Suzan DelBene Commentary: RFK Jr.’s AI Pilot Program is a Trojan Horse for privatizing Medicare
Earlier this year, Joanne, a Medicare patient from Quilcene, Washington, went to her doctor for severe pain in her lower back, down her leg and on the top of her foot. An MRI showed that a herniated disc was pressing on her sciatic nerve. Joanne’s doctor prescribed an epidural steroid injection to help alleviate the […]
John Braun commentary: Democrats are in no rush to settle concerns about potential fraud
A recent state audit questioned whether Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Families had properly spent federal funds to subsidize childcare. Between compliance and documentation concerns, the money involved could exceed $37 million. Just as troubling, if not more so, is an admission DCYF made through the audit: Two-thirds of the payments it made to […]
Guilty verdict in 2024 Lake Stevens murder case
EVERETT—A Snohomish County jury found 58-year-old Arlington man Mark Downey guilty on April 8, 2026, of Murder in the Second Degree with a deadly weapon in connection with the 2024 death of 37-year-old Katie McQueen of Mariposa, California. On August 20, 2024, deputies responded to reports of a suspicious death in the 11800 block of […]
‘Finish the Spine’: Everett Mayor and County Executive make the case for Everett Link Extension
EVERETT—With a looming $34.5 billion budget deficit facing Sound Transit light rail over the next 20 years, the City of Everett is laying a compelling case for why the Sound Transit Board should keep a fully funded Everett Link in an upcoming ST3 System Plan vote expected no later than June 30. “So first of […]
Swalwell resigns from Congress and suspends gubernatorial run as sexual misconduct allegations mount
LOS ANGELES—Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck said he has evicted California Representative Eric Swalwell, 45, from his $26 million Beverly Hills mansion and is demanding the return of more than $1 million in campaign contributions as the Democrat’s political career unraveled over sexual misconduct allegations from at least four women—Swalwell is currently married. A former staffer accused […]
Roblox launches age-based ‘kids’ and ‘select’ accounts to enhance child safety from predators
SAN MATEO—Roblox Corporation announced on April 13 that it will introduce two new age-specific account types for younger users as part of its ongoing efforts to improve online safety on the popular gaming and creation platform. Roblox has faced multiple lawsuits alleging failure to protect children from online child predators, grooming, and inappropriate content. These […]
Man fearing AI extinction launch Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Home
SAN FRANCISCO—A 20-year-old Texas man was charged Monday with attempted murder after authorities say he threw a Molotov cocktail at the gate of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home and later threatened to burn down the company’s headquarters. No one was hurt in the attack. Altman’s home sustained minor damage to the gate. Daniel […]
Somers statement on Major Disaster Declaration for December Flood Recovery
Below is a statement from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers on President Donald J Trump’s approval of the $200 million Major Disaster Declaration request by Governor Bob Ferguson for the record-breaking December 2025 floods: “This major disaster declaration can help unlock additional resources to recover from the record flooding in December,” Executive Somers told the […]
No County plot to shut down Flower World: Judge rules nursery skipped on permits
MALTBY — Flower World, a family-run retail nursery that has operated on the same Maltby property for more than 50 years, has taken its latest clash with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services (PDS) to the Washington Court of Appeals after a Snohomish County superior court judge upheld findings that the business built a large […]
SRFR Fire Commissioners approve EMS Levy Lid Lift ballot measure
MONROE—The Board of Fire Commissioners for Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue (SRFR) has approved a resolution to place a funding measure on the August 4, 2026, ballot. This levy lid lift would restore the property tax rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, previously approved by the community in 2017. Funding will be […]
