Northwest

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard Gov. Bob Ferguson slams President Donald Trump’s tariffs in a press conference alongside union leaders, lawyers, elected officials and others at the Port of Seattle on Wednesday.

Stop Trump’s tariffs, WA leaders beg court

Local ports are facing instability as shippers grapple with shifting trade policy.

  • May 23, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard

 

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature on the the 1,367 page document outlining the state’s 2025 operating budget. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Ferguson signs budget boosting Washington state spending and taxes

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

  • May 21, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield and Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard

 

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard Labor advocates filled up the governor’s conference room on Monday and watched Gov. Bob Ferguson sign Senate Bill 5041, which extends unemployment insurance to striking workers.

Washington will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers

Labor advocates scored a win on Monday after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed…

  • May 21, 2025
  • By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero Washington State Standard

 

Aristide Economopoulos / NJ Monitor Guns are shown at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, N.J.

Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law

The requirement will go beyond the state’s existing background checks.

  • May 21, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Aristide Economopoulos / NJ Monitor Guns are shown at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, N.J.
Seen here are the blue pens Gov. Bob Ferguson uses to sign bills. Companies and other interest groups are hoping he’ll opt for red veto ink on a range of tax bills. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Tesla, Netflix, Philip Morris among those pushing WA governor for tax vetoes

Gov. Bob Ferguson is getting lots of requests to reject new taxes ahead of a Tuesday deadline for him to act on bills.

  • May 17, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Seen here are the blue pens Gov. Bob Ferguson uses to sign bills. Companies and other interest groups are hoping he’ll opt for red veto ink on a range of tax bills. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard A new law in Washington will assure students are offered special education services until they are 22. State Sen. Adrian Cortes, D-Battle Ground, a special education teacher, was the sponsor. He spoke of the need for increased funding and support for public schools at a February rally of educators, parents and students at the Washington state Capitol.

Washington will offer special education to students longer under new law

A new law triggered by a lawsuit will ensure public school students in Washington are offered special education instruction until they are 22 years old.… Continue reading

  • May 17, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard A new law in Washington will assure students are offered special education services until they are 22. State Sen. Adrian Cortes, D-Battle Ground, a special education teacher, was the sponsor. He spoke of the need for increased funding and support for public schools at a February rally of educators, parents and students at the Washington state Capitol.
An apartment building under construction in Olympia, Washington in January 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Next stop for Washington housing: More construction near transit

Noticed apartment buildings cropping up next to bus and light rail stations? More could be on the way. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House… Continue reading

  • May 15, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
An apartment building under construction in Olympia, Washington in January 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard Lt Gov. Denny Heck presiding over the Senate floor on April 27.

Washington tries to maintain B.C. ties amid Trump era tensions

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck and others traveled to Victoria to set up an interparliamentary exchange with British Columbia, and make clear they’re not aligned with the president’s policies or rhetoric.

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard Lt Gov. Denny Heck presiding over the Senate floor on April 27.
A speed limiter device, like this one, will be required for repeat speeding offenders under a Washington law signed on May 12, 2025. The law doesn’t take effect until 2029. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Washington to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters

A new law set to take effect in 2029 will require repeat speeding offenders to install the devices in their vehicles.

  • May 14, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
  • Transportation
A speed limiter device, like this one, will be required for repeat speeding offenders under a Washington law signed on May 12, 2025. The law doesn’t take effect until 2029. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Commuters from Whidbey Island disembark their vehicles from the ferry Tokitae on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Bids for five new hybrid ferries come in high

It’s raising doubts about the state’s plans to construct up to five new hybrid-electric vessels with the $1.3 billion lawmakers have set aside.

  • May 13, 2025
  • By Tom Banse Washington State Standard
Commuters from Whidbey Island disembark their vehicles from the ferry Tokitae on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Attorney General Nick Brown (center) announces a lawsuit against the Trump administration in Seattle, Washington, on May 9, 2025, over its declaration of an energy emergency. (Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Trump energy emergency latest target for Washington AG

In a 15-state lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle, states argue the president is abusing his authority to fast-track fossil fuel projects.

  • May 10, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Attorney General Nick Brown (center) announces a lawsuit against the Trump administration in Seattle, Washington, on May 9, 2025, over its declaration of an energy emergency. (Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association march at the 2025 public service recognition event at the state Capitol on May 7, 2025. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Union urges Ferguson not to sign budget without their pay raises

Lawmakers say a union representing 5,300 Washington state workers and community college employees ratified a contract too late to be funded this year.

  • May 10, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association march at the 2025 public service recognition event at the state Capitol on May 7, 2025. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

WA State Supreme Court upholds ban on high-capacity ammo magazine sales

Firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will remain outlawed under a 2022 law that a gun shop challenged as unconstitutional.

  • May 8, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard The Washington state Capitol on April 18.

Why police accountability efforts failed again in the Washington Legislature

Much like last year, advocates saw their agenda falter in the latest session.

  • May 7, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / Washington State Standard The Washington state Capitol on April 18.
Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County) Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)

Hoh Rain Forest road to reopen after state assistance to repair washout

With the help of over $600,000 in state money, the sole access road to Olympic National Park’s popular Hoh Rain Forest will reopen this week… Continue reading

  • May 5, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County) Heavy rain eroded part of Upper Hoh Road, closing it in December. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Decision on investing WA Cares tax dollars in stock market goes to ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment would let assets, which exceed $1.6B, be invested much like the state’s pension funds. Voters rejected the idea in 2020.

  • May 3, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A couple walks around Harborview Park as the Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

WA ports await sharp drop in cargo as Trump’s tariff battle with China drags on

Shippers trying to get ahead of the import taxes drove a recent surge, officials say.

  • May 2, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
A couple walks around Harborview Park as the Seaspan Brilliance, a 1,105-foot cargo ship, moors near the Port of Everett on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The ship is moored until it can offload its cargo in Vancouver, B.C. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.

Behind the scenes, Ferguson backed bill to cap rent increases for months

The governor finally voiced support publicly for the legislation on Wednesday after a lawmaker shared information about his views.

  • May 2, 2025
  • By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Photo courtesy of Legislative Support Services Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to lawmakers and other officials at the state Capitol on Jan. 15 during his inaugural address. Throughout the legislative session, Ferguson indicated he would support legislation to cap rent increases, but he never voiced public support for the bill.
SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

A big Pacific Northwest quake could cause land to sink in minutes

and shaking and tsunamis wouldn’t be the only threats from such an event, according to… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2025
  • By Angie Orellana Hernandez The Washington Post
SciTechDaily.com New research on the Cascadia Subduction Zone shows it has a segmented fault structure, impacting earthquake predictions and preparedness strategies, potentially affecting building codes in vulnerable areas like Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Thousands of Washington state workers lose out on wage hikes

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

  • Apr 30, 2025
  • By Jerry Cornfield Washington State Standard
Members of the Washington Public Employees Association will go without a wage hike for a year. They turned down a contract last fall. They eventually ratified a new deal in March, lawmakers chose not to fund it in the budget. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)