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. […]
AG Brown co-leads multi-state suit against HUD’s homelessness funding overhaul
SEATTLE—The Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown is co-leading an 18-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) alleging that the agency’s new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, introduces unlawful policies and conditions that disrupt the Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program—a key federal initiative that […]
Brian Bennett appointed as Director of WA State Lottery
OLYMPIA –Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Brian Bennett as Director of Washington State Lottery on Tuesday, November 18. “Brian’s extensive and diverse leadership experience makes him well-suited for this role,” said Governor Ferguson. “As director of Washington’s Lottery, he will help deliver an excellent experience for players and generate revenue that funds critical services […]
Trump signs EO designating Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organization
WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald J. Trump signed on Monday, November 24, executive order titled, “DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CHAPTERS AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNATED GLOBAL TERRORISTS,” that launches the formal process to designate specific Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt as foreign terrorist organizations under the Immigration and Nationality Act and […]
