Michael and Susan Dell commit $6.25 billion for 25 million children investment accounts

AUSTIN, TX—Philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell announced a landmark $6.25 billion commitment on Monday to Invest America, a bipartisan federal initiative aimed at providing tax-advantaged investment accounts to every American child under 18. The donation will fund $250 seed deposits for 25 million children aged 10 and under, extending early access to market-driven savings tools […]
Seattle pushes Olympia for funding on housing, public safety and immigrant aid

[The Center Square]—Seattle is pushing for a state-level backstop to help fund immigrant services and other top priorities as the Trump administration escalates federal immigration enforcement nationwide. The Seattle Office of Intergovernmental Relations briefed the city council on a proposed state legislative agenda for next year’s session during a council briefing on Monday. Priorities ranged from public […]
Snohomish County honored survivors and restored its vandalized memorial, as the promise of an HIV cure grows stronger than ever

EVERETT—Community members, health officials, and elected officials gathered for a World AIDS Day event in Snohomish County on Monday, December 1, to honor those lost to HIV/AIDS and support those impacted by the virus. The commemoration was co-sponsored by Everett Pride, LifeLong, the AIDS Project Snohomish County, and Snohomish County’s Executive’s Office and Health Department. […]
Autopen-gate: The erasure of the Biden Presidency

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J Trump announced on Friday, November 28, that all documents signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen—estimated by the administration at approximately 92% of Biden-era executive actions and other official instruments—are “hereby terminated and of no further force or effect.” In a statement posted to Truth Social and republished by […]
Washington lawmakers want to regulate license plate readers

OLYMPIA [Jake Goldstein-Street]—Washington state lawmakers next year hope to rein in law enforcement’s use of automated license plate readers amid revelations federal immigration authorities are using the data. The readers are mounted everywhere from street poles to police patrol cars. They take pictures of vehicles and use artificial intelligence to analyze the data. Police can […]
New reporting rule on all-cash real estate purchases by LLCs and Trusts takes effect March 1, 2026

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has officially postponed the reporting requirements of its landmark Residential Real Estate Rule until March 1, 2026, granting the real estate sector additional time to adapt to the anti-money laundering measures. The rule, finalized in August 2024, would have taken effect December 1, 2025, […]
Washington Sentencing Commission Recommends Reduced Penalties for Sex-Offense Sting Busts Against Minors

The Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission voted 7-2-3 on November 14, 2025, to recommend lighter sentences for adults convicted of attempting to sexually exploit minors in law-enforcement “Net Nanny” operations, if the offender has no prior convictions exploiting a child. The proposal now advances to the Washington State Legislature for consideration in the 2026 session […]
Public invited to 38th anniversary of World AIDS Day

A special World AIDS Day event is planned for Monday, December 1, to raise awareness, honor those lost to AIDS-related illnesses, and show solidarity with people living with HIV. The event will kick off at 4:30 pm with an open house at the Snohomish County Health Department, followed by a walk at 5:30 pm to […]
Who Really Gets Your Property Taxes in Snohomish County? The Surprising Breakdown Most Homeowners Don’t Know

Each fall, as local governments consider their budgets for the coming year, the issue of property taxes comes front and center in council chambers across the County. Our property tax system is complicated, but the impact of property taxes on residents and business owners is clear. In this month’s column, I will share information about […]
Celebrate the season at Merry Mukilteo on Dec 6

MUKILTEO—Ring in the holiday season with joy and community spirit at the annual Merry Mukilteo event on Saturday, December 6, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Rosehill Community Center. This celebration features family-friendly activities, live performances, and the lighting of the tree! Join us for a festive afternoon and evening filled with crafts, music, and more. […]