WAGOP Chair accuse AG Brown and Sen Wellman of shielding fraudsters in childcare scandal

BELLEVUE—Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh criticized Democratic officials for their responses to an expanding federal investigation into alleged childcare fraud, accusing them of siding with potential wrongdoers over taxpayers amid claims the schemes have spread from Minnesota to states including Washington. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a nationwide probe into […]
Link light rail 1 line runs until 3 a.m. New Year’s Eve

Looking for a safe and reliable option for New Year’s Eve travel? Leave the driving to Sound Transit! Sound Transit buses and trains will operate fare free all day on New Year’s Eve. Link light rail will run extended hours for the holiday, with service every 15 minutes during late night. The last southbound train will depart from Lynnwood at 1:57 a.m., […]
HHS activates Defend the Spend system, evidence now required for ACF childcare payments to combat fraud

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a press statement released today, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill, alongside Assistant Secretary Alex Adams who oversees the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the immediate freeze of all federal child care payments to Minnesota and nationwide activation of the Defend the Spend system amid allegations of widespread fraud in child care […]
Key US-2 bridge near Skykomish set for full reopening Jan 4, restoring western access to Stevens Pass

SKYKOMISH — A key bridge on US-2 near Skykomish has been cleared of debris and deemed structurally sound, allowing the western section of the route to reopen from Monroe to Stevens Pass starting January 4, Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington State Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith announced Tuesday. Repairs along a 49-mile stretch of US-2 are […]
Federal judge allows sharing of immigrant Medicaid data with ICE

SAN FRANCISCO—A federal judge ruled Monday that states must share basic personal information, including citizenship status, about undocumented immigrants enrolled in Medicaid with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation efforts, but barred the exchange of sensitive health records. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, partially upholds a President Donald J Trump’s […]
Boeing awarded $10.6B for Israeli Jets and B-52 upgrades

WASHINGTON — The Boeing Company secured two major contracts from the United States Air Force on Monday, totaling more than $10 billion, to supply advanced fighter jets to Israel and upgrade engines for the aging B-52 bomber fleet. The deals were announced the day President Donald J Trump was meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu […]
Washington secures $181 million in federal funds for rural health

BALTIMORE—Washington state has secured $181.3 million in federal funding for 2026 as part of a sweeping $50 billion initiative to bolster rural health care nationwide, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Monday, December 29. The award marks the first installment for Washington under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will distribute $10 billion […]
Construction delays close 57 parking spaces at Lynnwood City Center station during New Years

LYNNWOOD—The south parking lot of the Lynnwood Link City Center station will remain closed to general public parking closing 57 parking spaces (about 3% of total capacity) until January 9, 2026. Access during the closure is restricted to only five ADA (accessible) parking spaces, and DART and ZIP drop off/pickups. First announced on September 11 […]
New Year’s Eve service: Community Transit joins regional agencies for fare-free rides

Need a safe ride on New Year’s Eve? Community Transit and regional partners are offering fare-free service. Below is what you can expect from Community Transit and our regional partners on Dec. 31, plus a quick guide to New Year’s Day service. Community Transit King County Metro King County Water Taxi The water taxi will […]
Fatal Fire at The Martin at Meadowdale Displaces 20, Claims One Life in Lynnwood

LYNNWOOD—A woman was found dead following a fire at an apartment complex in Lynnwood on Sunday night. South County Firefighters also transported a man to a hospital for smoke inhalation. South County Firefighters were dispatched just before 11:40 p.m., December 28, to a fire at The Martin at Meadowdale—a two-story apartment complex in the 16000 block […]