is key to reliable WA ferries service

Spokesman Review
Without fanfare, the North Spokane Corridor crosses Sprague Avenue
Spokane Colleges receive almost $1.9 million in federal grants for childcare programs
U.S. Education Secretary urges Ferguson to join school choice initiative in Spokane visit

Washington Post
Can social media bans protect young people’s mental health?
Supreme Court could end 160-year-old ban on homemade whiskey
U.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddling
A Maryland woman’s husband died in ICE custody. She wants answers.
Supreme Court to hear case challenging admissions criteria for middle-school program
A key climate report was scrapped under Trump. Scientists plowed ahead with the research.

WA State Standard
Bear killings skyrocket as garbage, bird feeders draw them into conflict
Elbows up in Washington state over Canada’s proposed oil tanker terminal on border
Washington panel eyes ways to ease hurdles to rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfires

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle sees room to expand civilian crisis response
Ballard light rail could open in 2042. The funding still needs to follow
U.S. Education Secretary urges Washington to adopt new education tax credit program
King County councilmember proposes parking restrictions amid concerns over Seattle RV crackdown
Suspicious mail reaches offices of Washington Reps. Jayapal, Smith as FBI investigates nationwide wave

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Prepare yourself for flooding season in WA
Seattle City Council to vote on new RV parking ordinance
Failing autopilot and time pressure: Report details deadly Black Hawk crash in Thurston County

KNKX Public Radio
A Kelvin wave raised sea levels on the West Coast. More are coming

KUOW Public Radio
What if an AI bubble bursts — and that accelerates AI job losses?
People leaving King County jail need ‘a lifeline.’ Now Medicaid will pay for one

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Skagit Valley College professional staff file to unionize

MyNorthwest
For the first time in 5 years Downtown Seattle leases see an uptick
Port of Seattle reports $1.2 billion economic boost from 2026 cruise season

Monday, October 19

Gov. Ferguson’s board tells him to let people out of prison. He keeps saying no
In Washington, one of just 16 states that does not offer parole, Ferguson’s de facto policy has shut off one of the few avenues for early release available for people serving long prison sentences. It has also confounded some people usually supportive of the Democratic governor who’ve been surprised and dismayed by his repeated unwillingness to grant mercy even when his own board recommends it. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Ivy Ceballo)

Seattle’s expanding police camera network has oversight gaps
License plate readers: About 47% of police database searches lacked required justifications, up from 24% in 2024. Police shut off the readers in March following a new state privacy law. Live and private cameras: Analysts could view live feeds without logging a case number or justification. Police also plan to accept private camera feeds citywide, despite a lack of clear rules. Traffic cameras: The city’s transportation and police departments lacked a written agreement over police access to traffic camera feeds. Continue reading at Axios. (Annelise Capossela)

New Tacoma speed cameras caught 400,000 drivers in a month. Vendor can’t keep up
But because of limitations from the company that runs the cameras, only a randomly selected group of 100 registered vehicle owners per camera each day will receive them, city officials say. In total, approximately 515,000 vehicles drove through the corridor in the same period, meaning that roughly 77% were speeding.
Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Brian Hayes)

Print

Axios
Seattle’s expanding police camera network has oversight gaps

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham wants to change the speed limit for this road. WSDOT disagrees

Capital Press
Judge refuses to block adoptions, birth control for wild horses
Outlook: Strong El Niño likely means warm winter in the Northwest
Pacific Northwest secures $10 million in USDA specialty crop grants
USDA approves releasing European weevil to attack invasive aquatic plant

Everett Herald
Community Transit gathering feedback on Swift Gold Line design
Stillaguamish Tribe wraps up its largest-ever salmon restoration project

Kitsap Sun
‘No Kings’ tries to shift tone to voter turnout at Kitsap events
State issues $300k in fines for 2024 diesel spill in Bremerton

News Tribune
Lakewood PD officers, leaders retaliated against Black staff, report shows
New Tacoma speed cameras caught 400,000 drivers in a month. Vendor can’t keep up

Seattle Times
Gov. Ferguson’s board tells him to let people out of prison. He keeps saying no

Spokesman Review
Power line arcing led to Benton County fire, utility says
Riverside State Park restoration faces budget constraints and natural hazards before reopening is possible

Washington Post
Why a 7% mortgage rate hurts more now than in the past
Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear edge
State officials offered to store nuclear waste. Then residents found out.
A Pepsi plant laid off most of its employees. The town didn’t see it coming.

WA State Standard
Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history
Immigrants from Ukraine, Sudan could soon lose protected status
Invasive beetle arrives in eastern Washington, threatens ash trees
WA Department of Social and Health Services eyes cuts, modernization for 2027
After booting 760K people from ACA Plans, Trump administration has added some back
Bipartisan permitting bill in Congress could speed energy projects, but draws green critics

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Teen boy shot, killed in downtown Tacoma; police search for suspect
Family sues City of Seattle again over teen’s fatal fall at Gas Works Park
Pierce County father arrested 19 months after 5-year-old son dies from fentanyl
Seattle social housing developer charts first construction project in Central District
Bird flu detected in Washington dairy cattle for first time, with 1 human case reported
Meet the Seattle volunteers giving up their weekends to help domestic violence victims
Woman dies at Lynnwood jail days after being taken into custody for DUI, theft offenses
Federal judge halts USDA and Forest Service restructuring plan, including elimination of Portland office

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit to provide update on delayed Ballard light rail project
Yakima resident tests positive for bird flu, low risk to general public, YHD says
One dead, two injured after head-on crash with transit bus in Grays Harbor County
Thousands take part in Seattle ‘No Kings’ march, voting fair, as protests take place nationwide
KNKX Public Radio
Protest in southwest Washington against trans runner on girls cross-country team goes viral

Web

Cascadia Daily News
WWU closes $12.5 million deal with PeaceHealth for new health sciences college
Opinion: State’s AI roadmap needs to show how AI does its work for public

Cascade PBS
WATCH: The dangers decades of workers faced at Hanford Nuclear Site

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Monday info

Friday, October 16

Washington energy debate centers on clean energy deadlines, rising utility costs
Both advocated greater efficiency and consumer engagement to reduce peak demand. Carlyle emphasized grid modernization and distributed battery storage; Myers favored time-of-use pricing and financial incentives. Their competing prescriptions leave lawmakers and utility regulators confronting the same challenge: maintaining affordable, reliable electricity while determining how much flexibility Washington’s clean energy transition requires. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Courtesy of TVW)

WA foster parents no longer have to support LGBTQ+ kids in their care
Washington state can no longer require foster parents to provide an affirming and supportive home for LGBTQ+ children and youth, according to a settlement the state reached with a religious couple. Continue reading at KUOW. (Courtesy of the Alliance Defending Freedom)

Seattle inflation outpaces most West Coast peers, national average. What’s driving it?
Rising energy prices were the primary driver of Seattle’s higher rate, but James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research, said there are more subtle factors at play too. Continue reading at KUOW. (Monica Nickelsburg)