COMMENTARY: Hands off our ballots! Secretary Hobbs on USPS new proposed ballot mail rule
As Secretary of State of Washington, I submit the following comments in response to the United States Postal Service proposal titled Ballot Mail for Federal Elections as noticed on May 29, 2026. The Constitution is clear that authority over federal elections rests with states and Congress. My authority to administer elections is written in the […]
‘Washington is a great place to do business,’ Governor launches Economic Development Council
SEATTLE—Governor Bob Ferguson, at the Garden Terrace of the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building on Thursday, June 25, announced the launch of a new Governor’s Economic Development Council, a partnership of small businesses, labor, Tribes, educators and large employers in tech and aerospace to guide Washington’s economic strategy. Washington state’s economy is the 9th largest […]
SCOTUS Delivers Major Wins for Trump on TPS Termination and Asylum Limits
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Supreme Court, in a pair of 6-3 decision, handed President Donald J Trump’s administration significant victories Thursday, June 25, on immigration enforcement, ruling in two cases that clear the way for the termination of temporary legal protections (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of migrants and upheld stricter limits on asylum claims at […]
Executive Order on citizenship lists and mail-in voting blocked, day after USPS said ballots won’t be delivered until states provide lists
BOSTON, Mass. — U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, a Barack Obama appointee, ruled Thursday, June 25, that key provisions of President Donald J Trump’s March 31, 2026, executive order on election integrity exceed presidential authority and violated the U.S. Constitution related to federal elections. The Trump administration and Department of Justice may appeal the decision […]
WA child welfare deaths drop significantly after record year
OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Deaths and critical injuries among children in Washington’s child welfare system fell steeply in the first quarter of 2026, state officials reported Wednesday. Still, four children died and three more nearly died in the first three months of the year. The total of seven incidents is down from 22 in the same time period […]
Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Washington state’s gas tax, already among the highest in the nation, is going up next week. The state’s per-gallon fuel tax of 55.4 cents will climb 1.1 cents on July 1. The 2% bump is the first of the annual inflationary adjustments required by a 2025 law. With the increase, Washington’s gas tax will […]
Mail-in ballots at risk: Postmaster says USPS will not deliver ballots in states refusing to turn over voter lists
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Postmaster General David Steiner testified Wednesday that the U.S. Postal Service would not deliver mail-in ballots under a proposed regulation unless states first provide their voter lists to the federal government. According to the Washington Secretary of State official Ballot Drop Box Usage reports, roughly a third of returned ballots are mailed […]
America’s 250th Birthday Fireworks Guide: Where to celebrate, discharge your own safely, and banned
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Get ready for a special Fourth of July in Snohomish County as the country celebrates its 250th Birthday! While personal fireworks are banned in cities like Everett and Lynnwood, you can catch professional displays at Mountlake Terrace’s Lake Ballinger, Everett’s Thunder on the Bay, Marysville’s Ebey Waterfront Park, and Arlington’s Quake Park Fireworks Display. The […]
Nate’s Corner: Pressing “pause” on County-wide data centers
Data centers have become a significant topic of public interest and concern. While these facilities play a role in supporting many digital services, their impacts on land use, infrastructure, energy and water demand, and neighboring communities weigh heavily on the minds of many Snohomish County residents. That is why I recently proposed a temporary moratorium […]
America’s 250th Anniversary: Where to Celebrate 250 Years of Independence
TACOMA—July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America. This historic milestone is an occasion to celebrate and recognize the significant contributions Washingtonians have made to local, state, and national history. “The 250th anniversary is an opportunity to come together to reflect on our […]
