Social media giant Meta is going MAGA, ditches DEI
CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta—that includes platforms Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram—is ditching major DEI programs effective January 10, Axios reports. In a memo to employees, the new policy is to impact hiring, training and supplier sourcing practices. The company is ending its equity and inclusion training programs and totally disbanding a team that was focused on […]
Judge sentences Trump to unconditional discharge, no punishment in hush money conviction
NEW YORK, NY—Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan on January 10 sentenced President-elect Donald J Trump to an “unconditional discharge” in his May 2024 conviction case involving 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with $130,000 in money payments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen who then paid to porn star Stormy Daniels before the […]
Former President James ‘Jimmy’ Carter honored at state funeral
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mourners and dignitaries gathered Thursday morning at Washington National Cathedral to honor the life of former President Jimmy Carter. Speakers at Carter’s state funeral, including President Joe Biden and the sons of Carter’s political contemporaries delivering eulogies written by their fathers, described the Georgia native and U.S. Navy veteran as a man committed to civil […]
United Way of Snohomish County Announces New Executive Director
EVERETT—United Way of Snohomish County (UWSC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Brittany Williams as the organization’s new Executive Director. Williams, who has been with UWSC since May 2022, previously served as Deputy Director and succeeds Maya Hemachandra, who served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2023. A Snohomish County resident, […]
Ferguson lays out $4 billion plan to reduce state spending
OLYMPIA—Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced his budget priorities, including a plan to save approximately $4.4 billion to address the more than $12 billion projected Washington state budget shortfall over the next four years. Ferguson will be sworn in as Governor at noon on January 15. “Washingtonians expect us to govern efficiently while upholding our shared values,” […]
Third South County shooting of teen in 10 days
EDMONDS—An 18-year-old male is in critical condition after being shot by a firearm just before 2:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9, near the Edmonds fishing pier. The victim was walking with his sister when they encountered a group of four to six males just west of Dayton Street and Admiral Way. After a brief verbal exchange, […]
Engineer Julie Meredith to be new Secretary of WSDOT
MUKILTEO—Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Assistant Secretary Julie Meredith, P.E., as Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), while he was on a Washington State Ferries listening tour Tuesday, January 7. The appointment is effective January 15, 2025. “Julie Meredith brings deep experience and leadership and a strong commitment to public […]
WA SOS urges voters to rely on official election sources after Meta ends fact-checking
OLYMPIA—Washington’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, is urging residents to now rely more on election offices “as trusted sources” for local, state, and federal elections information after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced January 7 that it will no longer provide fact-checking moderation on its platforms. “Washington’s elections officials at both the […]
Investigation underway in shooting at the Twin Lakes Shopping Center
MARYSVILLE—Detectives with the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) are investigating a use of force incident that occurred on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, near the Costco at the Twin Lakes Shopping Center located at 16616 Twin Lakes Avenue in Marysville. At approximately 8:00 p.m., a Marysville police officer initiated a traffic stop on the […]
Republicans introduce constitutional amendment to impose congressional term limits
(Center Square)—Republicans in Congress led by US Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to impose term limits for members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. senators to two six-year terms and U.S. House members to three two-year terms. The two-page resolution states that after the amendment is passed […]