Bill critics dubbed the ‘initiative killer’ appears dead for 2026 session
OLYMPIA [The Center Square] — The initiative killer bill appears to be dead in Olympia, at least for this session. SB 5973 – sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, cleared out of the Senate State Government Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee last month, but on Tuesday, Sen. Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said the bill was not expected to […]
Washington flood damage totals at least $182M, governor says
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Washington Governor Bob Ferguson on Tuesday asked the Trump administration for up to $173 million to deal with damage to roads, levees and more from flooding in December, and prepare for similar future disasters. The preliminary damage estimate for the state is $182.3 million, Ferguson said. “This historic flooding resulted in, we believe, […]
John Braun commentary: Olympia’s concern for affordability continues to be one-sided
Republicans still seem to be alone at the state Capitol when it comes to knowing what “affordability” truly means. The proof is in the nearly 70 bills proposed or reintroduced by majority Democrats over the past several weeks that would make living in our state even more expensive. This long list of legislation would increase […]
Super Bowl LX Champions, Seattle Seahawks up for sale
SEATTLE—The estate of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen announced Wednesday, February 18, it has begun the formal process of selling the Seattle Seahawks, just 10 days after the team won its second Super Bowl title and two days after the Washington State Senate passed a Millionaires’ Tax. Speculation about a potential sale circulated for weeks, […]
WA State Senate approves Millionaires’ Tax on personal income
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD & BILL LUCIA]—Washington state moved one step closer Monday, February 16, to creating a personal income tax two years after the Legislature said it wouldn’t. Majority Democrats in the Senate advanced legislation on a 27-22 vote to tax households earning more than a million dollars. Passage of the bill followed a three-and-a-half hour debate on […]
Snohomish County Sports Tourism Generates $42 Million in Economic Impact for 2025
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—The Snohomish County Sports Commission had a stellar year in 2025, supporting more than 150 sports tournaments and welcoming over 230,000 visitors to the area. These events generated approximately $42 million with nearly 43,000 room nights booked, and there were a record number of 37 different sports played throughout 12 communities. This was also […]
‘Fight the good fight,’ the inspiring path to public service of new AG Nick Brown
SEATTLE — When Nick Brown was sworn in as Washington’s attorney general in January 2025, he not only etched his name in history as the state’s first Black attorney general — he brought a reservoir of experiences in public service, civil rights advocacy and a profound conviction that government can serve as a catalyst for […]
WA lawmakers want to restrict ICE access to schools, health facilities
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Legislation to force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to get court approval before entering schools and health care facilities cleared the Washington state Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 5906 covers “nonpublic areas” of preschools, K-12 schools, health facilities, adult family homes, higher education institutions and election offices. It also prohibits early learning providers and […]
WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Two members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission are pushing back on newly surfaced allegations that they shunned government transparency laws and appeared to have colluded with the leader of a wildlife advocacy group on policy matters. A scathing 10-page memo says the behavior of commissioners Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland posed “serious risks” […]
Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street] – Four Democrats are on track to battle this year for an open Washington state House seat in a district stretching north from Seattle. Rep. Cindy Ryu’s decision to challenge Sen. Jesse Salomon, a fellow Democrat, is opening up her seat in the 32nd Legislative District. The safely blue district represents a slice of […]
