Somers, Franklin, and Parshall secure Everett Link in new Sound Transit 3 realignment
SEATTLE—The Sound Transit Board of Directors adopted a $57.5 billion updated Sound Transit 3 system plan late Thursday night, rescuing the ambitious 2016 voter-approved light rail project from a $34.5 billion shortfall and setting a clear, affordable path forward to providing a truly integrated regional transit system connecting Everett to Tacoma. “This resolution reflects both […]
Beyond the False Binaries: A Pragmatic Path Out of Homelessness and Addiction
Forced rehabilitation rarely delivers better long-term results than voluntary approaches, but the opposite extreme—unconditional support without any expectations—fares no better. Housing First has proven effective at one critical task: keeping people housed. Studies consistently show one- to two-year retention rates of 70 to 90 percent, far exceeding traditional treatment-first models. A stable, lockable home can […]
Trump administration denies Hazard Mitigation Grant to Washington state
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for Hazard Mitigation Grant monies was denied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Thursday, April 23 though the federal agency did approve a major disaster declaration earlier in the month. Back in February 17 Washington Governor Bob Ferguson submitted a $182.3 million request to the FEMA for Public Assistance […]
New septic inspection requirement coming to Snohomish County, November 1
EVERETT—New protections will soon be in place for buyers of homes with septic systems in Snohomish County. The Snohomish County Board of Health adopted Ordinance BOH26-02 on April 14 requiring all septic systems to be inspected prior to a property being sold. The measure takes effect November 1, 2026. “These inspections help protect our environment […]
Washington state approved for Major Disaster Declaration, Ferguson thanks Trump and federal partners
WASHINGTON STATE—Two days after Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs visited Washington state to assess disaster relief progress, President Donald J Trump on Saturday, April 11, approved the Major Disaster Declaration request by Governor Bob Ferguson for the record-breaking floods that occurred from December 5-19, 2025. “This is excellent news,” Governor Bob Ferguson released in […]
$668M settlement agreement for continued cleanup of Lower Duwamish Waterway
SEATTLE—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the state of Washington, reached a settlement agreement on March 4, with more than 100 potentially responsible parties to address hazardous substances released into the Lower Duwamish Waterway, a five-mile segment of the city of Seattle’s only river. Under the settlement, the Lower […]
King County Executive allocates $2M for immigrant services, bars ICE from properties
SEATTLE—King County Executive Girmay Zahilay signed his first executive order since taking office earlier this year, directing $2 million in emergency funding toward immigrant and refugee communities and barring federal immigration agents (ICE) from staging enforcement operations in non-public county properties. The move came in response to growing fears among residents over intensified federal immigration […]
Bill targets elected sheriffs for removal by appointed state board without a public vote
OLYMPIA—A divided Washington state Senate committee advanced a bill on February 9, 2026, that would empower a state oversight board to remove elected sheriffs from office if their peace officer certification was revoked, igniting a fierce debate over balancing accountability in law enforcement with the rights of local voters. Senate Bill 5974 cleared the Ways […]
Ferguson and congressional leaders request Trump to approve Major FEMA support after historic floods
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson on January 21, in unison with the entire bi-partisan Washington state congressional delegation the following day, sent letters to President Donald J Trump requesting critical FEMA designation, and funding, to help communities impacted by the record-breaking flooding in December 2025. For nearly two weeks in December, many rivers across Washington […]
Will Chen Launches Campaign for State Representative in Washington’s 32nd Legislative District
Edmonds City Councilmember Will Chen on Friday, January 16, formally announced his campaign for State Representative in Washington’s 32nd Legislative District, entering the race with a focus on affordability, opportunity, public safety, and practical, fiscally responsible leadership at a time when families and small businesses across the district are feeling increasingly squeezed. Spanning communities in […]
