Click here for our Daily E-Clips policy.

Friday, July 11

Washington’s first battery ferry to enter service next week
Washington’s first plug-in ferry will begin shuttling cars and passengers across Puget Sound by the end of next week. Gov. Bob Ferguson made the announcement Thursday during a celebratory demonstration lap around Elliott Bay on the ferry Wenatchee, concluding a challenging conversion to hybrid-electric propulsion over the past 22 months. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Tom Banse)

Obamacare is most affordable in these 6 states. Is Washington one of them?
Washington is one of the most affordable states for buying health insurance through marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” according to a new analysis. The personal finance company WalletHub found that the average Washington household spends about 5% of its income on these types of health insurance premiums. That’s among the best rates in the United States. Continue reading at Kitsap Sun. (Wallet Hub)

Washington state law to shield rescuers saving kids, pets in cars
A new Washington state law will shield people from lawsuits if they break into a car to rescue a child or animal in danger. Why it matters: Good Samaritans who act to save someone from a hot or freezing vehicle in Washington generally won’t be liable for property damage, such as broken windows, once the law takes effect July 27. Continue reading at Axios. (Jonas Walzberg)

Print

Axios
Father still at large 1 month after daughters’ deaths (Walen)
Seattle’s trash pickups stay on track as strike hits suburbs
Governors accuse Trump admin of stalling disaster recovery
Washington state law to shield rescuers saving kids, pets in cars (Leavitt)

Bellingham Herald
WA Congress members demand feds release $137M in school funds: ‘Unacceptable’

Capital Press
USDA forecasts California almond crop to be second largest ever
Oregon’s fourth conflagration declared for Klamath County fire
Border closed again as New World screwworm advances north

Columbian
Columbia Basin’s salmon are in hot water, literally, says report from Save Our Wild Salmon

Everett Herald
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget
State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment
Comment: About that Social Security email sent to retirees
Opinion: Schwab: Yes, your Medicaid’s gone but you can gloat over gators

The Inlander
Spokane updates its anti-camping rules, Mayor Brown proposes further changes to help build affordable housing

Kitsap Sun
Obamacare is most affordable in these 6 states. Is Washington one of them?
East Bremerton growth could continue with 270 new apartments proposed along Highway 303

Olympian
WA Congress members demand feds release $137M in school funds: ‘Unacceptable’

Puget Sound Business Journal
Justice Department clears T-Mobile’s $4.4 billion deal with US Cellular
Washington hospitals face mounting financial pressure, forcing widespread cuts

Seattle Times
WA’s first electrified ferry sails, with 2 governors on board

Tri-City Herald
Trump review halts $11M in Tri-City school funds. These are the biggest impacts
Opinion: WA Supreme Court hides the ball on state employee union negotiations

WA State Standard
Washington’s first battery ferry to enter service next week
Should WA Cares funds be invested in the stock market? Ferguson says yes
Trump emergency tariffs violate Constitution, Democrats argue in court case
US Senate Dems from Western states blast Trump budget for cutting federal aid
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gun violence drops 50% in South King County
Major closures planned along I-405, I-5 this weekend
New hybrid-electric ferry transforms Puget Sound travel
Trump cuts could silence beloved community radio station in Skagit Valley
Washington sheriff proposes $1,000 fine for reckless hikers amid surge in rescues
Microsoft president talks $4B AI investment amid sweeping layoffs: ‘We have to prioritize’
Jam-packed bins line city streets as strike delays trash pickup in King, Snohomish counties

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle family sues Big Oil over 2021 heat dome death
Republic trash collector strike: When will it end and what can you do?
Washington State Ferries launches largest hybrid-electric ferry in North America
‘How many more of these do we have to write?’ Another WSDOT crew member hit on the job

KNKX Public Radio
Small Washington hospitals brace for ‘severe’ effects of Medicaid cuts

KUOW Public Radio
Microsoft launches $4 billion AI reskilling institute
Federal judge to pause Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Fears of ICE arrests cause tension at Seattle immigration court
Snohomish planners reflect on flood safety in wake of Texas tragedy
New Washington hotline to report hate crimes launches in 3 counties
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Web

Cascade PBS
Bellingham passes new laws to limit ‘junk fees’ for renters

MyNorthwest
Washington to receive $16 million from opioid settlements
Washington State Ferries launches largest hybrid-electric ferry in North America
WA to fund Medicaid gap for Planned Parenthood after ‘big, beautiful bill’ passage
As SPD relies on borrowed tech, King County prosecutor warns of legal and privacy tradeoffs

The Urbanist
Rinck Backs Capitol Hill Crisis Center, Other Seattle Officials Coy

West Seattle Blog
FOLLOWUP: SDOT says it won’t add more parallel parking on Alki Avenue after all
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: West Seattle Summer Fest Friday + more

Thursday, July 10

Washington to cover Planned Parenthood funding gap after Trump signs ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Gov. Bob Ferguson said Wednesday that Washington state will temporarily cover a sudden loss of Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, following the signing of a controversial federal law by former President Donald Trump. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed July 4, includes a one-year moratorium on Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood that took effect immediately. Medicaid, which by law cannot be used to fund abortion services, is one of the organization’s largest payers for preventive care, cancer screenings and contraception. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

With Texas floods and Northwest fire season in mind, Cantwell questions Trump’s NOAA nominee on weather research cuts
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the agency that oversees weather told senators at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that a proposal to cut more than a quarter of the agency’s budget wouldn’t jeopardize its ability to predict severe events like wildfires in the Northwest or the recent deadly flooding in Texas. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration includes the National Weather Service, which has been scrutinized in recent days over the impact of layoffs on its ability to warn the public before the floods that hit Texas on Friday. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Amid rising risk, can a WA utility company shut off power during a heat wave?
As temperatures in parts of eastern Washington reached triple digits on Tuesday, it’s safe to say that summer is in full swing. A heat wave can put the power grid at risk of being overwhelmed, as demand spikes. In these scenarios, utility companies can opt to employ smaller, temporary shutoffs to avoid large-scale blackouts. But this can leave people without power on the days when they need it the most. Continue reading at The Olympian. (Tony Overman)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Joint coastal resilience plans gaining ground
Rural hospitals brace for ‘severe’ effects of Medicaid cuts
Preventing crashes, protecting wildlife is goal of new WA plan

Bainbridge Island Review
SNAP benefits to be reduced following Trump’s passage of bill

Bellingham Herald
$2 million on the way to support Whatcom County outdoor recreation, conservation
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson vows to keep Planned Parenthood funded despite federal cuts

Capital Press
Simplot must pay for cattle upkeep in phosphate spill lawsuit

Everett Herald
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County
Opinion: Blame Democrats’ taxes, rules for out-of-state ferry contract

The Inlander
Looking into the data behind retail violations in Washington’s legal cannabis market
FDA approves twice-yearly injection that prevents HIV, thanks in part to research by a Spokane doctor

Kitsap Sun
Getting married about to cost a bit more in Kitsap, with license fees increasing in July

News Tribune
Homeless services are at risk during Pierce County’s legal battle with Trump
Opinion: WA Supreme Court hides the ball on state employee union negotiations
Opinion: A state attorney general says welcoming children of all races is illegal ideology
Opinion: Trump crony says Mexican farmworkers can be replaced by Americans. Here are the facts

New York Times
European Union Unveils Rules for Powerful A.I. Systems
Justice Dept. Whistle-Blower Warns of Trump Administration’s Assault on the Law

Olympian
Amid rising risk, can a WA utility company shut off power during a heat wave?

Puget Sound Business Journal
Judge allows Sodo housing challenge to proceed
Microsoft launches $4 billion initiative for AI training

Seattle Times
Fact-checking Trump and Democratic claims about tax and spending bill
WA will backfill $11M in federal cuts to Planned Parenthood, says Ferguson
Opinion: Trump’s bill further erodes access to reproductive health care

Spokesman Review
Veterans Affairs reverses course on large-scale layoffs
Ferguson pledges state funds to backfill lost federal funding for Planned Parenthood
With Texas floods and Northwest fire season in mind, Cantwell questions Trump’s NOAA nominee on weather research cuts

Tri-City Herald
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson vows to keep Planned Parenthood funded despite federal cuts

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Commentary: Medicaid cuts threaten rural communities

WA State Standard
Preventing crashes, protecting wildlife is goal of new WA plan
Why Washington faces huge fallout from the Medicaid cuts in Trump’s megabill
WA governor commits to backfilling Planned Parenthood funding cut by Congress
More cities, counties join immigrant sanctuary lawsuit seeking to block Trump funding cuts

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Republic Services strike halts garbage collection in Seattle
Washington to cover Planned Parenthood funding gap after Trump signs ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Congresswoman tours Seattle food bank as it braces for increased demand amid SNAP cuts
Dept. of Education announces they’ll start interest accumulation on SAVE plan loans in weeks

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Slow down: Bellevue reducing speeds in busy areas
‘We are accountable to you’: Shon Barnes sworn in as new Seattle police chief
Trash pickup disrupted across Western Washington as Teamsters strike spreads
Disruptions to trash collection expands to Seattle, Bellevue as Lacey strike continues

KXLY (ABC)
Fire crews fighting brush fire near Newman Lake
Evacuations extended to Circle Road for West Pines fire in Lincoln County

Web

The Stranger
Slog AM: Washington State Has Lots of Old People, Ferguson Says He’ll Fund Planned Parenthood After Federal Cuts, Whooping Cough Is Back

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday info, Summer Fest Eve edition
FOLLOWUP: What’s ahead for traffic-calming on 16th SW and elsewhere around West Seattle

Wednesday, July 9

What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans
The impact of the massive spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day is expected to filter down to infants and toddlers — a segment of the population that’s particularly vulnerable to cuts to the federal social safety net. Many middle-class and wealthy families will see benefits from the legislation, but programs that help low-income families keep babies healthy have been cut back. While state money funds public schools and preschool in some cases, programs supporting the youngest children are largely backed by the federal government. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (AP Photo)

High costs may force WA ferry electrification program off course
Washington aspires for its largest-in-the-nation fleet of passenger ferries to operate reliably and emission-free by 2050. To get there, the plan is to convert six existing vessels to hybrid-electric power, build 16 new plug-in boats, and add shore charging to 16 terminals — all by 2040. But only one conversion is done. And neither new vessels nor electrified terminals are expected to be operational before the end of the decade. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Tom Banse)

Mount Rainier rattled by a swarm of quakes
Scores of tiny earthquakes rattled Mount Rainier this week, marking the largest swarm of earthquakes at the mountain since 2009, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Why it matters: Even though scientists say there’s no immediate cause for alarm, the uptick in seismic activity below what USGS calls the Cascade Range’s “most dangerous volcano” has researchers and locals taking note. Continue reading at Axios. (Ben VanHouten)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Season 3 of fish passage construction on the Oly Pen

Axios
Mount Rainier rattled by a swarm of quakes
Investor homebuying slows in Seattle area and across Washington

Bellingham Herald
Washington’s only Army museum is at risk of closure. Now the ‘battle is on’ to save it

Capital Press
USDA targets Chinese-owned farmland
Water supply outlook worsens in much of Idaho
Washington grain commission approves $8.4 million budget

Everett Herald
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway
County receives $10 million grant for floodplain management
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

Islands’ Weekly
Orcas Island resident detained by Coast Guard, Border Patrol

Kent Reporter
City of Kent receives two state grants for park projects

Kitsap Sun
Human-caused fire closes popular Lake Cushman recreation areas
Outdoor burn ban issued for Kitsap as dry, warming weather continues
Washington has hundreds of thousands of dollars in unclaimed lottery prizes. See where
Mt. Rainier records ‘largest’ earthquake swarm since 2009. What would happen if it erupted
Non-profit planning affordable housing development along Highway 303 in East Bremerton

News Tribune
US immigration curbs to hit economy hard in 2025, Fed study says
Local leader who oversaw major health system merger is leaving for new role
Tacoma nonprofit fighting for refugees now taking aim at Trump’s travel ban
Pierce County considers using $25M in savings to back fill federal spending cuts
Young Pierce County voters see their ballots challenged due to poor penmanship
Hundreds of earthquakes detected at Mount Rainier on Tuesday. What’s going on?
Washington’s only Army museum is at risk of closure. Now the ‘battle is on’ to save it (Leavitt)
Opinion: Trump crony says Mexican farmworkers can be replaced by Americans. Here are the facts.

New York Times
Just How Harmful Is Vaping? More Evidence Is Emerging.
With Taxes and Tariffs in Place, Trump Takes Reins of U.S. Economy
Measles Cases Hit Record High, 25 Years After U.S. Eliminated the Disease

Olympian
Washington’s only Army museum is at risk of closure. Now the ‘battle is on’ to save it (Leavitt)
Do Americans support increasing funding for Medicaid, SNAP? What a new poll found

Peninsula Daily News
Peninsula counties awarded $5M in grants
Tarboo valley land set aside for preservation
Clallam commissioners to allocate opioid funding for health supplies

Puget Sound Business Journal
National office vacancy rate hits new record high in Q2

Seattle Medium
New Exhibit Highlights Creativity And Humanity Of Incarcerated Artists
Braddock Unveils $26M Plan To Strengthen Metro Security
More Seniors Are Staying In Their Homes Thanks To King County’s Revised Tax Relief Program
Harrell Seeks Court Approval To Terminate SPD Consent Decree
After More Than 50 Years, ROOTS Family Picnic Pauses To Rebuild For The Future

Seattle Times
What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans
The US is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades
Supreme Court clears the way for Trump’s plans to downsize the federal workforce
A ‘click-to-cancel’ rule, intended to make canceling subscriptions easier, is blocked
Trump appointees have ties to companies that stand to benefit from privatizing weather forecasts
Westneat: The masks couldn’t hide the folly of White Center ICE raid

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County extends moratorium on new agritourism activities

Spokesman Review
SRHD confirms county’s first rabid bat of 2025
Federal funding restored to Spokane’s tree equity program
Barker steps down as U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington
Spokane County rethinks recruitment efforts for deputies, corrections officers
How Latinos in Washington state are coping with ICE crackdowns: ‘I don’t have time for therapy’
‘It looked like a volcano went off’: Evacuations ordered as 2,000-plus-acre wildfire burns north of Kettle Falls

Tri-City Herald
How Trump cuts will impact Tri-Cities health insurance, hospitals, Medicaid
‘Students are going to suffer.’ Pasco librarians wary of rumored staffing cuts
Trump budget cuts mentors for 700 Tri-Cities students. United Way hopes to save it

WA State Standard
New WA hotline to report hate crimes launches in 3 counties
High costs may force WA ferry electrification program off course (Fey, Liias, Bernbaum)
USDA chief outlines plan to block China from U.S. farmland ownership

Yakima Herald-Republic
Committee on Indian boarding schools in WA releases first report
Multiple firefighters on scene of fast-moving blaze that has reached homes in Selah

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Harborview CEO warns of impacts akin to early COVID-19 crisis
Volunteers try to stop Lewis Army Museum from being shut down (Leavitt)
Gunfire shatters window displaying Trump signs, Confederate flag in Seattle
Travelers keep shoes on at SEA Airport as TSA rolls out new security procedures nationwide
Seattle mayor files for federal approval of crowd management policies, seeking to end consent decree

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Scammer fined $8.2 million for deceiving WA small businesses
Boeing regains momentum, boosts this year’s 737 Max deliveries
No charges filed against King County assessor John Wilson—for now
Smash and grab burglary from Olympia cannabis shop ends in fiery crash
Hundreds of small quakes shake Mount Rainier in unusual seismic swarm
Mayor Bruce Harrell seeks federal court approval to end Seattle police consent decree
Trash service for thousands in Thurston County disrupted as Republic Teamsters strike

KNKX Public Radio
U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years, CDC reports
Three Washington transit agencies test out hydrogen-powered buses

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle Gay News Publisher Renee Raketty just wants a passport
Arrested by ICE four days before her wedding, she’s asking a judge to free her
Is Tacoma’s ADU strategy working? Here’s what city says about ‘gentle density’

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Falls Community College back open for normal business
Spokane Valley roundabout gets third upgrade to address safety concerns
Spokane police looking for person of interest with history of burning in arson investigation
State fire mobilization approved for 2,100-acre Hope Fire in Stevens County. Evacuations remain in place.

NW Public Radio
58 laid off Boeing employees return to work
In Washington, health care workers at acute care hospitals report almost 80% flu vaccination rate

Web

Cascade PBS
Yakama Nation mulls Wapato dam updates to save fish and aid farms

MyNorthwest
Mayor Harrell seeks end to Seattle police consent decree

Washington Observer
Ferguson actually goes there on out-of-state ferry construction

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch

Tuesday, July 8

Bill would force ICE agents to ID themselves, ban most masks
Federal immigration agents would be banned from wearing most face coverings but be required to wear visible ID during public enforcement operations, according to a proposal from Democratic U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Why it matters: The long-shot proposal comes following images of masked, heavily armed immigration agents snatching people off the streets and taking them away in unmarked cars have shocked many Americans. Continue reading at Axios. (Michael M. Santiago)

Ferguson calls One Big Beautiful Bill a ‘grotesque betrayal’
The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” late last week capped off months of challenging negotiations by federal lawmakers, marking the first major legislative win of the second Trump administration. However, while federal Republican lawmakers celebrated in a Fourth of July ceremony at the White House, many state lawmakers have long worried about what the bill could mean for the budgets of Washingtonians already struggling to make ends meet, including the state itself. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Jesse Tinsley)

Oregon matches Washington’s $125M to replace Hood River-White Salmon Bridge
The Oregon Legislature approved matching funds last week for Washington’s $125 million commitment to replacing the 100-year-old Hood River-White Salmon Bridge. Combined, the state funding covers about a quarter of the project’s estimated $1.12 billion cost. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Getty Images)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Shoalwaters establish formal relations with state agency
Grays Harbor County to receive $4.6M for outdoor projects
Cascadia tsunami threat may not be quite as bad as thought

Axios
Seattle population hits 816K, a new milestone
Bill would force ICE agents to ID themselves, ban most masks

Bellingham Herald
Water, sewer rates set to rise as Bellingham discusses infrastructure needs
Transit transformation: WTA envisions new hub at vacant Bellingham Public Market

Capital Press
Washington State University field day to cover latest tree fruit research

The Daily News
State rates 2 Cowlitz County bridges as poor
Restoration around Cottownwood Island to start in 2026
Should bikes, tents be OK in parks, but not mattresses, couches? Longview to review Tuesday

Everett Herald
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal
Letter: GOP priorities are not pro-life, or pro-Christian
Letter: Was Republicans’ BBB just socialism for the ultra-rich?
Bloomberg comment: $100 billion for ICE just asks for waste, fraud, abuse

Kitsap Sun
Bainbridge Island’s Eagle Harbor Drive to close for 3 months
Bremerton revisits long-standing tax break for apartment projects
Ferry riders: Where would you put a new fast ferry terminal in Seattle?
Here’s how much you’ll need to make to afford a Washington home in 2030, study finds

News Tribune
Already struggling financially, Tacoma Public Schools takes another $750K hit
Is Tacoma’s ADU strategy working? Here’s what city says about ‘gentle density’
Opinion: Defunding Planned Parenthood will devastate Washington women’s care

Northwest Asian Weekly
Kang eyes District 5, could become sole AAPI on Seattle City Council

Olympian
Joint Animal Services gets $1 million from state for new, bigger shelter (Bateman, Doglio, Parshley)

Peninsula Daily News
Clallam commissioners to allocate opioid funding for health supplies

Puget Sound Business Journal
TikTok lays off dozens of WA employees
Popular credit gets the axe in sweeping tax overhaul
Alaska Air orders 5 more Boeing 787s, plans Seattle Dreamliner base

Seattle Medium
Seattle’s Landmark Payroll Tax Initiative Aims To Fund Affordable Housing

Seattle Times
Increasingly acidic seas threaten oyster farming
Veterans Affairs reverses course on large-scale layoffs
Foreign tourists could pay higher fees at national parks
As WA whooping cough cases rise, families tell of misery and grief
Seattle sued over its mandatory housing affordability program — again
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop DOJ grant cancellations
Investors snap up growing share of US homes as traditional buyers struggle to afford one
US adults want the government to focus on child care costs, not birth rates, AP-NORC poll finds

Spokesman Review
Ferguson calls One Big Beautiful Bill a ‘grotesque betrayal’
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown proposes waiving fees, deferring others and more to encourage affordable housing
Nez Perce Tribe asks Congress to ‘avert a financial crisis,’ warns Trump administration is withholding fish hatchery funds

WA State Standard
Parked cars are now a leading source of stolen guns, new report finds
Oregon matches Washington’s $125M to replace Hood River-White Salmon Bridge
Proposed international surcharge at national parks could generate millions in 2026
More 16- and 17-year-olds are gaining the right to vote. Could this become the norm?
Federal judge quickly rules in favor of Planned Parenthood in suit over Medicaid funding

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Quinceañera tragedy: One dead, five injured in Sedro-Woolley shooting
White Center neighbors shaken up after possible ICE arrest outside pawn shop
WA task force offers look inside natural disaster preparations after Texas flooding
Wildfire near Lake Cushman blocking popular recreation areas was human-caused, officials say
Construction adds to congestion near ticketing as SEA Airport sees record passenger numbers this year

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Woman hit by car doing donuts at street-takeover; driver sought
Skamania County sees 550% increase in search and rescue missions
Woman found dead in Everett apartment after overdose, dealer charged with homicide
Washington median housing prices rise, active listings surge nearly 40% year-over-year

KNKX Public Radio
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates

KUOW Public Radio
Seattle passes a milestone: 800,000 people and counting
Washington State’s new hybrid-electric ferries to be built in Florida
As air quality worsens, UW scientist focuses on effects of wildfire smoke
From security deposits to pet fees, here are your rights as a Seattle renter
‘Big beautiful bill’ not so pretty for Port of Seattle’s carbon reduction goals

KXLY (ABC)
Have you seen me? Sheriff’s Office searches for missing Deer Park man with dementia
Evacuations reduced for Aubrey White Fire in Riverside State Park

NW Public Radio
Condado de Chelan dejará de compartir fechas de corte con ICE tras arresto en el tribunal

Web

Cascade PBS
Free diaper program for low-income Washington families cut in half

MyNorthwest
Snohomish Co.’s homeless population drops for second year

The Urbanist
Op-Ed: How to De-Trumpify the Washington State Budget (Pederson, Saldaña, Reed, Frame)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Tuesday info

Monday, July 7

In Yakima, COVID-era farmworker strikes continue to have impact
It was workers’ rights activism on a scale not seen in decades in the Yakima Valley, and it galvanized public goodwill and support. Five years later, it’s still having an effect. More farmworkers now realize how influential their voices can be, said Edgar Franks, political director of Familias Unidas Por La Justicia, a farmworker union based in the Skagit Valley. Franks and his union colleagues assisted Yakima-area workers during the 2020 strikes. “We always understood policy isn’t eno ugh,” he said. “Sometimes you need people on the ground to make things happen.” Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (Emree Weaver)

Washingtonians may see credit score boost as medical debt removed from reports
Washington residents may see their credit scores improve this year following new legislation that removes medical debt from credit reporting.The bipartisan law, signed in April, eliminates medical debt from credit score calculations in Washington state. “Medical debt accounted for over 50 percent of all credit collections so now that medical debt isn’t impacting credit reports any longer it allows everyone to have more access to positive financial products,” said Jessica Golladay, vice president of consumer underwriting at STCU. Continue reading at KXLY. (KXLY)

Washington state schools left waiting for $137M in federal funds
States are missing billions in federal education funding that was expected to be accessible on July 1 but has yet to be released by the Trump administration. Why it matters: In Washington state, an estimated $137 million is being withheld, which amounts to 15.6% of the state’s federal K–12 education funding, according to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The big picture: The Department of Education’s funding delay has exacerbated the uncertainty for after-school, summer and other programs, leaving schools in limbo, advocates and policy experts say. Continue reading at Axios. (Kavya Behera)