Washingtonians to get automatic payouts in $700M Google Play monopoly settlement
SEATTLE—Millions of Android users across the United States, including thousands in Washington state, will soon see money hit their PayPal or Venmo accounts as part of a $700 million settlement with Google over alleged monopolistic control of the Google Play Store. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced Tuesday that the payment process has officially begun […]
WA state wrongly gave 685 noncitizens a CDL, including Florida trucker who killed three
[JAKE GOLDSTEIN-STREET]—Washington state mistakenly issued nearly 700 commercial licenses to drive trucks and buses to noncitizens who don’t qualify over the past seven years. This issue has drawn heavy criticism from the Trump administration and others after a semitruck driver, Harjinder Singh, allegedly made an illegal U-turn and killed three people in Florida. Singh wrongfully […]
Lynnwood Council ends 2025 with a bang, now pay more in 2026
LYNNWOOD—At its final 2025 meeting for the year on December 8, attended by over 120 people, Lynnwood City Council swore in Mayor-elect George Hurst and new councilmembers, honored outgoing leaders, then approved (4-3) a 14.7% permit/fee hike and 33% business license increase; unanimously passed 2.7% COLA for city employees; authorized drafting a voter-free 0.1% public […]
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy – Apply Today to Serve Your Community!
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council Position #6 vacancy begins on January 1, 2026, and will be filled by appointment until the November 2027 election certification. The City Council is accepting applications from interested community members to fill this open position until the certification of the November 2027 election. Link to apply: https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Government/City-Council/City-Council-Vacancy To be eligible to be […]
Snohomish PUD Commission approves 2026 Budget with an overall rate increase of 2.5 percent
EVERETT—The Snohomish County PUD’s Commission approved the 2026 budget for electric, generation and water systems during its meeting on December 2. “By finding smart ways to be more efficient and prioritizing projects, we were able to keep the rate increase as low as possible and ease the impact on our customers,” said John Haarlow, Snohomish […]
Everett Police Chief announces retirement after 31 years of service
EVERETT—After more than three decades in law enforcement, including two years as chief, Everett Police Chief John DeRousse announced Monday, December 8, that he will retire from the department at the end of 2025. Deputy Chief Goetz will be appointed as Chief of Police. “Chief DeRousse has given nearly three decades of steadfast service to […]
Boeing completes $4.7 billion reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems
EVERETT—The Boeing Company announced on Monday, December 8, it had completed its $4.7 billion reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems after selling it off in 2005 to investment firm Onex for $900 million in cash plus the assumption of $300 million in debt. “This is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history and future success as we begin […]
John Braun commentary: A state income tax is illegal, but don’t expect that to stop Democrats
Our state’s Democratic legislators have a long list of tax dreams. It’s safe to say a state income tax is at the top of their list, even though Washington voters have repeatedly said no to one over the past 90 years. Even so, according to recent news reports, an income tax is a hot topic […]
Atmospheric river to slam Pacific Northwest with days of heavy rain
LYNNWOOD—A potent atmospheric river will unload several days of heavy rain across the Pacific Northwest starting Monday, raising the risk of river flooding, urban flash flooding, and landslides across western Washington and Oregon, the National Weather Service reports. The onslaught begins Monday morning when a sub-tropical moisture begins to flow inland along a strong Pacific […]
Robert Blessing sentenced to over 15 years for exploiting young girls at his Arlington ranch
ARLINGTON—Robert Walter Blessing, a 38-year-old Arlington ranch owner, was sentenced to almost 16 years (189 months) in prison on Tuesday, December 2, for sexually exploiting and commercially abusing minors at his RWB Horse Ranch, a once-popular spot for horseback riding lessons and boarding that is now permanently closed. The sentence was handed down by Superior […]
