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Olympia’s City Council just approved a one-dollar lease and renewed funding for Franz Anderson Village, a vital low-barrier shelter offering housing, security, and support services to those experiencing homelessness. With a $1.3 million budget — mostly from the state’s Encampment Resolution Program — the village will continue providing 60 units, showers, laundry, and meals, helping residents find...

Pasco City Council just passed a bold resolution rejecting Washington’s new millionaire tax, signaling a defiant stand against state-level income taxation — even though the move is symbolic, it’s a clear political message and the council is already drafting stronger future measures to block similar taxes locally. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dn...

Three Washington counties and cities now face new state oversight to protect Latino voting power, requiring Attorney General approval before changing election rules — a move sparked by past court rulings exposing discriminatory voting systems that blocked Latino candidates from winning office despite their growing populations. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.c...

A 26-year-old man wanted in a homicide in Olympia died suddenly after being arrested in Longview, sparking an urgent investigation. Deputies tracked him down using intel from Thurston County detectives, finding his car and taking him into custody at a northwest Longview home — where he suffered a medical emergency. Despite efforts to save him, he died. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office now leads...

Sixteen-year-old biology prodigy Emma Li from Mercer Island just won gold at the USA Biolympiad National Finals at Harvard — one of only four U.S. students to earn a spot on the global stage for the International Biology Olympiad in Lithuania. After surviving a grueling 12,000-student field and 10 days of elite training, Li thrived in hands-on labs and high-stakes tests, calling the experience “in...

A heartbreaking racing tragedy unfolded at Pacific Raceways in Kent on Sunday, July 5th, when 62-year-old Glenn David Woloski, competing in the Formula Ford division in his 1979 Van Diemen, died after a collision with another vehicle. Despite immediate rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, with the King County Medical Examiner citing multiple blunt force injuries as the cause — offi...

Maine’s Senate race is in chaos as Democratic nominee Graham Platner faces a devastating sexual assault allegation from a former partner, triggering a firestorm of pressure from top Democrats including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, who demand he step aside. Platner denies the claims and says he’s weighing his next move, but even his biggest backers, including Bernie Sanders, now urge h...

Seattle’s immigration court just held its first mega hearing for unaccompanied children facing deportation — a dramatic shift that’s packing the courtroom five times fuller than normal. Kids as young as six, often sleepy from 5 a.m. trips, show up without parents, missing school and straining guardians who scramble to travel or stay with friends. Judges are now rushing cases, giving kids just over...

King County is cracking down on taxpayer fraud with a bold new move: a unanimous vote to create a powerful inspector general office, fueled by public frustration over unchecked waste and mismanagement in the Department of Community and Human Services. With $600,000 already allocated and subpoena powers in hand, this watchdog aims to close critical gaps left by existing oversight bodies, giving res...

Lacey just unlocked a big win for internet freedom—Lightcurve’s five-year fiber rollout is officially approved, bringing high-speed options to homes and small businesses alike. After a smooth review, the city confirmed Lightcurve met all requirements, including hefty insurance and performance bonds, while also navigating existing pole agreements. This move amps up competition and gives residents a...

High Rock Lookout is temporarily closed to the public starting Wednesday, July 8th, and will remain shut until August 23rd—or sooner—while crews finish critical restoration work. After being airlifted off-site in 2020 due to severe decay, the structure was rebuilt on a new foundation and reassembled. Volunteers are now tackling vandalism from last June and replacing ceilings and windows. Due to it...

Chris Wells, former head of United Way of Thurston County, is now stepping in as interim CEO of Homes First — a nonprofit dedicated to affordable housing in Thurston and Mason counties. With a proven track record in community leadership and a fresh mandate from the board, Wells is poised to steer the organization through a pivotal transition, ensuring seamless operations and continued support for...

A wildfire in Douglas County, Washington, has claimed one life and destroyed 19 homes, with authorities now investigating human-caused arson and considering manslaughter charges. The fire, which erupted on July 4th, reached extreme temperatures, melting vehicles and leaving a scorched landscape. Over 100 structures were damaged, and K9 units continue searching for missing victims. As the community...

The Chelan Hills Fire, sparked on the Fourth of July, has already scorched over 10,000 acres, claimed one life, and displaced 19 families—marking the largest single fire loss in Douglas County history. Over 100 structures, including the iconic Hobbit Inn Airbnb, are gone. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the human-caused blaze, which is now 50% contained. The community reels...

Washington State Republicans are pushing for a special legislative session to pause the Climate Commitment Act, blaming it for soaring gas prices and claiming it fails to deliver road improvements. Nine senators have formally requested the session, arguing the CCA imposes “hidden fuel taxes” on drivers. Democrats, who control both chambers, oppose the move, calling the act vital for meeting clean...

A teen was shot in the side during a scuffle at Rainier Beach, patched up by cops and rushed to Harborview—but his condition remains critical. Two suspects fled the scene, and police are urgently seeking witnesses to help identify them before the investigation stalls. The community’s on edge, and authorities are counting on public cooperation to bring closure. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on...

Motorcyclist Collides With School Bus | Seattle News

Drivers heading north on I-5 through Tukwila, especially near Sea-Tac Airport, brace for major delays tonight—four left lanes and the HOV ramp to I-405 are CLOSED from 9 PM Wednesday to 5 AM Thursday for essential paving repairs. Plan ahead, slow down near the work zone, and add buffer time if you’re commuting or flying out of the airport during this window. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a...

Federal Way has just paused new data center construction for a full year, citing rising concerns over energy use, water demands, noise, heat, and emissions — especially as AI grows. While similar moves have already been made in Seattle and Burien, this moratorium targets centers over one megawatt or four thousand square feet, halting all new applications. The city’s goal? To study the impacts and...

The Pike/Pine BIA push is alive but pivoting: after the GSBA stepped back, the city’s now collaborating directly with property owners and developers to fund safety and cleanup. This follows a past BIA collapse in Capitol Hill that shuttered the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, and comes amid ongoing neighborhood challenges like drug use and disorder — though some hope new policing and park invest...

Seattle’s World Cup security cameras are officially offline, fulfilling the mayor’s promise to deactivate them after the tournament. This move kicks off a citywide audit of surveillance practices, including the Real Time Crime Center, and has paused any plans to expand cameras into neighborhoods like Capitol Hill. Existing cameras in downtown and the Chinatown International District remain active...

Seattle’s Pike and Pine area is gearing up for major sewer upgrades starting July 8th — expect lane closures, overnight digs, and a full intersection shutdown for three weeks in August. Over 100-year-old pipes are being replaced, causing noise, sidewalk disruptions, and temporary water shutoffs. Plan ahead, especially if you’re near 12th Ave & East Pike — and don’t hesitate to contact project lead...

A deadly flesh-eating parasite, the New World screwworm, is spreading into the U.S., with over 30 confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico this year. These flies lay eggs in open wounds — even tiny cuts — and their larvae burrow into tissue like screws, causing severe, often fatal damage. Though not contagious to humans or animals, the CDC warns outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners in affected areas...

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at Steel Lake in Federal Way as dive teams recovered the body of a missing child, whose disappearance sparked a massive, multi-agency search after they were last seen heading into the water near a dock. Despite hours of intense efforts by rescue swimmers and ground crews, the child was found only after a grueling search that left the community in mourning. Authorit...

Starting June 11, Washington’s new e-bike law caps speeds at 20 mph—anything faster is legally a motorcycle, requiring a license. Triggered by a tragic teen fatality at a Seattle bike park, the rule aims to protect younger riders by banning unlicensed teens from high-speed e-bikes. Now, only pedal-assist bikes under 20 mph are legal for minors; faster models? Off-limits until riders can legally dr...