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Friday, July 28

How King County is reshaping its mental health crisis response system
An unmarked gray van pulled into a South King County apartment complex on a drizzly June afternoon. A 911 caller had reported a family member was hearing voices and seemed disconnected from reality. A mental health professional and a case manager, not police or emergency medics, knocked on the door. A few hours later, this emergency crisis response team drove the resident to a crisis stabilization program, where she could get inpatient treatment and support. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Akash Pamarthy)

‘Safety concerns’ prompt cancellation of two popular Washington events celebrating Hispanic and Latinx culture
Safety concerns prompted the cancellation of two major local events celebrating Hispanic and Latinx culture. THING NW Festival 2025 cancelled its Aug. 16 Latinx musical performance lineup. All other Saturday musical events are still scheduled to go on as planned in Carnation. In Burien, the annual Pacific Northwest Folklórico Festival was also cancelled. It was scheduled for July 26. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

New WA law protects people who break into cars to help kids, pets. How it works
Can you break into a car in Washington state to rescue a trapped child or pet? Although smashing a car window to save a kid or dog could once put you at risk of a lawsuit, a new state law provides protection for so-called “good Samaritans. ”Starting Sunday, July 27, anyone who enters a locked vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or pet is protected from legal action, thanks to House Bill 1046. Continue reading at Tri-City Herald. (LSS)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Consultant briefs civic leaders on coastal flooding, erosion
State agencies, stakeholders meet to promote wildlife passage project

Auburn Reporter
King County gun violence keeps on dropping in 2025
47th District State Sen. Kauffman reacts to post by Ann Coulter (Kauffman)

Bellingham Herald
Fire and other damage affect access at two Whatcom County parks

The Daily News
Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center in Longview plans move
Boudreau changes vote to make Kendall’s edit, pass Longview’s excessive storage rules

Everett Herald
These new Washington laws take effect July 27
Snohomish County PUD activates fire safety protocols
Academy’s graduation of peace officers marks milestone (Lovick)
WA sues contractor to prevent sharing of food stamp data with feds
Edmonds commission studying parking fees and business tax proposals

Federal Way Mirror
Strong regional healthcare drives sustainable business growth

High Country News
The West’s data centers suck (water and power)

The Inlander
Op-Ed: Cuts to Medicaid offer Gov. Bob Ferguson the opportunity to reform state government to fit into the profoundly reduced federal funding paradigm

Kitsap Sun
Two Washington suburbs rank among wealthiest in the United States
Kitsap County apartments for rent saw essentially no changes in June
Extra Bremerton-Seattle weekday fast ferry service to stay through 2026 World Cup
Summer boosted water use, straining systems and raising concerns amid ongoing growth
Kitsap County home listings asked for more money in May – see the current median price here

Northwest Asian Weekly
Seattle City Council candidates face off on community concerns at A&NH/PI Forum

Olympian
New state laws take effect Sunday, July 27. Here’s what you should know (Salahuddin, Ramos)
WA gas prices are dropping despite new tax. Here’s where to fuel up for less
Federal court blocks new Washington state law requiring priests to report abuse and neglect

Puget Sound Business Journal
New Pier 58 space debuts at Seattle’s Waterfront Park

Seattle Medium
Gas Works Park Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny After Teen’s Fatal Fall
Seattle Enhances Bus Service With New All-Day Bus-Only Lanes Amid Summer Construction

Seattle Times
WA to receive millions for schools after federal about-face
Seattle weather: Thunderstorms incoming, while wildfires burn
Extra Bremerton fast ferry sailings to stay; Saturday sailings pause
King County shores close to shellfish harvesting after toxin detected
WA officials rebuke Trump’s tough-on-homelessness executive order
Marriage licenses go up $100 in WA to help domestic violence victims
From beer gardens to medical debt, new WA laws taking effect Sunday
How King County is reshaping its mental health crisis response system
Under Trump’s Medicaid changes, extra paperwork creates a ‘catch-22’
Judge blocks Trump administration’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood
Opinion: The ICE dragnet is widening in WA
Editorial: Surge in deaths of children on WA’s watch demands action

Tri-City Herald
New WA law protects people who break into cars to help kids, pets. How it works (Leavitt)
Viral list claims 14 rural WA hospitals at risk of closure due to cuts. Some disagree

Washington Post
In a legacy steel town, energy is now king — just don’t call it ‘green’
Trump fumes as Epstein scandal dominates headlines, overshadows agenda
Behind the air traffic controller shortage: Intense training that can feel like hazing

WA State Standard
These new Washington laws take effect July 27
US Education Department to unfreeze contested K-12 funds
Drop in state funding for WA’s work to prevent severe wildfires is stoking concerns

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
These laws are going into effect in Washington state on Sunday
View Ridge neighbors scrub away hate, call for action after antisemitic graffiti
‘Safety concerns’ prompt cancellation of two popular Washington events celebrating Hispanic and Latinx culture

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
These new laws are now in effect in WA
Shellfish harvesting closed for several WA beaches
Second fire department vehicle stolen in just a week
Mount Rainier earthquake swarm is the largest ever recorded

KNKX Public Radio
It’s not just you: What data shows about Seattle’s transplants
Domestic migration to Seattle falls, ending a decade-long trend

KXLY (ABC)
These new Washington laws take effect July 27
Tacos y Tequila cancels this year’s event due to safety and inclusivity concerns

NW Public Radio
Changes to SNAP could strain food banks on the Palouse
Burdoin Fire destruction grows to 44 structures, crews prepare for windy conditions

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Six-figure donation helps save future of North Cascades equine program
Opinion: The coming World Cup is fun, but don’t ignore climate costs of global sports fests

The Urbanist
Seattle, King County Brace for Impact of Coming Federal Funding Earthquake

Washington Observer
More grim news for Medicaid

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Last Monday in July

Friday, July 25

Trump order pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people
President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to find ways to make it easier to forcibly hospitalize homeless people with mental illness and addiction for longer periods – an effort to fight what the administration calls “vagrancy” threatening the streets of U.S. cities. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Astrid Riecken)

Noncriminal ICE arrests surge in Washington, Oregon and Alaska
More than half of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests last month in Washington, Oregon and Alaska involved people with no criminal charges or convictions — a sharp increase from recent norms, newly obtained data shows. Why it matters: The numbers illustrate a major shift that came soon after the Trump administration tripled ICE’s arrest quota. Continue reading at Axios. (Axios Visuals)

14 rural WA hospitals deemed at risk of closure from Medicaid cuts
Like many other hospitals, Three Rivers Hospital is facing fallout from the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and its cuts to Medicaid, the federally funded insurance program. The Central Washington hospital has already seen the effects of President Trump’s policies. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (Genna Martin)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Wishkah River Bridge repairs — another preservation tale
Montesano City Forest Tour showcases community benefits (Chapman, Tharinger)

Axios
Seattle’s urban core regains momentum
Seattle’s Pier 58 to reopen with major new park space
Noncriminal ICE arrests surge in Washington, Oregon and Alaska

Capital Press
Energy Department: U.S. heading toward more blackouts by 2030

Columbian
Vaccination rates continue to drop in Clark County; Public Health hopes coalition can help

Everett Herald
Lake Stevens appeals sewer district assumption ruling
Snohomish County Council pass Food and Farming Center regulations

The Inlander
Question of the Week: “Are you worried about the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts?”

News Tribune
A new 60-unit tiny home village for the homeless opens in Tacoma
Opinion: Time for the right to step up and own Trump’s ethnic cleansing immigration policies

Olympian
Opinion: Cantwell blocked an AI regulation moratorium. Big tech will be back

Puget Sound Business Journal
AI ‘crisis’ looms amid emerging divide
Federal Way Link service to start months early
Microsoft CEO addresses layoffs in memo to employees
Sustainable jet fuel startup plans giant plant in Longview

Seattle Times
Wildfire near Columbia River Gorge now WA’s largest
Trump order pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people
WA sues to block data of food stamp recipients from Trump administration

Sol De Yakima
Estaciones de radio pública en WA se preparan para recorte ‘devastador’ de fondos federales

Spokesman Review
$1 to ride the bus: Plan calls for many STA riders to pay reduced fare
RFK Jr. contradicts Trump, talks salmon preservation at Nez Perce Tribe Hatchery
West Valley School Board split on transgender sports participation amid federal Title IX investigation

Tri-City Herald
Washington wildfire fighting efforts ‘finally’ get $20 million after delays

WA State Standard
WA sues contractor to prevent sharing of food stamp data with feds
Trump framework for compensating college athletes limits some payments
Late campaign finance reports and haircuts earn Washington lawmaker an $11K fine (Scott)
The Forest Service claims it’s fully staffed for fire season. Data shows thousands of unfilled jobs

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Faith communities rally for immigrant rights at Seattle courthouse
Innovative tech lending library transforms farming in Snohomish County
Sound Transit updates rail expansion timelines, OKs new security cameras
Gun maker sues to block Washington’s police academy ban on Sig Sauer P320s
‘It saved my life’: Detox services expanded in Tacoma to help combat opioid crisis

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle’s revitalized Pier 58 opening on Friday
Two types of ivy now banned to sell in Washington
Brace for another round of highway closures in Western Washington
20 years ago today: King County renamed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

KUOW Public Radio
Bellingham family moves forward after hate crime sentencing
King County Prosecutor pauses youth felony diversion, citing high reoffending rates
Small town on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula shows its pride following school trans ban

Web

Cascade PBS
14 rural WA hospitals deemed at risk of closure from Medicaid cuts

The Stranger
New State Legislation Kills Pay Transparency

The Urbanist
Seattle’s Pier 58 Reopens as Final Piece of Waterfront Park Puzzle

West Seattle Blog
HEALTH ALERT: Shellfish toxin detected on West Seattle shores too
TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday + weekend info

Thursday, July 24

UnitedHealth says it is under a federal investigation and cooperating
Shares of UnitedHealth Group slipped Thursday after the health care giant said it was under a Department of Justice investigation. The company said it has started complying with both criminal and civil requests from federal investigators and it was cooperating with them. “(UnitedHealth) has a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance,” the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Continue reading at King 5. (AP Photo)

Cleaning up toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in Washington isn’t easy
If you looked into your bloodstream, you’d probably find so-called “forever chemicals.” The name, shorthand for PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, may seem dramatic. But it’s not wrong. Held together by strong chemical bonds that don’t break down naturally, this family of chemicals build up over time in the bodies of people and wildlife and in the environment. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (Joshua A. Bickel)

Appeals court maintains WA’s nationwide block of birthright citizenship order
A federal appeals court on Wednesday agreed with a Seattle judge’s decision to universally block President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The appeals judges ruled 2-1 that Trump’s order, issued on Inauguration Day, violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” Continue reading at Washington State Standard. (Jake Goldstein-Street)

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Auburn Reporter
Immigration arrests surged last month in Washington

Axios
Trump’s AI Action Plan gives AI industry lots to smile about
Trump birthright citizenship order “unconstitutional,” appeals court rules
Scoop: Ferguson’s office was told of allegations against top aide years ago

Bainbridge Island Review
Over $10 million in state grants awarded to Kitsap natural spaces
KT board receives updates on proposed ferry routes, Seattle terminal

Bellingham Herald
Could Trump budget cuts hurt WA wildfire fighting efforts? We asked an expert
Hundreds expected to protest against Trump at July 26 ‘Families First’ rally in Olympia

Columbian
Wife says she’s ‘beyond devastated’ after Vancouver man’s loss in immigration court

Everett Herald
Lake Stevens appeals sewer district assumption ruling
Snohomish County Council pass Food and Farming Center regulations
Comment: Reforms to involuntary commitment law can save lives

Kitsap Sun
Port Orchard man sentenced to prison on almost 30 counts, faces up to 23 years
Outdoor burn ban restrictions increase in Kitsap: All outdoor burning suspended

News Tribune
U.S. government sold off aging ships. Northwest states left to pay the price
Comment: Sending Washington shipbuilding contracts out of state betrays Tacoma

New York Times
Kennedy Rescinds Endorsements for Some Flu Vaccines
Education Department Will Investigate Scholarships for DACA Students
Everything in Trump’s Big Tax and Spending Law, and How Much It Will Cost or Save

Olympian
Could Trump budget cuts hurt WA wildfire fighting efforts? We asked an expert

Puget Sound Business Journal
National housing market continues shift to buyers
Revive I-5 project stress tests Seattle’s transit system
How a shift in US-Canada trade relations could favor the PNW

Seattle Times
K-12 vaccination rates in WA dropped again
Trump birthright citizenship order blocked nationwide by federal appeals court
Editorial: Pause in youth felony diversion referrals to agency is right call
Opinion: Tariffs on Canadian goods start Aug. 1. The damage will be lasting

Sol De Yakima
Aumentan detenciones migratorias en Washington durante junio
Cerezas de este año en el noroeste son ’excelentes’ en calidad, precio
Ayuntamiento de Yakima analizará impuesto especial; recortes por $3 millones en sesión el jueves

Spokesman Review
Baumgartner, Fulcher, Newhouse support releasing ‘Epstein files’ as House adjourns early amid controversy
‘We’re here to finish what you started’: Families confront Bryan Kohberger as he’s sentenced to life in prison for University of Idaho murders

Washington Post
With his suit against Murdoch, Trump signals: No one is safe
Trump denies Maryland’s request for FEMA aid after devastating floods
ICE moves to shackle some 180,000 immigrants with GPS ankle monitors
What’s happening with covid and flu shots? Here’s how RFK Jr. is affecting vaccine access.

WA State Standard
Appeals court maintains WA’s nationwide block of birthright citizenship order
Irrigation canal critical to Yakima Valley is at risk of failure after wildfire damage
Americans haven’t saved for retirement. States are creating automatic savings plans
Trump’s AI Action Plan removes ‘red tape’ for AI developers and data centers, punishes states that act alone

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
One person critically injured in stabbing on Metro bus
New tiny home village opens in South Tacoma: ‘I’m just so grateful’
UnitedHealth says it is under a federal investigation and cooperating
Proposed initiative would require proof of citizenship to vote in Washington

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Life on State Route 167 is about to change
‘No To Blue Angels’ billboard goes up in Rainier Valley
Seven buildings destroyed by fire in Seattle’s Central District
I-5 lane closures: The worst times to travel and the worst routes
Thurston County Jail at ‘max capacity’ for women. What does that mean?
Court rules Trump order denying birthright citizenship is unconstitutional
Man who killed Idaho firefighters had been turned away by fire department, Army

KNKX Public Radio
Washington state education officials prepare to lay off staff
Pike Place Market extends pilot car ban amid uptick on foot traffic
Pacific Northwest Folklorico Festival canceled over immigration enforcement concerns

KUOW Public Radio
WA bans English ivy
Murray says Trump’s Canadian tariffs could cause costly rift with WA
Northern State Hospital patients’ grave sites to get memorial, WA money
Rep. Jayapal talks rescissions, protecting U.S. citizens from ICE, and the Epstein files
‘Literally no way’: Idea of redrawing WA’s congressional map gets bipartisan brush off (Pedersen, Fitzgibbon)

KXLY (ABC)
Firefighters planning controlled burn at Lake Spokane wildfire
“We want to lead by example,” Spokane Indians give back with the Community Fields Project

Web

Cascadia Daily News
New Whatcom County Jail could have between 400–700 beds
Sen. Murray: Washington ‘on the front lines’ of U.S., Canada trade war
Former Whatcom County health department director takes state leadership role

Cascade PBS
Cleaning up toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in Washington isn’t easy
Pike Place Market car ban extended amid uptick in foot traffic

InvestigateWest
Oregon quietly halted a new Medicaid program for people leaving prison. Whether it goes forward may be up to the Trump administration.

MyNorthwest
King County sees decline in shooting victims and gunfire incidents

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Thursday info

Wednesday, July 23

‘He’s definitely in shock’: WA high school employee detained by ICE, district confirms
An employee from Juanita High School has been taken into custody by immigration officials. The Lake Washington School District confirmed that Fernando Rocha, who manages the theater department at Juanita High School, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We are aware that one of our employees appears to have been detained by ICE,” the district said in a prepared statement. “We have been in contact with the employee to provide appropriate employment documentation. Due to privacy considerations, we are limited in what we can share, but we are monitoring the situation closely.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Lake Washington School District)

25 new or rare bee species reported by Washington Bee Atlas in first year
The Washington Bee Atlas has made significant progress in documenting the state’s native bees, discovering numerous state records and rare species in its first year. Volunteers with the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Washington Bee Atlas collected over 17,000 bee specimens from more than 600 different host plants in 2024. Continue reading at KIRO 7. (Joshua A. Bickel)

Sneak Peek: New Airo Trains Coming to Amtrak Cascades in 2026
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) this week provided railfans with a glimpse of the future of Amtrak Cascades, providing the first photos of the new “Airo” trainsets coming off the line as they head to Colorado for testing. Set to go into service along the Cascades corridor between Vancouver, B.C. and Eugene, Oregon by next year, these eight new trains will be the first to be delivered as part of a larger, nationwide order of 83 trainsets. Continue reading at The Urbanist. (WSDOT)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Grays Harbor County health assessment underway

Axios
How Seattle is tackling its pothole problem
1 in 6 Americans planning World Cup road trips
Washington state allows inmates to be billed for their incarceration

Capital Press
Research looks at hemp byproduct to feed livestock
Kotek signs bill that could help farmers manage water shortages
9th Circuit: Farm records wrongly blocked from bolstering labor advocacy

Columbian
A Clark County renter needs to make $33 an hour to afford a 1-bedroom apartment, study finds
Fear grips Vancouver family after ICE detains father while dropping kids off at Franklin Elementary

The Daily News
Kelso debate over feeding the poor by spray park ends with denied protection order

Everett Herald
New interchange, ramps, set to open in Marysville
Lynnwood faces ‘substantial budget shortfall,’ mayor says
Snohomish County gets funding boost for $35M rail project
Stanwood hosts a new police academy for community members

Kitsap Sun
Plans to shoot thousands of barred owls in doubt after feds cancel grants

News Tribune
‘Unfit for children.’ Allegations grow against ex-school for disabled WA kids
Will a ‘speed table’ make this Pierce County crosswalk safer? Expect detours

New York Times
Trump Administration Plans to Speed Up A.I. Development

Olympian
Dormant Grays Harbor pulp mill fined $2.3 million for toxic chemical spills
‘Perfect storm’ coming for WA amid federal health-care cuts, authorities warn

Port Townsend Leader
City signs bargaining agreement with union

Puget Sound Business Journal
Affordability challenges persist despite market shift to buyers
These coaches top Washington’s highest-paid state employees
Micro-retirement is the latest Gen-Z buzzword. Is this the answer?

Seattle Medium
Appeals Court Considers Dispute Over Seattle Black Firefighters’ Property Sale

Seattle Times
Juanita High School theater manager detained by ICE (Dhingra)
WA fines defunct pulp mill $2.3 million for violations, inaction
Seattle I-5 closure: Avoid traffic by taking public transit, officials say
EPA Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change
Trump’s Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces
Opinion: Nurses’ warnings on Trump’s tax and policy bill were too long ignored

Spokesman Review
Spokane police and fire to receive millions in new equipment
After years of 777X line delays, Boeing’s new freighter hits milestone
‘It’s a top-of-mind issue’: Officials look for options to address state’s housing shortage
‘Fundamentally a transit town’: New STA chief embraces the promise of public transportation

Washington Post
EPA drafts rule to strike down landmark climate finding
Trump says U.S. has a deal with Japan to lower proposed tariffs
Trump’s norm-breaking closeness to Justice Dept. helped fuel Epstein furor

WA State Standard
Immigration arrests surged last month in Washington
‘Literally no way’: Idea of redrawing WA’s congressional map gets bipartisan brush off (Fitzgibbon, Pedersen)
‘One big, beautiful’ law provision on Planned Parenthood funding partly blocked by judge

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County approves sales tax to avert public safety cuts amid $160M deficit

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle sees surge in knife-involved assaults
Republic Services agreement with Teamsters ends trash strike
Seattle’s median home sale price reaches eye-popping new high
25 new or rare bee species reported by Washington Bee Atlas in first year
Stay out of the water! More King County beaches report high levels of bacteria

KXLY (ABC)
Failed contract negotiations mean the end of Spokane C.O.P.S. partnership with the city

NW Public Radio
Burdoin Fire destroys 14 homes, threatens 250 more in Washington
Homeless organization turns former WSU fraternity house into shelter for families
Unpacked: What federal cuts could mean for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
As Travis Decker manhunt stalls, Wenatchee veterans call for more mental health services

Web

Cascadia Daily News
La Conner the first local district to make major cuts due to shaky federal funding

InvestigateWest
For and by Christians: How Idaho’s influential Christian Nationalist group wants to reshape the state

MyNorthwest
King County’s new tax puts it among highest taxed in WA
‘He’s definitely in shock’: WA high school employee detained by ICE, district confirms (Dhingra)

The Urbanist
Sneak Peek: New Airo Trains Coming to Amtrak Cascades in 2026

Washington Observer
More on Amazon and Medicaid dollars

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday info
King County Council votes to raise sales tax one-tenth of one percent to help fund public-safety services; Seattle might do it too

Tuesday, July 22

Washington state agency under fire for sharing drivers’ data with ICE
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) is facing scrutiny after a KING 5 investigation revealed it has been sharing private driver’s license information with federal immigration authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. Washington’s DOL agency is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

Trump cuts could leave 250,000 Washingtonians without health coverage, shutter rural hospitals
State leaders and hospital officials say the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law earlier this month by President Donald Trump could impact the access of hundreds of thousands of Washington residents to health care, especially in rural parts of the state. “On so many levels, it’s just possibly the worst piece of legislation I’ve seen in 20 years in politics,” Gov. Bob Ferguson told KUOW’s “Soundside.” “As a state, it’s going to be a challenge for us.” Continue reading at KUOW. (AP)

AI data centers are using more power. Regular customers are footing the bill
Regular energy consumers, not corporations, will bear the brunt of the increased costs of a boom in artificial intelligence that has contributed to a growth in data centers and a surge in power usage, recent research suggests. Between 2024 and 2025, data center power usage accounted for $9 billion, or 174%, of increased power costs, a June report by Monitoring Analytics, an external market monitor for PJM Interconnection, found. PJM manages the electrical power grid and wholesale electric market for 13 states and Washington, D.C., and this spring, customers were told to expect roughly a $25 increase on their monthly electric bill starting June 1. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Dana DiFilippo)