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Thursday, February 27

State helps hundreds of homebuyers cross a racial barrier
A state program addressing the historic harms of racially restrictive real estate covenants has helped hundreds of Washington residents become homeowners since last summer. Why it matters: For decades, many deeds contained language barring the homes from being sold to Black, Asian, Native and Hispanic Washingtonians, fueling segregation and disparities in homeownership rates that persist to this day. Continue reading at Axios. (Maura Losch)

Trump and Musk take aim at the rural West
Trump’s erratic freezing of Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction acts funds is rippling across the region as well, in ways that reveal the arbitrary nature of the cuts. Western states each lost as much as $156 million that was earmarked to bring rooftop and community solar to their residents, though some of that funding was later restored, while elsewhere it remains in limbo. Continue reading at High Country News. (High Country News)

USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Going further after moment as a pioneer for LGBTQ rights
A decade ago her name was in the national news, the face of a trail-blazing decision by her tribal government to recognize same-sex marriage at a time when the federal government, states and other tribal authorities did not. But Heather Purser learned from the spotlight, one that she tends to shy away from now, and put the lessons of advocacy learned then – when the Suquamish Tribe’s General Council affirmed same-sex marriages after her request in 2012 – to work in different ways today for her family and community. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Meegan M. Reid)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Foot ferry envisioned from Ocean Shores to Westport (Nance, Fey, Liias)
Possible cougar attack on livestock reported in South Bend
Bill would direct commercial fishing taxes to the city of Westport (Tharinger)

Axios
Global democracy score hits historic low: report
State helps hundreds of homebuyers cross a racial barrier (Taylor, Scott)

Bellingham Herald
At least 2 domestic cats confirmed to be infected with bird flu in Washington state
Newhouse backs US House GOP budget that could lead to Medicaid cuts for WA constituents

Capital Press
Farm group seeks clarity on Trump’s deportation
WSU study tracks CRP impact on dryland wheat farming
Trump official denies ordering mass firing of USDA scientists, others

The Daily News
Opinion: WA parents’ rights movement ignores guardians with ill intent

Everett Herald
“Purpose”: Lynnwood mayor delivers State of the City address
Letter: Cuts to Medicaid would endanger those we love
Letter: Legislation seeks health care that’s fair, affordable (Fosse, Cortes, Parshley, Hasegawa)
Editorial: A chance to balance interests of homeless, cities (Gregerson)

High Country News
Trump and Musk take aim at the rural West

The Inlander
Rural revitalization is happening across Eastern Washington. Will federal funding freezes kill the momentum?

Kitsap Sun
USA TODAY’s Women of the Year: Going further after moment as a pioneer for LGBTQ rights

News Tribune
This $9 million foot bridge will help residents evacuate if Mount Rainier erupts
Jamika Scott gives honest assessment on the limitations of city council resolutions

New York Times
Mass Federal Firings May Imperil Crops, Cattle and Pets
EPA tells White House to strike down landmark climate finding
What Can House Republicans Cut Instead of Medicaid? Not Much.
Trump Said E.P.A. Would Lose 65 Percent of Staff. Then, a Correction.
Trump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs Will Go Into Effect Next Week
Trump’s Plan to Repeal Climate Policy Could Upend Shift to Electric Cars
U.S. Economy Shows Signs of Strain From Trump’s Tariffs and Spending Cuts
She Lobbied for a Carcinogen. Now She’s at the E.P.A., Approving New Chemicals.
As Trump’s deadline to eliminate DEI nears, few schools openly rush to make changes

Olympian
Gov. Bob Ferguson to discuss budget proposals to address WA’s multibillion-dollar deficit
What is the future of housing in Olympia? City updates to middle housing code will help decide

Puget Sound Business Journal
Companies cautiously navigate DEI landscape
Seattle shifting from ‘doom loop’ to ‘bloom loop,’ civic leader says

Renton Reporter
Letter: Support excluded undocumented workers receiving unemployment benefits

Seattle Medium
Washington State Sees Spike in Unemployment Applications Amid Federal Firings
House Bill 2015 Advances, Shifting Public Safety Investments Toward Accountability and Community Well-Being (Entenman)

Seattle Times
Second wave of seasonal flu hits WA hospitals, fills ERs
IRS to close more than 110 offices with taxpayer assistance centers
FDA cancels meeting of vaccine experts scheduled to advise on flu shots
Burien sues to halt adoption of voter-approved minimum wage initiative
In a reversal, plans for U.S. natural gas power grow, complicating progress on climate
DOGE access to US intelligence secrets poses a national security threat, Democrats say
Immigration officials say everyone living in the US illegally must register. What does that mean?
Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China

Spokesman Review
Bipartisan secretaries of state object to election bill Republicans dub ‘initiative killer’ (Valdez)
Medicaid could be on chopping block after Northwest Republicans help pass House budget measure
‘Nothing new about backlash’: MLK Jr. scholar tells Whitworth students King’s legacy still relevant today
Spokane police chief tells Senate committee to invest in more technology to catch fentanyl being smuggled over the border
Despite strong performance reviews, Grand Coulee Dam workers fired in DOGE cuts told they ‘failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications’
Opinion: State must boost Medicaid funding for assisted living

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Is a new mosquito fleet in the cards? (Nance, Fitzgibbon, Thomas)

Washington Post
This federal worker hoped Trump’s victory would change her life, but not like this

WA State Standard
The true cost of the huckleberry industry
Two Washington cats infected with bird flu
Washington could exempt medical debt from credit reports (Riccelli)
Fate of proposed free school meals expansion is in doubt in Washington Legislature (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon, Dhingra)

Wenatchee World
Warmer weather and rainfall leads to runoff and debris across Chelan County
Washington public schools struggle with student achievement despite increased funding
Goehner’s housing bill to expand middle housing in Washington advances with unanimous Senate support

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Successful Washington program reintegrating felons into society faces cuts
As Gov. Ferguson prepares suggested budget cuts, taxes remain ‘last resort’
Seattle man arrested for violent hate crime after punching, attacking woman
Washington veteran family says nationwide VA layoffs have already hurt their quality of care

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Violence on King County busses prompt calls for safety training
WA bill putting limits on rent increases advances in state Senate (Alvarado)
King County budget deficit solution may include cuts to public safety
Governor Ferguson to hold press conference on $4 billion budget savings plan

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
‘A devastating impact’: King County Sheriff’s office could face $30M budget cut
Child dies in measles outbreak in Texas as Washington officials urge vaccinations
WSDA warns pet owners after avian flu found in cats linked to contaminated raw food
New bill pushes for transparency in courtrooms, requiring judges to justify bail releases (Davis)

KUOW Public Radio
Successful dropout prevention program in Washington state faces uncertain future

KXLY (ABC)
Former WSU coach Rolovich appealing judge’s ruling on his dismissal
A look at what’s moving along, and what’s not, in the Washington legislature (Fitzgibbon)
Spokane Police Chief testifies before U.S. Senate for technology to help detect fentanyl smuggling

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom superintendents oppose proposed limits to Transition to Kindergarten program (Rule, Timmons, Shewmake, Santos)
Cramped classes, dwindling options: Mount Baker students implore Legislature to address funding crisis (Shewmake, Ramel, Timmons)

Cascade PBS
Two cats in King, Snohomish counties test positive for bird flu
Experts, WA reps question rationale for BPA and Hanford layoffs

MyNorthwest
Fired federal workers in Washington struggling to get unemployment, Sen. Murray says
Washington Medicaid funding on the chopping block: Federal cuts could worsen state deficit (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Dhingra)

The Urbanist
Op-Ed: SoDo Is for Industry, Seattle Should Reject Rushed Housing Push

Washington Observer
A high-octane road war with auto insurers (Peterson, Stanford)
House advances bill allowing higher property taxes for schools (Bergquist)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday toplines
FOLLOWUP: Restroom report reviewed by City Council committee
FOLLOWUP: What’s next for Admiral Way Bridge project, plus photos
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Next milestone delayed again, on eve of another ‘early acquisition’ vote

Wednesday, February 26

Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget
Washington is grappling with a significant budget shortfall — ranging from $6 billion to $14 billion, depending on which lawmaker you ask. The partisan arguments over how to fix the deficit have been predictable: Democrats argue that more tax revenue is needed to save critical programs, while Republicans push for reduced spending. House Democrats have launched a website aimed at illustrating what a zero-revenue budget for the next two years could look like and the cuts that could follow. The site is based on what’s known as a “Book One” budget, created by outgoing Washington Governor Jay Inslee. Continue reading at KIRO. (Karen Ducey)

Washington state may pause creation of specialized license plates
In a year when 10 new commemorative license plates have been proposed, another bill would pause the state’s implementation of specialty plates in the future. House Bill 1952 would establish a task force to re-examine the qualification process for new plates to be considered by legislators. The bill would prohibit the creation of any new specialty plates for four years. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

Forest Service layoffs dire for WA recreational lands
The Trump administration’s recent decision to cut thousands of staff from the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will have severe impacts on our public lands in Washington. The termination of about 3,400 Forest Service employees leaves our public lands less safe and under-resourced at a time when outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Marcus Yam)

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Axios
Universities feel ripple effects of DOGE cuts to health
College-educated Americans are still flocking to Seattle
Report: Historical redlining still impacts young cancer patients
Washington lawmakers debate changes to “parents’ bill of rights” (Wilson)

Bellingham Herald
Can ICE target employers? Legal experts weigh in after bakery owners arrested in Texas
Are border crossings in WA down amid US-Canada tensions? Early data shows sharp decline

Columbian
Forest Service cuts in Gifford Pinchot: ‘The impact is going to be huge’ to Southwest Washington

The Daily News
Longview installs 87 pedestrian signals
Longview schools revert Title IX changes after federal court case

Everett Herald
Letter: Congress’ tax legislation should help families, workers
Comment: No, Musk hasn’t uncovered fraud at Social Security
Comment: Welch: Local government needs rational leaders, not activists

Islands’ Weekly
Community Water Taxi sends letter to legislators

News Tribune
Tacoma’s crime plan has ended after nearly 3 years. Here’s what the data tells us
200+ new homes planned for JBLM. How will it impact the surrounding housing market?
Opinion: How excessive rent increases harm the physical and mental health of Washingtonians

Olympian
From housing to school safety, here are some high-profile WA bills that made first session cutoff (Alvarado, Berry, Gregerson, Saldaña, Bateman)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Online travel giant lays off more employees
Sounders bet on free tickets to grow fan base
SBA to overhaul operations under new leadership

Seattle Medium
Judge Delays Decision in Seattle Black Fire Fighters’ Property Battle
More Than A Museum: Delbert Richardson Brings Black History To Life
Seattle City Council Approves Bill For Police Use Of Less Lethal Weapons
Nick Brown: Making History As Washington’s First Black Attorney General
From William Grose To Alice Ball: Seattle’s Parks Tell A Story Of Black Excellence
Mayor Harrell Launches Executive Order To Accelerate Light Rail Expansion In Seattle
Washington Superintendent Defies Federal Directive On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Programs

Seattle Times
Opinion: Forest Service layoffs dire for WA recreational lands
Editorial: King County’s hype on crisis care centers is premature

South Whidbey Record
Opinion: From Point No Point to Deception Pass: Decisions by Trump administration have local impacts

Spokesman Review
Democrats release details of what ‘all cuts’ budget could look like in Washington (Ormsby)
Plan to provide free lunch for all Washington students is falling out of favor amid budget shortfall
Schools have until Friday to cut race-conscious programming, per the federal government. The state says to disregard directive

Washington Post
Her claim of anti-straight bias could upend discrimination law
EPA tells White House to strike down landmark climate finding
House passes budget framework, setting up talks with Senate on how to enact Trump’s agenda
High-level power struggle between Musk and Trump-appointed Cabinet secretaries intensifies

WA State Standard
Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s refugee ban
Washington legislators debate bills to boost recycling
Are Washington lawmakers about to tax storage unit rentals? (Peterson)
Federal judge blocks Trump funding freeze, saying it produced a ‘nationwide crisis’

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Snohomish County’s first crisis center faces financial hurdles
Seattle set for growth and global spotlight in 2025, leaders say
Washington state may pause creation of specialized license plates (Donaghy)
Seattle judge temporarily blocks Trump’s refugee executive order
Popular police gun permanently banned at Washington training academy
Kitsap County grapples with significant power outages following fierce windstorm
Hours after transit safety measure passes, man is shot at Renton Metro Transit Center

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph (Alvarado)
Rep. Adam Smith: ‘Trump is moving in a fascist direction and we need to stop him’
A federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s effort to halt the refugee admissions system

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Grant to ‘climate action organization’ from Jeff Bezos-founded charity expires
Federal judge in Seattle blocks Trump’s effort to halt refugee admissions system
Seattle scientists protest Trump’s medical funding freeze, warn of research impacts
Bill to overhaul initiative system would make signature gatherers subject to jail, fine (Valdez)
King County leaders, transit union work to form safety task force after Metro bus violence

KNKX Public Radio
What climate change means for bird flu — and the soaring price of eggs

KUOW Public Radio
Does the Washington flag need a facelift? (Peterson)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Employees: Forest Service cuts will hurt trails, threaten public safety
Blaine considers merging primary, elementary schools due to financial squeeze

MyNorthwest
State Senate gives green light to cities to reduce speed limits to 10 mph (Alvarado)
Washington Senate approves memorial for trooper killed by burglary suspect
Washington House Speaker lays out ‘devastating cuts’ in a possible ‘no-new-taxes’ budget (Jinkins)

Tuesday, February 25

WA lawmakers consider bills to boost state’s recycling rate: ‘There’s opportunity to do more’
Truckloads of materials — aluminum cans, cardboard, old newspaper — are carted into Pioneer Recycling Services’ facility in Tacoma. These items are sorted with the help of workers and machines, then compacted into bales. The facility operates like a well-oiled machine. But confusion abounds among state residents about what can and can’t be recycled. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Steve Bloom)

March to remember Chinese expulsion in Seattle highlights immigrants
The weather—and everyone’s spirits—held for the 5th Annual Chinese Expulsion Remembrance March for the Future on Feb. 23. The event, which welcomed attendees in the morning with presentations at Hing Hay Park, was followed by a circular march to the waterfront and back. The event commemorated the 1886 expulsion of 350 of Seattle’s Chinese residents, who were forced to board a ship for San Francisco, where they were then deported to China. Continue reading at Northwest Asian Weekly. (Kai Curry)

Community connection helps women heal from trauma, addiction in Eastern WA
About 95% of people struggling with addiction have experienced trauma, according to NAOMI’s Development Director Barbara Comito. And in Spokane, this connection between trauma and substance abuse hits women particularly hard. Many end up homeless and isolated, lacking the support system needed to break the cycle. Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (NAOMI)

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Axios
Apple’s $500 billion investment touches Seattle
Washington weighs limits on Uber and Lyft surge pricing (Alvarado)

Capital Press
Wolf, methane, overtime bills fail in Washington (Parshley)

The Daily News
Upcoming citizen summit to focus on Longview’s strengths
Port of Longview awarded for silo demolition documentary
Native American schoolchildren are collateral damage of Capitol Hill funding war
‘Isolated’ Kelso virtual teachers collaborate to set student goals beyond classroom

Everett Herald
Marysville alternative high school opens online program
Everett homeless service facing closure finds possible new home
Bloomberg Comment: Social Security has dead people; very few get benefits

Federal Way Mirror
Food insecurity in King County is on the rise
WA lawmakers light up plan for cigarette tax hike (Reeves)

High Country News
The true cost of the huckleberry industry

The Inlander
Spokane Valley’s homeless outreach team helps direct people to services, even as city ramps up camping bans

News Tribune
Western Washington is home to the 10 wealthiest counties in the state. See the list
Should WA Legislature give more guidance to courts hearing high-conflict custody cases? (Taylor)

Northwest Asian Weekly
March to remember Chinese expulsion in Seattle highlights immigrants (Santos, Hasegawa, Gregerson, Zahn)

Olympian
Should WA Legislature give more guidance to courts hearing high-conflict custody cases? (Taylor)
WA lawmakers consider bills to boost state’s recycling rate: ‘There’s opportunity to do more’ (Fey)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Starbucks cutting more than 1,000 corporate jobs

Seattle Times
Gun safety, minimum wage and other WA bills die after first deadline (Reeves, Simmons, Mena, Parshley, Street, Peterson)
More than 230,000 Canadians sign petition to revoke Musk’s citizenship
US consumer confidence plummets in February, biggest monthly decline since 2021

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County commissioners deny appeal on Lake Erie gravel pit expansion

Spokesman Review
Plan to provide free lunch for all Washington students is falling out of favor amid budget shortfall (Riccelli, Wellman)
Two days after a woman was dragged from a Coeur d’Alene town hall, Sheriff Bob Norris and other parties will face investigation into conduct
Union representing Spokane VA workers accuses Trump administration of ‘psychological warfare’ after Musk asks workers to justify their jobs

Washington Post
The trans Americans turning to guns for protection
DOGE’s grab of personal data stokes privacy and security fears
277 million more harmful posts could flood Facebook and Instagram, study says

WA State Standard
Tesla to maintain exclusive hold on direct EV sales to WA consumers (Walen)
Plan to close facilities for people exiting Washington prisons draws backlash (Goodman)

Wenatchee World
No Clear Line: Navigating a path to US citizenship
Chelan County to draft letter in response to federal layoffs

Yakima Herald-Republic
Flu sickening more Yakima Valley residents later in the season than usual

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Trees collapse on cars as powerful winds hit western Washington
High winds pummel PNW as power agency job cuts worry local leaders

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington legislature’s first deadline claims hundreds of bills — But are they really dead?
Legislation to lower Blood Alcohol Content to .05 returns after two previous failed attempts

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Thousands without power after gusty winds, heavy rain sweep across western Washington
Port of Seattle opposes SODO housing proposal, citing impact on freight mobility and jobs

KUOW Public Radio
State schools chief pushes back on federal DEI directives
Tesla’s direct car sales loophole survives in Washington state — for now (Saldaña)
Lawsuit targeting Trump’s refugee ban to go before federal judge in Seattle
Wildfire experts in Washington state warn of fallout from Trump’s Forest Service cuts

KXLY (ABC)
Speeding driver crashes into Washington State Patrol vehicle
Washington signature verification bill faces opposition from initiative backers and secretary of state

NW Public Radio
Federal firings hit Washington’s park rangers
This ‘Ready to Rent’ course is preparing people to exit homelessness
Community connection helps women heal from trauma, addiction in Eastern WA

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Sedro-Woolley community reels after sudden, obscure departure of superintendent
Report: Many local college students face food insecurity, but the struggle meeting basic needs is statewide

Cascade PBS
New WA bill would support chronically absent high school students

MyNorthwest
Bill to open bus only lanes to employer shuttles sparks debate in Olympia
Round 2: Washington lawmakers reignite gun permit fight after failing last year
Washington legislature’s first deadline claims hundreds of bills — But are they really dead?

Washington Observer
The bills that got their torches snuffed at first cutoff (Taylor, Walen, Doglio, Saldaña, Mena, Nobles, Saloman)

West Seattle Blog
ROAD WORK: Here’s the plan for the 35th SW sinkhole
FOLLOWUP: Online ‘open house’ begins for Fauntleroy ferry-dock plan
WEATHER, POWER OUTAGES, TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/TREES: Stormy Tuesday morning updates

Monday, February 24

RIP: Bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline
Bills dealing with cow burps, the state flag, and changes to police traffic stop standards are among the first to land in the legislative graveyard this year in Olympia. This session, lawmakers in the state House and Senate have introduced nearly 1,800 bills. To stay alive, much of that legislation needed to get voted out of policy committees by Friday. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)

‘Nobody wins’: Bellingham business owners discuss local impacts of Trump’s proposed tariffs
A recent nationwide survey found that 30% of small business owners believe President Trump’s tariffs will lower their revenue, and The Herald reached out to Bellingham business owners to hear their thoughts. President Trump has placed a 10% tariff on goods from China and has proposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, although the border-country tariffs have been postponed until March, according to recent reporting by McClatchy. Continue reading at The Bellingham Herald. (Video Team)

‘They thought they were living the American dream’: ICE arrest of Othello woman rattles community as teen son is left to run family’s food truck
Eighteen-year-old Raul Gomez-Eudave woke up on a Saturday morning earlier this month to a flood of missed calls and text messages. When he unlocked his phone, his heart dropped. They were videos and photos of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents searching through his mother’s belongings. And then another video of his mother, Micaela Eudave, handcuffed and being led away on Feb. 8. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Monica Carrillo-Casas)

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Axios
Washington faces over $1 billion in research funding losses

Bellingham Herald
Two WA secretaries of state oppose bill proposing changes to initiative process (Valdez, Pedersen)
‘Nobody wins’: Bellingham business owners discuss local impacts of Trump’s proposed tariffs

Capital Press
Battery project in Skagit County clears hurdle
Lawmakers may overhaul Oregon water grant rules
Oregon farm groups leery of water measurement bill

Everett Herald
Port of Everett raises parking rates
Lynnwood City Council appoints new member
Everett is planning for lots of growth. Here’s how.
15 in Snohomish County killed by flu, highest in three years
Edmonds School District may revert to old sexual harassment policy
Records show Stanwood-Camano school board plagued by ideological strife
Editorial: Steer clear of the state’s gas tax dead end (Fey)
Comment: Producers must step up to reduce flood of plastic
Comment: Cities needs modest tax hike to meet growing needs
Comment: Provide transparency, fairness to drug pricing process
Comment: Pending cuts to medical research would harm all in state
Bloomberg comment: Infant deaths have risen with states’ abortion bans

The Inlander
While less visible than the recreational market, Washington’s medical marijuana infrastructure is still an asset

International Examiner
After Pike Place Market cancels Day of Remembrance event, Japanese American community rallies to remember WWII incarceration, warn of Trump administration deportation policies

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Washington joins landmark multistate lawsuit to stop Elon Musk’s unconstitutional power grab

News Tribune
Neighbors fight proposed housing development, tree removal in East Pierce County
Patti Jackson’s first day as Tacoma’s interim police chief delayed, city says. Here’s why
Opinion: Why is Trump hostile to Canada? Washington, speak up for us

New York Times
Federal Judge Bars Elon Musk’s Team From Student Loan Databases
Farmers Sue Over Deletion of Climate Data From Government Websites

Northwest Asian Weekly
Washington State Legislature holds Day of Remembrance ceremonies (Hasegawa, Santos)
United States deporting Asian immigrants to South American countries
Tsuru for Solidarity rally draws crowd of hundreds to CID after Pike Place Market cancels Day of Remembrance event (Hasegawa)

Puget Sound Business Journal
How economic pressures reshape workplace dynamics
Here’s which institutions have the most to lose in NIH grants
SBA’s mass firings could hurt disaster recovery, loan oversight
Bill aims to end abuse of landmarking process in Seattle, Tacoma
Legal uncertainty complicates workplace policies around discrimination

Seattle Times
Bill would give WA jails independent oversight (Saldaña)
Health care worker assault law could see reform this year (Farivar)
A $50M idea to add lots of foot ferries to WA waters — fast (Nance, Reed, Liias, Fey)
WA pay transparency lawsuits spark ‘cottage industry’ claims
WA GOP criticizes ‘initiative killer’ that adds new signature rules (Valdez, Pedersen)
WA lawmakers clash on parental rights, make progress on housing (Pedersen)
Relatives of people who’ve died in WA jails press for state oversight (Saldaña, Obras)
WA unemployment claims from federal employees spike 35% over last year (Saldaña)
Opinion: WA is at a crucial moment in data center development
Editorial: WA Schools chief to Trump and his Dept. of Education: Back off
Editorial: UW behavioral health center finally open; dysfunction threatens it (Dhingra)

Skagit Valley Herald
Sedro-Woolley School District superintendent resigns

Sol De Yakima
Legislador de WA propone rediseñar la bandera estatal (Peterson)

Spokesman Review
Word of firings at Grand Coulee Dam remains uncertain
Washington Legislature considers allowing local elections in even years as secretaries of state voice concerns (Gregerson)
‘They thought they were living the American dream’: ICE arrest of Othello woman rattles community as teen son is left to run family’s food truck
Opinion: Rent control’s record of ruin

Tri-City Herald
Strong wind gusts to blast Tri-Cities area. Will it finally dry out?

Washington Post
Sharp cuts at HUD are likely to upend housing markets
Starbucks plans to lay off more than 1,100 corporate jobs
Inside the USDA, staffers struggle with White House funding freeze
Latest Trump guidance on race has schools scrambling amid ‘intense fear’
Measles, once eliminated in the U.S., sickens 99 in Texas and New Mexico

WA State Standard
WA lawmakers light up plan for cigarette tax hike (Reeves)
WA lawmakers weigh further delay to early learning expansion (Ormsby)
WA sheriffs respond to Trump’s immigration enforcement plans
RIP: Bills that didn’t survive the WA Legislature’s first major deadline (Mena, Thai, Parshley, Peterson, Reeves, Davis, Jinkins, Fosse)
Lawsuit against Amazon provides first test of WA’s health data privacy law (Slatter)

Wenatchee World
And the Beat Goes On: African drumming at the WVC
Legislative Watch | WA lawmakers push for local wolf management, debate state flag redesign
Homeless count shows decline in unsheltered, but Wenatchee mayor casts doubt on new methods

Yakima Herald-Republic
Frustration and shock accompany firings of Yakima Valley’s federal workers

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
New Starbucks CEO announces global layoffs, aims at streamlining operations
In Session: ‘Homes for Heroes Act’ would help public servants buy homes in Washington
‘It’s just chaos’: Local TSA employee gets conflicting messaging about job justification query
Washington’s U.S. Rep. Smith: ‘There’s absolutely nothing helpful about what Elon Musk is doing’
Proposal to implement year-round Pacific Standard Time in Washington among bills that appear dead (Valdez, Pedersen)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Starbucks to lay off more than 1,000 corporate employees
Washington veterans speak out after being fired in federal cuts
Tacoma invests $800K to enrich youth and cultural programming for District 4
Employment Security Department sees rise in unemployment claims from federal layoffs

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Fire at Grays Harbor County Jail prompts evacuations of inmates
NOAA spring forecast looking cool and wet for western Washington
Starbucks lays of 1,100 corporate employees as coffee chain streamlines
Seattle ramps up efforts to protect pedestrians at vehicle-swamped Pike Place Market

KNKX Public Radio
WA organizations raise concerns over changes to federal art grants

KUOW Public Radio
Federal cuts could raise the risk of wildfire in WA
Hundreds of federal workers apply for unemployment in Washington state amid Trump’s purge
Domestic workers could get guaranteed breaks, minimum wage under proposed Washington state bill

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom Community College names new president
Farmers warn ICE raids threaten Washington agriculture
‘Trans joy is resistance’: 200-plus attend Bellingham protest for trans rights
Bellingham residents in multi-family units could combine recycling, waste bins with neighbors

Cascade PBS
New WA rule states abortion care must be provided in emergencies

MyNorthwest
Truckers push back against California emission rules
Proposed tobacco and vapor tax hike would make small dent in $14 billion deficit
Public health and political power: Democratic bill says ‘best science’ must be followed (Bronoske)
Federal layoffs drive 35% jump in unemployment claims among Washington employees
Revised bill overhauling governor’s emergency powers weakened by Democrats, say republicans

Washington Observer
Unpacking the fight over the Parents’ Bill of Rights (Wilson, Pedersen)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Potentially stormy Monday
FOLLOWUP: City’s CARE Responders set the date for West Seattle service to begin

Friday, February 21

RFK Jr., Trump target meds that 1 in 3 Seattle-area young women use
Are President Donald Trump and his administration going after the most commonly prescribed medications for depression and anxiety? A lot of people have expressed this concern after an executive order from the White House announced the creation of a “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump’s order included a directive to “assess the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of” drugs including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Kennedy has characterized SSRIs, a class of drugs often used to treat depression and anxiety, as highly addictive, potentially dangerous and overprescribed. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Dean Rutz)

‘We are not going backward.’ Washington schools chief tells districts to maintain DEI programs despite Trump threat
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe race-based initiatives by the end of the month. In a statement Thursday, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said although diversity, equity, and inclusion have “unfortunately been weaponized,” the idea has long been a core component of the education system. Continue reading at KUOW. (KUOW)

Snohomish County becomes haven for green energy
Snohomish County has become a center for green energy companies. Among the big names are fusion nuclear power companies Zap Energy and Helion, electric aircraft maker Eviation, hydrogen-electric powered aircraft maker ZeroAvia, Swedish marine battery maker Echandia, and Bill Gates-backed, small-scale nuclear reactor company TerraPower. Continue reading at The Herald. (Olivia Vanni)