Trump designates illicit fentanyl as Weapon of Mass Destruction
WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on December 15 designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction, framing the synthetic opioid as a national security threat akin to a chemical weapon. “Today, I’m taking one more step to protect Americans from the scourge of deadly fentanyl flooding […]
Brandy’s Law brings some peace to victim of fatal dog attack
LYNNWOOD—After weeks of deliberation, the Lynnwood City Council passed an ordinance (3405) at its Business Meeting Monday, December 8, recodifying the Lynnwood Municipal Code regarding animal control and what constitutes as a “dangerous animal.” In what the Lynnwood Times is calling Brandy’s Law, the ordinance takes effect on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The City of […]
Hanukkah massacre in Australia terror attack at Bondi Beach
SYDNEY—At least 15 people were killed, including one of the gunmen killed by police, and 40 others injured Sunday, December 14, when two possibly three gunmen opened fire on a crowded Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community. Sunday is this first day of […]
New flood wall saves Mount Vernon, Snohomish County roads face major repairs
MOUNT VERNON—On the Saturday following record-breaking Skagit River flooding, Mount Vernon Mayor Peter Donovan stood before the city’s 1.4-mile flood wall (a.k.a. The Wall) and declared it a game-changer, as U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Governor Bob Ferguson and local emergency officials gathered to assess response efforts and brace for more rain. “Downtown Mount Vernon stayed […]
Flooding update: rescues, federal emergency, and a second coming
WASHINGTON STATE—Dozens of people were rescued in Snohomish County, from Wednesday through Thursday, due to the state, and federally, declared “emergency” flooding that swept the region, with more storms and more flooding ahead. Meteorologists working with the National Weather Service (NWS) issued weather alerts for Washington residents on Wednesday, December 10, due to, what they […]
MAGA-juana: Trump poised to reschedule Cannabis, igniting stock surge
WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J Trump is preparing to issue an executive order as early as Monday directing federal agencies to reclassify marijuana from its current Schedule I status to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. The move, first reported by The Washington Post, would mark the […]
GM of Edibles issues statement on Congress’ crack down on hemp market
Below is a statement from Thomas Winstanley, EVP & GM, Edibles.com™ (part of Edible Brands/Edible Arrangements) on a newly negotiated congressional spending bill would federally recriminalize many hemp-derived THC products, including popular items like Delta-8 THC, which were legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill. The legislation redefines legal hemp to include total THC content (not […]
John Braun commentary: Soft-on-crime legislators have blood on their hands, local prosecutor says
On the surface, a pair of murders in our state nearly two months ago don’t have anything in common except for each occurring in mid-October and resulting in the arrest of a young man. One occurred in north Seattle, the other in Spokane — far from our corner of the state. Yet it’s a local […]
Skagit levees face critical test, Ferguson warns of ‘Very Serious’ flooding
MOUNT VERNON—Governor Bob Ferguson on Thursday urged Washington residents facing flooding to immediately evacuate if ordered, stressing the “very, very serious situation” posed by what he described as potentially historic and unpredictable waters across the state as a result of the atmospheric river that slammed the Pacific Northwest. “This is obviously a statewide emergency impacting […]
Washington state unemployment rate remained at 4.5% in September 2025
OLYMPIA—Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 14,500 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in September 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.5%. September employment numbers were delayed because of the six-week federal government shutdown, which took place October 1 to November 12, 2025. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics did not collect October employment information during […]
