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Tuesday, February 18

Washington’s Legislature has more Black members than ever
Having greater Black representation in the Legislature — coupled with greater diversity in general at the Capitol — “really just enhances the number of perspectives being brought to the public policy debate,” state Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, told Axios. Continue reading at Axios. (Chona Kasinger)

Editorial: Shut down flavored tobacco’s gateway to youths
That targeting of youths to find new consumers for tobacco has alarmed health and disease experts, parental groups and children’s advocates, coalitions of communities of color and others, who in recent years have sought restrictions on youths’ use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Tony Dejak)

Sen. Patty Murray ‘deeply concerned’ over layoffs at Washington nuclear site
“These are everyone from safety inspectors to people who deal with cybersecurity across the board, and they basically were laying off the newest, latest employees that had only been there a year or two,” Murray told KING 5 on Monday. “These are often our best and brightest. They have the new technology, and this is a real safety concern, at Hanford, which is a nuclear waste clean-up site.” Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

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Axios
Seattle’s air quality is getting worse
FAA fires hundreds of staff amid Trump admin job cuts drive
Washington’s Legislature has more Black members than ever (Reeves, Scott, Thomas, Nobles, Entenman)

Bellingham Herald
Solemn gathering in support of Palestine draws hundreds to WA Capitol
Travel outlet names Bellingham the best solo travel destination for adventure in the US
Bellingham clears path to shared compost bins for some city residents as new policy looms

Capital Press
NW onion production value increased in 2024
DOGE makes cuts to USDA research positions in Oregon
Economist: Farm profit increases buoyed by government aid
Oregon may exempt H-2A employers from unemployment tax

The Daily News
Castle Rock finds elevated lead levels in intermediate, middle school water

Everett Herald
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park
Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett
Editorial: Shut down flavored tobacco’s gateway to youths (Nobles, Reeves, Lovick)

High Country News
People brace for impacts on land, water and wildlife after feds fire thousands over holiday weekend

Kitsap Sun
Navy updates request to lease space near Bremerton for shipyard modernization

News Tribune
Spanaway homeless village breaks federal, county wetland rules but staves off appeal
Manager of 2nd-largest Pierce County city to retire. No immediate word on replacement

Olympian
Some 2,000 protesters blast Trump at President’s Day protest: ‘No billionaires, no kings’
Does WA need a new state flag? Proposed bill would create a state flag redesign committee (Peterson, Reed, Nance)

Seattle Medium
Seattle Protesters Join Nationwide Protests Against Elon Musk’s Government Role
King County Sees First Decline In Gun Violence Since 2018, But Challenges Remain

Seattle Times
Top Social Security official leaves after Musk team seeks data access
Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions
Editorial: Local issues need voters’ attention. Keep odd-year elections (Gregerson)

Spokesman Review
Washington-based federal judge block gender affirming care executive order
Tall towers would be allowed in much larger swathe of downtown Spokane under likely reform
What can Democrats do about Trump and Musk’s policy blitz? Here’s what Washington lawmakers say
Internal talking points reveal details about Community Library Network’s restrictive child library cards
A federal ‘clown show’: WSU board of regents warns of cuts to research amid Trump federal grant chaos
Washington lawmakers consider bill allowing people to sue cities over rules that restrict camping in public places (Gregerson, Ormsby, Hill)
Is burning trash worth the cash? Spokane to use $650,000 in grant funds to study incinerator as state cracks down on emissions (Riccelli)
Kootenai County libraries approved every relocation request for its mature collection with one notable exception: The Bible
Opinion: Legislature must fund supported living services
Opinion: Washington lawmakers can address revenue shortfall without cutting important services

Tri-City Herald
Trump’s initial federal layoffs hit Tri-Cities WA area. Here’s what we know so far

Washington Post
Inside the Trump administration’s error-plagued firing spree
DOGE sued by taxpayer groups and unions over access to IRS files
Top Social Security official exits after clash with Musk’s DOGE over data
Trump’s wind power restrictions put blue states’ climate goals out of reach

WA State Standard
Washington state bill would set new standards for wood stoves (Shewmake)
Educators and parents call on WA lawmakers to up school funding (Berg)
Billions of dollars at stake for farmers hit by Trump funding freeze, pause on foreign aid
U.S. Education Department threatens yanking funds for schools that use race in decisions
Push for inspections at Tacoma immigration detention center reemerges in WA Legislature (Ortiz-Self)

Wenatchee World
Wenatchee City Council approves Pioneer Park improvements
RiverCom designing new building, searching for state and federal funding

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Two people shot on Metro bus in Tukwila; police searching for 3 suspects
Sen. Patty Murray ‘deeply concerned’ over layoffs at Washington nuclear site
Seattle rallies join 50501 protests to reject Trump policies and Musk influence
Western Washington scrambles to adjust as egg prices surge amid supply shortage
Trump fires thousands of US Parks, Forest Service workers: ‘It’s like having the rug pulled out from under me’

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
State’s pay-by-mile program would require drivers to voluntarily opt-in (Fey)
Two shot on-board Metro bus in Southcenter, police search for suspects
Teachers, supporters rally at the capitol to demand more school funding (Krishnadasan)
Travelers, experts warn of risks as Trump, Musk push to slash FAA staff
Trump administration putting mental health drugs for kids under new microscope
Haphazardness of federal layoffs causes concern with Sen. Murray, Public Power Council
Seattle City Council talks security as another shooting highlights the dangers of public transit
Washington State Lawmakers want to crack down on bounty hunters acting as immigration agents (Trudeau)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Cantwell criticizes FAA firings amid safety concerns
How WSDOT monitors avalanche threats across the Cascade pass
Seattle-area federal employees rally as Trump cuts national workforce
Audit: WA Commerce Department ‘not in compliance with state law’ on grant funding
Belltown residents demand accountability as drug trade impacts Seattle neighborhood
Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco

KUOW Public Radio
29-year-old dad believed to be among immigrants sent to Guantanamo Bay
Fearing deportation, Immigrants are missing appointments at Seattle-area clinics
In the Seattle area, DEI work was already declining before Trump’s vow to end programs
‘It’s a terror campaign.’ Federal workers in Seattle area describe snitching, secrecy under Trump

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane shelters struggling to meet demand amid extreme cold
What’s in a name? WA wants to officially be ‘The Evergreen State’
Federal funding freeze could cost WA billions amid budget crisis (Fitzgibbon, Pedersen, Dhingra, Robinson)
Lawmakers weigh increased penalties for people who try to elude police (Lovick)
Mayor Brown signs ordinances aimed at making downtown Spokane safer and cleaner

NW Public Radio
Exposición en Richland destaca contribuciones de latinos en Hanford

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Timber sale pause has small local impact, contributes to DNR’s funding uncertainty
Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County awarded $1M for infrastructure in Everson
Hundreds of demonstrators in Mount Vernon and Bellingham join nationwide Presidents Day protest

Cascade PBS
Why Seattle’s housing density plans are a disability rights issue
Can Washington’s agriculture industry survive on H-2A workers?

MyNorthwest
Teachers, supporters rally at the capitol to demand more school funding (Krishnadasan)
Local law enforcement can’t use dogs to find bad bears, wolves, cougars under new bill (Liias)
Second chances with strings attached: DUI record vacation bill clears key hurdle in Washington (Goodman, Ortiz-Self)
Washington State Lawmakers want to crack down on bounty hunters acting as immigration agents (Trudeau)
Opinion: Clearing the confusion on the pay-by-mile system

Washington Observer
More of Democrats’ plans to eat the rich (Doglio, Reed)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Tuesday notes

Monday, February 17

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash
In the Jan. 29 fatal crash between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines passenger jet, which is still under investigation, one controller was handing both commercial airline and helicopter traffic at the busy airport. Just days before the collision, President Donald Trump had already fired all the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, a panel mandated by Congress after the 1988 PanAm 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. The committee is charged with examining safety issues at airlines and airports. Continue reading at King 5. (Jose Luis Magana)

‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ could bring small ferries to more Puget Sound communities
State Rep. Greg Nance (D–Bainbridge Island) sponsored the bill. He said it would bring much-needed transportation to waterfront towns suffering from a shortage of state ferry boats. Continue reading at KUOW. (Joshua McNichols)

Democratic lawmakers rally for bigger budget to fight gender-based violence
State Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, opened the discussion, emphasizing the stark reality that domestic violence has been on the rise in Washington since the pandemic. “A woman is more likely to be harmed by someone she knows and loves than by a stranger,” Dhingra said. “Domestic violence accounts for 16% of all murders in our state, over 27% of rapes, and more than half of simple assaults.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Julia Dallas)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
GHC selected for national project to help rural students

Bellingham Herald
Where is Bellingham’s day shelter? Strained service providers say there’s an ‘urgent need’
Op-ed: Far too many Washingtonians are dying from excessive speeding. This bill could help (Leavitt)

Capital Press
Economist: Farm profit increases buoyed by government aid
Proposal aims to overhaul citizen involvement in Oregon land use system

Columbian
Clark County’s freshman lawmakers introduce bills that reflect campaign promises
Piecing together the OHSU and Legacy Health merger: What will it mean for Clark County?

The Daily News
New north entrance, RV park, more planned at Cowlitz County Event Center, as leaders look for state help

Everett Herald
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag
Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales (Doglio)
Op-ed: Keeping health care fair, affordable as costs rise (Robinson)
Comment: Proposal takes a swipe at credit card swipe fees
Letter: Stick with solutions to homelessness that have heart
Comment: Eco-nomics: Climate change is making insurance a risky bet

High Country News
Trump’s funding cuts leave the nation vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire

New York Times
As Wall Street Chases Profits, Fire Departments Have Paid the Price
Republicans Want Lower Taxes. The Hard Part Is Choosing What to Cut.

Olympian
Legislative Black Caucus blasts bill that would end Office of Equity: ‘Deeply harmful’
UW, WSU study shows WA residents struggling to pay for one particular monthly expense

Puget Sound Business Journal
First impact of Amazon’s 5-day office mandate revealed in new data

Renton Reporter
‘Follow the damn law’: Washington leaders have terse words for Trump

Seattle Medium
Black Girls RUN! Seattle/Tacoma Is More Than Just A Run Club – It Is A Sisterhood
‘Our Future is Bound by Their Past’– The Washington State Black Legacy Institute Keeps Black History Alive

Seattle Times
Pay-per-mile honor system could supplement WA gas tax
WA Republicans protest amending ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ (Jinkins, Pedersen, Stonier)
WA businesses scrambling as Trump tariffs raise costs, uncertainty
WA scientists plan to publish report on nature that Trump canceled
Murray: Trump layoffs leave Hanford nuclear site with ‘skeleton crew’
Targeted for deportation, WA immigrants with convictions seek pardons
Editorial: Pass Senate Bill 5400 to help save local journalism, strengthen democracy (Liias)
Editorial: WA’s young people are struggling — and our leaders are failing them

Skagit Valley Herald
Public comment being taken on proposed hunting rules

Tri-City Herald
Tri-Cities saw major shift in fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024. What’s behind it?

Washington Post
DOGE seeks access to personal taxpayer data, raising alarm at IRS
Trump wants to shut the Education Department. Is it sleight-of-hand?
As Musk reshapes the government, some ask: Where are the guardrails?
Trump’s war on wind seems to be winning, experts say, as states are forced to rethink projects

WA State Standard
Ferguson wades into WA Fish and Wildlife Commission turmoil (Springer)
With a phone call, WA governor keeps emergency powers bill alive (Valdez)
WA bill would require REI co-op to reserve board seats for workers (Ryu)
WA courts work to vacate hundreds of thousands of illegal drug convictions
Judge won’t compel state panel to scrap building codes targeted by gas initiative

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: Washington’s pay-per-mile proposal gets committee hearing (Fey, Street)
Seattle joins nationwide unrest against Elon Musk with Tesla dealership protest
Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash
Cracking down on organized retail theft: Lawmaker hopes to lengthen perpetrators’ prison sentences (Leavitt, Goodman)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Washington legislature introduce bill to redesign state flag (Peterson, Reed, Nance)
Lawmakers look to lower voter approval threshold for school bond measures as many fail to pass (Krishnadasan, Cortes)

KNKX Public Radio
Northwest federal workers are demoralized, but many are determined to keep their jobs

KUOW Public Radio
Washington state clean-energy funding re-frozen by Trump White House
‘Mosquito Fleet Act’ could bring small ferries to more Puget Sound communities (Nance, Reed)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Outgoing Whatcom Community College president honored by state Legislature (Timmons, Rule)
Lummi Nation breaks ground on detox center, first of its kind on WA tribal land (Timmons)
State proposes closing Bellingham Reentry Center, home for those finishing prison time

Cascade PBS
For many in Washington, Long COVID care remains out of reach
WA bill would force REI co-op to reserve board seats for workers (Ryu)

MyNorthwest
Majority of Washingtonians feel the pain of high grocery prices, says survey
Democratic lawmakers rally for bigger budget to fight gender-based violence (Dhingra, Davis, Goodman, Salahuddin, Salomon)
Washington State’s wood-burning stoves: Still legal, but with stricter emissions rules
Washington considers taking over grizzly bear management — But not everyone’s on board (Springer)

The Urbanist
State Bill Would Circumvent SPOG, Clear Path for Seattle Civilian Responder Expansion (Scott, Ryu)

Washington Observer
Senate Democrats leave Ferguson’s universal school meals behind (Wellman, Riccelli, Berg)

West Seattle Blog
PRESIDENTS DAY 2025: West Seattle notes
ELECTION 2025: Where ballot measures stand, with most votes counted, plus other stats of interest

Friday, February 14

Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era
Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill to establish a committee overseeing the redesign of the Washington state flag. House Bill 1938, sponsored by Representatives Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Julia Reed (D-Seattle) and Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), aims to create a flag that the lawmakers believe better reflects Washington’s unique identity and diverse population. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (KIRO 7)

Lawmakers look at small-scale solar to spare Washington farmland
A House bill proposes electric utilities get more power from small solar projects, likely increasing electric rates, but preserving farmland. House Bill 1847 would require utilities to acquire 10% of their renewable energy from small, customer-owned projects, known as distributed energy resources. Continue reading at Capitol Press. (Capital Press)

Grieving father pushes to change state law after deadly crash involving speeding driver
The proposed law, House Bill 1596, is currently under consideration in the Washington state legislature. If passed, it would allow courts to mandate speed governors, devices that control a vehicle’s speed, for drivers with suspended licenses due to excessive speeding or reckless driving. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Letters to the Editor
Ocean Shores declares erosion emergency
Port of Grays Harbor delivers annual report

Bainbridge Island Review
Federal funds, SIDS concerns for KPHD

Bellingham Herald
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson’s message to President Trump: ‘We will stand up to you’
WA joins lawsuit decrying DOGE and Elon Musk’s role in government as ‘unconstitutional’

Capital Press
Lawmakers look at small-scale solar to spare Washington farmland (Doglio)
Economists: Oregon overtime laws reduce profitability, worker earnings
Exempting Washington farmers from cap-and-trade taxes popular, bewildering
WSU: Climate change poses big apple challenges, particularly for Yakima orchards

The Daily News
Kelso School District predicts $2M budget shortfall next school year

Everett Herald
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag
Comment: Birthright citizenship has helped make America great

The Inlander
Spokane’s Community Court handles most nonviolent offenses downtown. While arrests increase, founders say improving quality of life is “not an easy fix.”

Journal of the San Juan Islands
State of Washington joins lawsuit against Trump Administration for defunding medical and public health innovation research

Kitsap Sun
A former petroleum engineer is fighting to curb emissions, and starting in Bremerton

News Tribune
Trump administration’s reduction of federal workforce could hit hard in South Sound
WA Secretary of State warns that federal gutting of cybersecurity agency puts elections at risk

New York Times
FEMA Quietly Eases Rules Meant to Protect Buildings in Flood Zones
How Trump’s Medical Research Cuts Would Hit Colleges and Hospitals in Every State

Olympian
WA Secretary of State warns that federal gutting of cybersecurity agency puts elections at risk

Puget Sound Business Journal
Business leaders face more stress amid economic uncertainty

Seattle Medium
Seattle Judge Issues Indefinite Block On Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
Seattle Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Connection With Border Patrol Agent’s Fatal Shooting

Seattle Times
Should WA test human waste fertilizer for PFAS?
Seattle voters embrace new tax to fund workforce housing
WA leaders tell Trump to ‘follow the damn law,’ vow to shield state
Grocery self-checkout rules would change under WA lawmaker’s plan (Fosse)
WA to speed up sex-designation changes in pushback on Trump orders
Boise couple contends with Idaho lawmakers’ effort to undo same-sex marriage

Spokesman Review
Government offices, libraries to close for Presidents Day
Spokane Police Department names officer who shot suspect outside East Central apartment
Ferguson vows to work federal government when possible despite ‘chaotic start’ to Trump administration
Opinion: Medicaid expansion saves lives, boosts economies in rural Idaho

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
Editorial: Eyes on Olympia (Nance, Alvarado)

Washington Post
This data may vanish under Trump, so we charted it
Scientists have a new explanation for the last two years of record heat
Park Service deletes trans references on Stonewall Inn monument page
Trump administration directs agency heads to fire most probationary staff

WA State Standard
‘Follow the damn law’: Washington leaders have terse words for Trump
What is WA’s parental ‘bill of rights’? And how are Democrats seeking to change it?
Western Washington’s top federal prosecutor removed from post amid Trump purge

Wenatchee World
Wenatchee superintendent fined for 2023 election interference
Humblebee Collective offers holistic approach to healthcare, healing in NCW
Solarity Credit Union employees donate 1,255 volunteer hours, $10,965 to NCW nonprofits

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Washington craft breweries brace for higher costs as aluminum tariffs loom
Washington lawmakers introduce bill that would charge drivers for every mile driven (Fey)
Grieving father pushes to change state law after deadly crash involving speeding driver (Leavitt)
Gov. Ferguson says state is prepared to fight Trump’s policies to protect Washingtonians

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
King County sees first decline in gun violence since 2018, report shows

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington election observer charged with felony over mask policy dispute
Washington state leaders tell Trump to ‘follow the damn law’ on federal funding
Washington florists fear Trump tariff impacts on fresh flower prices, wedding pre-orders

KUOW Public Radio
Gov. Ferguson concerned Trump cuts will worsen WA budget woes
Washington lawmakers consider bill to prevent abuse in youth sports (Rule)
Washington state drivers could be charged per mile under proposed bill (Fey, Liias, Dhingra)

KXLY (ABC)
Washington leaders criticize Trump actions, detail the state’s response

NW Public Radio
Northwest federal workers are demoralized, but many are determined to keep their jobs

Web

Cascade PBS
Federal funding freeze could cost WA billions amid budget crisis (Fitzgibbon, Pedersen, Dhingra, Robinson)

MyNorthwest
Willl Washington juvenile gun laws be strengthened?
Road Usage Charge hit with overwhelming opposition
Gov. Bob Ferguson criticizes Donald Trump, but open to working together
State advances bill to expand voter registration services on a party-line vote (Valdez)
Scanning for safety: Clerks pushing WA bill to end chaos at the self-checkout line (Fosse)
Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era (Peterson, Reed, Nance)
Washington AG going to court today over Trump’s order on gender-affirming care
WA bill letting homeless sue cities for not allowing camping, lying in parks is still alive (Gregerson)
Student Safety vs. Classroom Control: Washington lawmakers debate limits on restraint and isolation (Wilson)

The Urbanist
Walkability Isn’t Just Good Urban Planning: It’s a Public Health Intervention

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday watch
Didn’t get your recycling picked up this week?

Thursday, February 13

‘We cannot feed ourselves as a country’: Northwest agriculture could be in jeopardy if mass deportations happen, farm groups warn
Washington State Dairy Federation Executive Director Dan Wood doesn’t carry around papers proving his citizenship in America. But he knows others, often those of Hispanic heritage, feel they have to. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Washington looks to raise $1.6 billion from tolls for new I-5 bridge
Washington state lawmakers set out Wednesday to raise $1.6 billion from tolls to help pay for construction of a replacement bridge on Interstate 5 across the Columbia River.
Bills introduced in the state House and Senate authorize the sale of $1.6 billion in general obligation bonds, a long-assumed source of financing for the new span linking Washington and Oregon. Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Grant Stringer)

Most WA law enforcement agencies say they won’t work with ICE
In response to anxiety and confusion around federal immigration enforcement, police departments and sheriff’s offices around the state have released a flurry of statements, nearly all including identical wording: that state law “prohibits local law enforcement from assisting in or making arrests for civil immigration offenses.” Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Deadlines near for 2025’s new state laws
Westport joins county emergency management

Axios
Washington state gets less federal money than it sends
Even in Washington state, trans people face passport hurdles

Bellingham Herald
WA Democrats back bill to raise revenue. But critics say folks ‘not in the mood’ for more taxes (Pollet, Fitzgibbon, Pederson)

Capital Press
Grass seed industry facing difficult times
DOGE nips at USDA as blue states scramble to save grant
Washington lawmakers tackle cap-and-trade’s unkept promise
Oregon proposal would tackle barriers to recycling wastewater for irrigation

Columbian
Vancouver, Evergreen and Ridgefield school boards add new policies, resolutions on immigration

Everett Herald
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt
Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates
Letter: State single-payer health care bill offers many advantages

The Inlander
Washington lawmakers consider allowing cannabis producers to sell direct to consumers (Saldaña, Krishnadasan, Nobles)

News Tribune
Pierce County deputy died of a heart attack. Should he be memorialized at WA capital?
Vandals take chainsaws to 200-year-old trees in Puyallup along popular trail, WDFW says
Debate over Tacoma apartment tax breaks continues as project gains 12-year MFTE extension
Opinion: Balancing power: The case for legislative control during emergencies in Washington

New York Times
‘Deregulation by Firings’: Breaking Down the Cuts to Financial Oversight
After Abortion Bans, Infant Mortality and Births Increased, Research Finds

Olympian
WA’s health department speeds up sex designation change requests on birth certificates

Puget Sound Business Journal
Explosive growth in million-dollar earners hasn’t just stalled
Seattle voters back new tax for social housing in early returns

Seattle Medium
Rep. Taylor Introduces Bill To Protect Access To Affordable Health Care (Taylor)
Rainier Prep Shines In Outcomes For Diverse Students; A Model Of Public School Excellence In Washington

Seattle Times
WA debates how much cities can collect in property taxes (Pollet, Fitzgibbon)
WA bill would set new limits on when police can stop drivers (Street)
Most WA law enforcement agencies say they won’t work with ICE
Seattle to join other ‘sanctuary’ cities suing Trump administration
Speed camera tickets coming soon to freeway work zones around WA
King County chooses location for its first levy-funded crisis care center
Seattle voters lean toward funding social housing developer with new tax
Editorial: Grant hearing for bill to make hiring of university presidents transparent (Paul)

Skagit Valley Herald
Port of Skagit approves marina rate increases
Skagit County commissioners hear appeal on Lake Erie gravel pit expansion

Spokesman Review
Secretaries of State past and present question federal criticism of election integrity efforts: ‘The threats continue’
‘We cannot feed ourselves as a country’: Northwest agriculture could be in jeopardy if mass deportations happen, farm groups warn

Washington Post
Trump and Musk can’t seem to locate much evidence of fraud
Musk team kicks off federal layoffs as White House eyes big cuts
Trump takes aim at agencies that police wrongdoing, protect federal workers

WA State Standard
Washington looks to raise $1.6 billion from tolls for new I-5 bridge (Liias, Fey)
Washington to begin speed camera enforcement in roadwork zones (Liias)
WA bill intends to protect immigrants from coercion in the workplace (Hasegawa)
Washington lawmaker proposes regulations for self-checkout machines (Fosse)
Ferguson wants to cut WA agency spending by 6%. Here’s what that looks like

Wenatchee World
City approves permits for downtown Majestic Apartments

Yakima Herald-Republic
What can or can’t people do when interacting with ICE?
Signs point to possible third year of drought in the Yakima Valley
Election results show Central WA residents didn’t always vote a straight party line in November

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Voters reject scaled-back levy to replace aging school
Speed zone cameras coming to Washington work zones soon (Liias)
Pike Place Market withdraws from nonprofit’s Day of Remembrance event
Seattle voters approve Proposition 1A, pledging millions for social housing
New bill urges less tolerance for minors repeatedly caught with guns in Washington (Hackney)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle voters approve two key levies for public school
WSDOT to deploy work-zone speed cameras to improve safety, reduce crashes

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Ferguson to give update on federal funding and state’s response to Trump’s orders
Washington State Ferries answers concerns about staffing issues, sailing cancellations
Washington expedites 3-day sex designation change on birth certificates for adults, minors

KNKX Public Radio
Burien voters appear to favor expanding $21.10 minimum wage
Seattle poised to pass ‘excess compensation’ tax for social housing

KXLY (ABC)
Washington lawmaker proposes regulations for self-checkout machines (Fosse)
Washington State speeds up gender designation changes on birth certificates
Pullman Police Chief back in court for a protection order; attorneys requesting more text message records
Child protections vs. parental rights; A controversial law may be endangering the kids it’s designed to protect (Ormsby)

NW Public Radio
Washington bills attempt to give public workers power to bargain on AI (Parshley)
An exhibition in Richland highlights the Latino contributions at Hanford

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Wildfire protection plan in Whatcom still lacking, county just starting process
Newcomers to Glacier say Airbnbs make finding housing ‘borderline impossible’

Cascade PBS
Burien voters appear to favor expanding $21.10 minimum wage
What’s in a name? WA wants to officially be ‘The Evergreen State’
How Washington communities are responding to ICE deportation orders

Washington Observer
A bid for a better state flag (Peterson)
New fronts in the rideshare wars (Alvarado, Obras)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Thursday watch
Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth updates, and other toplines from first session of Washington State Ferries’ systemwide community meeting

Wednesday, February 12

WA eyes pay-by-mile system as gas tax revenue declines
After more than a decade of tabletop exercises, pilot programs and studies, the legislature is finally going to take up the Road Usage Charge (RUC). The plan to have us pay-by-mile will have its first hearing on Thursday. The gas tax just doesn’t cut it anymore. I have been reporting on this idea for more than a decade. Fuel-efficient cars get better gas mileage and pay less gas tax. Electric vehicles don’t use gas, and their owners don’t pay gas taxes for the upkeep of roads. We know the legislature fails to fund the maintenance and preservation of roads by a billion dollars a year. Continue reading at KIRO. (Steve Johnson)

House Democrats begin push to repeal Washington’s cap on property tax hikes
Democratic state lawmakers are aiming to erase a voter-approved limit on annual property tax hikes as a way to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for public schools and local governments. The state House Finance Committee held a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 1334 which would repeal a 1% cap on annual growth for property tax collections and give the state and local governments the ability to levy hikes up to 3%. This could drive $818 million into state coffers for education and close to $1 billion for cities and counties over the next four fiscal years, according to a fiscal analysis. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Phil Augustavo)

Vashon leaders take the ferry cause to Olympia
Advocates from Vashon as well as the counties of San Juan, Island, and Kitsap met with more than 15 representatives and senators to advocate for three core priorities: build new boats to restore the WSF fleet as quickly as possible, allocate funds for continued crew retention and recruitment, and support policies to increase transparency and accountability at WSF. These “Fix Our Ferries” priorities are now co-signed by twenty-nine regional entities, representing local agencies, governments, organizations, healthcare advocates, chambers of commerce, and elected officials from communities across the Sound affected by ongoing WSF service disruptions. Continue reading at The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. (Beachcomber)