Mayor Cassie Franklin named winner in 2025 National Ideas Challenge
WASHINGTON, D.C.—NewDEAL Forum announced Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is one of six winners in the 2025 National Ideas Challenge, a nationwide competition among the forward-thinking state and local policymakers from NewDEAL, with submissions focused on policies to build strong, healthy communities. The winners of the 2025 Ideas Challenge are featured in GOVERNING. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is recognized for […]
Washington Saves, a new state-facilitated retirement program for all workers starting 2027
OLYMPIA—Washington Saves, starting in 2027, is a state-facilitated automatic Individual Retirement Account (IRA) program designed to bridge the retirement savings gap for workers in Washington who lack access to employer-sponsored plans. The program was created from Senate Bill 6069, passed by the Washington State Legislature in March 2024 and signed into law by Governor Jay […]
In Loving Memory of Our Friend and Supporter, Coach Lenny Wilkens
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our friend, mentor, and longtime supporter, Coach Lenny Wilkens, who passed away Sunday at the age of 88. Lenny Wilkens was one of basketball’s greatest figures. A nine-time All-Star and Hall of Famer both as a player and a coach, he guided the Seattle SuperSonics […]
Lynnwood honors U.S. military veterans at Veteran’s Park
LYNNWOOD—The city of Lynnwood, in partnership with Veterans of Foreign Wars of America Post 1040 (VFW1040), hosted a Veteran’s Day ceremony at Veteran’s Park Tuesday, November 11, honoring, and thanking, all of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The event was led by VFW1040 Commander, and U.S. Navy Veteran, John Beam who […]
SCOUT Program: How embedded social workers and law enforcement are tackling homelessness
Homelessness affects every community, from large urban metros to small rural towns and everything in between. Many factors can lead to individuals living on the streets, including but not limited to mental health challenges and substance abuse. What we’ve learned over years of working on this issue is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to […]
Washington State Library Launches New Certification Portal for Library Cardholders
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Library (WSL), part of the Office of the Secretary of State, launched the Washington State Certification Portal early last month. The new online platform gives library cardholders across the state free access to professional certifications and workforce learning tools and was made available Oct. 1, 2025. The portal is available […]
Larsen releases report on Veterans in Northwest Washington
Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) published ‘Listening to Veterans in Northwest Washington,’ a report capturing local veterans’ most pressing challenges and outlining policy recommendations for Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address these concerns. “The stories and perspectives shared by veterans in Washington state’s Second District underscore both the progress the federal […]
Edmonds to complete transportation improvement projects over next few months
EDMONDS – During the next several months, weather permitting, the City of Edmonds plans to complete multiple transportation improvements at SR-524 / 3rd Ave S at Pine St and Olympic View Dr at 88th Ave W. At SR-524 / 3rd Ave S and Pine St, the intersection will be converted from a two-way stop to […]
Nourishing Network breaks record in students served, volunteers and donors needed more than ever
EDMONDS—When Nourishing Network, a Foundation for Edmonds School District program, first launched in 2014 they served 80 food-insecure kids meals on weekends, over the course of the schoolyear. It was a pipedream, at the time, to eventually grow the program into serving up to 300 students long term – an ambitious vision the team struggled […]
Lenny Wilkens, Basketball icon and Hall of Famer, dies at 88
SEATTLE—Lenny Wilkens, a towering figure in basketball whose career spanned five decades as one of the game’s premier point guards, innovative coaches and a champion of youth development, died on November 9, 2025, surrounded by family. He was 88. Born Leonard Randolph Wilkens on October 28, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Wilkens grew up in […]
