Millionaires’ Tax Showdown in Olympia: Fears of Business Exodus vs Calls for Fairness
OLYMPIA—Washington lawmakers heard impassioned pleas from both sides during a packed Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on Friday, February 6, 2026, over Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Supporters cast the measure as a vital step toward fixing what they call a […]
State-Funded Media and Press Pass Denials: The Slippery Slope to Fascism Exposed
State-funded private media looks a lot like fascism. If the state funds preferred media while restricting access to critics, it stops looking like support for journalism and starts looking like state control of the news and political narratives. I’m somewhat of a free speech absolutist, even when it’s uncomfortable. We don’t have the 1st amendment […]
Artist Michael Reagan honors beloved Marysville K-9 heroes
MARYSVILLE—The Marysville Police Department received two hand-drawn portraits of its late K-9 officers Copper and Steele from artist Michael Reagan of the Fallen Heroes Project during a presentation on Feb. 2, offering a tribute to the dogs’ years of service and the lasting impact of their loss on the community. “We are deeply grateful to […]
19-year-old Tristan Weeks arrested in connection to Friday morning shooting and kidnapping
MONROE—Around 6:30 a.m. today, Snohomish County deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the 7800 block of 206th Drive NE. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, a 38-year-old woman, with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported by aid to Providence Regional Medical Center. During the investigation, deputies learned that a 19-year-old male suspect, […]
Community Transit Board approves purchase of Goodwill Property
EVERETT—The Community Transit Board of Directors unanimously approved purchase of the Goodwill property, located at 2208 West Casino Road adjacent to the Cascade Administration Building, valued at $25,350,000. The agreement includes a 24-month seller lease-back of $120,000/mo. “This is smart move,” Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said. “It is something we are going to need in […]
Judge Ian Birk to Run for State Supreme Court Justice
SEATTLE– State Appeals Court Judge Ian Birk has announced that he will run for State Supreme Court Justice. Birk, 47, has served on Division 1 of the Appellate Court since 2022, following a two-decade year career as a leading litigator and plaintiff’s attorney. He is presently seeking the open seat being vacated by retiring Justice […]
Bill to regulate ALPR Cameras passes state Senate, now heads to House
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—A bill establishing a regulatory structure for automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras advanced out of the state Senate Wednesday, Feb. 4. Senate Bill 6002 would restrict the use of ALPR cameras by state and local agencies, set a retention period for the data collected and limit the sharing of data. ALPR cameras, also […]
Bill proposes permanent tax break for senior centers
OLYMPIA [ANNIKA HAUER]—Roughly 200 senior centers in Washington state could become permanently exempt from paying property taxes under a proposed bill, which passed its first committee Feb. 3. In 2017, House Bill 1526 established that senior centers did not have to pay those taxes. That bill had an automatic termination, or “sunset clause,” set for […]
Sen Liias bill would expand pedestrian access in construction zones
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—Hospitals, parks and schools: These key locations are the focus of a bill that would require accessible pedestrian passage to be maintained during construction there. The prime sponsor of Senate Bill 6311, Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, said the measure was born out of a story he heard from Monroe about a hospital that […]
Bill seeks to expand state’s involuntary treatment law
OLYMPIA [CASSIE DIAMOND]—The Senate Law and Justice Committee held a hearing Feb. 2 for legislation that would make it easier to commit someone to involuntary mental health treatment. Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 6296, which is scheduled for an executive session Feb. 3. Salomon said there is a need to […]
