2025 Washington Politics: Elections, Scandals, Immigration, and Budget Deficits
In 2025, Washington state and Snohomish County politics were defined by high-stakes decisions, legal battles, fiscal pressures and budget deficits, and of course political scandals. Below are the highlights of our state, and local, politics coverage for 2025. Brandy’s Law brings some peace to victim of fatal dog attack in Lynnwood The Lynnwood City Council […]
2025 Federal Politics Recap: Trump’s Return Sparks Sweeping Changes
In 2025, President Donald J. Trump’s second term began with an unprecedented wave of executive action, signing 225 orders in a record-breaking push to reshape federal policy. Below are our highlights of our 2025 federal politics coverage. Trump signs order to reschedule marijuana for medical use On December 18, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed […]
Federal judge allows sharing of immigrant Medicaid data with ICE
SAN FRANCISCO—A federal judge ruled Monday that states must share basic personal information, including citizenship status, about undocumented immigrants enrolled in Medicaid with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation efforts, but barred the exchange of sensitive health records. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, partially upholds a President Donald J Trump’s […]
Hospitals performing gender-affirming care on children to lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced it will terminate Medicare and Medicaid to any hospital that performs sex-rejecting procedures on minors, taking action to remove gender dysphoria as a disability, and sending “warning letters” to breast binder manufacturers. HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced a series of […]
Bob Ferguson hosts Tim Walz at $2,500-a-table lunch as Minnesota Governor doubles down on immigration
[The Center Square]—Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, under fire for failing to prevent a massive welfare fraud scheme in his state, was in Seattle on Tuesday as the special guest at Gov. Bob Ferguson’s fundraising luncheon, telling those in attendance Somalis were being “demonized” and vowing to bring more into his state. “These folks better not […]
Washingtonians to get automatic payouts in $700M Google Play monopoly settlement
SEATTLE—Millions of Android users across the United States, including thousands in Washington state, will soon see money hit their PayPal or Venmo accounts as part of a $700 million settlement with Google over alleged monopolistic control of the Google Play Store. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced Tuesday that the payment process has officially begun […]
Gov. Ferguson appoints Colleen Melody to State Supreme Court
OLYMPIA – Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson made his first selection to State Superior Court this morning, Monday, November 24, appointing Colleen Melody to the State Supreme Court. Melody will be replacing retiring Justice Mary Yu, who’s retirement goes into effect at the end of the year. Melody and Gov. Ferguson date back to 2015 […]
Trump admin moves to gut Washington’s new medical debt protection
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Just months after Governor Bob Ferguson signed a Washington law to keep medical debt off consumers’ credit reports, the Trump administration is looking to block such policies. The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau now says federal law preempts laws like Washington’s. The federal agency’s position is a reversal from the Biden era. Backers of Senate […]
WA State secures $105.6M share from $7B Purdue Pharma opioid settlement
NEW YORK—United States bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane, of the Southern District of New York, ruled on Friday, November 14, to approve a settlement with OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler Family, to pay thousands of victims up to $7 billion over 15 years for fueling the opioid crisis. Washington state is expected to […]
Parents, school board members, and educators sue state over bill that modified Parents’ Bill of Rights
OLYMPIA [WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD]—School board directors and parents sued Washington state Thursday to block a Democrat-backed law overhauling rights for public school students and their parents. The policy has become a flashpoint in the national debate over gender inclusivity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools. The conservative political group, Let’s Go Washington, has a […]
