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Thursday, November 14

Transgender people in WA brace for second Trump presidency
In Washington state and across the United States, transgender and gender-diverse people are wrestling with the reality that millions of Americans voted for a presidential candidate who has vowed to strip them of their rights. While Washington offers a number of protections for trans people, advocates note that some parts of the state remain hostile toward gender-diverse people. And those state rights could prove vulnerable against a Trump administration armed with a conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court and a Republican-controlled Congress. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Jennifer Buchanan)

King County grapples with Public Defender crisis
Public defenders are warning that public defense as we know it is on course to collapse in King County and across the state if officials do not intervene. From public hearings at the Washington State Supreme Court to King County Council meetings about the 2025 budget, those most intimately involved with our criminal legal system are discussing new caseload standards for public defenders: what they should look like, why they’re important, how much they’ll cost, and who is going to foot the bill. Across the board, policymakers agree there’s a crisis in public defense, both in King County and statewide. Where they don’t necessarily agree is on what to do about it. Continue reading at The Urbanist. (Evan Didier)

Car thefts down 30% in Washington state in 2024, officials say
The rate of car thefts in Washington state has dropped significantly in 2024, according to new data released by the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATTF). There have been 24,290 vehicles stolen in the state so far this year, which PSATTF says is a 30% reduction from a year ago. Per a chart included in the release showing the trend of statewide car thefts through October in years past, both 2022 and 2023 saw well over 30,000 car thefts in that period. After hitting record highs in each of the last two years, data shows that the numbers are on the decline for car thefts in Washington. Continue reading at King 5.

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Associated Press
Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump

Axios
Plan to close 4 Seattle schools prompts pushback

Capital Press
Editorial: The good news for U.S. energy
Editorial: AG looks for better treatment under Trump

Everett Herald
Big changes ahead as Community Transit mulls $254M budget
Everett residents voice support, concerns over AquaSox stadium
Audit questions hiring practices in Snohomish County exec’s office

International Examiner
New report confirms that fighting Islamophobia is vital to intersectional liberation

Kitsap Sun
Hood Canal Bridge repair project gets $51M federal grant
Poulsbo shooting highlights slow start for WA office tasked with probing police violence

Mercer Island Reporter
City receives grant for electric vehicle charging plan

News Tribune
‘Extremely rare’ dedication honors Puyallup WWII soldier awarded the Medal of Honor
Opinion: You’ve likely met a nonbinary or transgender person. All they ask is not to be harmed

New York Times
A Big Climate Goal Is Getting Further Out of Reach

Puget Sound Business Journal
Boeing lands new 737 Max order as machinists return after strike
King County Council passes plan to create $1 billion workforce housing initiative
Opinion: Here’s why Washington is overhauling requirements for bar admissions
Rep. April Berg: Data center tax breaks mean jobs in rural communities

Seattle Times
Many online court services remain inaccessible in WA
Transgender people in WA brace for second Trump presidency
WA’s 2025 legislative session will feature new faces, big budget gap (Pedersen, Billig, Jinkins)
Pink slips arrive for laid-off Boeing workers as company begins 10% cut

Spokesman Review
Spokane Valley sawmill fined $126,000 for workplace safety, health violations
‘My heart is happy’: Indigenous voices are a priority of new Columbia River Basin Treaty
Former Mead football players file lawsuit against school district for alleged assaults, bullying, racial discrimination

Washington Post
Heat pumps used to struggle in the cold. Not anymore.
RFK Jr. faces battles in quest to change America’s food
Trust in science hasn’t fully recovered from pandemic controversies

WA State Standard
Four areas where Trump’s policies and WA’s priorities could clash
WA Supreme Court weighs controversial step to solve public defense crisis

Wenatchee World
Amazon opens 45,000-square-foot ‘last mile’ distribution center in NCW

Yakima Herald-Republic
WA voter turnout appears to be lowest since 2000
Yakima pushes to finish road projects on North 1st; Fruitvale roundabout coming next year

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Car thefts down 30% in Washington state in 2024, officials say
Seattle is among 5 healthiest major cities in US per Forbes study
SPS board president pushing back after group of parents file petition to recall
Companies can’t require employees to attend anti-union meetings, labor board rules
Home developers are flocking to Marysville, but an expert says prices are staying high

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Boeing employees brace for impact amidst first day of layoffs
FBI offers $25K reward to help find culprit in WA, OR ballot box fires
Thurston County corrections deputy in training resigns after making ‘discriminatory remarks’
Misdemeanor booking changes at King County Jail changes how Seattle officers can make arrests

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County braces for leadership change as Constantine announces exit
Seattle students demand more mental health resources, funding for schools
Seattle parents work to recall school board leader amid controversial closure plan

KNKX Public Radio
A mysterious, rare bog is full of surprises on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

KUOW Public Radio
As strike ends, layoffs begin at Boeing
‘This is the worst.’ Seattle parents, students react to school closure plans
Seattle area immigration advocates take stock for second Trump administration

KXLY (ABC)
Historic buildings could hold the key to downtown Spokane revitalization
Suspect allegedly threatened to have corrections deputy killed before dying in jail
One month after new safety plan, SPD reports slight decrease in violent crimes downtown

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Levy money could fund child care subsidies for parents and providers

Crosscut
WA voter turnout dropped for all ages — especially young people
King County Executive Dow Constantine won’t run for reelection

MyNorthwest
SPD regains authority to book misdemeanor offenses in King County Jail

The Urbanist
King County Grapples with Public Defender Crisis
Seattle Architects Unveil Designs for Social Housing Ahead of February Vote
South Federal Way’s Neighborhood Plan Takes Shape Around Light Rail Station

Wednesday, November 13

WA voter turnout appears to be lowest since 2000
Fewer than 78% of the state’s 5 million registered voters cast ballots in the Nov. 5 election, the lowest turnout since 2000, when just 75.5% participated. Washington has gone to great lengths to make it easy to vote. Every registered voter is sent a ballot, which can be mailed in postage free or deposited by Election Day in a secure drop box. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

Bob Ferguson continues fight against abortion pill restrictions
Donald Trump’s reelection could bring new energy to a Washington state fight for abortion access begun in the courts last year. Earlier this month, Bob Ferguson — then attorney general, now governor-elect — filed a summary judgment motion requesting that an ongoing case challenging restrictions on the common abortion drug mifepristone be decided without a trial. If the judge sides with Ferguson, the Food and Drug Administration could be obligated to revisit their policies on the drug used in more than half of all abortions. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Charlie Neibergall)

Washington voters stand up for climate action
This election season, Washington voters overwhelmingly rejected an initiative that sought to repeal the state’s landmark climate law. In a landslide victory, 62% of voters elected to save the Climate Commitment Act. The 2021 law established Washington’s cap-and-trade program, the state’s primary tool to slash carbon emissions to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050 and thereby prevent the worst impacts of climate chaos. Continue reading at High Country News. (Stuart Westmorland)

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Axios
Blue state resistance builds against Trump
Why Washington was the only state to shift blue in 2024
What happens if Trump eliminates the Department of Education
Seattle biotech aims to cure hep B with breakthrough gene therapy

Bellingham Herald
National Weather Service issues high-wind warning for midweek in Whatcom County lowlands

Capital Press
USDA to begin testing bulk milk for avian flu
Market analysts: No ‘Trump bump’ for wheat prices

Everett Herald
Orca family returns to Penn Cove after 50 years
Big changes ahead as Community Transit mulls $254M budget

High Country News
Washington voters stand up for climate action

New York Times
Trump’s Immigration Plans Could Bring an Economic Toll
Trump’s Middle East Picks Signal Staunch Pro-Israel Policy
Trump Taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Slash Government
Trump Transition Live Updates: President-Elect Visits Biden After Meeting With Republicans

Port Townsend Leader
Jefferson County sees unusually low election turnout
Department of Fish and Wildlife to host steelhead town hall
Inslee says state not going back on climate after 1-2117 defeat

Puget Sound Business Journal
How business owners can prepare for potential tariff hikes in 2025
New overtime rule boosting pay to millions could be ‘moot’ in 2025
Seattle council member proposes retiring South Lake Union streetcar

Seattle Times
WA voter turnout appears to be lowest since 2000
Balance of power in WA Legislature still in question
Trump’s defense choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host’s experience

Skagit Valley Herald
Many Skagit County ballots remain challenged
Port of Skagit swears in commissioner, approves budget

Spokesman Review
Central Valley School Board decides not to send letter on transgender students in sports
Colville residents rally against plans to upgrade behavioral health facility, saying ‘small, conservative town’ isn’t the right fit

Washington Post
Oil companies face a new fine for methane. Trump could scrap it.
Trump pledged to close the Education Department. What would that mean?
How to save money with the Inflation Reduction Act before it might disappear

WA State Standard
Newhouse holds onto seat after defeating Trump-backed challenger
With WA courts’ online systems down, thousands of firearm sales on hold
Ferguson names 53-person team to assist with transition into governor’s office

Wenatchee World
Firearm background checks down as part of WA courts outage
WA courts outage prompts emergency changes to Douglas County District Court cases

Yakima Herald-Republic
House race between Manjarrez and Kennedy tightens; Gloria Mendoza wins seat

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Pierce County officials get bigger raises than initially approved
UW Medicine study highlights patient safety risks with late-career doctors
K Pod orca may be dead even as Southern Residents hang out in Puget Sound
Survey: Veteran homelessness at record lows, 48,000 veterans permanently housed
Boeing says it will take several weeks to resume production of planes after the strike
WDFW is holding public comment on 20 proposed land acquisitions across Washington
Old hospital site to be revived as a residential substance use treatment facility in Kennewick

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
SPS parents confront district leaders over potential school closures
Boeing announces 10% workforce layoff amid major financial struggles
King County jail resumes booking for low-level crimes after 4-year hiatus
US inflation rose slightly last month after 2 years of steady cooling but remained low

KXLY (ABC)
Whooping cough outbreak declared in Spokane County
Spokane’s scattered shelter system receives mixed responses
Spokane Valley proposes ordinance to make sleeping in parks a misdemeanor
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown part of Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson’s transition team (Billig)
Man who threatened Spokane City Hall has history of making threats toward city officials and police
Central Valley School District holds off on sending letter urging WIAA to review policy on transgender athletes

Web

Cascadia Daily News
A Bellingham housing program was preparing to shut down — then Opportunity Council stepped up

Crosscut
Bob Ferguson continues fight against abortion pill restrictions

Tuesday, November 12

Seattle police no longer face restrictions for misdemeanor bookings
It’s been a little over a week since jail booking restrictions were lifted, enabling Seattle police to book people into the King County Jail for low-level offenses, like shoplifting or property destruction, for the first time in more than four years. But not much has changed — yet. Officers and sergeants are still adjusting to the shift and, with winter weather in full effect, there’s already a reduction in the number of potential bookings to begin with, said Deputy Chief Eric Barden. But the lifting of restrictions first put in place at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic means officers can again weigh whether there’s a public safety benefit to getting someone off the streets, however briefly. Continue reading a the Seattle Times. (Greg Gilbert)

Seattle senator Pedersen to become new WA Senate majority leader
Washington Senate Democrats chose state Sen. Jamie Pedersen as their new majority leader on Monday. His appointment makes Washington the first in the nation to have two LGBTQ+ legislative leaders at the same time. He joins House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, who became the first woman and first lesbian to lead the chamber in 2020. In the 2025 legislative session that begins Jan. 13, lawmakers will be working with a new governor and writing a new two-year state operating budget. Separately and together they will be wrestling with how to plug a potential multi-billion dollar gap between incoming revenue and the costs of maintaining programs and services approved in prior years. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (LSS)

Removing guns is a key suicide prevention strategy in WA
Statistics show that a significant portion of firearm deaths in Washington are suicides. In 2023, 66% of all firearm deaths were suicides, and just two years ago, in 2021, that number was above 69%, according to figures from the state Department of Health. But despite the propensity of firearm use in completed suicides, such deaths are discussed far less often among the public and in the media compared to other forms of gun violence and firearm injury, such as mass shootings and homicides. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Grant Hindsley)

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Associated Press
USDA bans school lunch fees for low-income families

Aberdeen Daily World
Meet your new Grays Harbor County Commissioners

Axios
The 20-year saga of the hole across from Seattle City Hall
Gluesenkamp Perez wins rematch against Republican Joe Kent
What Trump’s election could mean for student debt in Washington

Bainbridge Island Review
Upping fees, legislative goals on Nov. 12 BI agenda

Bellingham Herald
Nooksack Tribe rejects housing counteroffer, moves to evict disenrolled Indigenous families

Capital Press
Air quality impacts of farm practices studied
Labor seeks say in defense of Biden farmworker union rule
Federal agency blames drought for low hydropower numbers

Everett Herald
2 years later, Glacier Peak seismometers delayed again
Everett council votes to increase penalties for wage theft
New gate is latest piece in Stanwood’s flood protection puzzle
‘Doesn’t make any sense’: Skykomish residents decry increased outages
‘Very hostile work environment’: Stanwood-Camano school supe resigns
Editorial: What Washington state’s results say about election

International Examiner
Pradeepta Upadhyay retires from InterIm CDA, two co-executive directors step up

News Tribune
Pierce County sheriff, executive might get bigger raises next year than first approved

New York Times
How to Raise Trillions to Fight Climate Change, With or Without the U.S.
Trump Chooses Lee Zeldin to Run E.P.A. as He Plans to Gut Climate Rules

Olympian
Why does Thurston County want to help pay for dredging in Olympia’s West Bay?
Three years later, no investigations started by WA police oversight group. What gives? (Stonier)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle council member proposes tax for housing, nutrition help
How a groundbreaking NCAA settlement could disrupt this Seattle nonprofit
Washington city ordered to pay builder millions for breaking development agreement

Seattle Times
Women stockpile abortion pills before Trump term
What Trump’s reelection means for immigrants in WA
Seattle police no longer face restrictions for misdemeanor bookings

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County allocates lodging tax funds to various groups
Mount Vernon Police Department swears in first female sergeant

Spokesman Review
Democrats on their way to grow their majority in Washington’s Legislature if current election results hold (Pedersen, Billig, Riccelli)
Dan Newhouse defeats fellow Republican Jerrod Sessler in tight race to represent central Washington in the House
Threats from man accused of harassing 2 Spokane mayors causes lockdown and cancellation of City Council meetings
As country gets redder, Washington voters are getting bluer, showing potential support for an income tax, stricter climate regulations down the line
Opinion: Closing the gap: How my first proposed budget puts Spokane back on track

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities nonprofit considers suing WA to stop or cut Inslee decision on huge wind farm

Washington Post
Trump expected to try to halt TikTok ban, allies say
Trump pledged more tariffs. We have no idea what they will do.
Trump pledged to close the Education Department. What would that mean?

WA State Standard
WA’s governor-elect Ferguson names senior staff
Washington voters approve pro-natural gas measure
Washington’s rural maternity wards are struggling to stay afloat
Seattle senator Pedersen to become new WA Senate majority leader (Pedersen, Billig, Riccelli, Bateman, Chapman, Jinkins, Mullet, Ramos, Hasegawa)
As 2026 World Cup planning kicks off, smooth border crossings are a goal
Gluesenkamp Perez defeats Kent, holding WA congressional seat for Democrats

Wenatchee World
Chelan County Planning Commission hosting final public hearing on STRs Wednesday

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council looks at solutions for budget problems, including levy lift

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
New veterans memorial unveiled in Maple Valley
Why Washington state flags will be at half-staff on Tuesday
Demand at West Seattle Food Bank has been steadily rising since 2020
Seattle council member helps rescue dog from ‘disturbing’ abuse incident
Federal lawsuit filed against Peninsula School District after ‘violent’ tackle that injured high school football player

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Is America doing enough to serve those who served?
Gangs still plague the Puget Sound – especially among teens
Strike ends, layoffs begin: Boeing to cut 10% of global workforce
Renton police find success combating juvenile crime with new unit

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington state sees alarming rise in whooping cough cases this year
Seattle streetcar faces uncertain future amid costly repairs and low ridership
Boeing strike over but production of planes could take several weeks to resume

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle could get its own baby capital gains tax
Washington’s natural gas initiative wins, but court challenges could be next

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Transit Authority faces community pushback on new strategic plan priorities
Central Valley could be next school district to urge WIAA to change gender sports policy

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham’s growth plan for next 20 years open for public feedback
‘Putting the country first’: Community celebrates Veterans Day in Bellingham
Declining crime victim funds could impact Whatcom County children, services

Crosscut
Removing guns is a key suicide prevention strategy in WA
Seattle City Council to consider a city-level capital gains tax
Jamie Pedersen of Seattle elected majority leader in WA Senate (Pedersen, Billig)

West Seattle Blog
How should the city spend your money? Last major chance to speak out
UPDATE: Flames tear through West Seattle park Camp Long’s historic lodge
CRIME WATCH FOLLOW UP: Wrong-way, high-speed, drunk driver sentenced for West Seattle Bridge crash that killed two 18-year-olds

Friday, November 8

Inslee exults as voters support cap-and-trade
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Wednesday an initiative to repeal cap-and-trade suffered a “thumping,” showing the rest of the country that fighting climate change was a winning policy. I-2117 received only 38% of the vote, according to the Secretary of State’s vote count as of Wednesday afternoon. The measure sought to abolish the main climate bill of Inslee’s three terms. I-2117’s defeat cements a tax on fossil fuels that went into effect Jan. 1, 2023. Cap-and-trade requires oil and natural gas producers to bid for a limited number of allowances to emit carbon. Continue reading at Capital Press. (TVW)

Ferguson and other WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump
After suing the Trump administration nearly 100 times as attorney general, Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson has an idea of what the next four years could look like. Ferguson said he is particularly concerned about the federal government limiting access to reproductive health care, removing protections for LGBTQ+ residents and eliminating Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals which protects immigrants who came to the U.S. as children without legal authorization from deportation. On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee called Ferguson and Brown “the best duo to defend Washington state.” Continue reading at KUOW. (Karen Ducey)

Historic first: Washington state senator is first queer Latina in Congress
State Sen. Emily Randall has made history as the first LGBTQ+ Latina in Congress and the first out person to represent Washington at the federal level. Randall was elected to represent the 6th Congressional District, replacing Rep. Derek Kilmer, who did not seek reelection. The 6th District covers the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas and Mason and Grays Harbor counties. There were several other historic firsts in the 2024 election across the country. Delaware elected Sarah McBride to the U.S. House, marking the first openly transgender member of Congress. It’s also the first time two Black women will serve in the Senate at the same time. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland were both elected. Continue reading at King 5.

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Associated Press
Congresswoman Kim Schrier wins reelection against challenger
Judge strikes down Biden program shielding immigrant spouses from deportation

Aberdeen Daily World
Harbor police looking for Citizens Academy participants

Axios
Washington state prepares to push back against Trump

Capital Press
Inslee exults as voters support cap-and-trade
Trump victory met with positive but mixed reactions among Western ag

Everett Herald
WA Supreme Court race is incredibly close
Everett shares details on upcoming budget cuts
Everett to hold info session on AquaSox stadium plan
Democrats on cusp of expanding majorities in WA Legislature (Randall)
Comment: What’s ahead in a second Trump administration
Comment: Universal pre-K is worth the cost; we now have proof

Indian Country Today
Climate initiatives fare well across the country despite national political climate

News Tribune
FDA says commonly used decongestant ‘not effective,’ proposes removal
This Pierce County city plans to raise utility rates, property taxes, budget next year
Is it legal to pull into an intersection while waiting to turn left in Washington State?
Lakewood to pay $8 million to family of man killed by police officer during traffic stop

New York Times
What a Second Trump Term Could Mean for Your Money
Judge Tosses Out Biden Program for Undocumented Spouses
Trump’s Supreme Court Agenda Is Likely to Include Legal U-Turns
A Red-District Conqueror Wants Fellow Democrats to Look in the Mirror
With Trump Tariffs Looming, Businesses Try to ‘Run From a Moving Target’

Puget Sound Business Journal
The National Observer: What Trump’s win could mean for businesses
Future Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts may hinge on Trump policies

Seattle Times
Upthegrove elected WA lands commissioner
WA reports nearly 1,200 whooping cough cases so far this year
Boeing to refund lost pay to employees furloughed during Machinists strike
Incoming WA gov, AG vow to take on Trump administration if it overreaches

Spokesman Review
French maintains lead over Marshall; handful of local, state races too close to call
Washington’s newly elected governor and top lawyer pledge to defend the state against Trump

Washington Post
The state of play in the House
What kind of influence could RFK Jr. have over vaccines?
Here’s how Biden’s racing to Trump-proof his climate legacy
State votes on marijuana and psychedelics signal drug policy concerns

WA State Standard
Washington legislative races tighten as ballot counting slows
Immigration groups brace for a second Trump administration
Ferguson and other WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Voters approve Initiative 2066 as other ballot measures fail
REAL ID deadline just 6 months away. Here’s what to know
Alexis Mercedes Rinck wins Seattle City Council Position 8 seat
Orcas spotted in Penn Cove for the first time in over five decades
Historic first: Washington state senator is first queer Latina in Congress
Seattle Public Schools holds first on-site meeting over potential school closures
WA Gov-elect Ferguson, AG-elect Brown discuss preparations for second Trump admin

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Ferguson lays out plan for second Trump term
Bellingham High student attacked for being transgender
Marysville strengthens mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders
NASA awards $2.5 million to establish local consortium for space biology research
Parents and students rally for elementary schools amidst Seattle Public Schools proposed closures

KNKX Public Radio
Latest results for Pierce County executive and sheriff races

KUOW Public Radio
What the election means for school funding in Washington state
Washington Gov-elect Ferguson lays out plan ahead of second Trump term
Have a Holly Noxious Christmas? State board eyes un-jolly label for invasive greenery

KXLY (ABC)
Six days later and the WA statewide court system is still shut down
Mayor Lisa Brown orders city flags at half-staff in remembrance of Navy aviators
More harm than help; Spokane woman’s experience shines spotlight on controversial youth residential programs

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Smaller Lummi Island ferry replacement recommended by County Council
Harris says nation must accept election results while urging supporters to keep fighting

Crosscut
WSU study: Presidential debates trigger ‘fight or flight’ response

MyNorthwest
Democrats fall short of supermajority in state legislature but are set to flip GOP seats

The Urbanist
Seattle Voters Approve $1.55 Billion Transportation Levy
Seattle Set to Double Down on Arbitrary Parking Mandates

Thursday, November 7

Global temperatures likely to exceed key limit for first time
With October’s initial temperature data in, 2024 will rank as the first calendar year in modern record-keeping in which global average surface temperatures exceed the Paris Agreement’s aspirational 1.5°C guardrail. Holding long-term warming to the 1.5-degree target compared to the preindustrial era is crucial for lowering the risk of triggering climate change tipping points, beyond which potentially catastrophic impacts have a higher likelihood of occurring, studies show. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee reacts to Trump’s election, acknowledging national fear but calling for local optimism
Moments after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election to President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee gave a speech urging residents of the Evergreen State to remain hopeful about the future. The news conference was likely one of the last times the longtime governor will address the public as he prepares to step down from his post and pass the torch to the newly elected Bob Ferguson. Inslee, a Democrat, announced last year that he would not seek re-election once he closed out his third term as governor. Continue reading at the Spokesman Review. (Ellen Dennis)

Democrats on cusp of expanding majorities in WA Legislature
Democrats are on course to grow their majorities in the Washington Legislature but Republicans are positioned to sweep seats in one of the state’s most watched districts. Democrats outnumber Republicans by margins of 58-40 in the House and 29-20 in the Senate. Entering Tuesday, the majority party had designs on capturing Republican-held seats in districts where GOP incumbents retired. Continue reading at the WA State Standard. (LSS)