Federal funding passes first hurdle, contains provision gutting hemp-derived products
WASHINGTON, D.C—The United States Senate voted 60-40, in a first step, to approve H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, which funds the government through early 2026. The resolution now heads to a floor vote on Monday. If the bill passes with no changes to the House’s Bill, then the bill moves to […]
Lawmakers point fingers over government shutdown while blue-collar people suffer
WASHINGTON D.C.—At 35 days and counting, the current government shutdown now ties the record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Both Democrats and Republicans are placing the blame across the aisles claiming the opposite side is responsible for federal workers not being paid and millions of Americans left without food assistance, heat, and […]
Cantwell warns of dangers of AI and politically driven media consolidation to independent journalism
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, warned that the rapid deployment of AI combined with politically-driven consolidation of major media and technology companies poses a serious threat to the first amendment and to freedom of the press at today’s hearing on government […]
Lawmakers weigh in on federal government cuts to PNW Hydrogen Hub
Local lawmakers weighed in on the Trump Administration’s cuts to approximately $1 billion worth of federal funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2), which supports clean energy efforts in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. The H2Hubs program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). It designates up to $7 billion in competitive grants […]
Sultan celebrates the opening of its new multi-million-dollar wastewater treatment plant
SULTAN—Federal, state, and local officials celebrated on September 24 the completion of upgrades to the City of Sultan’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 30403 U.S. Highway 2. The upgrades facilitate the long-term growth of Sultan and ensure that Sultan’s wastewater is properly treated before being discharged into the Sultan River. “As the largest capital project […]
DOE greenlights Hanford nuclear waste cleanup project
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Department of Energy (DOE) formally approved the continuation of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program (DFLAW) at the Hanford vitrification plant in south-central Washington to clean up nuclear waste. News comes after weeks of alarming signals from the Trump administration indicating they might delay the scheduled October 15 start of DFLAW which […]
‘Washington State will not be bullied!’ Ferguson vows to defend sanctuary policies against DOJ and DHS
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson (D), joined by elected leaders and community members, held a press conference Tuesday, August 19, addressing United States Attorney General Pam Bondi’s cease and desist letter sent Wednesday, August 13 – ordering Washington state to adhere to federal immigration enforcement efforts or risk federal cuts and criminal prosecution of officials […]
US Senate confirms Joe Kent to lead a national intelligence agency
[Washington State Standard]—Joe Kent, a former Army Special Forces soldier and two-time Republican candidate for Congress in Washington state, was confirmed by the US Senate on Wednesday, July 30, as director of the National Counterterrorism Center. The 52-44 vote comes nearly six months after President Donald J Trump nominated Kent to lead the center. Kent has worked as […]
Alaska Airlines flying again after fleet grounded due to IT outage
An Alaska Airlines system-wide IT outage on Sunday, July 20, led to a three-hour grounding of all mainline and Horizon Air flights, affecting thousands of travelers and echoing similar incidents over the past year. The nationwide IT outage, coincided with Microsoft’s alert on active cyberattacks targeting its server software, though no direct link has been […]
US Senate cancels $9 billion in previously approved funding from NPR, PBS, foreign aid programs
WASHINGTON — The United States Senate agreed to legislation early Thursday, July 17, that will cancel $9 billion in previously approved funding for public broadcasting and various foreign aid accounts in another victory for the Trump administration. “Tonight, Senate Republicans pulled the plug on more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across America – silencing […]
