Jerry Cornfield

Pickleball Rising license plate, designed by Laramie Studio in Seattle (Seattle Metro Pickleball Association)

Pickleball is the state sport; it may soon have a license plate

Enthusiasts are teaming up with Sen. John Lovick on a bill for a special plate. Proceeds would build and maintain courts.

Pickleball Rising license plate, designed by Laramie Studio in Seattle (Seattle Metro Pickleball Association)
Jennifer Rancourt

Senate panel backs bill adding another judge in Snohomish County

It’s been 25 years since the Legislature approved a new District Court judge for the county. It won’t cost the state a dime.

Jennifer Rancourt
NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112

Push begins for a pickleball license plate and a ban on octopus farming

Those are two of 700 bills introduced in the first week of the 2023 legislative session.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112

They’re in an upbeat mood. We’ve got a definition of middle housing

It’s Day 3 of the 2023 legislative session. Good feelings can’t last forever as committee hearings and votes begin.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his 2023 State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times via AP)

Inslee makes his case for a $4 billion housing bond in State of the State

Calls for an assault weapons ban and the constitutional protection of abortion rights drew cheers from Democrats, silence from the GOP.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee delivers his 2023 State of the State address at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times via AP)
NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112

Lawmakers return as a path for a Blake fix is fine-tuned

It is day one of the 2023 legislative session and 147 citizen legislators are doing it in person.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
2023 lawmakers

Lawmakers return to Olympia. Here’s how to reach them this session.

While they will operate in person, residents will still be able to take part in hearings remotely.

2023 lawmakers
Left to right, EASC Director of Governmental Relations Rashma Agarwal, Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, Rep. elect Sam Low, and Rep. Brandy Donaghy, D-Everett talk on a panel during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County 2023 Legislative Kick-off on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 at Hotel Indigo in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lawmakers prepare for first in-person session since 2020

More homes, less homelessness, a Blake ruling fix and an assault weapons ban are among the issues to watch.

Left to right, EASC Director of Governmental Relations Rashma Agarwal, Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett, Rep. Carolyn Eslick, R-Sultan, Rep. elect Sam Low, and Rep. Brandy Donaghy, D-Everett talk on a panel during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County 2023 Legislative Kick-off on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 at Hotel Indigo in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
State Representative Robert Sutherland, who is seeking re-election in the 39th District this year, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Sutherland to pay $2.5K to settle ethics violation complaint

A state panel alleged the Republican lawmaker broke ethics rules in a March confrontation with a House security official.

State Representative Robert Sutherland, who is seeking re-election in the 39th District this year, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on Friday, July 22, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Vehicles heading both directions cross the train tracks on Grove Street between State and Cedar on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Marysville, Washington. $3 million in federal funding will help the city build an overpass above the tracks to ease the frequent backups caused by trains passing through the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Federal earmarks deliver small sums in a big way for local projects

Road projects, park upgrades, and a sewer project are among recipients of direct funding in the $1.7 trillion federal budget.

Vehicles heading both directions cross the train tracks on Grove Street between State and Cedar on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Marysville, Washington. $3 million in federal funding will help the city build an overpass above the tracks to ease the frequent backups caused by trains passing through the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
FILE - This Feb. 19, 2013 file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. A report released Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill finds that companies selling some of the most lucrative prescription painkillers funneled millions of dollars to advocacy groups that in turn promoted the medications’ use. Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, contributed the most money to the groups, funneling $4.7 million to organizations and physicians from 2012 through last year, according to the report. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

First payments from $500M opioid distributor suit due this week

Snohomish County and 11 cities will receive $25M through 2039. Talks are under way on how best to spend those dollars.

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2013 file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. A report released Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill finds that companies selling some of the most lucrative prescription painkillers funneled millions of dollars to advocacy groups that in turn promoted the medications’ use. Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, contributed the most money to the groups, funneling $4.7 million to organizations and physicians from 2012 through last year, according to the report. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)
Robert Sutherland, left, Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel.

Sutherland, an election denier, teases run for Snohomish County auditor

Auditor Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel are on course for a rematch. The outgoing GOP lawmaker would change the tone of the contest.

Robert Sutherland, left, Garth Fell and Cindy Gobel.
Snohomish City Council member Larry Countryman. 20201023

Larry Countryman, Snohomish cartoonist and civic leader, dies at 81

A political conservative, Countryman lampooned opponents with satirical cartoons that earned rebukes from the left.

Snohomish City Council member Larry Countryman. 20201023
The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)

Regence reaches deal on new contract with The Everett Clinic

The agreement means care for thousands will continue to be in-network. The parties still seek accord covering Medicare Advantage plans.

The Everett Clinic Founders Building on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Everett. (Eric Schucht / The Herald)
FILE - Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Months into a complex trial over their role in flooding Washington with highly addictive painkillers, the nation's three largest opioid distributors have agreed to pay the state $518 million. Ferguson announced the deal Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

State sues 3 major drug retailers for role in fueling opioid epidemic

AG Bob Ferguson alleges Albertsons, Kroger and Rite Aid of failing to prevent overuse of opioid prescriptions

FILE - Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks March 23, 2022, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Months into a complex trial over their role in flooding Washington with highly addictive painkillers, the nation's three largest opioid distributors have agreed to pay the state $518 million. Ferguson announced the deal Tuesday, May 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

For 7th straight year, Democrats aim for assault weapon ban

Democratic legislators will seek several gun control laws in the 2023 session, including one requiring a permit to buy a firearm.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee poses for a photo, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. Inslee, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Loren Culp, police chief of the small town of Republic, Wash., in the Nov. 3 election. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Gov. Inslee proposes $4 billion bond to assist homeless, build housing

The governor unveiled it Wednesday along with a $70.4 billion budget plan. Voters would get the final say.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee poses for a photo, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Olympia, Wash. Inslee, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Loren Culp, police chief of the small town of Republic, Wash., in the Nov. 3 election. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Except recounts, midterm election is all wrapped up

Two Island County races will get a recount. In a hyped political season, fewer people cast ballots than in the 2018 midterm.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331

Dinosaurs, drug laws and police pursuits on lawmaker to-do lists

Legislators are already queuing up bills they want to debate next year. Here are 8 certain to garner attention.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Doug McCardle

Want to serve on Mountlake Terrace City Council? There’s an opening

Council member Doug McCardle will step down this month. The process of finding a successor is under way.

Doug McCardle