Washington state Supreme Court Justice Colleen Melody is sworn in Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Olympia, Washington. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Northwest

Washington’s newest Supreme Court justice is sworn in

Colleen Melody is officially the Washington state Supreme Court’s newest justice.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Alie Skowronski / Tribune News Services)

Sports

Godfrey: Indiana shows that college football isn’t broken.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Mikail Kamara was a zero-star prospect out of Stone Bridge High in Ashburn, Virginia.…

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Sports

Zach Charbonnet out for rest of Seahawks’ run for Super Bowl

RENTON — It’s Kenneth Walker Time for the rest of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti lifts the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after the championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Matias J. Ocner, Tribune News Services)

Sports

Indiana wins a college football national championship

The once hapless Hoosiers beat Miami to complete magical 16-0 season.

Opinion

Dowd: Nobels and nations; if Trump wants it, he’ll try to take it

Trump says his power is limited only by ‘my own morality.’ So, too, is his desire for possession.

Opinion

Support schools bonds, levies for strong students, communities

Strong schools are essential to Everett’s success so I’m hoping you will vote yes on both Everett Public…

Opinion

Schwab’s perspective on police panel valuable

Herald Columnist Sid Schwab’s service on the Everett Police Chief’s Advisory Board is more appropriate than he acknowledged…

Opinion

Comment: Issue of transgender girls in sports best left to states

The apparent take of Justice Kavanaugh might be the best way to ensure dignity to all student athletes.

Opinion

Comment: White House push to undermine midterms gathering steam

But most blue states — and a few red ones — are declining to allow interference with voter…

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank testifies before the Washington state Senate Law and Justice Committee in Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Screenshot courtesy of TVW)

Opinion

Editorial: Find path to assure fitness of sheriff candidates

An outburst at a hearing against a bill distracted from issues of accountability and voters’ rights.

A peach tree branch with buds. (Sunnyside Nursery)

Life

The Golfing Gardener: What a Peach!

One of the true pleasures in the world of gardening has always been and will continue to be…

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson at his State of the State address on Jan. 13, 2026. Ferguson did not discuss the budget cuts he’s proposing in his speech but they’ve stoked plenty of testimony in the first days of the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Northwest

An icy reception for Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed budget cuts

Advocates for schools, public universities, and climate programs are among those unhappy with the raft of cuts the…

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Sports

Seahawks get a familiar, dangerous foe for NFC championship

Whose charm will this third time be, for a spot in the Super Bowl?

Opinion

Comment: History’s warnings about those who cling to power

More than 65 years ago, a rift between civil rights leaders might have ended the movement itself.

Opinion

Stephens: Iran’s leaders falling to their own antisemitism

The regime would rather pursue a perpetual jihad against Israel and Jews than feed its own people.

Opinion

Lozada: Two questions podcasters, moderators should stop asking

How did we get to the point where ‘How did we get here?’ seemed a useful way to…

The log-in page of Instagram’s website. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Northwest

Push for youth social media safeguards revived in WA Legislature

A proposal would prohibit addictive feeds and push notifications at certain times for minors. Opponents believe it’s unconstitutional.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during a game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Sports

Sam Darnold handles injury, leads Seahawks to rout of 49ers

SEATTLE — The Seahawks’ locker room at their home stadium is large.

Opinion

Why approval of Everett Schools’ bond, levy is so important

As a former Everett School Board director, I understand public school funding is complex and often misunderstood. Public…

Opinion

Welch column: Hopes for state shouldn’t be tall order

I hope that Todd Welch’s dreams for the 2026 Legislature come true (“State’s chance to start a better…