A conversation with Dr Steve Woodard, new Mayor of Mountlake Terrace
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE—Dr Steve Woodard was unanimously voted, by the council, to serve as the Mayor of Mountlake Terrace – a privilege he said he is extremely “humbled” by. As such, his ultimate vision for the city, he added, is one shared by the council at large – a vision that has been a collaboration between […]
Road damage from WA flooding to cost at least $40M
[Jake Goldstein-Street]—Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday. The state Department of Transportation has responded to dozens of locations due to flooding, officials told lawmakers. The state has signed 16 contracts for emergency repairs. A few more are […]
SCOTUS 7-2 Ruling Opens Door to Challenges on Mail-In Votes After Election Day
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Candidates in elections can challenge the rules that govern the counting of votes in their election the US Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 14, ruled in a 7-2 decision that can affect mail-in vote counting in Washington state. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections agrees that plaintiffs […]
WA GOP and journalist file injunction to stop state from deleting child care records
[The Center Square]—The Washington State Republican Party and journalist Jonathan Choe have jointly filed an injunction in Thurston County Superior Court barring the state from scrubbing or removing public access to records related to child care centers in the state that receive public funds. Choe, a journalist and senior fellow with Discovery Institute’s Center on […]
Snohomish PUD’s Water Utility Celebrates Turning 80
EVERETT—The Snohomish County PUD’s Water Utility is nearing completion of several major projects including installation of advanced water meters and a new reservoir that will bolster reliability for its customers. The Water Utility has nearly completed its multi-year advanced meter installation, with 99% now in the field. These meters provide detailed water usage information to […]
Mukilteo to hold first ever Lunar New Year celebration at Rosehill Community Center
MUKILTEO—The City of Mukilteo will be holding its, first-ever, Lunar New Year celebration this year, on February 12, at Rosehill Community Center. The event – which will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – is completely free, open to the public, and will feature delicious food, jaw-dropping performances, and the opportunity for cultural exchanges […]
New Everett PD Chief Robert Goetz plans to bring a ‘community focused’ approach to law enforcement
EVERETT—Newly appointed Everett Police Chief, Robert Goetz, officially swore in on Wednesday, January 7, optimistic about what 2026 has in store for Everett’s Public Safety sector. Bringing with him 25 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Goetz plans to approach his new position with a “community-oriented” vision. Chief Goetz was appointed to the position by […]
Lynnwood City Council passes sales tax increase to 10.7%, now highest in Washington state
LYNNWOOD—The council voted 5-1, at its Monday business meeting, to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities—Council Vice President Derica Escamilla was the lone dissent. Starting April 1, on April Fool’s Day, Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate will increase to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. […]
Ferguson may have broken ethics laws allowing ex-adviser to fly on state plane
TUMWATER [JERRY CORNFIELD]—Washington Governor Bob Ferguson likely violated state ethics laws by allowing his former top adviser, Mike Webb, to travel with him on a state plane to the Tri-Cities last summer, the state Executive Ethics Board ruled Friday, January 9, 2026 (Case No. 2025-061). In a unanimous vote, the board concluded there was “reasonable […]
Refusing to take fraud concerns seriously will add to public’s distrust
Allegations of fraud involving childcare funding and other government-subsidized programs elsewhere have people here concerned that something similar could be happening in Washington. I know this because of the calls and emails that have come in since federal Republicans began investigating the suspected theft, through fraud, of billions in taxpayer dollars intended to subsidize a […]
