Daily E-Clips

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)

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)

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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)

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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)

Print

Axios
SCOTUS rejects Trump’s bid over disputed California ballots
USPS delays could cause 20K more Washington ballot rejections

Bainbridge Island Review
COBI, legislators request delay of High School Road roundabout

Capital Press
As bird flu spreads, dairy industry awaits vaccine
Despite rainfall, Oregon remains in deep drought
Washington resident exposed to infected dairy cattle dies of bird flu

News Tribune
Sheriff Keith Swank’s anti-trans protest fizzles at Seattle Reign match
Bird flu has infected at least 33 Washington dairy herds. A person has died
These are best public K-8 schools in Washington state, US News says. See 2027 list

New York Times
Google Will Turn Off Search for Schools That Reject A.I.
See How Much Obamacare Premiums Will Rise Next Year
The Soaring Cost of Diesel Is Bankrupting Small Trucking Companies
Old, Polluting Jet Engines Are Being Scavenged to Power Data Centers
Can Catholic Schools Get Public Money if They Turn Away L.G.B.T.Q. Families?
Flouting Consumer Law, Insurers Refuse to Pay Medical Bills for Emergency Care

Northwest Asian Weekly
City Light apologizes for lack of notification in advance of Sept. outages in the CID — The utility urges residents to file claims by Nov. 30

Puget Sound Business Journal
Everett turns to AI to cut housing permit delays
Data centers reshape real estate property listings

Seattle Times
Mayor Wilson vetoes RV homelessness program
King County initiative seeks to keep people from returning to jail
Ferguson still mum on federal tax credit decision for scholarships
Sound Transit launches new pet policy for light rail, Sounder trains
ICE systematically defied ban on warrantless arrests in Oregon, judge finds
Amazon will build up to 21 data centers on West Richland land it paid $264M for

South Seattle Emerald
Seattle’s Largest Tiny Home Village Opens in Industrial South Park

Spokesman Review
Spokane County postpones possible Geiger closure to 2028
Gov. Ferguson casts ballot in midterm election, warns voters to use county dropbox

Tri-City Herald
Amazon will build up to 21 data centers on West Richland land it paid $264M for

Washington Post
Nearly $1.9 billion traded on midterms in booming prediction markets
Judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit against Harvard on admissions
Google researchers are fighting the company to tell the world what they know about AI
Will anyone interfere with the voting – or the counting? What election officials are watching.

WA State Standard
Yakima County resident dies from bird flu

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Seattle mayor vetoes permit program for people living in RVs
Boil water notice issued in Fall City, residents advised to use bottled water
Death investigation underway after inmate dies unexpectedly at Snohomish County Jail
Mother of Federal Way teen killed in DUI crash addresses court at suspect’s arraignment
Seattle man accused of leading police on 100 mph chase through school, construction zones

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Fall City remains under boil water advisory
No snow, but chains required: WSP checks trucks on Snoqualmie Pass
Inmate dies on fourth day in Snohomish County Jail after being found unresponsive in cell
Councilmember Strauss says Mayor Wilson broke her promise by vetoing RV permit program
WSDOT wants public input on proposed high-speed rail connecting Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver
Experts say British Columbia keeping Daylight Saving Time could impact cross-border business, travel

KUOW Public Radio
For some, the cost of jury duty is too high

KXLY (ABC)
Mayor Brown releases Spokane budget proposal

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham fifth graders flex civic duty of voting in mock election
Bellingham students swarm district office in protest of school closures, admin salaries

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Election Day Tuesday
What will make the cut when the City Council finishes shaping the budget? Here’s how to have your say

Monday, November 2

‘Enraging’: WA residents despair as insurance premiums climb again
For years, many of these individual buyers could rely on enhanced tax credits, introduced during the pandemic to help middle-class households afford premiums. Those tax credits expired last year despite a bruising government shutdown over preserving them. Since then, thousands in Washington have had to pay the full cost of premiums on their own for the first time in years, at a moment when the cost of insurance is rising rapidly. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

Clash with feds hangs over WA as votes roll in before Election Day
At the same time, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson recently wrote to all 39 counties, offering the Washington National Guard to serve as an “Election Neighborhood Watch” during voting. … Seven counties have accepted Ferguson’s offer of the National Guard, his office said: King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Clark, Lewis and Island. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

As WA open enrollment begins, far fewer than expected have lost coverage
State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer attributed the better-than-expected news to an emergency rule out of her office to maximize other premium tax credits. Washington was one of the few states to take this step, she said. The state’s own premium assistance, known as Cascade Care Savings, also helped avert some of the more dire fears of the drops in coverage. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jake Goldstein-Street)