Snohomish County opens second New Start Center in Everett offering bridge housing for homeless individuals
EVERETT—Snohomish County, in partnership with the Salvation Army, opened its second New Start Center Friday, August 28, which will provide time-limited bridge housing to unhoused individuals, along with wraparound services such as case management, behavioral health support, employment assistance, and eventual connections to permanent housing. Back in 2022, the Snohomish County Council voted to approve […]
Washington State Workers Plan Statewide Walkout After ‘Not a Dime’ Pay Offer
OLYMPIA — Thousands of Washington public employees plan to walkout for a short, coordinated protest Monday, August 31, as contract talks with the state remain stalled. The Washington Federation of State Employees, known as WFSE or AFSCME Council 28, said members at about 125 locations across the state will take part in the “Walkout with […]
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Recall Petition Dismissed Without Prejudice
SEATTLE—King County Superior Court Judge Patrick Oishi on Thursday, August 27, dismissed a petition that sought to recall Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson after the two residents who filed the charges asked to withdraw it, saying they needed time to investigate “additional information” and hire a lawyer. Judge Oishi granted the request without prejudice, leaving open […]
Construction Begins on New South County Fire Station
BOTHELL—South County Fire broke ground Tuesday, August 25, on a new fire station along North Road. The facility, designed to improve emergency response and firefighter safety, will replace Hilltop Fire Station 22. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027. “This station will provide modern, earthquake-resistant, code-compliant working and living facilities for our firefighters,” […]
DOJ Sues Washington Over In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students
SEATTLE — The Justice Department sued Washington state on Thursday, asking a federal court to block state laws that let undocumented immigrants pay in-state college tuition and receive state grants and loans that are not offered to U.S. citizens who live in other states. “Over 30 years ago, Congress made clear that States cannot put […]
‘Vote Yes Repeal the Income Tax’ campaign launched to ax WA’s new statewide income tax
TACOMA—Vote Yes Repeal the Income Tax, a political action committee launched in July 2026 by third generation trucking executive Steve Gordon, aims to persuade voters to vote yes on I-645 for the November 2026 General Election to repeal the state’s new income tax before collections begin in 2028. Initiative to the People IP26-645, sponsored by […]
WA governor lays groundwork to ban cellphones in public schools
OLYMPIA [Aspen Ford] — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has been traveling the state to build support for his forthcoming legislation to ban cellphones in public schools. On Wednesday, Ferguson promoted his “away for the day” plan at Pasco High School, where a phone ban is already in place. “We find it hard to believe that […]
Washington’s newest Fish and Wildlife commissioner dies
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD] — Victor Garcia, an educator, hunter and fisherman appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission last year, has died. The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced his death Monday. No cause was provided. “Commissioner Garcia loved this state, and cared deeply for fish and wildlife,” said Commission Chair Jim Anderson. “He was ready to do […]
WA sues again to stop Trump administration mail-in voting requirements
SEATTLE [JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET] — Washington is suing to stop the Trump administration’s latest attempt to restrict mail-in voting, days after the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for the effort to move forward. Attorney General Nick Brown announced Wednesday he is co-leading a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit against the United States […]
WDFW completes updated plan to guide proactive conservation actions, species recovery
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently completed its revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), designed to guide fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in Washington for the next decade. Last updated in 2015, the plan acts as a roadmap for proactive conservation actions that prevent the need to list species under […]
